Fall City Lawyers

Chris Van Vechten moved to Tacoma from Portland in 2004 to attend the University of Puget Sound. He studied history, volunteered in the community, worked as a legislative staff member for a state representative and later a state senator, and even personally ran for school board before enrolling in Seattle University School of Law. Prior to launching the Law Office of Chris Van Vechten, Chris worked as a Rule 9 prosecuting attorney with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office and later with the Lakewood City Attorney’s Office. In addition, he interned with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Civil Division...

Shelly focuses her practice on employment law and litigation, commercial litigation, products liability, construction law, insurance defense and coverage, and appellate advocacy. She represents individuals and businesses in all aspects of commercial and employment disputes and especially enjoys working with clients to help them understand the legal process. Shelly prides herself on being a tough advocate for her clients and finding strategic and creative solutions in tough cases.

Shelly joined GTH in 2011. A graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, she began her legal career in Alaska, first serving as a judicial law clerk for...

Before earning her law degree, magna cum laude, from Gonzaga University School and joining GTH in 1991, Margaret Archer was a financial analyst for Westinghouse Hanford Company. She puts her business acumen and insight into the world of finance to good use in her position as Chair of our Board of Directors and in her practice areas of land use, real estate litigation and commercial litigation.

James joined GTH after completing a clerkship for the former Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court. He focuses his practice pursuing trials in the areas of personal injury, catastrophic accidents, employment law, and insurance coverage.

He has briefed and argued multiple appeals, including cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court. In his practice he has represented families in wrongful death cases, victims in sexual abuse cases, and many returning U.S. service members who face discrimination or retaliation in the workplace.

When he’s not working, he’s blazing trails, scaling peaks, and skiing with his...

Born in Philadelphia and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Bill Holt moved gradually westward—with a 7-year stop in Iowa City to pick up his undergraduate and law degrees—until he got to Tacoma in 1970. He has lived and worked here in the Northwest ever since, joining GTH in 1971 after clerking for Judge William T. Beeks in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington.

His primary areas of practice include the purchase and sale of businesses and large commercial real estate projects, as well as intellectual property law, privacy and publicity law, public records law, and finance.

Warren’s primary area of practice is labor and employment law. In this capacity, he represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including discrimination, harassment, termination, wage-and-hour litigation, collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, and day-to-day advice.

If client loyalty and satisfaction are any measure of an attorney’s success, then Warren has a lot to proud of. After 30 years, he continues to represent his first legal client, a chain of locally owned grocery stores. In fact, he has worked for many of his clients for several decades. Some of his other long-term clients include Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Housing Authority,...

Andrea is a trial lawyer with an emphasis in business and employment litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. She has successfully represented clients litigating shareholder, non-competition, and employment discrimination disputes, and obtained pre-trial injunctions. She has achieved jury verdicts enforcing her clients’ contract rights, represented clients in trust and estates disputes, and obtained protection for vulnerable adults. She also regularly represents clients in the areas of regulatory monitoring and advocacy, including extensive work in alcohol regulation and policy, and with Washington's Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Andrea joined GTH in 2005 after graduating from Seattle University School of Law,...

A Seattle native, Amanda O’Halloran joined the firm in 1995, after graduating from Seattle University School of Law. She focuses her practice primarily on providing employment law advice to a diverse group of businesses, ranging from car dealerships and other retail establishments to healthcare providers, financial services companies, non-profits, and private membership associations. She is frequently called upon to provide advice on difficult employment terminations, conducting internal harassment and discrimination investigations, drafting employment agreements and other contracts, and developing anti-harassment policies and conducting training. Amanda works closely with Human Resource personnel, executive management, and business owners to resolve...

Christopher Morales grew up a military brat, whose family was stationed all over the western United States, including Phoenix, AZ, Albuquerque, NM, Denver, CO, and Corpus Christi, TX. While he enjoyed each place for its own unique charm, upon landing in King County, it was love at first sight. Christopher kept his higher education local for as long as possible, attending the University of Washington where he earned a degree in political science. He did leave Western Washington for a short period of time to attend law school at Creighton University in Nebraska but pined for the cloudy skies and...

Bill Kessler helps businesses, individuals and families reach their goals by providing timely, thorough representation. He understands and facilitates each client’s big-picture objectives, and efficiently integrates his role in achieving those objectives. Bill has litigated Superior Court cases all around Washington and cases in the United States District Courts for the Western District of Washington and Eastern District of Washington. He has also argued cases to the Washington Court of Appeals and has been admitted pro hac vice to several federal and state courts around the United States. Bill conducts a range of business and real estate transactions, including...

