Page 28 - Pierce County Lawyer Novemer December 2024

LAWYER SPOTLIGHT
NEW & YOUNG LAWYERS REPORT
Meet Brenna Quinlan
Brenna Quinlan is the current Vice
President and incoming President
of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar
Association New and Young Lawyers
Section. Since being licensed in 2020,
she has practiced at Balsam Quinlan PS,
a civil law firm in Tacoma. Her work
focuses on all things Trusts and Estates.
As a rising leader, Brenna continues
to inspire and support new and young
attorneys in the profession
1. What inspired you to pursue
a career in law, and how did
you choose your specific
practice area?
I decided to pursue a career in law
during my undergrad at the University of
Washington where I majored in Political
Science. My studies were illuminating
as to the realities of our legal and
government systems, the good and the
bad. I decided I wanted to be part of the
“good” in those systems.
During Law School, I was not sure
what area of law I would end up in. I
considered my own experiences, which
led me to Guardianship. Our work
often involves protecting people who
are elderly or have disabilities. I grew
up with two close cousins who have
disabilities and knew that this work
would be meaningful.
2. Could you share a bit about
your journey to becoming a
lawyer? Were there any pivotal
moments that shaped your
career path?
It’s difficult to pinpoint a specific
moment, but I have to acknowledge
the attorneys I grew up watching and
admiring – my father, Tom Quinlan,
my aunt, Kathleen Shoemaker, and my
father’s law partner of many years, Gina
Auter.
Kathleen and Gina, in particular, showed
me from a young age that women
can have successful professional lives
without compromising on family and
motherhood. They also showed me,
probably without realizing, that women
can be strong, effective leaders without
apology.
3. What area of law do you
currently practice, and what
do you find most rewarding
about it?
Our practice at Balsam Quinlan P.S.
includes all things Trusts and Estates
– Guardianship, Probate, TEDRA
Litigation, Vulnerable Adult Protection,
fiduciary work and representation, and
Estate planning. I find all of our work
rewarding, and especially so in cases
where we are able to uncover, stop, and
remedy abuse or exploitation perpetrated
upon some of the most vulnerable
victims – the elderly and people with
disabilities.
4. What has been your most
memorable experience as a
young lawyer so far?
My experience as a young lawyer has
been full of memorable experiences,
but one moment I cherish is arguing a
motion before the Court of Appeals for
the first time and prevailing.
5. How has being a member of
the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar
Association New and Young
Lawyers Section benefited
you, both personally and
professionally? Can you share
any projects or initiatives you’ve
been involved in within the
Association?
About a year into my practice, I
realized that although I had lots
of support from my office, I was
lacking in relationships with other
new attorneys. Serendipitously one
day, our Past President Neil Stubbs
whom I remembered from way back
in elementary school emailed and
encouraged me to attend their next
section meeting. The New & Young
Lawyers section has benefited me,
not only by opening me up to new
professional connections, but moreover,
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by allowing me to find friendship and
support with other attorneys in the same
stage of their careers.
I am also involved in the TPCBA
Guardianship Committee, where I have
served as a Committee Chair since 2023.
We meet monthly by Zoom, which is
an opportunity to not only get to know
the other attorneys in this practice area,
but also to brainstorm solutions and
strategies for the legal issues we come
across in our work. We hold an annual
Guardianship Seminar where attorneys,
guardians, and the like gather in person
for a full day of CLEs and collegiality.
6. What advice would you give
to new and young lawyers who
are just starting out? What
resources or strategies have
you found most helpful in
navigating the early years of
your legal career?
When I was nearing Law School
graduation, a seasoned attorney at an
office I interned in told me: “remember
that feelings of inadequacy are the
occupational hazard of a lawyer, but you
will be indisputably adequate in whatever
field you select.” I found that statement
comforting both then and now.
I believe mentorship is essential for new
and young lawyers. I have been lucky
enough to work with and learn from