In the news

February 2010

Over the weekend of February 25-27, Christopher S. Crago, a tax attorney with Winston & Cashatt, traveled to Buffalo, New York, along with six Gonzaga students/competitors, to attend the 2010 Mugel Tax Moot Court Competition.  Mr. Crago co-coaches the Gonzaga Tax Moot Court team, along with Professor Ann Murphy.  When the dust settled, Gonzaga’s three teams swept the competition, taking first, second, and third place overall.  In addition, Colin Willenbrock, who is also a law clerk at Winston & Cashatt, was awarded best oralist at the competition.  Congratulations to Mr. Crago, Mr. Willenbrock, and the whole Tax Moot Court team. 

A more detailed announcement can be found at:

http://www.law.gonzaga.edu/students/Student-Competitions/2010_mugel_team.asp

SPOKANE, Wash. – Winston & Cashatt attorneys Ryan Yahne and Kammi Mencke Smith have been named "Rising Stars" by Washington Super Lawyers.

Yahne, a principal, is one of 22 recognized statewide in the construction litigation category. Mencke Smith, also a principal, is one of 25 recognized for her work in employment and labor law. No more than 2.5 percent of the state's eligible attorneys are named a Rising Star, according to Super Lawyers.

Yahne is the only LEED-accredited attorney in eastern Washington and one of only a handful statewide. His practice focuses on contract formation, litigation, arbitrations, Miller Act claims, bid protests, bond claims, construction liens, public works bond and retainage claims. He is a regular writer and speaker on construction, property and green law topics.

Mencke Smith's work focuses on employment litigation and education law. She advises employment clients on employment contracts, non-competition, termination, discrimination, and wage and hour issues. Her education law work includes special education issues, curriculum and policy development, school discipline, employment issues and constitutional issues.

Winston & Cashatt attorneys admitted to practice before U.S. Supreme Court

SPOKANE, Wash. – Winston & Cashatt lawyers Nancy Isserlis and Elizabeth Tellessen have been admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the firm announced today.

Isserlis, a principal, emphasizes bankruptcy, debtor-creditor relations, business restructuring, workouts and complex bankruptcy litigation in her practice. In addition to the U.S. Supreme Court, she is also admitted to practice before the Supreme Courts in Washington and Idaho, U.S. District Courts in the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington, U.S. District Court of Idaho, and the U.S. Court of Appeals Ninth Circuit.

Isserlis,, who joined the firm in 2004, earned her law degree from Gonzaga University in 1980 and completed her undergraduate work at Linfield College. She is a Governor for the 5th District on the Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors, Chair of the Health Sciences and Services Authority, and former Chair of the Spokane City Ethics Committee. 

Tellessen, an associate, practices in the areas of land use, real estate, and natural resources.  She represents her clients in transactions, litigation, and in governmental procedures associated with the use and development of land.  . In addition to the U.S. Supreme Court, Tellessen is also admitted to practice before the state Supreme Courts in Washington and Idaho, and U.S. District Courts of both Washington and Idaho.

Tellessen, who joined the firm in 2005, is a graduate of Gonzaga University School of Law and holds a bachelor’s degree in animal science from Colorado State University. Tellessen is a Trustee on the Washington State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, Board of Trustees, serves as president-elect for the Spokane County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, and is actively involved with the Inland Pacific Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors, among numerous other professional and civic involvements.

About Winston & Cashatt
Winston & Cashatt is a regional law firm that has been practicing law for more than 60 years. An experienced litigation and general practice law firm, it represents a roster of national and regional clients through its offices in Spokane and Coeur d’Alene.

Kevin Curtis was elected as Vice-President East of the Washington Defenders Association at their June 19th, 2009 meeting.  Kevin has served on the WDA Board of Directors since 2003.  WDA is a non-profit organization dedicated to public defense issues and maintaining constitutionally mandated indigent defense services. 

Nancy Isserlis, of Winston & Cashatt, has been elected to the Board of Governors of the Washington State Bar Association.  She will be representing the 5th congressional district, and will be assuming her duties at the conclusion of the September 2009 meeting of the Board of Governors. 

Kevin Curtis was again selected as a Superlawyer in the June 2009 issue of Washington Law & Politics Magazine.  Congratulations to Kevin Curtis in receiving this honor. 

Nancy Isserlis was named as a Superlawyer in the June 2009 issue of Washington Law & Politics Magazine.  She was also designated as one of the top 50 women lawyers in Washington State. 

Ryan Yahne, a Construction and Development attorney at Winston & Cashatt, has been recognized as a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Accredited Professional (LEED AP) as of June 19, 2009.  The LEED Green Building Rating System is the nation’s foremost recognized standard for sustainable or “green” design, construction and operation.