Kittitas County Lawyers

I started working on personal injury cases just before my last year of law school. I was fortunate to work as an intern for a solo-practitioner, and learned all that I could in my time there, assisting with personal injury cases from intake to completion. This crash course in personal injury was unlike any class in law school. I learned how to work with and advocate for my clients. I’m thankful for the guidance and collegiality I received early on in my career and will pay it forward. After graduating from Gonzaga School of Law in 1997, I continued handling personal...

I am curious about your story and want you to feel heard throughout your legal process, whether it is estate planning, a probate, a guardianship application, or something else. I want to level with you so I can give you quality advice that helps you move forward. About me: I live in Lakewood, Washington with my husband, but grew up in British Columbia. I am very active in my church, and I got a puppy in 2023 so I could compete in dog agility. If you are curious about me, please don't hesitate to call. I would love to know...

Donna has been representing individuals in claims for personal injury and employment discrimination since 2001. After practicing with another firm for fifteen years, she joined Emerald Law Group in April 2016. Like her colleagues at Emerald Law Group, Donna is dedicated to working for justice for her clients, and is grateful for the opportunity to help individuals who have been wronged. Donna grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, but she has been a Seattle resident since 1989. She graduated with honors from the University of Washington Law School, where she was a Managing Editor of the Law Review. Following law school, she...

PATRICK A. PALACE is the owner of Palace Law, a firm of workers' compensation and personal injury attorneys. Patrick was the President of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) 2013-2014. He is a member of the National Conference of Bar Presidents (2014-present) that prepares and trains Bar leadership nationwide. Currently serving on the NCBP Executive Counsel. He is currently the co-chair of the 21st Century Lawyer NCBP committee. He chaired the WSBA Future of the Profession Committee 2013-2015. Additionally, he served on the WSBA Board of Governors from 2008 – 2011, the Washington Association of Justice Board...

Joe is a founding member of Stacey & Jacobsen, PLLC. His practice concentrates on the representation of injured maritime workers, fishermen, blue water seamen, tug and barge seamen, tankermen, longshoremen, repairmen, maritime construction workers and pilebucks.

Joe was born and raised on the Maine coast. He attended the University of Maine in Orono, then traveled west to attend law school at Seattle University.

Joe has been married to Elizabeth since 1986. They have four children, three boys (in a row) and a girl. Joe has always been involved in his kids’ education, sports, and other activities. Joe has coached Little League...

A partner in Mendel Owens PS, Fraser Mendel focuses his practice on corporate law, with special attention to international transactions. Mr. Mendel has extensive experience in the areas of cross-border transactions, direct investment in China, venture capital investments, mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring, international employment issues, technology regulation, and intellectual property. He has over 25 years of experience in international corporate law, including promoting cutting-edge investment and diversification in Asia. Mr. Mendel advises multinational firms and has built a diverse practice representing companies entering the Asian market, particularly in technology industries. He has been the driving force for over...

Stacey Romberg focuses her practice on estate planning, probate and business law. She earned her B.A. in 1985 from Idaho State University, graduating with High Honors; a J.D. from the University of Idaho College of Law in 1987, graduating cum laude; and an LL.M from Georgetown University Law Center in 1991, graduating with distinction. Prior to opening her own law firm in 1999, Ms. Romberg drafted legislation for the U.S. Senate’s Office of Legislative Counsel and worked in private practice both in Washington, D.C. and Seattle. Ms. Romberg enjoys writing, and has published many articles in a variety of publications...

Anthony was raised in Kodiak, Alaska and began commercial fishing at age 10. He received a USCG Captains license in 1979, held it for 40 years, and continues to fish Bristol Bay and Crab on the West Coast, serving as captain. Anthony has seen almost every imaginable maritime situation from sinking to serious injuries, recovering damages for the victims, including representation of fisherman in major oil spills. Consultations are free, and you can call 206-859-3400 24/7 Contingent Fee Basis for most cases Case Example: $10,000,000.00 (ten million dollars) Bond/Letter of Undertaking, for commercial fisherman and their families,...

