Only when you shine light through a prism can you see the full spectrum of color hidden in plain light. For when light passes through the prism, the light bends, causing it to disperse in distinct colors that make up the spectrum of light — red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet. When you meet Jeffrey Frank, you immediately feel a positive, vibrant energy that emanates easily from him. Whether it’s his warm smile, friendly banter, easy sense of humor, or plain niceness, you feel it immediately and you feel at ease in his presence. Like sunshine on a summer day, his aura touches you with its warmth and calmness.

Native Hawaiian stories incorporate the mo‘o kū‘auhau (genealogy) of people and places, often beginning with ‘ōlelo no‘eau (proverbs). This story spotlights a 40-year-old Native Hawaiian, Appalachian Scotch-Irish, tech-IP-Indigenous-rights lawyer practicing in King County: Makalika Naholowa‘a. With Makalika’s guidance, the story is presented in a Hawaiian way, with Hawaiian concepts as well as Appalachian ‘ōlelo no‘eau passed down in her ‘ohana (family).

‘Ohana – Family | Mo‘o kū‘auhau – Genealogy | Kulāiwi – Native/ancestral land | One Hānau – Birthplace

Jason Amala has never been one to shy away from a challenge or take the easy way out.

Just three years out of law school, Jason was presented with a significant opportunity, but one that posed a substantial risk. Jason was asked to leave his comfortable and relatively risk-free position as an associate at a large, successful firm to be the sole associate for three partners who were going to create their own firm. There were no guarantees, but Jason took the leap and did not look back.

This month’s Bar Bulletin theme “1886 to Now” is a tribute to the KCBA’s history, and the individuals who built the bar into such a vibrant organization.

Michele Storms did not set out to become a lawyer.

Then she spent a summer during college volunteering at a shelter for unhoused women and children in Washington, D.C. The shelter’s ethos revolved around community. Everyone lived together — the people seeking housing and services and those providing them. They played with the children together. They shopped for food together. They cooked together. And they listened to each other’s stories.

In Memoriam
Steve Ellis, 1945–2024

King County Bar was saddened to hear of the passing of Steve Ellis on February 12. Steve was a long-time friend of the Bar and served the KCBF President from 2009 to 2010.

To celebrate Steve’s life and his great commitment to the legal profession, we are re-running a 2011 Bar Bulletin profile of Steve which details his deep devotion to service, to mentorship, and to social justice. Like many others, King County Bar is proud to call Steve a friend. He will be missed.

Former Washington Supreme Court Justice and Bar Bulletin favorite has penned a poignant profile of Tom Ahearne, renowned trial and appellate lawyer who refuses to let his disability prevent him from advocating for clients and the underprivileged.

This month we profile King County Superior Court’s new Presiding Judge, Hon. Ketu Shah.  Judge Shah is the first South Asian judge in Washington and one of the first South Asian presiding judges in our nation.  Even if you already know Judge Shah, you will be pleased to learn more about the former law journal editor, soccer coach, and jazz aficionado. 

In December’s profile we get to know the King County Law Library Executive Director Barbara Engstrom.  We all enjoy reading Ms. Engstrom’s monthly Bar Bulletin column and will be delighted to learn more about her dynamic and engaging personality.  

Next year, 40 years will have passed since Sal Mungia first started practicing law. Almost four decades later, he still loves being a lawyer. He still loves his firm, Gordon Thomas Honeywell. He still loves the competition and the collaboration that comes with building and maintaining a wildly successful practice. And he still loves the idea that another chapter in his career is yet to be written, because in the fall of 2024, Sal will run for Justice Susan Owens’s seat on the Washington State Supreme Court.