CLE PROGRAMS COMING UP FOR YOU! 

WELCOME NEW WAELA MEMBERS!  

A big WELCOME to our new members who have joined in the past 12 months: 

Minta A. Andreve, Rehmke Andreve, P.S., Fircrest, WA 

Margaret  Cheong 

Elizabeth A. Johnson, Liz Ann Johnson Elder Law, PLLC, University Place, WA 

Laura  Mancuso, Mancuso Law Office, Vancouver, WA 

Lauren A. Pitman, Pitman Huff Raedel Magaro Lifetime Legal, PLLC, Olympia, WA 

Amanda G. Proujan, Law Office of Amanda G. Proujan, PLLC, Longview, WA 

Philip R. Andrews, Andrews Terry Jeffers LLP, Vancouver, WA 

Colleen M. Cook, Cook & Bartlett, PLLC, Seattle, WA 

Margaret  Delp, Law Office of Margaret Delp, Langley, WA 

Kendel  Froese, Thrive Law PLLC, Spokane, WA 

Anna  Lim-Mikkelsen, Evergreen Estate and Elder Law, Spokane, WA 

Sarah Lynn Mathews, Pettis Webber Pacific P.S., Vancouver, WA 

Jeffrey G. Nielsen, Gordon Thomas Honeywell, LLP, Tacoma, WA 

Carolyn  Powell, Law Office of Carolyn Powell, Everett, WA 

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Each quarter, we spotlight a WAELA member, helping us get to know one another and gain inspiration from what our fellow members are doing.  

Professor Jim Brown received a lifetime achievement award at the WAELA Unprogram in April, in recognition of his unparalleled service to elder law clients in Washington and the entire WAELA community.  

• Elder Law attorney since 1979 – 44 years in practice 
• Born in and practices in Aberdeen and Gray’s County, Washington 
• Managing Senior Partner at Phillips, Krause & Brown, where he provides elder law and personal injury services to elderly, incapacitated and injured people and their families. 
• Admitted to practice before federal and state courts throughout California & Washington state. 
• Adjunct Professor of Law, Seattle University School of Law, where some of us in the WAELA community have been lucky enough to have him as a teacher 
• Married to Colleen since 1974. 2 married sons, Bill & Peter, 4 grandchildren, and 2 dogs. 

Professor Brown’s roots in the community run deep. His grandfather, James M. Phillips, was of Cherokee descent and was Washington’s first Native American Judge. He began working as a lawyer in 1907. He became mayor of Aberdeen, Washington and served as a Superior Court Judge in Grays Harbor for more than 20 years -- from 1929 to 1950.  

Jim Brown’s Aunt Gladys Phillips (daughter of James Phillips) joined her father’s practice. She practiced in Aberdeen for some 60 years and also served a term on the state legislature. 

Jim joined the family practice alongside his aunt, serving the aging and disabled. He was admitted to practice in California in 1979 and in Washington in 1981. Jim’s practice has included life care planning, estate planning, Medicaid planning, Special Needs Trusts, probate, guardianship, vulnerable adult and exploitation cases, nursing home negligence cases, and trials and appeals in all areas of elder law. He also teaches advanced elder law at Seattle University School of Law. Jim sets an example for all of us in the breadth of his service to the Elder Law community.  

From now on, the James M. Brown Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented annually to a Washington elder law attorney in recognition of their exceptional service to clients and fellow elder law attorneys.  

FEATURED RESOURCE:

NAELA ASPIRATIONAL STANDARDS

The elder and special needs law practice is unique. It often involves a person whose health and mental condition require special care, attention, and protection because he or she may have a memory, mobility, other disabling impairment, chronic condition, or other illness. Supporting its members to negotiate and protect these clients, the NAELA Aspirational Standards for the Practice of Elder and Special Needs Law Attorneys was created to serve as a source for guidance. Elder and special needs law attorneys are, of course, bound by their state’s Rules of Professional Conduct. But the legal affairs of this particular group of individuals can be more complex and additional consideration should be given in meeting the needs of these clients. Read more.

WAELA GUARDIANSHIP FORUM CONTINUES TO BENEFIT ATTENDEES

The WAELA Guardianship Forum will continue to meet on the first Thursday of each month via Zoom webinar. Attendees have found this to be a valuable opportunity to bring their issues, challenges, and successes forward as they tackle new 11.130 RCW, the Uniform Guardianship, Conservatorship, and other Protective Arrangements Act.

If you would like to be included as a recurring participant, please e-mail Carissa Linnane. 

WAELA is your organization. Please contact us if there are ways that we can support you in your practice.  

Best wishes, 

Sharon C. Rutberg  

Attorney at Law 

WAELA Wire author and Member, WAELA Board of Directors 

sharon@salmonbaylaw.com 

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Carissa Linnane