Garfield County Real Estate Lawyers

I primarily practice bankruptcy and real estate law and have represented both debtors and creditors over the last 9 years. My practice has also included mediations, foreclosure defense and prosecution, and negotiating loss mitigation options for clients. I am admitted to practice in Washington, Ohio, and the Northern and Southern Districts of Indiana.

On the personal side, I graduated with a degree in geology and worked in a limestone quarry as an on-site geologist for a summer. After that, I moved to Japan where I taught English, wrote English textbooks and helped to manage an English school for 4.5 years.

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.

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.

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...

Greg Freeze is an attorney in Port Townsend, Washington (www.RhodyLaw.com), who leverages his public company officer experience with being a lawyer on the Olympic Peninsula. With the great number of retirees in Port Townsend, his law practice includes a focus on wills, trusts, and estate plannning. But, as a general practitioner in Jefferson County, Washington, his motto is, "small town law -- all issues welcome."

Eric’s practice focuses on the representation of individuals and business organizations in a variety of commercial contexts, including planning, organizing, and financing business entities, handling business and real estate transactions, advising on contract and employment issues, and litigating commercial disputes. He is admitted to practice in Washington and Oregon. Eric received his B.A. from the Honors Program at the University of Washington, where he rowed on the varsity crew team, and his J.D. cum laude from Seattle University. He has been named to the list of Washington Rising Stars in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.

Scott Ellerby is a partner in the firm. His main areas of practice are real estate litigation, probate, trusts and estates litigation, municipal law, creditor-debtor law, commercial transactions and commercial litigation. He has lectured at numerous legal seminars over the past 25 years on topics in his practice areas, and has represented a wide range of private clients and public entities in negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and bench and jury trials. Scott was a contributing author of the Washington Lawyers Practice Manual, and was chair of the King County Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Section. He earned his B.A....

Ryan joined GTH in 2012, where his primary areas of practice now include litigation, administrative regulations, and land use law. Ryan’s litigation experience spans a broad range of legal issues, but is frequently focused on products liability, land use, real estate, and business disputes. He is also breaking ground in the emerging area of cannabis business and regulation law, advising his clients as they develop some of the first legal marijuana businesses in the country.

Ryan moved to the Northwest to attend Seattle University School of Law in 2006 after growing up in the Midwest and obtaining a bachelor’s...

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)...

For the past 30 years, she has represented businesses and individuals interfacing with the government; she helps businesses and individuals obtain all types of zoning and land use permits, assists individuals facing government compliance and penalty actions and represents individuals with property disputes about easements, boundaries and adverse possession. She also obtains licenses for all types of business enterprises. Ms. Koler frequently challenges arbitrary requirements associated with government compliance and land use permitting. See Guimont v. Clark, 121 Wn.2d 586 (Washington Supreme Court invalidated state law imposing mobile home relocation fee on developer); Berst v. Snohomish...

Mark L. Fowler represents local, national, and international clients in a variety of industries including software, SaaS, real estate development, and real estate sales. Mr. Fowler has extensive experience with contracts including negotiating all forms of corporate commercial contracts and real estate development contracts to litigating breach of contract actions. He is known for finding successful solutions to highly complicated commercial, real estate, and litigation matters. Mr. Fowler’s effective handling of difficult legal issues is built on his years of experience in the District of Arizona, District of Oregon, and Washington State.

A Pacific Northwest native, I grew up on Whidbey Island before moving to Seattle to attend the University of Washington. I received my law degree magna cum laude from Vermont Law School and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2011. Prior to joining Gillin Law Group, I was of counsel at Genesis Law Firm for three years and an associate at Purcell Legal & Mediation Services for two years. Prior to that, I was an Assistant City Attorney with the Seattle City Attorney’s Office for three years.

David C. Tingstad joined the Firm in 1995, and has extensive experience in the areas of business and real estate transactions, limited liability companies (LLCs), corporations and real estate. David regularly counsels clients in all aspects of business combinations such as asset acquisitions, mergers and joint ventures. In addition, his practice includes assisting operating businesses with succession planning, financing, dissolution and disputes between owners. David is a member of the Washington State Bar Association’s Partnership Law Committee, which is currently working to revise Washington’s Limited Liability Company Statute. David is also a Member of the American Bar Association’s Committee...

Joyce S. Schwensen practices a variety of law areas in Seattle, Washington. The Law Offices of Joyce S. Schwensen helps clients with issues involving family law, small business law, real estate, and will and probate. Adoption, however, is an area that Joyce feels passionately about, and she works tirelessly toward helping families deal with the processes surrounding adoptions issues. Compassion and empathy characterize Joyce's personal attention that she fully gives to each client that faces personal family matters. Family is very important to Joyce, and she lives in Seattle with her two children. Her education is also grounded in Washington, as...

