Page 5 - 2024 March April Magazine

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
MARCH/APRIL PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER
By Elizabeth Vincent
[PG.7]
President Catherine Case provides
her inaugural column after accepting
the ceremonial gavel from Heather
Swann at the Lincoln Day Banquet on
February 9th. She discusses her initial
trepidation at fulfilling the role and
asks members to engage with her in
improving “our community.” President
Case’s message highlights the Board’s ongoing efforts to increase membership and participation in our local Bar.
[ PG. 9 ] Executive Director Kit Kasner references another successful Lincoln Day Banquet this year. She also reminds our members to pay their dues and purchase the 2024 badge sticker to avoid the courthouse long lines and delay. Our director invites members to submit articles for this publication. Please consider contributing your interesting ideas or insights for our consideration.
[ PG. 10, 12 ] Regular contributor David Snell and I present the highlights of the sold-out Lincoln Day Banquet on February 9th and another seamless transition of power of
the Board of Trustees. The keynote speaker, Washington Supreme Court Chief Justice Steven C. González, presented an illuminating history of racial discrimination in our country. The full text of his speech is provided in this issue.
[ PG. 18 ] This issue presents profiles of our new Board members in response to queries such as how they create a work/life balance, what they’d like to be remembered for, and the always enlightening question of their favorite food and restaurant.
[ PG. 23 ] Retired Court of Appeals Division II Commissioner and former TPCBA Trustee Mark Adams submits a thoughtful counterpoint to Jordan Couch’s editorial in the last edition of this magazine eviscerating the current Bar Exam. His response particularly criticizes Mr. Couch’s position that the exam was intended to literally bar people of color, women and financially disadvantaged white men. He cites an article from a distinguished law professor for his position that the goal was to assess legal competence, not to exclude historically marginalized members of society. This magazine hopes we see more responses from readers who want to contribute their own position piece!
[ PG. 24 ] Honorable Pierce County Superior Court Judges Bryan Chushcoff, Edmund Murphy, Gerald Johnson and Gretchen Leanderson submitted a joint announcement informing us that they are retiring at the end of their
terms this year. Each of them shares a statement expressing
gratitude for the honor of serving on
the bench and acknowledges those who
have contributed, both personally and
professionally, to their successes. Our county
is privileged to be served by this dedicated group
of judges who strive to serve the system of justice
through their work with the litigants who appear before them, and in their shared commitment to “improve the law for the rest of us, too.”
[ PG. 28 ] Tacoma Municipal Court Judges Drew Henke
and Dee Sonntag detail their court’s innovative Therapeutic Court programs, describing the unique approaches of Mental Health Court and Community Court to address the root causes of participants’ chronic recidivism.
[ PG. 30 ] David Snell submits an article detailing the changes to the urban landscapes of his youth in Tacoma and Seattle, and his nostalgia for his old stomping grounds. He also answers the perennial question: how many Tacoma’s were there? He delves into the competing settlements along Commencement Bay, and how Job Carr gambled and lost speculating on Northern Pacific’s choice of a terminus point at his parcel in what is now “Old Tacoma,”
rather than several miles north.
[PG.33]
The New and Young Lawyers Section submit their report, which includes a request for attorneys to volunteer for the 2024 Law Day presentations on May 1, 2024 at a number of Pierce County high schools. There is a flyer for this event with sign-up details included in this issue.
[PG.34]
Another regular contributor, David Shelvey,
asks readers to consider alternatives to the same-old-same- old, including honeymoon destinations and commuter routes from Puyallup to the courthouse. He also provides some timely and practical tax tips.
[ PG. 36] Nigel Malden continues to plum the depths of the Titan tragedy, examining the “whale” of a Release of Liability Agreement OceanGate had its passengers sign before its disastrous final voyage. He considers the forum and choice of law for litigation of claims resulting from Titan’s implosion, as well as the history and current legal status of the assumption of risk doctrine.
[ PG. 41, 42 ] We also feature our updates from the Pierce County Law Library and Tacomaprobono Lawyers.
March/April 2024 | PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER 5