Southworth Lawyers

Vanessa Vanderbrug focuses her practice in the areas of employment, administrative law, and personal injury. She dedicates her practice to ensuring that each client receives personal attention and has a full understanding of the issues they face. She has significant general litigation experience and diligently seeks to obtain the best results for her clients.

During law school, Vanessa served on the National Trial Team and on the Editorial Board of the Gonzaga Law Review. She also worked for the Office of the Attorney General as an intern representing the Department of Social and Health Services. After law school, Vanessa obtained “behind...

Brian began practicing law as a Deputy District Attorney. After leaving the DA’s office, he worked in civil firms where he handled personal injury, criminal defense, civil litigation, and family law cases. Brian’s diverse background provides a unique perspective on the often-divisive issues present in domestic cases. Since joining Modern Family Law, he has dedicated his practice to family law and criminal cases. Brian’s time in the District Attorney’s office influenced how he works his cases in family law – he doesn’t ‘handle’ them, he ‘prosecutes’ them. He is a zealous advocate for his clients and constantly seeks the best possible...

Rick is a founder and Managing Partner of Goldberg Jones. He continues to provide a level of “hands on” support that is invaluable to each office. His personal integrity and professional ethic largely influence who we hire and how we practice law. One can certainly see Rick’s stamp on nearly every aspect of Goldberg Jones.

I am an international lawyer dedicated to assisting companies with legal challenges in international law and business. I founded Harris Sliwoski, a law firm that operates with teams in Barcelona, Denver, Lisbon, Los Angeles, Madrid, Mexico City, Phoenix, Portland, Seattle, and Sydney. My primary role involves representing businesses in emerging markets, a responsibility that has required me to develop and maintain a vast network through relentless communication and frequent travel. My professional experiences are diverse, ranging from securing the release of two helicopters detained in Papua New Guinea to establishing a legal framework for transporting slag from Canada to Poland. I...

Fred leads Harris Sliwoski’s intellectual property team and oversees the firm’s international practice, specializing in cross-border IP matters. With over a decade of international experience across China, Latin America, and beyond, Fred offers deep insight into global intellectual property challenges. A recognized authority on brand protection, he frequently serves as an expert witness in international IP litigation and arbitration. His clients often operate in cutting-edge industries that push the boundaries of existing IP frameworks, including cannabis, psychedelics, and Web3 technologies. Beyond IP law, Fred manages Harris Sliwoski’s Latin America desk, collaborating with the firm’s Mexico-based lawyers to facilitate complex, multilingual negotiations. Fluent...

Jennifer is well known for her knowledge and skill in matters involving parenting plans and non-parental custody issues. Prior to joining Envision Family Law, Jennifer was an established civil litigation attorney, family law attorney and had managed hundreds of dependency cases throughout her career. As an attorney managing dependency cases, she represented both parents and children, as well as being a court-appointed guardian ad litem for children in dependency actions. She finds that clients like talking to her, she is a good listener, and she enjoys helping others resolve problems. She is good at thinking outside the...

After being admitted to the Washington State Bar Association, Ms. Ramirez practiced law in the private sector with emphasis on family law, bankruptcy, estate planning and elder law matters. Ms. Ramirez compassionately advocates on behalf of her clients while she assists them in successfully resolving difficult disputes and navigating through litigation and complex legal issues.

Professional Memberships/Organizations
Ms. Ramirez is licensed to practice in the State of Washington and the United States District Court. She is also a member of the following professional associations:
Washington State Bar Association, Member
King County Bar Association, Member
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, Member

Education
Seattle University School of Law,...

Patrick Reddy is a founding member of Emery | Reddy, PLLC and litigates workers’ compensation and employment matters throughout Washington state. He regularly practices before the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA), the state Superior Courts, the Court of Appeals, the Supreme Court, and the United States District Courts of Eastern and Western Washington. He was lead trial counsel in Frisino v. Seattle School District No. 1, a Court of Appeals decision (review denied by the Supreme Court) where the Court required employers to engage in the interactive process of accommodating employees with disabilities, even after some failed attempts at...

Attorney Cheryl Van Ackeren is passionate about protecting the rights of service members and ensuring that veterans get the benefits they deserve.
Long before graduating from Seattle University’s School of Law, Cheryl knew she wanted to be a lawyer. Cheryl enlisted in the Army at 18 to achieve her goal and hoped to take advantage of the “green to gold” program to become an officer, and eventually, a Judge Advocate General. Cheryl’s military career began in the signal corps with the 1st Calvary Division, Fort Hood, Tx. Her enlistment included a 15 month deployment to Iraq during the early days of...

