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An old man bending I come among new faces,

Years looking backward resuming in answer to children,

Come tell us old man, as from young men and maidens that love me,

(Arous’d and angry, I’d thought to beat the alarum, and urge relentless war,

But soon my fingers fail’d me, my face droop’d and I resign’d myself,

To sit by the wounded and soothe them, or silently watch the dead;)

Years hence of these scenes, of these furious passions, these chances,

Of unsurpass’d heroes, (was one side so brave? the other was equally brave;)

Now be witness again, paint the mightiest armies of earth,

Of those armies so rapid so wondrous what saw you to tell us?

What stays with you latest and deepest? of curious panics,

Of hard-fought engagements or sieges tremendous what deepest remains?

Seattle, Wash. — Seattle Municipal Court (SMC) is pleased to announce Josh Sattler has been selected as the next court administrator. As court administrator, Sattler leads the administrative and operational functions of the court. He was appointed by Presiding Judge Faye R. Chess on May 7, 2023, and his appointment was confirmed by Seattle City Council on August 15, 2023, in accordance with Seattle Municipal Code 3.33.060. Sattler has served as interim court administrator since August 2022 and has served the court for over nine years in several leadership roles.

Someone once asked me, “How can you honestly argue for defunding the police? Haven’t you been outside?” Of course I’ve been outside. Do you think I like stepping over human beings on the pavement? Do you think I like the fear of wondering whether a stray round will clip me through my bedroom window? Of course not. But policing as it has been done, in Seattle and the U.S. more generally, cannot continue.

It’s seven days before trial and the lead trial lawyer has the opening statement nearly perfected. The visual presentation is complete — no more tweaks. The fourth run-through led to only a few minor recommendations to change a sequence here, change some language there. It feels right in terms of tone, voice, emotion, evidence, and a dash of sriracha sauce on top. For most professionals in our industry of trial consulting, this story is a dream. It rarely happens, for many reasons. But it should happen much more often, also for many reasons.

One sunny afternoon I hustled home from work, made a piña colada topped with a little umbrella, threw on my bathing suit and jumped into the hot tub in our backyard.

“Ahhhhhhh,” I said, flinging my head back to take in the sun.

My college senior daughter was hammocking in the backyard as her nails dried. “What are you doing home?” she asked.

“Just settled a big case about to go to trial. I’m celebrating.”

For the past year, I’ve authored monthly articles for the Bar Bulletin as well as other periodicals regarding the foundations of alternative dispute resolution. Most legal professionals who find themselves involved in mediation will debate whether mediation is a vital process in conflict resolution. Both trust and faith in the mediation process are required to achieve a mediated resolution. However, the use of extreme positions in mediation can hinder rather than facilitate this goal. This month’s article explores why extreme positions are counterproductive in mediation and examines the psychological, practical, and ethical aspects that undermine the effectiveness of this approach. By understanding the drawbacks of extreme positions, mediators and parties involved can better navigate the mediation process towards more successful and sustainable outcomes.

I met a lady from the South who said

(You won’t believe she said it, but she said it):

“None of my family ever worked, or had

A thing to sell.” I don’t suppose the work

Much matters. You may work for all of me.

I’ve seen the time I’ve had to work myself.

The having anything to sell is what

Is the disgrace in man or state or nation.

Stratford v. Umpqua Bank, No. 100717-5 (Sep. 14, 2023). At issue: whether Washington recognizes the apex doctrine as a basis for a protective order under civil rule 26(c). Washington’s Supreme Court ruled that it does not and should not.

The second Monday in October is Indigenous Peoples’ Day, a contemporary interpretation of the Columbus Day federal holiday originally enacted in 1932. How we approach this day varies: some choose to honor or celebrate, while others mourn. No matter how you experience Indigenous Peoples’ Day, it is personal, and it is essential we commit to shifting our lexicon from “Columbus Day” to “Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

There is a crisis in public defense, as experienced lawyers quit because the workload is crushing, and offices struggle to replace them. In some Washington counties this year, accused persons sat in jail for weeks with no lawyer at all. A new National Public Defense Workload Study makes clear that existing caseloads are far too high.