James S. "Jim" Black, Jr.

Deanna Rusch is an attorney at McKean Smith's Vancouver office. Highly respected as a skilled family law attorney in Southwest Washington, Deanna's poise in court, knowledge of the law, and trial experience sets her apart. She focuses her practice on complex divorce cases (particularly those involving high net worth property ownership and complicated assets), custody cases, relocation, third party custody, modifications, and all other areas of family law. Deanna was drawn to family law over a...

Chelsea Dwyer Petersen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Labor and Employment. Chelsea Dwyer, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Chelsea Dwyer is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

BACKGROUND Jared Barrett has extensive experience in trademark and mechanical-related patent matters, including portfolio management and strategy. Jared received his B.S. ( magna cum laude ) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Washington in 2001, and was awarded his J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law in 2007. EXPERIENCE After receiving his bachelor’s degree, Jared worked as a design engineer at Genie Industries, a division of the Terex Corporation, designi...

Susan Betcher is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of CleanTech Law and Patent Law. Susan, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Susan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew Diggs is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Litigation - Health Care. Matthew, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Amanda Searle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Amanda, who practices law in Tacoma, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Amanda is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Dario A. Machleidt is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property and Litigation - Patent. Dario A., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dario A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jessica Mitchell is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Real Estate Law. Jessica, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jessica is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

For nearly forty years, Randy Squires has tried lawsuits in the Pacific Northwest and elsewhere. His experience base is broad: a five year apprenticeship with a pioneer construction litigation boutique (where, among other things, he built the firm’s construction labor practice); twenty years with Davis Wright Tremaine, a large regional, now national firm, the last ten as chair of the firm’s Litigation Group; and nearly ten years as a founding member, including two years as CEO, of...

Sara is a lawyer in Brewe Layman’s Seattle office. Throughout her practice she has focused on family law cases, specifically those with complex financial issues such as closely held businesses, executive deferred compensation plans, stock grants and options, and other valuation issues. She also handles complicated parenting issues, including dealing with parents with substance abuse histories. Having assisted clients in a full range of property division, spousal maintenance and parentin...