Kristi O'Brien's practice is primarily in the area of business transactions and real estate transactions. Kristi represents business clients and medical practices in real estate, commercial, corporate planning, partnership, asset and stock purchase and sale, employment, and health law.

I am a native of Olympia, and my family has been in the region for more than 100 years. I received my B.A. in Philosophy before graduating from Lewis and Clark Law School. I have been licensed to practice law since 1996 and have spent my career serving my community. I place an emphasis on attorney-client communication. This includes promptly responding to messages, regularly meeting with clients at my office, and providing an online portal through which clients may access their important records. I promise this level of communication to each and every client I serve.

Brian C. Dale is a senior partner of Deno Millikan Law Firm. He grew up in Seattle and graduated from the University of Washington Law School in 1979. He started his career as lawyer in Everett with Jim Deno and Kent Millikan in 1979 and was a founder of the Deno Millikan Law Firm in 1992. His practice emphasis is employment and labor law, personal injury, business, probate and real estate litigation. He has served as an arbitrator for the Snohomish County Superior Court and Washington State Bar Association, as superior court judge pro tem, and as a volunteer...

Whether working hands-on with clients, or spearheading a novel legal matter, Elijah is dedicated to crafting meaningful and lasting legal solutions for his clients. He provides a wide range of legal services, including intellectual property, corporate, contract and litigation services. Over the years he has learned that the law cannot be practiced in a vacuum. Effective legal assistance requires an understanding of each client's unique business and personal realities. In addition to representing clients with their personal matters, he has successfully assisted with matters including trademark and copyright registrations, cease and desist letters and infringement, civil litigation, settlement negotiations, licensing...

I've been working in residential real estate since 2005. Since then, I've worked tirelessly to provide consumers with a better professional experience at a cost less than what a traditional agent charges. The 6% commission? It's past its expiration date...

Practice and Experience Litigation practice encompassing business, contracts, residential and commercial real estate, commercial leasing, employment and labor, construction, and criminal. Representation has involves among others, business and entity formation, buying and selling businesses, assets, and business interests, commercial construction design defect and breach of contract/warranty, residential construction breach of contract, employment and labor disputes, real estate purchase and sale disputes, drafting and negotiating contracts, leases, and employment documents, drafting estate planning documents, and negotiated with city and county officials, and drafted documents on land use and permit matters. Represented clients in municipal, state and federal courts. Former King County Deputy Prosecutor. Prosecuted...

Babak Shamsi joined the Firm in 2015 with an extensive background in business, real estate, and litigation. While his practice emphasizes civil and commercial litigation, Babak also has significant experience with corporate counseling, work-outs, and real estate transactions. Having represented a diverse array of clients including financial institutions, community associations, and commercial creditors, Babak provides clients with nuanced and effective counseling to help them reach their goals efficiently. Babak was born and raised in the Seattle metropolitan area, and his personal interests include playing guitar and piano.

I am an entrepreneurial, collaborative senior attorney with 20+ years of experience across diverse industries, with a focus on securities, banking/finance, corporate governance, real estate and commercial finance transactions. I am a former Davis Wright Tremaine partner, technology company General Counsel, and bank Corporate Counsel, with demonstrated success in providing timely, balanced, and practical advice to senior executives teams. I also have a strong business background in banking, financial analysis, and accounting. I am highly regarded by clients and colleagues for the ability to understand and translate complex legal issues into practical business advice, and to negotiate...

Samuel K. Darling is a general civil litigator whose practice emphasizes divorce, employment, and real estate law. Mr. Darling's legal experience also includes landlord tenant disputes, land use issues, personal injury, construction defect matters, creditor law, and business law. Mr. Darling received his bachelor's degree from Columbia University in 2002. In 2007 he earned his law degree cum laude from the University of Minnesota, where he graduated on the Dean's List with an "A" Average and was a Royal Stone Scholarship Recipient, a member of several student organizations, and a moot court Best Brief Nominee. Mr. Darling began his legal career with...

I am a second-career attorney who started Adaptive Law so I could offer legal services my own way. I pursued my law degree following a nearly ten-year academic career in urban planning and community development, and now apply my problem-solving mentality to a mixed practice of estate planning, land use and elder law. I represent my home district (District 3) on the Skagit County Planning Commission, and continue to teach as an adjunct professor in the accredited Urban and Regional Planning program at Cal Poly Pomona. I am a member of the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAF), a volunteer...

My practice provides clients with personal legal services in estate planning, real estate and business planning. I use a non-traditional style of doing business that is designed to meet clients' needs when they arise, through responsiveness and efficient, one-on-one communication.

Conor McCarthy is an experienced Real Estate and Estate Planning attorney, and has spent nearly 15 years helping his clients navigate and resolve complex transactions and disputes. Serving clients large and small, private and public, Conor prides himself on taking the time to listen and fully understand a client’s challenges and goals.