A Seattle, Washington native, attorney Kevin Coluccio is an accomplished personal injury and trucking liability attorney.

For nearly thirty years, he has been helping seriously injured people and the families of wrongful death victims. Coluccio has earned over $80 million dollars in trial verdicts and case settlements for injury and death claims.

Washington Super Lawyers named Kevin Coluccio one of the Top 100 Lawyers every year since 2003. He is listed in Best Lawyers In America, and has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, as well as the highest rating...

At the age of 20, Dan lost his father to a single car accident in the middle of the night and his family's life changed forever. This unfortunate experience led him on the path to become a lawyer and helping out clients who have been through difficult life changing experiences after a car accident. It has led him to be more empathetic, allowing him to sympathize with his client's emotions and to build stronger relationships with his clients. Prior to BGN Attorneys, Dan worked at Fielding Law Group on serious personal injury, wrongful death, DUI dram shop, medical malpractice and...

Janet George is widely recognized as one of the top family law attorneys in the state of Washington. She limits her practice to complex, high asset and high income cases, including those involving property characterization, business valuations, and the distribution of multi-million dollar estates. She has represented high net worth individuals across different fields, including business owners, corporate executives, legal and medical professionals, and professional athletes. Janet has received the top honors of her field. She has been a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) since 1992, serving as President of the Washington AAML chapter from 1997 to...

Sarah is a person (who happens to also be an attorney) fueled by compassion, curiosity, and the desire to see justice prevail. She started her path towards the legal profession at age 7 when she negotiated her first deal: to stay up past her bedtime. She did not win. Several decades later, she applied this and many other life lessons to the practice of law. In her spare time, you can find Sarah at the local dog park trying and failing to get her dog to fetch a tennis ball, playing on the water, listening to music, traveling around this...

Rita is a founding partner and CEO of McKinley Irvin. With an eye toward the future, Rita works with the firm's leadership team to maintain McKinley Irvin’s commitment to excellence in law practice, client service, professionalism, and firm management. In addition to her work at McKinley Irvin, Rita is deeply involved in the Tacoma community and has served as a director on several local and professional boards. She currently serves on the Legal Pathways Community Advisory Board and as a Dressel Scholars Mentor at the University of Washington Tacoma. Additionally, Rita founded MI’s Black Law Student Mentorship Program where she...

Lindsay Noel is a family law attorney at McKinley Irvin, serving clients in Tacoma, Seattle, and Puyallup. She represents clients in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child and spousal support, relocation, military family law, and LGBTQ+ family law. Known for her compassionate approach and strategic advocacy, Lindsay helps clients navigate complex and emotionally challenging situations with clarity and confidence.

Early in his career, Don became a part of legal history when he served as counsel at the trial and appellate levels in the famous “snail darter” case (Tennessee Valley Authority v. Hill, 437 U.S. 153 [1978]), litigated under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. The litigation resulted in a successful review by the U.S. Supreme Court. In addition to practicing law in Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, Don has also taught law and served in senior administrative positions at the University of Puget Sound, University of Michigan, and University of Tennessee law schools.

Since joining GTH in 1982, Don’s practice...

Peter Schoening is a dedicated family law attorney who blends analytical precision with compassion to support clients through some of life’s most challenging transitions. His legal career began in technology licensing, intellectual property, real estate, and corporate law, but he soon found his calling in family law—where he could make a direct and meaningful impact on individuals and families. Raised in rural Montana by a psychologist father and a marriage and family therapist mother, Peter developed an early understanding of emotional dynamics, communication, and resilience. This background shapes his thoughtful and empathetic approach to legal advocacy, allowing him to connect with...

I am an experienced and knowledgeable Immigration Law Attorney. My practice areas include Family Sponsored Immigration, Naturalization/US Citizenship Applications, Nonimmigrant Visas and Employment Based Immigration. I am committed to providing exceptional service and representation for your immigration law needs.

I earned by B.A. in Political Science and Government from the University of Washington. In 1990, I received my J.D. from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law. I am admitted to practice law in the State of Washington and am a member of the Washington State Bar Association.

I am fluent in German, and Japanese interpretation is available.