A Pacific Northwest native, I grew up on Whidbey Island before moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. I received my law degree magna cum laude from Vermont Law School and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2011. Prior to joining Gillin Law Group, I was of counsel at Genesis Law Firm for three years and an associate at Purcell Legal & Mediation Services for two years. Prior to that, I was an Assistant City Attorney with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office for three years.

For the past 30 years, she has represented businesses and individuals interfacing with the government; she helps businesses and individuals obtain all types of zoning and land use permits, assists individuals facing government compliance and penalty actions and represents individuals with property disputes about easements, boundaries and adverse possession. She also obtains licenses for all types of business enterprises. Ms. Koler frequently challenges arbitrary requirements associated with government compliance and land use permitting. See Guimont v. Clark, 121 Wn.2d 586 (Washington Supreme Court invalidated state law imposing mobile home relocation fee on developer); Berst v. Snohomish...

In 2004, Kenneth Bills and Matthew Driggs opened The Advocates in Seattle with a primary focus on client value and service. Ken believes strongly that a sizable law firm can be as effective at litigation as any boutique litigation firm, while also having the ability to serve large numbers of clients across Washington and Oregon. The Advocates holds these values at the center of its approach to each client’s case. If each individual is treated as though they’re the only client the firm has, everyone is better off. In his career, Ken has worked on both mass tort and personal injury...

My practice is designed to be able to deal with the issues that all too often arise and keep people from being able to enjoy their lives

Susan E. Skelton
“A Lawyer you can talk to.”

Practicing Law in Everett and Snohomish, WA

I graduated law school in 2003 in St. Louis, MO and opened my own firm, where I focused on personal bankruptcy (Chapters 7 and 13), debtor defense/consumer law, and estate planning, including wills, trusts, durable power of attorneys and probate matters. I had a very successful law firm for over 10 years in St. Louis, prior to moving to Washington.

My family and I moved to Snohomish in September 2013. For several years, I stayed at home with my young children and was extremely active in non-profit work...

Scott Ellerby is a partner in the firm. His main areas of practice are real estate litigation, probate, trusts and estates litigation, municipal law, creditor-debtor law, commercial transactions and commercial litigation. He has lectured at numerous legal seminars over the past 25 years on topics in his practice areas, and has represented a wide range of private clients and public entities in negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and bench and jury trials. Scott was a contributing author of the Washington Lawyers Practice Manual, and was chair of the King County Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Section. He earned his B.A....

Since 2003, Ellen M. Hendrick has been providing legal services throughout Spokane. She earned her Juris Doctor from University of Washington School of Law in 2002 and is a participating member of many Washington state and county Bar Associations.
Ellen believes that is important each client receives her undivided attention, which is why she handles all tasks related to a case herself. Determined to get positive results and tailor each case around a client’s individual needs, she offers compassionate and honest legal representation for divorce and family law cases.
Ellen’s passion for helping clients settle contentious divorce or family law...

Matthew Philbrook is a graduate of Clark College, Washington State University, and Gonzaga University School of Law. He has been a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association since 2001, and Oregon State Bar Association since 2005.

Matthew entered a career in law with a passion for protecting the legal rights of those in our community, with a competitive approach. He formed Philbrook Law Office, located in Vancouver and Battle Ground, Washington, in 2005, with the goal of championing the rights of people wrongfully injured or in legal jeopardy. Matthew’s years of dedicated service to his clients has...

I am an attorney in Spokane, Washington with a general litigation practice, which means I have experience in most areas of the law. I do focus much of my practice on criminal defense and personal injury. I am licensed to practice if Washington and the federal courts in the Eastern District of Washington. Prior to law school, graduated from the University of Washington and then worked as an intelligence analyst for the Washington State Patrol. I obtained a certificate in forensic science from the University of Washington. I went to Gonzaga University School of Law where I was...

Sean M. Downs is a criminal defense attorney serving those accused of crimes in the states of Washington and Oregon. Sean started his law career at a small private firm in Spokane, Washington learning the ins and outs of criminal defense, traffic offenses, and driver's license hearings. He then moved on to work at the Spokane County Public Defender Office where he represented people accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses, as well as working on appellate cases. In 2013, after over twenty-one years of combined private and public practice, Sean joined together with attorney Diane Grecco to found the law...