Conor began his career as a civil litigator zealously advocating in contract, construction, real estate, land use and commercial disputes. He then transitioned to become a skilled municipal and transactional attorney negotiating and closing complex commercial and real estate deals, and resolving difficult land use challenges. After managing...

I have lived in and attended university in Canada, New Zealand and the US. I have degrees in history, political science and law. My practice is focusses on real estate law, business law, commercial and residential landlord tenant law and cross border legal issues.

The Law Offices of Patrick M. Trivett, PLLC is a boutique criminal defense and civil litigation firm serving King, Snohomish and Skagit Counties dedicated to zealous client representation and expeditious and creative resolutions.

A valued GTH partner, Julie Dickens has been with the firm since 1999. She focuses her practice on estate planning, real estate, and general business, representing individuals and their closely held businesses in all stages of their planning. Besides Wills, trusts, prenuptial agreements and probates, she helps her clients with entity formation, shareholder agreements, real estate purchase and sale agreements, leases, easements, and financing transactions.

Julie enjoys her practice because it offers her the opportunity to interact personally with her clients as she learns their life stories and collaborates with them to develop effective strategies for securing their future. She...

Roger Schweinler has over 25 years of experience in handling family law matters in Pierce County.

Roger is dependable and reliable, and provides a comforting atmosphere for his clients. He is experienced in litigating complex dissolution cases, as well as highly conflicted custody cases. He is also aware that dispute resolution can be a beneficial tool in reaching amicable settlements.

He is extremely well qualified in the mediation of family law issues. Mr. Schweinler's overall goal is to provide competent and reliable representation in order to obtain the best possible results for his clients.

Gideon Caron was born in London England. His family immigrated to Portland when he was a young child and he has lived in the Northwest since. He attended Oregon State University and Northwest School of Law of Lewis and Clark College. He has practiced in Vancouver since 1989, emphasizing civil litigation, including personal injury, car crashes, trip and fall, dog bites, sexual harassment, product liability, real estate and probate disputes. Mr. Caron has been involved in many significant settlements and verdicts, defending them both at trial and appeal.

Mr. Kenneth A. Berger has a wide range of legal talents. He enjoys tough courtroom litigation. He also attempts to problem solve potential legal problems before they become more extensive. Mr. Berger has a Juris Doctor degree from Nova Southeastern University. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, and the Snohomish County Bar Association. Mr. Berger is also licensed to practice in Western Washington and Eastern Washington District Courts. He has practiced law in Washington State since 1995. You may have also seen Mr. Berger's name in another context. He has been active as a local governmental official....

Before becoming an attorney, Reuben worked in the construction and building trade. He puts his prior life experience to good use in his practice areas of environmental and land use law. In addition to being a skilled attorney, Reuben is a compassionate advocate who loves working with his clients to solve problems and keep goals and objectives on track.

Reuben began his career at the Washington Supreme Court where he served as law clerk to Justice Charles W. Johnson. Prior to that, he served as an extern to Judge James L. Robart at the Federal District Court in Seattle.

MULTILINGUAL ATTORNEY FOCUSED ON ASSISTING CLIENTS IN WEALTH CREATION AND PROTECTION

• Member, Washington State Bar Association, since 1992
• Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Transnational Business Practice
• Professional Linguist, since 2004

For business clients, I am able to draw on the experience I've gained as an attorney in private practice and as in-house counsel for a Seattle-area export company, including:

• Drafting and reviewing (in English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and French) a wide variety of contracts/documents in the domestic and international setting. Examples are: (1) corporate agreements/documents, such as shareholder, LLC or partnership agreements, powers of attorney, notary deeds in the international context, corporate minutes/reports; (2)...

My experience includes private practice and in-house corporate counsel positions. I assists clients with a wide range of legal needs such as buyer and seller representation on residential and commercial real estate transactions; unlawful detainer actions; contract negotiations and disputes; commercial lease negotiation and enforcement; trademark registrations and intellectual property matters; franchise transactions and disputes; and complex business and commercial real estate matters. As General Counsel and Vice President of Seattle Coffee Company, the parent company of Seattle’s Best Coffee and Torrefazione Italia, I assisted with the development of retail stores and coffee houses located in key demographic markets...

Steve is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, where he received High Honors, graduating in the top 5% of his class. Some history: Steve served two years for the San Juan County Prosecuting Attorney as a criminal Deputy Prosecutor. Prior to that, Steve helped provide public defense for The Tulalip Tribes. In an externship, Steve has served as a law clerk for the State of Washington Court of Appeals in Tacoma and for the honorable Judge James K. Singleton of the Federal District Court of Alaska. He also worked for a summer at Holland...

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.