Underwood Lawyers

Washington native and USN veteran William “Bill” Robison concentrates his law practice on litigation with an emphasis on consumer and insurance law, including personal injury, wrongful death, motorcycle collisions, trucking accidents, products liability, construction, real estate cases, and workplace injuries. Bill Robison tries cases with the goal of obtaining justice for every client. Bill Robison has obtained settlements, arbitration awards, and trial verdicts in excess of one million dollars on behalf of clients. Mr. Robison is a contributing author of the “Automobile Litigation Deskbook,” published by the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (WSTLA), and has made numerous presentations to...

Brad Thayer joined Schauermann Thayer in 2015 and became a partner in 2018. He was presented the 2018 Rising Star Award by the Clark County Bar Association. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism with a minor in Sociology from Western Washington University and a Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, from Willamette University College of Law. His practice focuses on personal injury, auto accident, dog bite, and wrongful death cases. Brad speaks Spanish at an intermediate level. He has studied it at various levels over the years in school and lived in Spain from 2009 to 2011 teaching English. In...

We help families and business owners plan for now and the future. This is done through estate planning and business planning. Our process is to educate clients about opportunities - and problems - they or their family may encounter down the road. Next, we help them identify their priorities and goals, and then develop a plan to accomplish those goals. This sometimes involves using advanced legal structures and techniques, but we keep the explanations straight forward and understandable. After all, a great plan isn’t that great if you don’t understand it. Quality planning that you understand is...

Zach Walsh’s background spans the globe, from litigating criminal and family law cases in the Pacific Northwest’s smallest jurisdictions to fighting piracy in Moscow. Prior to joining McKean Smith to practice criminal and family law, Zach honed his courtroom skills as a prosecutor, and as an attorney at one of Portland’s largest family law firms.

Zach has the experience to manage complex criminal and family law cases; he also knows how to help clients protect their liberties and navigate the complicated intersection of family and criminal law. He doggedly pursues just and expedient resolutions on complicated legal matters for his clients....

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...

With years of experience advocating for personal injury victims in Vancouver, Washington and Portland, Oregon, I have the skills necessary to maximize your compensation and get you back on the road to recovery.

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 decided to become a lawyer after many years in education in Los Angeles. I was everything from a substitute teacher with a Kindergarten class to teaching English and P.E. to students just out of juvenile hall or on probation. After my time teaching, I knew that I wanted to continue to help others, but in a different way. I attended school to become a lawyer, attending Willamette University in Salem, Oregon. I enjoyed law school incredibly, and also excelled at it. Being a lawyer continues that good feeling for me. I get to do something I am passionate about...

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.

Having had personal experience growing up as a child in a divided home, Brooke brings an essential element of understanding and compassion to Family Law. Her passion is helping people not only walk through the landmines inherent with legal actions, but to actually thrive in the process. No battle is too massive and she is not intimidated by any adversary and will handle legal cases with the utmost honesty and integrity, using her gifts of research, investigation and persuasive speech to dismantle any inequities against her clients. Brooke has the gift of making even her enemies live at peace with...

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...

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

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.

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.

After serving overseas in the United States Army, Robert M. Gregg attended Western Washington University in Bellingham, WA. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science 1978 and continued on to Willamette University College of Law and was awarded his Juris Doctor degree in 1981.

Mr. Gregg was admitted to the Oregon State Bar, joined the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and accepted a position with the Oregon Department of Revenue in 1981. In 1982, Mr. Gregg was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association and he and his young family moved back to his hometown of Vancouver, WA, to open...

Matthew Kaminski was born and raised in South Florida, attending the University of Florida for undergrad and then Florida A&M College of Law for his Juris Doctorate.

After two years of practice, he relocated to Washington State and began a law office in the Belltown neighborhood of Seattle. Mr. Kaminski was later recruited to assist Ashby Law as a senior managing attorney in order to help develop their office, including their Yakima office.

Mr. Kaminski fell in love with Yakima and the surrounding Valley and with the assistance of his partner Brooke Barnes founded Yakima Law PLLC.

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...

