Page 5 - 2025 May June Magazine

INSIDE THIS ISSUE...
MAY/JUNE PIERCE COUNTY LAWYER By Elizabeth Vincent
[ PG. 6] Local Bar President Elizabeth Johnson gives a summary of the TPCBA Board Retreat, at which
the Board created core values emphasizing engagement and inclusivity. She starts her term strong with a
conscious focus on community connection and support.
[ PG. 9 ] Our peerless Executive Director Kit Kasner reminds us about upcoming Bar events, including the
return of the Animal Law CLE and the summer golf tournaments. She also sends out an invitation to sponsor our
annual Bar Convention. This Wizard of Oz-themed event is right around the corner and down the yellow brick
road, so be a Toto (ha) hero by sponsoring socials and other amenities witch (ha?) help make this event a success.
[ PG.11 ]
Frequent editorial contributor John Cain discusses the U.S. Golden Dome defense project, comparing it to
the wall that defended Constantinople in the 4th Century A.D. He wonders if our national policy prioritizing
defense and isolationism foreshadows a decline much like the one faced by the Roman Empire’s capitol city. More
pointedly, he asks whether our “America First” policies speak to a degradation of our country’s values.
[ PG. 12, 15, 17 ]
Here comes the sun and, with it, our annual Travel Issue with tales of adventuring throughout Europe,
to the annual motorcycle rally in Sturgis, South Dakota and cruises to many ports of call in the Southern
Hemisphere. Thanks to our contributors, Superior Court Judge Rebecca Reeder, Antoni Froehling and
Professor John Weaver. I admire their intreprid spirits and travel tips, particularly Judge Reeder’s ability to
appear in a trial online from Venice.
[ PG. 20 ] Pierce County District Court Judge Lizanne Padula expresses appreciation for the success
of this year’s YMCA Mock Trial Finals, held here in Pierce County. The Bar commends her and all
the volunteers for their hard work over the course of this competition and congratulates Judge Padula for
becoming the State Mock Trial Program Chair.
[ PG. 22 ] Our law student contributor, Owen Leupold, submits an article detailing the NextGen Bar Exam, which he advises
is expected to be more in line with contemporary legal practices. He admits that as part of the first class posed to take this test, he
is both excited and a little wary.
[ PG. 26] David Shelvey submits a practical guide to starting a solo practice, including potential costs for
office space and equipment, as well as organizational hacks to help limit missteps in acquiring new clients and
keeping current ones. He provides hard-earned advice based on his own experience hanging out his shingle,
including the cost of that signage.
[ PG. 30 ]
Nigel Malden returns with Part II of his Mysterious Drones investigation, positing a potential government
cover-up and many more questions about these numerous sightings of unmanned aircraft over the Northeastern
Seaboard in late 2023 and 2024. The sophisticated flight patterns displayed, the unusual shape of some of these
objects and the sightings over secure military sites—and Trump’s golf course in New Jersey—give grounds for a Part III.
[ PG. 23 ] Retired Pierce County Superior Court Judge Kitty-Ann van Doorninck shares her work
as a volunteer attorney with the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. She illustrates the hurdles facing
applicants for asylum in her representation of Ms. A., who struggled to demonstrate her entitlement to stay
in this country. The journey of these applicants is a difficult one, and their need for volunteer attorneys to
advocate for them dire.
[ PG. 39, 40 ]
We also have updates from our Law Librarian Stephen Seeley with many more resources for legal
practitioners, and our column from Tacomaprobono’s Communication Director, Laurie Davenport, with
information about their new programs. Are you interested in being on the Board? They are recruiting new
and enthusiastic members to help them grow!
M a y /J u n e 2 0 2 5 | P I E R C E C O U N T Y L A W Y E R 5