I am a lawyer who helps small businesses, nonprofits and individuals with contracts, agreements and business/nonprofit formation and governance. I also am knowledgeable about government and environmental law. After working for an international law firm in New York, I decided I wanted to make a positive, local impact, so I opened my own law firm in Seattle. I earned my BA from Tulane University and my JD from the University of Chicago Law School. I have lived all over the US and am thrilled to called the PNW my home.

Shana E. Thompson has achieved success by listening carefully, understanding her clients’ long-term objectives, and helping resolve dissolutions as amicably and expeditiously as possible.For the past 17 years, Shana E. Thompson has been proudly serving individuals in family law cases throughout the cities of Seattle, Everett, and Kent.

Her client base has been built on hard work and determination that has allowed her to become what she is today. She takes great pride in providing top-level service and promises your complete satisfaction when you choose her to handle your legal needs. Shana and her team...

Natalie is both a former public defender and an experienced private criminal defense attorney. She has spent the last 15 years defending adults and juveniles accused in criminal courts and in pre-charging representation. She is a highly experienced trial lawyer. Natalie also has significant experience with civil protection order representation, representing clients in multi-disciplinary therapeutic courts, and assisting families under investigation with DCYF/CPS. Natalie is a 2008 graduate of University of California School of Law - Davis, holds a B.A. in English and Journalism from the University of Washington, and is licensed to practice in the State of Washington, the...

I am a seasoned criminal defense attorney from Tacoma, Washington, with more than 26 years of experience in the field. My practice is primarily centered around criminal defense, where I have built a distinguished reputation for advocating for my clients and providing thorough legal guidance. In addition to my work in criminal defense, I have been a pioneer in cannabis law. I played a pivotal role in the legalization of medical and adult-use cannabis in Washington State. Currently, I am working to influence the state’s efforts to legalize and regulate psilocybin.

I am a criminal defense attorney with over 30 years of experience, deeply committed to justice and protecting the rights of the accused. Throughout my career, I have defended clients against a broad spectrum of charges, ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies, ensuring they receive fair treatment under the law. My approach to criminal defense is uniquely strategic, informed by my extensive understanding of both sides of the courtroom. Having previously served as a prosecuting attorney in King County, I gained invaluable insights into how the state constructs cases against defendants. Now, in my role as a criminal defense attorney, I...

Bruce Pruitt-Hamm is an attorney who can litigate, mediate or collaborate.
Litigation- As an attorney with over 20 years experience, Bruce Pruitt-Hamm has been awarded the highest rating by the national lawyer-rating service, Avvo.com. Since graduating in 1994 from the University of Washington School of Law near the top of his class, he has litigated over one thousand cases in a wide variety of areas of the law. Bruce volunteers for the Washington State Bar Association’s “Moderate Means Program“, offering reduced rates to people of moderate means. Bruce’s standard rate is $280/hr.; but he offers discounts for those on legal insurance...

I grew up in a family business, and graduated from West Point, serving 6 years as an Army Airborne Ranger infantry officer. The combination makes me a consummate team player who instinctively leads and trains team members as needed. My legal expertise is honed from practice in both corporations and law firms, both large and small. My diverse background enables me to cross the lines of the business, administrative, technical, and legal sections of a company, and has taught me to develop and lead teams to set and attain goals harmonized to the business strategies, plans and...

Theresa is an expert in legal matters pertaining to Tax, Business, Estate Planning, Immigration and Probate. With a Masters in Taxation from UW, her knowledge and expertise in these matters surpass the majority of her peers. She uses her abilities to give back and add value to Seattle-Tacoma, which has nurtured her into the attorney she is today.

I am J.D. Smith, a seasoned personal injury attorney from Mercer Island, Washington. Before attending law school and during my studies, I gained valuable experience working as a claims adjuster and underwriter. Throughout my career, I have successfully tried 60 civil cases to verdict and have completed over one hundred arbitrations. I have a strong passion for working with children and actively support local arts initiatives. Previously, I served as a member of the ABA House of Delegates and held the position of President for the WSBA Young Lawyers Division. I am currently a member of the American Board of Trial...

Paul is the founding attorney of North City Law. Paul offers business, estate planning, probate, dispute resolution and litigation advocacy. Paul is curious in his clients, as he has built businesses himself, including North City Law. Based on his understanding of his client’s position, Paul gives strategic options to empower choices. During client intake and interviews, Paul listens for key gaps in a story to root out hidden issues. In disputes and litigation, Paul helps clients reframe the situation to conform to the applicable legal theory. When clients trust Paul with their business, Paul ensures money is spent wisely on...

