Cowlitz County Lawyers

Before going of counsel July 1, 2015, Craig advised and advocated for his clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases for nearly 40 years. He continues to work part time with the attorneys at Schauermann Thayer on matters relating to serious personal injuries and wrongful death. He serves frequently as an arbitrator. Craig obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1973 from Washington State University and later earned a Juris Doctor degree in 1976 from the University of Puget Sound. He is licensed to practice before all courts in the State of Washington, the Western and Eastern District Federal...

Dedicated criminal defense attorney. Over 10+ years representing clients on a variety of criminal matters including DUI/DWI; Domestic Violence; Felonies and Misdemeanors. My hard work has lead to dismissal of cases pre-trial; not guilty verdicts at trial and no action on cases by conducting pre-charge investigations. I take pride in my work. And i am genuinely honored when a client hires me to represent him/her.

The Law Office of Nicholas Wood, P.S. is a premiere criminal defense, military law, and civil litigation firm located in beautiful downtown Vancouver, Washington. Attorney Nicholas A. Wood has vast experience dealing with the police, prosecutors and other law firms in litigation matters. As a result, Nick has achieved sensational results for his clients on a consistent basis. As a former prosecutor in Clark County WA (Rule Nine Intern), the United States Air Force (Trial Counsel and Assistant Trial Counsel) and U.S. Attorney's Office (Special Assistant U.S Attorney), Nick understands the methods, strategies and tactics commonly used by...

Roger Priest is a former prosecutor and Vancouver, Washington attorney helping clients with DUI, Criminal Defense, Car Accident, and other Personal Injury cases.

Caitlin has over 15 years of experience working in the legal field in Clark County, first as a paralegal and later as an attorney. Throughout her career, Caitlin's primary focus has been on family law. In addition to family law, Caitlin has experience working as a law clerk for a large Southwest Washington law firm where she gained additional experience in civil litigation, real estate litigation and business formation. While Caitlin has experience in a range of legal fields, she finds most satisfaction in representing litigants in family law matters. Recognizing that these transitions can be a difficult time for many...

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.

Ben Melnick joined Schauermann Thayer in 2018, and he became a partner in 2020. He graduated with a BA from Washington State University in 2010, and he earned his JD from Gonzaga University School of Law. His practice focuses on personal injury, auto, motorcycle, and biking accidents, wrongful death, and insurance disputes. He is licensed to practice in all Washington and Oregon state and federal courts. Ben is active in the legal community. He is an Eagle Member of the Washington State Association for Justice, and has chaired the WSAJ Clark County Round Table since 2017. Ben...

Bankruptcy Attorney practicing in both Oregon, Washington and Arizona with offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Salem, Tacoma, Portland and Phoenix.

I have been practicing bankruptcy for close to two decades I am licensed in Oregon, Arizona and Washington. My firm offers online questionnaires, flexible payment plans and a commitment to not letting money get in the way of getting our clients under the protection of the bankruptcy laws.

We have retained a company to help our clients rebuild their credit after bankruptcy and we offer this service at no additional charge to our clients.

Plaintiff attorney with broad, but focused, experience promoting public safety through the representation of workers, the sick, the injured and the exploited. Specialties Personal Injury Cases, Mesothelioma and Other Asbestos Disease Cases, Sexual Abuse Cases, Elder Abuse Cases and Worker Injury Cases (Jones Act, Longshore Harbor Workers' Compensation Act, Employer Liability Act).

I grew up in Portland, Oregon. I graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and Portland State University. I left the Northwest to continue my education at Texas Tech University. There I obtained both a Master of Business Administration ("MBA") and a Juris Doctorate (Law) degrees. After graduating I returned to Portland, Oregon. I joined the Oregon State Bar Association in 1999 and the Washington State Bar Association in 2006. For almost 10 years my practice has focused on representing Oregon and Washington employees against their current or former employers and individuals against harassing debt collectors. I have represented my...

For six years I've helped clients in the Pacific Northwest deal with debt collectors. While I can help clients who have any type of consumer debt whether it's credit card, utility bill, micro-loans, etc., I have particular expertise in defending medical bills. People often do not know that they have very specific and powerful rights when dealing with a collection agency. If you have been contacted by a debt collector I can likely help.

I was one of the founders of my firm, Navigate Law Group. A core value of our firm is to try to expand access to the...

Vancouver Washington attorney handling all crimes including DUI, deferred prosecution, theft, assault, drug crimes and domestic violence. Kris Carrasco also represents clients in personal injury matters. Kris actively practices law throughout Washington and Oregon. He is licensed in Washington, Oregon and California.

