Page 16 - Pierce County Lawyer - March April 2025

David Snell
Trustee
Law Firm/place of practice:
Small Snell Weiss & Comfort
Number of years in practice: 34
If money and time were no object,
what would you be doing right now?
Traveling the world and assisting injured
workers.
What is the best advice you
have for new lawyers?
Listen more than talk, if possible.
How do you create work/life balance?
Make family and friends a top priority and
have a law partner with similar values.
What would you like to be
remembered for?
Kindness and grit.
What is your favorite quote?
“Good talk, Rusty.”
What is your favorite movie?
Godfather Trilogy.
What is your perfect day off?
Few or no plans and a sunny day,
free style’n it.
What is your favorite website?
Ancestry.com
What is the most important thing you
have learned as an attorney?
Helping people feels really good
If you could have a cup of coffee with
anyone right now, who would that be?
Pastor Scott Harris
1 6 P I E R C E C O U N T Y L A W Y E R | M a r c h /A p r i l 2 0 2 5
Sven Nelson
Trustee
Law Firm/place of practice:
Pierce County Prosecuting
Attorney’s Office
Number of years in practice:
30
If money and time were no
object, what would you be
doing right now?
Climbing Mt. Everest.
What is the best advice you
have for new lawyers?
Find an area of practice that you
really enjoy. If you are not having
fun – try another area of the law
until you find your passion.
How do you create work/life
balance?
Keep a list of hobbies and life-
giving activities and schedule
time for them along with the
most important people in your
life. Don’t work more than 6 days
a week.
What would you like to be
remembered for?
As someone who is fair and fun.
What is your favorite quote?
“The two most important days in
your life are the day you are born
and the day you find out why”
-
Mark Twain
What is your favorite movie?
Pulp Fiction or Reservoir Dogs.
What is your perfect day off?
An early morning hike followed
by an afternoon Mariners game
with a buddy and a beer –
followed by a dinner date with
my wife and closed out with a
family movie night.
What is your favorite website?
Washington Trails Association.
Wta.org
What is the most important
thing you have learned as
an attorney? Reputation is of
paramount importance and there
is more than one way to look at
all legal issues.
If you could have a cup of
coffee with anyone right now,
who would that be?
My Dad (who doesn’t even
like coffee) because he died
over a decade ago and I would
give anything to talk with him
again. If the person has to be
actually living – I would enjoy a
cup of coffee with Bono.