Im a DUI Attorney in Seattle, WA. I started my legal career at the Spokane Public Defenders Office in 2004. After 2 years I got a job in Seattle, WA at the largest criminal defense firm in the State. While there I handled a wide variety of criminal cases and represented thousands of individuals. In 2010 I started my own practice Leyba Defense PLLC, a Seattle DUI Law Firm focusing on DUI and other serious traffic offenses. In my career I have litigated over a 100 jury trials to verdict, and I currently have an...

I was born and raised in the Northwest. After graduating from the University of Washington with honors, I attended Gonzaga University School of Law where I was awarded a Thomas More Scholarship. As a Thomas More Scholar, I dedicated myself to helping others both in the local and international communities. My international work included a visit to Rome where I provided services for the homeless and co-leading a mission in Honduras where our group of students provided much needed repairs at local village schools, and distributed needed school supplies which our group had purchased through fundraising....

I graduated Seattle University School of law and immediately began working at the Pierce County Prosecutor's Office. After two years with the Prosecutor's Office, I joined Durflinger Oliver & Associates where I help those who have been accused of committing crimes. I have handled thousands of cases ranging from domestic violence to DUI's. I have helped hundreds of clients keep or restore their driving privileges by prevailing in administrative hearings with the the Department of Licensing. I have also helped many clients vacate felony and misdemeanor convictions and restore their firearm rights. My previous experience as a prosecutor...

Christopher Small is the owner of CMS Law Firm LLC, the Northwest's premiere estate planning, probate, and trust administration law firm. CMS Law Firm focuses on estate planning for one reason - legacy and family protection are at the forefront of their philosophy and beliefs. Christopher is the proud father of three kids, Blakely, Jackson, and Dillon, and understands how important it is to make sure families have the protection and safety they need to excel no matter the circumstances.

Some of the routine matters we handle include, wills, revocable living trusts, powers of attorney, medical powers of attorney, health care...

Bilingual Mandarin Chinese and English attorney. Admitted to the New York State Bar, Washington State Bar, and qualified to the Chinese Bar. Has attorney experience both in the U.S. and in Beijing, China. Mainly focus on the U.S. immigration law, business law, and China practice.

For 40 years, Robert has limited his practice to the representation of people injured through the negligence of others, including while on the property of others, in motor vehicle and commercial truck collisions, in wrecks caused by drunk drivers, as well as those who have been harmed in nursing home and other care facilities. He has represented thousands of Arizonans and Washingtonians who have been injured by the misconduct of others. On behalf of his clients he has collected millions of dollars from large insurance companies, major corporations, and numerous others who have caused harm to those clients....

Donna has been representing individuals in claims for personal injury since 2001. After practicing with another firm for fifteen years, she joined Emerald Law Group in April 2016. Like her colleagues at Emerald Law Group, Donna is dedicated to working for justice for her clients, and is grateful for the opportunity to help individuals who have been wronged. Donna grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, but she has been a Seattle resident since 1989. She graduated with honors from the University of Washington Law School, where she was a Managing Editor of the Law Review. Following law school, she clerked for the...

Jonathan is a trial attorney who has practiced in virtually every area of personal injury litigation. Jonathan previously worked on behalf of insurance companies and now uses that knowledge to zealously represent individuals who have been injured and to collect money from those same insurance companies. In his years as a Plaintiff’s attorney, Jonathan has obtained millions of dollars for his clients in both state and federal court. Jonathan was raised near Atlanta, Georgia and graduated from the University of Georgia before moving to Seattle upon admission to the Seattle University School of Law. Jonathan was an active and successful participant...

At Dearbonn Law, we are committed to delivering personalized legal services in various areas such as immigration, personal injury, and family law. Our team of skilled attorneys is dedicated to guiding clients through some of life’s most challenging legal situations with integrity, compassion, and a high level of knowledge. Whether you are dealing with the complexities of immigration law, seeking justice for a personal injury, or handling family disputes, we are here to provide the support and legal representation you need. Navigating immigration law can be daunting due to ever-changing regulations and a complex legal system. At Dearbonn Law, I am...

Firm founder Larry Lehmbecker was raised in Renton, Washington. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1983 and University of California Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco in 1986. Upon graduation, Larry decided he wanted to serve the people with whom he grew up. He moved back to the Seattle area and opened a general law practice providing legal services such as family law, estate planning, small business consulting, personal injury and workers’ compensation. However, he soon learned that the work he found most compelling was representing people who were injured in accidents. Often in desperate need...