Priest and Ellis PLLC is a Vancouver WA law firm, whose attorneys practice Divorce and Family Law, Criminal Law, and Guardianship and Estate Planning law. We practice law with a better perspective. We emphasize building strong relationships with clients, based on good communication and using negotiation and litigation skills to achieve favorable results. Our specific areas of practice are diverse and include divorce, collaborative law, child custody, modifications, paternity, child support, criminal defense, DUI, domestic violence, felony charges, guardianships, probate, wills and trust, and much more. Call today to schedule a lawyer consultation in our convenient...

Ms. Jeffers is known to be a strong advocate for her clients during negotiations and when arguing in front of judges and juries. She treats her clients as the individual people they are and makes sure they understand the process every step of the way.

Ms. Jeffers is admitted to both the Oregon and Washington Bar Associations and has been working in criminal defense since 2005. Her membership has included the Clark County Bar Association, Washington Women Lawyers, Northwest Indian Bar, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Trial Bar Association, Washington Defender Association, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and she...

Deanna Rusch is a highly respected family law and divorce attorney in Vancouver, WA known for her intellect, humor, and straightforward yet kind approach to solving her clients’ challenges. Her practice includes all areas of family law, with an emphasis on complex divorce, relocation, inter-state, and UCCJEA issues. She is particularly skilled in assisting divorce clients who own businesses or other complex financial assets. She has been ranked a Rising Star by Washington Super Lawyers every year since 2010 and has been named a “Washington Outstanding Young Lawyer” by Seattle Met magazine. While the legal complexities of family law can...

I represent clients in all aspects of Social Security disability law. I assist clients with initial filing of claims, all levels of appeal, and hearings before administrative law judges. For clients that I have represented at the administrative level, I also litigate federal court claims.

If you were having heart problems, you wouldn’t hire an eye surgeon. So don’t turn to a tax lawyer when you have an immigration problem. Choose a lawyer dedicated to immigration law. I am attorney Scott D. Mills, and I have developed my expertise in immigration law by practicing exclusively in immigration law for years. The United States was founded by people seeking freedom and the chance to work and build a life for their families. I fight for my clients so they can have those same opportunities. I am a Washington licensed attorney authorized to provide United States...

AA Comparative Literature, BYU. Provo, UT BA Sociology, Loretta Heights College. Denver, CO MA Creative Writing/Poetry, Rutgers Graduate School. Newark, NJ JD Doctor of Jurisprudence, University of Utah College of Law. SLC, UT Certified Mediator, Washington Mediation Association, 2009 - present. Certified Lifecycle Celebrant in Funerals/Memorials, Ceremonies for Healing. Reiki Master, 2009 - present. Ordained Minister with First Nation Church-Cherokee 2014 - present. Formed McKELL GRAFF, PLLC: March, 2003 Associate Attorney, WALSTEAD MERTSCHING, PLLC 2002-2003 JD Paralegal and Mediator, STEVEN ALLEN SMITH, PC 1999-2002 Adjunct Professor: Weber State University, Ogden, UT Salt Lake Community College, SLC, UT Rutgers Law School, Newark, NJ Rutgers College of Arts and Sciences, Newark, NJ University of Medicine and...

I'm an immigration attorney with a focus on family based immigration. I love seeing the change in my clients - from stressed and worried about being separated from their family members, to confident, successful U.S. residents and citizens.

Jeff Ryding is a criminal defense attorney from Eugene, Oregon. After graduating from Lewis & Clark Law School, Jeff started his legal career at Public Defender Services of Lane County (PDSLC) in Eugene. Jeff represented clients facing a wide variety of charges, misdemeanor level through murder, during his four years at PDSLC and earned a reputation for fierce advocacy and a commitment to building positive attorney-client relationships. In December 2020, Jeff joined the law firm of Grecco Downs, PLLC in Vancouver, Washington as an associate attorney. Jeff represents Grecco Downs clients facing a wide variety of charges in Oregon and...

Scott Staples joined Schauermann Thayer in 2006 as a clerk during law school, and joined the firm as an associate attorney in 2007. He was made a partner in the firm in 2010. Scott graduated, cum laude, from Washington State University Vancouver with a BA in English, and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Willamette University College of Law, with cum laude honors there as well. He has successfully represented clients in a variety of different types of injury cases, including auto collisions, premises liability, animal attacks, watercraft accidents, and construction site injuries. He has appeared, and won, before the Washington...

Jennifer focuses her practice on estate planning, probate, and guardianship matters. She has earned a solid reputation in the community for ethical and professional legal services throughout her years in practice.

Matthew Philbrook is a graduate of Clark College, Washington State University, and Gonzaga University School of Law. He has been a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association since 2001, and Oregon State Bar Association since 2005.