Mr. Brumbaugh is the senior shareholder of Walstead Mertsching. He joined the firm in 1992 and has been a shareholder since 1996. He primarily represents victims of motor vehicle collisions and medical malpractice. He is licensed in Washington and Oregon and practices in both State and Federal trial and appellate courts. He has successfully argued before the Washington State Supreme Court. His areas of focus include: wrongful death claims; automobile, motorcycle and trucking collisions; medical and nursing home malpractice; and defective product claims.

Attorney McAleer has primarily devoted his practice to criminal defense with a focus on defending those accused of sex crimes and other major felony crimes. Attorney McAleer’s approach to these cases and attention to detail has earned him a local, state and national reputation which was achieved by passionately representing hundreds of clients charged with essentially every type of criminal offense.

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...

Lisa E. Martin feels rewarded when she has helped her clients recover their peace of mind.

“I am moved when clients who felt hopeless come out of the divorce process feeling like life isn’t so bad. It’s an overall feeling of ‘I’m going to be okay, and I’m going to land on my feet.’”

Lisa has twenty years of family law experience, and has litigated countless divorce cases in both Washington and Oregon. Her clients regard her as approachable and easy to talk to.

“I owe it to my clients to educate them and help them make the best choices, so that everyone...

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...

Sean M. Downs is a criminal defense attorney serving those accused of crimes in the states of Washington and Oregon. Sean started his law career at a small private firm in Spokane, Washington learning the ins and outs of criminal defense, traffic offenses, and driver's license hearings. He then moved on to work at the Spokane County Public Defender Office where he represented people accused of misdemeanor and felony offenses, as well as working on appellate cases. In 2013, after over twenty-one years of combined private and public practice, Sean joined together with attorney Diane Grecco to found the law...

Erica has dedicated her practice exclusively to the area of family law, handling divorce, separation, support, custody, and relocation matters with sincerity and confidence. Erica is knowledgeable and professional in her advocacy and she is passionate about helping individuals and parents through difficult times.

Erica graduated from Rhodes College in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and a minor in English. Prior to earning her law degree from Saint Louis University School of Law in 2012, Erica spent a year in private practice litigating employment disputes and ERISA matters on behalf of employers, plan fiduciaries, and...

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...

As a family law practitioner, I am motivated by helping people through complex and emotionally difficult legal situations. I work with each client to define their goals and then provide an effective strategy well supported in the law to achieve those objectives. I focus my practice on family law issues, including divorce, child custody, child support, modifications, and relocation. I also handle collaborative divorce, de facto parentage and non-parental custody, step-parent adoption, and LGBT family law. Before becoming an attorney, I worked for the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office as a legal advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual...

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...

A personal injury attorney in Vancouver, WA. Over 30 years experience handling claims arising from car and auto accidents, slip and trip and falls, dog attacks, negligence, and wrongful death.

Angus Lee is a life long resident of Washington, except when he was serving in the USMC. He has twice been elected as a county prosecutor and now focuses his practice on criminal defense in South West Washington.

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...

Attorney with general practice focusing on real estate (agricultural, commercial, and residential) and business transactions, probate, estate planning, landlord-tenant, and creditor’s rights with a wide variety of clients including banks, contractors, credit unions, dentists, landlords, orchardists, petroleum distributors, physicians, realtors, restaurateurs, and vintners.

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...

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...

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...

Danielle has practiced divorce and family law since 2014. She devotes herself to providing each client with information he or she needs to decide if collaborative, mediation, or litigation is right for him or her. From there Danielle works with her client to help them through the process with compassion and understanding. Separation is a difficult time and she helps people find a new path.

Danielle's office is in downtown Vancouver, WA and she accepts cases in Clark County, WA.

Michelle has a strong background in identifying and procuring protection for the intellectual property rights of her clients. She has significant experience in protecting new commercial fruit varieties in the United States, and coordinating rights in other countries. Michelle welcomes inquiries from plant breeders and variety owners outside the United States.

As a resident of the Pacific Northwest for over 20 years, Jack attended the University of Washington and graduated with a degree in Political Science and Economics. Jack received his Juris Doctorate from Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, OR. While in law school, Jack clerked at Vancouver's Blair, Schaefer, Hutchison, and Wolfe law firm where he gained experience in personal injury law, real estate transactions and litigation, and general civil practice. Following his graduation, he was hired as an associate. Jack then became a prosecutor for the City of Vancouver and for the Clark County Domestic Violence Prosecution Center...

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.