With 30 years of experience representing people facing DUI and/or other criminal charges in Snohomish, King and Pierce Counties, and elsewhere in Washington State, I understand how the system works, and what you and I need to to optimize your defense before your next court appearance. In the courtroom your criminal defense attorney may be your only friend. i go all out for optimal outcomes. Tactful, Tactical & Effective representation.

As a US immigration attorney and a member of the WA chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Elena V. Yushkina loves helping clients navigate the nuances of making the US their home with compassion and professionalism. She knows from personal experience how challenging and overwhelming the immigration process can be, having successfully petitioned her own family's case under the H1B visa category and subsequently becoming a US citizen. As part of her immigration attorney practice, which focuses on business and family immigration, she represents and assists clients with nonimmigrant (B, H, L , O, P and E) visas and...

Matthew White is one of the founders of South Sound Law Group, along with his father, William White and his sister, Erin White. As a family owned and run law firm, South Sound Law Group does things a bit differently, and it shows, as they have a reputation in the community for caring, effective, and lasting advocacy.

Although the main office is located in Tacoma, WA, Matt and the rest of the team at South Sound Law Group regularly handle both criminal and civil matters all over western Washington.

Matt represents Washington residents, as well as visitors, tourists, and military members, on...

Since joining the firm in 1994, Stephanie has worked on a wide variety of cases representing clients in employment, business and injury litigation, as well as estate litigation and business disputes. She also represents clients in matters involving misappropriation of trade secrets, noncompetition contracts, Consumer Protection Act claims, unfair competition issues, contract disputes and consults on matters of legal ethics.

In her commercial litigation practice, Stephanie focuses on complex business disputes, disputes between members of closely held companies and trust and estate litigation. She represents corporations, closely held businesses, fiduciaries as well as individual parties involved in these types of...

Jordan K. Foster, Criminal Defense Attorney I started my career doing real estate, business, and construction law. A few years back, I decided a change of pace was in order and began practicing criminal defense law. Since entering the criminal defense arena, I have been voted a Rising Star in Criminal Defense Law by Washington Super Lawyers in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. Today I focus primarily on criminal defense. I assist people facing misdemeanors, felonies, and traffic infractions. I am an active member of the Washington State Bar Association, the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, and...

John Guadnola is a seasoned attorney with an extensive background and impressive record of success in his practice areas, which include antitrust litigation, alcohol regulation, copyright and trademark litigation, and complex litigation. As Executive Director and General Counsel of the Association of Washington Spirits & Wine Distributors, John is also actively involved in alcohol regulation issues on the legislative level and enforcement levels.

As co-lead counsel in a case of national significance (Costco v. Hoen), John represented distributor intervenors in a successful effort to defend Washington State laws governing distribution and sale of beer and wine against an antitrust claim brought...

I opened my private law practice Parnell Defense in 2006. However, before then I worked as one of WA’s leading criminal defense lawyers. After graduating law school in 1998 I started practicing criminal justice first as a public defender. Eventually I was hired as the former lead jury trial attorney for one of the busiest DUI defense law firms in Washington. I have extensive knowledge of the DUI process and am never afraid to go to trial. Over the last 22 years, I’ve tried hundreds of cases and spoken at numerous DUI seminars for WA attorneys. I am an active member...

Aaron "AJ" VanderPol has years of experience fighting for injured workers in the L&I system. He's litigated cases at the Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals and in Washington Courts and recovered millions of dollars in settlements, Board awards, and expected pension payouts. AJ founded Green River Law, PLLC with the central idea that injured workers need advocates. Every worker pays into Washington's worker's compensation system and that system should support workers when they need it the most.

Nicholas (Cole) Douglas is a partner at Cochran Douglas, which has its offices in Tacoma, Washington. Concentrating his practice on personal injury matters, ranging from car accidents to product liability and wrongful death, he also takes on sexual abuse cases, serving clients throughout the state of Washington. Douglas is a compassionate and empathic attorney, taking the time to listen to his clients and answering all their questions. He provides personalized solutions for each of his clients cases and understands the pain they must be going through, especially when they are injured by another person’s careless actions. Graduating cum laude and with dean’s...

