Page 21 - Pierce County Lawyer - September October 2024

LAWYER SPOTLIGHT
Michelle Luna is the Civil Division Assistant Chief of the Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Michelle is also a private mediator, at Luna Mediation.
Meet Brennen Johnson
Partner at JOHNSON, GRAFFE, KEAY, MONIZ & WICK Practicing for 8 years
BY MICHELLE LUNA
What’s the primary focus of your practice and why did you choose this area of law?
My primary focus is Medical Malpractice Defense. I knew I wanted to work
with great clients in an area of law that allowed me to be in court and litigate. I enjoy working with doctors and nurses who have dedicated their lives to helping others.
Did you benefit from mentors early in your career?
Yes! My entire career has been shaped by mentors. From a professor who encouraged me to intern with the government so that I could work closely with attorneys and get courtroom experience, a family friend advising me to seek a clerkship with Judge Settle, and a role model at the prosecutor’s office who helped steer me towards my firm now. All along the way I’ve been fortunate to have mentors who have pointed me in the right direction.
What advice would you give to a young lawyer just beginning their practice?
I don’t think there’s anything more important than the people you surround yourself with. The most important
thing to focus on is seeking activities and opportunities to make you the best attorney you can be, rather than focusing on prestige and location. And the biggest factor in becoming the best attorney you can be is the quality and character of the people you work with.
To date, what do you consider one of your greatest professional successes?
I represented a gentleman who ran
a group home for disabled veterans
and was facing charges by APS (Adult Protective Services). I believed my client and felt that DSHS had simply got it wrong in their investigation. The group home housed several disabled veterans.
These were men who were previously homeless and had finally found a stable living situation where they had food, shelter, and friendship. Losing the case would have meant these men losing their community and our client losing the work to which they had dedicated their career. We fought it at every administrative level and prevailed in superior court. This case reminded me of why we all become lawyers—to help others.
What in your opinion, makes
the Pierce County Bar awesome?
I had clerked at the Tacoma Federal courthouse and worked in Pierce County, and I always knew I would stay and practice here. I’ve litigated
all over the state and can honestly say that the Pierce County Bar has a true spirit of cooperation and collegiality. Practitioners understand that there will always be the next case together and we tend to focus on maintaining positive longstanding relationships.
How do you obtain work/life balance?
I don’t—I’m a litigator! If you have
a litigation practice that’s busy and you’re doing good work, I think the notion of work/life balance looks a little different. It’s about setting priorities and communicating your needs to your work and family. My wife and I had
our two kids while I was a 1L and 2L. That forced me early on to understand the importance of my family and how to navigate those competing demands. If you have a service-oriented mindset towards the people you love, then making the time for family comes easy, even if there’s never enough time.
If you weren’t practicing law, what would you do?
Theater. I was in the acting program at Southern Oregon University during my undergraduate before changing my plans to law.
Last great book you’ve read?
The Boys in the Boat.
What is the one trait you admire most in opposing counsel (when you see it)?
Easy—kindness.
September/October 2024 | PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER 21