The Law Office of Nicholas Wood, P.S. is a premiere criminal defense, military law, and civil litigation firm located in beautiful downtown Vancouver, Washington. Attorney Nicholas A. Wood has vast experience dealing with the police, prosecutors and other law firms in litigation matters. As a result, Nick has achieved sensational results for his clients on a consistent basis. As a former prosecutor in Clark County WA (Rule Nine Intern), the United States Air Force (Trial Counsel and Assistant Trial Counsel) and U.S. Attorney's Office (Special Assistant U.S Attorney), Nick understands the methods, strategies and tactics commonly used by...

I grew up in Portland, Oregon. I graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and Portland State University. I left the Northwest to continue my education at Texas Tech University. There I obtained both a Master of Business Administration ("MBA") and a Juris Doctorate (Law) degrees. After graduating I returned to Portland, Oregon. I joined the Oregon State Bar Association in 1999 and the Washington State Bar Association in 2006. For almost 10 years my practice has focused on representing Oregon and Washington employees against their current or former employers and individuals against harassing debt collectors. I have represented my...

Attorney Shane P. Coleman (Shane) was born in St. Paul, Minnesota and was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. He began his legal career as an in-house attorney for first an insurance company and then with a national mortgage servicer where he managed and negotiated claims, lawsuits, bankruptcy and adversarial matters covering all aspects of consumer lending law and managed litigation for the company. Shane relocated to Spokane, Washington to accept an attorney position with the oldest law firm in Washington and the largest in Eastern Washington. His practice built upon his experience in consumer lending...

John Guin has over 25 years of experience handling matters in the construction industry, including administrative appeals, trials, arbitration, and mediation. Matters handled include payment disputes, liens, bond claims, construction defects, delay and inefficiency disputes, professional negligence in design and construction management, safety violations, contract terminations, employment and labor issues, and insurance coverage matters. John Guin also serves as a mediator and arbitrator for construction and commercial disputes.

Stefanie has spent the past thirty years in a courtroom fighting for justice for those without a voice. As a former prosecutor Stefanie understands how to hold people accountable for the harm they have caused. She has the respect of both her colleagues and the judiciary as a fierce advocate. While Stefanie has successfully taken the toughest and most tragic cases to trial, she is able to work on behalf of her clients to negotiate favorable settlements. Stefanie’s success is due in part to her ability to listen to and understand the needs of her clients. When not in a courtroom or...

J.J. practices law throughout the State of Washington and North Idaho. His practice involves representing injured individuals and families who were injured or harmed by other people, corporations, or governmental entities.

Nicholas Berning has practiced immigration law since January 2007. Nick has represented over 200 EB-5 immigrant investors and E-2 non-immigrant investors. He also has extensive experience with other immigrant visas (family and employer sponsorships) and temporary work visas. Before co-founding Boundary Bay Law, he served as the Practice Manager at T.D. Knowles & Associates, PLLC from 2008 to 2015.

From 2009 to 2015 Nick served on the Washington State Practice of Law Board, which is responsible for investigating the unlawful practice of law in Washington State. The Washington State Supreme Court appointed Nick to serve as the...

I joined Butler Beschen Law PLLC after spending several years at the Whatcom County Public Defender's Office. My work largely consists of criminal defense. I am experienced in all aspects of the criminal justice system -- from the first appearance with the judge to a case going to trial.

Butler Beschen Law is one of the leading criminal defense, employment law and litigation firms servicing the Pacific Northwest. Our firm is premised upon the belief that narrowing the focus of a law practice - in our case, criminal defense, employment disputes and litigation - and working hard to be the...

Finding the right attorney to defend you in criminal matters is crucial. But how do you find a good, competent criminal defense attorney? Unlike plumbers or even physicians, it can be awkward or embarrassing to ask a friend or family member to recommend a criminal defense lawyer. That’s why I encourage you to call or schedule a consultation to find our how I can help. I am available evening and weekend hours when necessary by appointment. I have no associates, so your matter always gets my personal attention. I believe in being honest and...

