In the news

November 2008

Nancy Isserlis was profiled in the November 2008 publication of Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living magazine’s “Best of the City” issue, in recognition of her accomplishments in bankruptcy law practice. 

Fall 2008

C. Matthew Andersen was appointed to the Supreme Court's Code of Judicial Conduct Task Force.  The ABA recently adopted changes to the Model Rule on Judicial Conduct.  The Task Force is asked to review the proposed changes and recommend to the Supreme Court any changes as appropriate to the existing Code of Judicial Conduct.  The project will last approximately one year.

BANKRUPTCY/CONSUMER LAW ATTORNEY OF THE YEAR
James E. Reed/Sean O’Quinn
Winston & Cashatt, P.S.

Jim Reed maintains a practice that is focused in all phases of construction, real estate, land use and zoning law.

Although representing clients in all phases of construction, Jim has primarily represented subcontractors and suppliers on all types of federal, state and privately funded projects. He has represented individuals and business owners in all aspects of land use, including development, permitting and takings.

A Principal in the firm, Jim joined Winston & Cashatt in 1995. He was formerly a partner in Backman, Blumel & Reed where he maintained a broad civil trial practice with special emphasis in construction and land use law. Before attending law school, Jim served in the United States Army (1968-1972) and attained the rank
of captain.

Sean O’Quinn’s practice includes commercial and business law, civil litigation, and criminal defense. Sean is also regularly involved in pro bono representation and community development.

After graduating from college at Sewanee, Sean served in the United State Marine Corps Artillery. He completed an MBA studying at the Monterey Institute and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, Spain. Sean is a graduate of Gonzaga Law School where he was a member of the Moot Court Honors Council and competed on the Moot Court Negotiations Team and the National Moot Court Team.

“Sean volunteers coaching little league and serving on the boards of local outdoor-related organizations. He enjoys upland bird hunting and playing baseball with his two boys.”

[Reprinted from the Spokane County County Bar Association by permission.]

Winston & Cashatt Named “Irish Business of the Year”

The Friendly Sons of St. Patrick are celebrating their 30th year of the civic-minded promotion of all things Irish. On this anniversary, we are pleased to announce that the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick have named Winston & Cashatt as the “Irish Business of the Year.” Winston & Cashatt’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration has developed over many years into a noteworthy community event. It is in recognition of Winston & Cashatt’s prominent celebration of Irish heritage that the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick have bestowed this accolade. As a recipient of this award, Winston & Cashatt will take a place of honor in the St. Patrick’s Day parade through downtown Spokane.

Nancy Isslerlis Elected President of the Legal Foundation of Washington

SEATTLE -- At its November 20, 2007 meeting, the Board of Trustees of the Legal Foundation of Washington unanimously elected Nancy L. Isserlis, principal, Winston and Cashatt Lawyers, as the Foundation’s President for 2008.

Nicholas P. Gellert, of counsel, Perkins Coie was elected Vice President, Michele G. Radosevich, partner, Davis Wright Tremaine, was elected Secretary, and Rima J. Alaily, Partner with Heller Ehrman was elected Treasurer.

Appointed by the Washington Supreme Court to his second two-year term is William Hyslop, Lukins & Annis. Beginning their first two-year terms January 1, 2008 are Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors appointee Judge Theodore Spearman, Kitsap County Superior Court, and Gubernatorial appointees Art Wang, Washington Employment Security Department, and Barbara Fox, Limited Practice/Escrow Officer.

Wallace Webster, II, Bank of America, will return as trustee.

The Foundation was established in 1985 at the direction of the Washington Supreme Court to support legal aid and law-related education through the Interest on Lawyers’/Limited Practice Officers’ Trust Account (IOLTA) program. The Foundation is a Supporter of the Alliance for Equal Justice, a statewide network of organizations providing legal aid to those with nowhere else to turn.

Matt Andersen Joins Board of Advisors for Gonzaga School of Law's Commercial Law Center

Matt Andersen has been invited to be a member of the Board of Advisors for Gonzaga School of Law’s newly formed Commercial Law Center . The purpose of the Commercial Law Center is to impart the legal and theoretical knowledge and teaches the lawyering skills needed to represent businesses and consumers in all manner of commercial transactions, including sales, leases, licenses, asset-based lending, and structured finance. The center will be using a wide variety of teaching strategies to focuses on understanding the “deal”, identifying and anticipating problems, and developing innovative solutions. For the bar, it will explain how recent legal developments affect transactional practice. For the bench, it will stress how judicial decisions might facilitate or interfere with commercial transactions. For the business community and the public, the Center will work to reform legal rules that unduly inhibit fair commercial practices. The Board of Advisors will assist in identify the precise areas of practical instruction in which the Center can be effective.

Supreme Court Decision

Matt Andersen has received notification the Supreme Court has ruled in favor of our client on a narrow but important legal principal in the State of Washington. Since 1990, an uncertain rule in the state has been that a non-judicial foreclosure of a Deed of Trust extinguishes all interests, including the debt, of a junior lienholder. This rule inhibited lenders from loaning when the collateral offered was junior position. In a unanimous opinion, the Supreme Court ruled in Beal Bank v. Sarich, et.al. that a junior lienholder is free to sue a debtor after a non-judicial foreclosure, albeit as an unsecured creditor. This case has been watched closely throughout the state. Joining as Amicus was the Washington Bankers Association, the Washington Financial League and the Washington Independent Bankers Association. This ruling will have wide application in the State as it greatly aides lenders and borrowers in understanding their legal rights and obligations.

Read the Supreme Court's decision here (PDF).

Kevin Curtis elected President of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.

The Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL) is the primary state-wide organization of criminal defense attorneys, with over 1,000 members throughout the state. Kevin has previously served on their Board of Governers, and is also on the Board of Directors of the Washington Defender Assocation.

Read the DefenseNet Article about Kevin's Presidency here (PDF).

Carl Hueber Receives Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award

In 1994, a number of county and specialty bar associations in the State of Washington designated March as Legal Professionalism Month. As a result, the Spokane County Bar Association held the first “Evening Celebrating Professionalism” Dinner. That year the recipient of the SCBA Professionalism Award was Smithmoore P. Myers. The award was then designated “The Smithmoore P. Myers Professionalism Award.”

Each year the Professionalism Award Committee seeks nominations of a person who exemplifies the high ethical and professional standards of the legal profession and who currently practices law in the Spokane area. Nominations should not include sitting members of the bench.

The 2007 award went to Carl E. Hueber of the law firm of Winston & Cashatt. Past recipients at Winston & Cashatt, Lawyers include Nancy L. Isserlis and Richard L. Cease.