Matthew entered a career in law with a passion for protecting the legal rights of those in our community, with a competitive approach. He formed Philbrook Law Office, located in Vancouver and Battle Ground, Washington, in 2005, with the goal of championing the rights of people wrongfully injured or in legal jeopardy. Matthew’s years of dedicated service to his clients has...

Born and raised in Clark County, Alexa was born into a family of lawyers (her father and grandfather) who valued relationships and giving back to the local community. She studied music and social work in college, graduating from the University of Washington with a B.A. in Social Welfare.

Alexa worked in the field of guardianships as a Guardian ad Litem and served as an instructor and co-organizer of the Clark County Guardianship Guardian ad Litem Training. She was licensed as both a Title 11 and Title 26 Guardian ad Litem.

Alexa became a paralegal, and while working at the Salmon Creek...

Jeff’s practice is primarily family law and criminal defense. He enjoys complex family law cases, involving businesses and other complicated scenarios. He has also done work in construction defect cases. Jeff especially enjoys helping people to clean up their criminal record through vacations/expungements and restoring rights to buy firearms.
In addition to helping establish compliance procedures for highly regulated industries, he is also certified in Collaborative Law. Jeff is an avid believer in alternative dispute resolution, due to its low-conflict approach to settling a dispute outside of the courtroom, and the benefits it serves to all parties involved.

I am a third-generation Vancouver, WA resident, and I'm proud to currently serve as an attorney to the community I was born and raised in. Throughout my college years, I lived in places such as, Honolulu, HI, Albertville, France, Seattle, WA, Salem, OR, and San Mateo, CA. I have also traveled extensively throughout Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, China, Mexico, and Canada. My goal is to provide excellent legal advice and services to my clients by utilizing my world experience, along with my grounded, hometown knowledge in order to best suit each client's individual needs.

Kirsten A. Samwel founded her law firm with a genuine desire to solve client problems effectively and efficiently. Her motivation lies in helping clients through their legal issues compassionately, while advocating on behalf of those clients in a tough and competent manner. Kirsten has a reputation for being an approachable, open-minded attorney. She is someone you can talk to and is a bright, well-qualified lawyer who dedicates herself to achieving her client’s goals. Kirsten Samwel is a trusted counselor and attorney at law whose practice area emphasizes...

Mr. Kim is an Attorney who limits his practice representing victims in Personal Injury / Wrongful Death cases. Practicing only personal injury / wrongful death law allows us to apply a tremendous amount of resources in gaining the absolute best results in your case. Although Mr. Kim was born in Southern California, he has called Vancouver, Washington his home for the last 30 plus years. He earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Law and Justice from Central Washington University in 2003, WSBA Law Clerk Certification in 2008 and became a member of the Washington State Bar...

Tom D’Amore’s practice emphasizes serious personal injury, wrongful death, product liability and other complex litigation. His law firm, D’Amore Law Group, has been seeking justice for injured people and their families in Oregon, Washington and California since 1994. Tom D’Amore has earned a reputation among insurance companies and corporations as an ethical, experienced and aggressive personal injury attorney. He is often asked to assist other attorneys and law firms with difficult cases throughout the U.S. Tom is deeply committed to both his clients and the legal community. He serves on the Board of Governors and the Executive Committee...

Mr. Blair has been practicing law for over 17 years and has lived and worked in Lewis County for the last 15 years. He specializes in criminal defense of serious felony cases, includging murder, arson, rape, burglary, drug offenses, and various misdemeanor charges including DUI and DV Assault.

Ryan practices exclusively in the area of consumer bankruptcy. Ryan has represented thousands of debtors in bankruptcy matters in Oregon and SW Washington. Ryan handles chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcy cases.

Juliet Laycoe has been in practice since 1998. She focuses on family law, divorce, guardianship and estate planning. She is a trained Collaborative Practitioner and Mediator. Ms. Laycoe is also the author of two books, Divorce Wisdom: Smart Strategies for Anyone Contemplating or Experiencing Divorce and Bits of Divorce Wisdom.

I am a business and real estate attorney with a focus on commercial real estate transactions, including the acquisition and disposition of land, commercial and investment property, commercial development, industrial, office and retail leasing, and financing. I also handle related business transactions including formation of entities including for the purchase of real estate, membership interest purchase and sales, and business acquisitions and dispositions.

Nick Alexander is a Vancouver native, growing up in this great city before leaving for college and law school. After passing the bar, he had an opportunity to return to the area that he loves and has been practicing law in Clark County ever since. Prior to founding Vancouver Wills and Trusts Nick was an associate attorney for the law firm of Greenen & Greenen, and later an Executive Trust Officer at InTrustment NW where he was a professional Trustee, administering trusts and estates. With experience and an ever growing passion for family and community, Nick is eager to help...