I have been practicing law since 1996, primarily representing homeowners and commercial building owners with construction defect claims, property insurance claims, and other real estate-related claims. I also serve as local and national counsel for a variety of companies that supply construction materials or services.

In 2015, after a three-year legal battle, I settled the largest mass action lawsuit in Washington history on behalf of the owners of nearly 1,000 homes.

Our firm also practices general litigation, and for our construction supplier clients we handle preliminary notices, liens, and collections.

Relax – You’ve Got the Support of an Experienced Law Team
Your personal injury is just that – personal. And although your personal injury case has a number, you will be treated like a person throughout the process.

While You Recover Your Team Promptly Handles the Details
By choosing the Law Offices of Steven D. Weier to handle your personal injury case, you are choosing the attention that is vital to your personal recovery, and the professional know-how that is crucial to your best possible settlement:

You and your case will simply receive more service thanks to our heavily staffed team. We understand your...

Active personal injury and criminal defense practice. Read for the bar exam through the Washington State Bar Association’s Rule 6 Law Clerk Program under attorney Dean Standish Perkins in Seattle, Washington. Former special assistant to Representative Thomas S. Foley, former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. Taught English in Viet Nam. Member of Tribal Court Bars. Member of Phi Delta Theta.

Mark B. Saku, Esq. is a Seattle-based attorney whose practice focuses on copyright and trademark law and the protection of intellectual property in the the entertainment and new media industries. Mark received his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law with a focus in Intellectual Property. Mark's work commonly involves content and media licensing, business development, copyright and trademark law. Some of his recent work covered: contract negotiation involving media distribution and music publishing; legal counsel in the use of copyrighted images in live performances; and legal assistance in the development and negotiation of small business development and content licensing.

Brady Douglas is a lifelong resident of the State of Washington. He graduated from Seattle Pacific University (B.A., 2009) with a degree in Business Administration and received his law degree in 2014 from the University of Washington School of Law (J.D., 2014). He is licensed to practice law in the State of Washington. Brady has been with the Menzer Law Firm since 2020. His legal practice focuses on the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, medical malpractice, vaccine, and insurance law. Prior to working for the Menzer Law Firm, Brady was an in-house attorney for Amazon. Brady also...

Lesley has been practicing exclusively immigration law since July, 2005. She has significant experience in representing clients in Immigration Court, both detained and non-detained cases; appeals from Immigration Judge decisions, both at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals; and the Board of Immigration Appeals. Lesley also specializes in affirmative applications, including green card applications, asylum, NACARA, and citizenship applications filed with United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Lesley handles labor certifications, including specialty cook applications. She is fluent in Spanish. Lesley is actively involved in her community and was appointed by Mayor Greg Nickels to the Seattle Immigrants and...

Brian’s legal career started at the Snohomish County Public Defender’s Association, representing juveniles charged with crimes. After that position, he worked for one of the most successful personal injury attorneys in Montana. Brian now focuses primarily on criminal defense, using his skills and experience to aggressively represent those being prosecuted by various governmental agencies. Brian is a successful trial attorney, and has represented clients charged with crimes including assault, domestic violence, drug charges, DUI, theft and more. He has been referred cases by prosecutors, judges and other attorneys due to his reputation in the field of criminal defense.

Rachel E. Scott was born in Seattle, Washington. She received her B.A. from the University of Washington in 1998 and her J.D. from the University of Montana, School of Law in 2001. While at the University of Montana, she was a member of the national moot court team and was treasurer and the magister of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity. In 2002, she earned an LL.M. in Public International Law at the University of Helsinki, Faculty of Law in Finland. She is a third-generation lawyer in her family, following in her father and grandfather’s footsteps. Her father, Brian D. Scott,...

Derek W. Jensen, JD, LLM, is a tax attorney in the North Seattle law frim, Jensen Law Office, primarily assisting individuals and their families with their income tax, estate, business, elder law, and asset protection planning issues. A 1994 graduate from the University of Montana School of Law, and a recipient of a Masters of Law in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law, Derek has 14 years of experience practicing law in Washington State. He enjoys helping people achieve their planning goals. He resides in Seattle with his wife and three daughters.