In the early 1990s, Tom Chambers sent me on a motion mission. Go to court. Argue that Dr. X was used so often by the insurance industry to testify against plaintiffs no matter what that they should be disqualified as an expert in our case. Went to court. Lost the motion. Tom had me bring and lose that motion multiple times. “It goes to weight,” declared the judges. “If they’re biased you can bring that…

Isn’t it true that… You previously testified to X – didn’t you… She did XYZ – isn’t that right… As a young lawyer, I felt the flush of success when cross examining a witness with leading questions. We were taught the technique in law school. Told it was the best and only way to cross examine a witness. You never wanted to ask an open ended question – oh no. Because terrible things could happen.…

7:30 am Get up. Take out Nala. It’s cool outside. Mountain air. 8:00 Eat raspberries. Clean up and pack. 8:45 Cristina, Sol and Liam come from little cabin to big one to say bye. And take away a bike. 8:50 Dance while Liam bangs on piano to the Latin drum beat. They finish. Say goodbye. 9:00 Firm meeting – give covid protocol update. 9:25 Leave firm meeting. 9:30 Zoom mediation with Keith Kubic. 2:30 End…

As lawyers, we are uniquely qualified to fight against institutional racism. Yet how many of us are standing with the protesters – maybe not in the actual protests, but advocating on their behalf. And on behalf of this cause. Shortly after  the George Floyd/BLM protests began, our office started a pro bono project: representing peaceful protesters who were the victims of excessive force.  In Seattle, the City has repeatedly used excessive force against protesters,…

Judge Oishi begins the arraignment: The defense has filed a motion to prohibit media from filming the defendant. Defense counsel rises and makes his case for why the cameras should not alight upon his client. This is in the form of a type of opening statement. Explains his client did not do the acts intentionally. That he supported BLM. And otherwise was a good guy who just happened to be involved in an unfortunate…

 We are unbelievably humbled to be surrounded by you allthis morning. The work of this community is to seek justice for those who forcenturies have been victims of oppression, violence, discrimination, and death.And so we deeply thank you for extending your love to our child. Whether Mr. Kelete intended to strike our child and DiazLove or whether it was an accident like he claims, the increasingly regularpractice of cars being used as weapons is REAL…

Justice Ireland: “Here’s a picture of me as the first woman member of the Washington State Trial Lawyer Association Board. It only happened because the President, John Lewis, insisted. He wanted me to be chair of the legislative committee because I had worked in the Stat senate three terms in college. I knew everyone and where all the bodies were buried. The WSTLA Board agreed with one hitch. I would not have a vote. I…