Anthony was raised in Kodiak, Alaska and began commercial fishing at age 10. He received a USCG Captains license in 1979, held it for 40 years, and continues to fish Bristol Bay and Crab on the West Coast, serving as captain. Anthony has seen almost every imaginable maritime situation from sinking to serious injuries, recovering damages for the victims, including representation of fisherman in major oil spills. Consultations are free, and you can call 206-859-3400 24/7 Contingent Fee Basis for most cases Case Example: $10,000,000.00 (ten million dollars) Bond/Letter of Undertaking, for commercial fisherman and their families,...

Andrew has been a member of the Washington State Bar Association for over 15 years and is an associate attorney at Envision Family Law. For the past decade, he has exclusively practiced in the area of family law to include divorce and custody cases. His wide-ranging background of litigation experience is extensively combined with years of knowledge as a skilled mediator.

Prior to entering law school, Andrew graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in political science. From there, he continued his journey into the legal profession at the University of Maryland School of Law, graduating at the top 10% of...

Dianne’s practice areas include environmental law, real estate litigation, natural resources law, and land use. Her commitment to these issues also extends to her life outside of work. She has co-authored articles about environmental issues and litigation, and she served as a member and officer of the Board of Trustees of the AgForestry Education Foundation from 2007 to 2012. Dianne also served on the Point Defiance Zoo Society’s Board of Directors for 11 years, including as President, and was chair of the 2013 Zoobilee. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors of the fabulous Symphony Tacoma.

Kurt represents South Sound businesses and individuals in White Collar Crime matters. He advises clients on corporate criminal risks, federal grand jury investigations, financial crimes, securities frauds, bankruptcy crimes, government contract frauds, real estate schemes, Medicare frauds-and tax frauds. He is GTH’s authority on cybercrime and legal issues relating to cybersecurity and data privacy. His work includes assisting South Sound businesses in creating cybersecurity plans consistent with the US protocols issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). He also advises clients on data privacy requirements arising from the European Union’s General Data Privacy Regulations (GDPR)...

There are two things that are more important than anything to Assistant Managing Attorney Jonathan Moffitt, his faith and his family. Because of these values and his belief that every parent has a right to be intimately involved in the lives and upbringing of their children, Jonathan chooses to practice family law as a primary component of his practice. As a husband and father of four, Jonathan understands the bond between a parent and child. This is a bond that should not be interfered with lightly and one that should be fought for vigorously. Additionally, there are two characteristics that Jonathan values...

His primary areas of practice at GTH include environmental law with an emphasis on negotiations, mediation and litigation involving responsibility for hazardous and toxic waste cleanup. Brad has extensive experience in complex securities and business litigation, he has prosecuted several successful class actions, and he is often asked to speak about hazardous waste issues, environmental master planning, and liability issues affecting real estate transactions.

Alan Macpherson’s primary area of practice at GTH is estate planning and taxation. He particularly enjoys working on projects that combine financial and tax as well as legal aspects, such as establishing and monitoring investment LLCs and generation-skipping trusts and helping clients build specific themes into their estate plans, like helping with the education of grandchildren.

Jemima has handled hundreds of millions of dollars’ worth of real estate transactions involving almost every sector of the market. Her primary practice areas are commercial and real estate transactions. She has extensive experience with all facets of land use matters including title and survey review, development, and environmental studies and reports.

Her clients include private developers, landowners, purchasers and sellers, landlords and tenants, borrowers and lenders, regional and national banks, universities, non-profit organizations, assisted living facilities, hotels, and homeowner’s associations, each of whom have various business and real estate needs. With the passage of I-502, her work has also...

Sal practices in state and federal courts throughout the state of Washington and has litigated most of the Western states as well. One focus of Sal’s practice is medical negligence, wrongful death, and serious injury cases. Sal has represented patients who have been injured as a result of doctors, nurses, and emergency room physicians making mistakes resulting in death, paralysis, brain injuries and loss of life or harm to babies. Sal has brought actions against Multicare, CHI Franciscan, Harborview, Children’s Hospital, and Swedish Medical center among others. Sal’s cases have involved surgeons, OBGYN doctors, Emergency Department...

Valarie Zeeck joined GTH in 1997. Her primary area of practice is employment law and litigation. She advises and provides training to owners, managers, and employees in employment law in order to help them reduce litigation expense and risk. She also defends employers in employment-related litigation, focusing on extracting clients from litigation at the earliest possible stage.

Valarie has written and co-authored several papers for legal publications and periodicals and has been a frequent speaker on legal matters at educational and business seminars. She is a member of the Pierce County chapter of Washington Women Lawyers.