I am a native of Olympia, and my family has been in the region for more than 100 years. I received my B.A. in Philosophy before graduating from Lewis and Clark Law School. I have been licensed to practice law since 1996 and have spent my career serving my community. I place an emphasis on attorney-client communication. This includes promptly responding to messages, regularly meeting with clients at my office, and providing an online portal through which clients may access their important records. I promise this level of communication to each and every client I serve.

I am a second-career attorney who started Adaptive Law so I could offer legal services my own way. I pursued my law degree following a nearly ten-year academic career in urban planning and community development, and now apply my problem-solving mentality to a mixed practice of estate planning, land use and elder law. I represent my home district (District 3) on the Skagit County Planning Commission, and continue to teach as an adjunct professor in the accredited Urban and Regional Planning program at Cal Poly Pomona. I am a member of the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAF), a volunteer...

Ed brings more than 25 years of turnaround management, financial and executive management experience to bear for his clients, and has managed a broad range of financial roles — from leading and managing accounting and finance teams, tax consulting, audit preparation, management and design, bookkeeping and tax preparation, risk management, underwriting and modeling functions of a large consumer credit debt buyer to equity structured finance commitments, as well as overseeing multiple audits for PCI DSS compliance and SAS 70 certification.

Ed worked with small and mid-sized businesses, providing consulting on tax planning, financial operations and transactions structuring with CFO Selections in...

Bill Kessler helps businesses, individuals and families reach their goals by providing timely, thorough representation. He understands and facilitates each client’s big-picture objectives, and efficiently integrates his role in achieving those objectives. Bill has litigated Superior Court cases all around Washington and cases in the United States District Courts for the Western District of Washington and Eastern District of Washington. He has also argued cases to the Washington Court of Appeals and has been admitted pro hac vice to several federal and state courts around the United States. Bill conducts a range of business and real estate transactions, including...

I have been practicing bankruptcy and personal injury law in Seattle for over 31 years. I have helped over 5000 individuals get debt free or receive fair compensation for their personal injuries.

Per joined the firm in 2005. He has represented a wide range of clients in the negotiation and drafting of documents for large loan transactions, sales of assets, corporate restructuring, leases, real estate transactions and secured transactions. Per’s experience includes practice before the federal bankruptcy court and appeals in the federal courts and before the Washington Court of Appeals. Per and his family reside in Edmonds. He enjoys golf, bicycling and music.

Kyle Drinnon is a Seattle personal injury attorney. He represents individuals who have been injured through the negligence of others in car accidents, slip and falls, and other incidents.

Kyle has represented injured clients throughout the Puget Sound region in jury trials, arbitrations, and mediations, and has successfully argued before the Washington Court of Appeals and Washington Supreme Court.

Kyle is a Puget Sound native and graduate of the University of Washington. He earned his Juris Doctorate from the Seattle University School of Law located in heart of Seattle.

Lesley has been practicing exclusively immigration law since July, 2005. She has significant experience in representing clients in Immigration Court, both detained and non-detained cases; appeals from Immigration Judge decisions, both at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Lesley also specializes in affirmative applications, including green card applications, asylum, NACARA, and citizenship applications filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Lesley handles labor certifications, including specialty cook applications. She is fluent in Spanish. Lesley is actively involved in her community and was appointed by Mayor Greg Nickels to the Seattle Immigrants and...

I aggressively pursue legal remedies on behalf of my clients to the fullest extent of the law by providing forceful, commanding, and bold attorney representation; as a result, I GET results! At the end of the day, I hope to make meaningful connections with honest hard-working people. Ultimately, my goal is to form lifelong relationships with my clients--I'll work on your case as if I were a member of your family; I invite you to consider becoming a member of ours. My practice areas include the following: (1) Employment Discrimination; (2) Disparate Treatment; (3) Disparate Impact;...

Derek W. Jensen, JD, LLM, is a tax attorney in the North Seattle law frim, Jensen Law Office, primarily assisting individuals and their families with their income tax, estate, business, elder law, and asset protection planning issues. A 1994 graduate from the University of Montana School of Law, and a recipient of a Masters of Law in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law, Derek has 14 years of experience practicing law in Washington State. He enjoys helping people achieve their planning goals. He resides in Seattle with his wife and three daughters.