Page 5 - Pierce County Lawyer - September October 2024

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER
By Elizabeth Vincent
Welcome to Fall! We love the sun when we can get it, but my guess is that Autumn is the most popular season in this part of the world. I’m writing this column in late August, and feel no shame in having already indulged in my first Pumpkin Spice Latte. Bring on the falling leaves, slowing for school zones and election season...
[ PG. 6 ] President Catherine Case extols the many benefits of local Bar membership - not just for the courthouse badge and exceptional CLEs - but for the invaluable mentors and friends she’s met through our association.
[ PG. 10 ]
The highlight of this issue are the responses provided by our Superior Court judicial candidates to queries submitted by our regular contributor, Professor John Weaver. Their answers to such questions as to their motivation for running for judge are thoughtful and sometimes very personal. This survey will be a helpful resource when your friends and neighbors ask you who to vote for.
[ PG. 21 ]
A new feature in this edition is “Lawyer Spotlight.” Contributor Michelle Luna interviews Brennen Johnson, who practices Medical Malpractice Defense with Johnson, Graffe, Keay, Moniz and Wick, about the pluses of his area of practice and some tricks to help navigate a work/life balance. He got an early start on the latter, as his two children were born when he was a 1L and 2L.
[ PG. 22 ]
Michael Smith updates us on the Summer Golf Tournaments, including the annual Trophy Tournament, where he earned the title of Super Senior gross champion. Many others earned trophies in this aptly-named competition.
[ PG. 25 ] Professor Weaver writes about the South Sound Hybrid Hub, a joint venture of Seatle University School of Law and University of Washington Tacoma which launched last March. The South Sound Hub
provides opportunities for in-person classes for Seattle U. Law School students attending the Flex JD Program.
The Flex JD track is a hybrid in-person and on-line law program for part-time students. It serves the Seattle U. Law School’s mission to support part-time legal education. The Hub will also assist the UW Legal Pathways Program to support students interested in pursuing a legal education.
[ PG. 27 ]
Seattle University Law School student Owen Leopold collaborated with the program’s Executive Director, Dean Perkins, to report on Seattle U’s Incubator Program, a mentoring practicum to assist solo and small firm practitioners start up and successfully run their businesses. They include endorsements from attorneys who are the grateful beneficiaries of Mr. Perkins’ enthusiastic mentorship.
[ PG. 30 ] Frequent contributor David Shelvey, who should apply for CLE credits for his educational essays, tackles the topic of wills, including the requirements for a valid will under Washington law. He covers potential issues posed by outdated wills and challenges to the capacity of the testator.
[ PG. 35 ] New and Young Lawyer Section board member Christopher Walsh makes a compelling argument for revising Washington’s Paid Family Leave Act, which includes arbitrary restrictions his family learned about only after they had their first child.
[ PG. 37, 38 ]
Additionally, we offer updates from our regular contributors, Pierce County Law Librarian Stephen Seely and Laurie Davenport with Tacomaprobono Community Lawyers. A harvest of helpful information is yours for the picking!
September/October 2024 | PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER 5