We drive down the hill to watch the sunset from the beach. Phuong has come for a visit.
We first met in the hospital She had just turned 18. Barely escaped death. During the Ride the Duck crash of September 2015. After the ducks lost its axle and crossed the center line it rammed into and through the tour bus full of international students. If Phuong had been sitting one seat back she would not be here today.
Read MoreThis week we celebrated Clare's 30 years of service to the Washington State Association for Justice. I met Clare when it was named WSTLA - the trial lawyer's association. The entire time I've known her she's run the legal education department.
Of all the committees I've worked on over the years, WSTLA/WSAJ CLE was my favorite.
Read MoreShellie and I walk into the Triple Door on 3rd and Union. Late as usual.
Hi. Hi. Hug. How are you. Hand shake. Hi. Everyone is smiling. Am here to support Ada Ko Wong who is president Elect of VABAW (Vietnamese-American Bar Assn of WA) on its 10th year anniversary.
Read MoreShe is a stranger who sends me a handwritten letter after having read something about me. I email her back and invite her to lunch. She emails back and accepts. Two months later...
"Hi!" She says with her warm smile, walking into my room. "I love this office. You have great art."
I take her over to chat with Paul Whelan. Tour her through the maze that is our office. Down to the old racket ball court now turned into a courtroom. Out into the cool sunshine. Down and across the street to the Boat Street Café. Where we spend a delightful hour over our tasty baguette sandwiches.
Read MoreJudy Chambers has passed away. Eight months after Tom.
In September we received a picture postcard from their final scuba diving trip. He later posted it to his blog.
After reading it (and recovering my equilibrium) I sent Tom an email. The interchange is a reminder to all of us (even the busiest of us trial lawyers) - of the importance of love.
Read MoreI started teaching piano as a sophomore in high school. By then, I was going on my seventh year of piano. Vy Husted, my own teacher, acted as my supervisor. And I went through a training program. My parents let me turn part of our rec room into a classroom. Two pianos and a double sided chalkboard. This was no joke.
Read MorePaul Luvera tried a huge case a few months ago. And won. At the age of 78. (Here's his bio).
I have admired (borderline worshipped) Paul over the years for his skill in trial. Several times I've gone to watch. What struck me, was the way he so gracefully prowled the courtroom floor. And owned it.
Read MoreFrom: Tom Chambers
To: Karen Koehler
Re: Last Email
Hi Karen.
My tumors are crushing my throat and my airway. This is my last mail to you. You have been special to me for a long time. But at the time I made impressions upon you, I had no idea, how important a few encouraging words could mean. Seems same with Haskell.
Read MoreMeet The Super Duper Convention Attendee. In this case, Mel Orchard at the Wyoming Trial Lawyers Convention in Laramie.
Read MoreWe are packed in his former office building. Reminiscing. Rubbing elbows. Smiling and sometimes shedding tears. Marveling over the career of this brilliant man.
Born over a gas station in rural Washington. Becoming one of the best plaintiff trial lawyers the state has ever seen. President of the trial lawyers. President of the state bar. And finally Supreme Court Justice. We are here to honor Tom Chambers.
Read MoreWe have been in trial for a month. Many times he's told me to back off. We have been Going. At. It.
He is one of the best defense lawyers I've tried a case against. Nick started as an associate with his law firm when I was in the 8th grade. But he's not old fashioned. He used powerpoint in opening and closing. All of his trial exhibits were projected just like ours - electronically via a 70" LCD screen.
Read MoreThe teams are putting on the final trial. It is our last class of the year. The seventh year Bill Bailey and I have taught trial advocacy together at the UW. (He's a professor on staff now in the law school)
Rush around all day doing our regular lawyer stuff. Inch along thru rush hour traffic to get to the school by 5:30. Stomachs often rumbling. Sometimes choke down a power bar.
Read MoreWhat is there to say. They Came. We Saw. They Conquered.
David Ball and Don Keenan put on The Reptile seminar this past week in Seattle.
You all know by now how fidgety, impatient, bored I get. Well, two consecutive days from 8:30 to 5:00, I stayed put. Absolutely enchanted. It was a record.
Read MoreThe defendant doctors want this LAP band surgery case thrown out of court before a jury ever gets to hear about it. So they file four (4) separate summary judgment motions all with response due dates on the day following return from New Year's break.
Read MoreWe meet Dave the Bailiff first. Through emails. We are cooling our heels. Waiting to see if our trial will start on time. Instead of ignoring us, Dave gives us up to date emails. Plus he has a sense of humor.
We are in trial for three weeks. During this time we get to know Dave the Bailiff and his smile even better. But there's someone next to him up on the bench. Julie the Clerk. She seems quiet but it is all an act. She has a droll sense of humor. We like both of them.
Read MoreAm on an errand. Cristina calls. She is answering phones at the front desk.
Yes dear.
You have a bouquet.
Really? (voice lilts upwards).
Yep.
From who?
Read MoreHave big giant lawyer crush on David Ball. Have followed him around the country listening to his speeches like a faithful groupie. So when Cristina stumps me with her question, decide to pose it to him. Here's what he says.
Read MoreWe'll never learn exactly what went through the commercial truck driver's mind. He wanted to take a left turn. He was supposed to yield to oncoming traffic. But he didn't.
The front of Lynn's car crushed inwards, breaking her bones and trapping her inside. It took 45 minutes for the fire department to finally extract her. We shared her memories with the jury:
Read MoreThelma (our receptionist) gives me a manilla envelope. She says - after much sleuthing I figured this out. I don't understand. My name is not on the envelope. Black marker simply says "Jo-Hanna Read."
Jo-Hanna is the only person I've ever known whose name is Jo-Hanna. I'm careful to spell it correctly because it is a very special name. Jo-Hanna is a dear friend of mine. A trial lawyer who champions the rights of those who are abused - usually sexually.
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