Page 5 - Pierce County Lawyer Novemer December 2024

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER By Elizabeth Vincent
Daylight Savings Time has ended and “the gray” is descending. Most are retreating inside and making
plans to light up our homes and hearts with holiday festivities. This is the season of joy, but it's also a time
for reflection for many of us who cling to our burnished memories of holidays past. As we honor cherished
traditions, I hope we will continue seeking the wonder and warmth of this season in new and creative ways.
[ PG. 7 ]
Catherine Case notes that her tenure as Bar President is swiftly fleeting. She recounts her
accomplishments thus far in her term, with no plans to slow down.
[ PG. 9 ] Executive Director Kit Kasner reminds us that the New Year is fast approaching, and with it
the deadline to submit your annual membership dues. She also encourages members to consider running
for one of the open 2025 Board positions: three Trustees, Secretary-Treasurer, and President-Elect. Turn
over that new leaf by getting involved!
[ PG. 10 ]
Our co-editor David Snell writes with nostalgia about our fair city’s past, bearing witness to the loss of
so many historic landmarks. He aptly describes the tension between past and present that we Baby Boomers
experience too often, and the importance of challenging ourselves in order to maintain “neuroplasticity.” I
admire his recent willingness to push it to the point of driving a manual car on the left side of tiny roads on the
edge of the Irish Sea!
[ PG. 12 ] Past President Heather Swann recounts a successful Bar Convention this year, once again in
lovely Leavenworth. The Academy-Award-themed event afforded many golden moments, some courtesy of
Best Costume winners Dan and Debiann Kyler, who dressed as Oscar statues.
[ PG. 16 & 20]
And what would our Holiday Issue be without David Smith’s Top 10 Tech Gifts Guide? I am equal parts
amazed and confused by his reviews of the latest tech gadgets, including a tiny satellite communicator and a
leg compression massager, but appreciate his expertise in all things tech. Also, we are honored that David
Smith’s late father, Joseph Allen Smith, gave us the special gift of a Hanukah tale he spun back in 1972.
According to David, his father's wonderful holiday tales were a tradition in their family for over 50 years.
[ PG. 25 ] Paula Olson’s sentimental article about Christmas memories of her mother and her beloved
brother will speak to everyone who misses their kin this time of year. Be warned, you may need to wipe
“something in your eye” after reading it.
[ PG. 27 ] Our esteemed contributor Professor John Weaver narrates his recent star turn on the October 6th edition of “NPR
Puzzles” with Ayesha Roberts and New York Times puzzle master Will Shortz. If you want to see what neuroplasticity is all about,
try to answer the phonetic puzzles he solved on national (public) radio!
[ PG. 28 ] New and Young Lawyer Board Member Christopher Walsh interviews Brenna Quinlan, who practices “all things
trusts and estates” at Balsam Quinlan P.S. She highlights the importance of attending local Bar events to create relationships with
other new attorneys not only for her practice, but for the friendship and support she has found there.
[ PG. 30 ]
Frequent contributor David Shelvey goes into the vaults to discuss employment law issues he stumbled
upon in his job delivering freight to local airports in the 1980s. He includes an anecdote explaining how he
avoided some security issues at Boeing’s Auburn Plant by visiting his father at work there.
[ PG. 35 ] Pierce County Law Librarian updates us on resources available there on data privacy issues.
He also reminds us that many of these publications are available in their digital library.
[ PG. 36 ] Laurie Davenport presents Part Two of Tacomaprobono’s history, as well as the history of legal aid in Pierce County.
It was interesting to learn how far they’ve come from their first budget of $37,500 in 1995. It was also fun to read the names of the
original Pierce County Bar Foundation’s board members, including Brenna Quinlan’s father, Judge Thomas Quinlan.
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