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This weekend, GTH attorney Stephanie Bloomfield will be inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers, a prestigious recognition from the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America dedicated to maintaining and improving the professionalism, ethics, and administration of justice encompassing trial practice. This honor is an invitation-only fellowship of trial lawyers in the United States and Canada for a select number of attorneys who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethics and integrity, and professionalism throughout their careers.

Stephanie acknowledges, “This is the most meaningful accomplishment of my career, second only to becoming a GTH partner. I am honored that my peers and opposing counsel have chosen to recognize my work with this invitation.” 

Stephanie came to GTH in 1994 after graduating from the University of Washington School of Law with the desire to become a trial lawyer and work alongside many renowned litigation attorneys who were GTH partners at that time. Uniquely, GTH offered opportunities in defense, plaintiff, and business litigation—and Stephanie wanted to learn from it all.   

“The firm and its lawyers have a reputation in trial advocacy, and in giving associates the opportunity to be involved in trial work at a higher level. While developing the skill set takes hard work and dedication, I do not believe I could have achieved this honor without the experiences afforded to me at GTH.” 

Stephanie fondly remembers the lessons learned early in her career from some of her many mentors. “From Ron Leighton, I learned that jurors are smart and have common sense.  Don’t forget your audience.  From Mark Honeywell, I learned that even though the system is adversarial, we are working to a just result and need to make the effort to work collaboratively with opposing counsel.  From Rick Creatura, I learned the importance of opening statements and a theme.  From Jack Connelly, I learned that the important part of a case was finding the injustice and showing the jury how to right it.  From Sal Mungia, I learned that heartfelt emotion and empathy have a place in trial – along with not being too serious.  From Brad Maxa, I learned that being a good defense lawyer was properly evaluating cases and being respectful to plaintiffs and witnesses.” 

These experiences have contributed to a successful practice in employment, business, injury, and commercial litigation, as well as estate litigation and contract disputes. Stephanie holds numerous honors and recognitions for her work, including American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) Trial Lawyer of the Year and Washington Super Lawyers’ Top 50 Women Lawyers in Washington and Top 100 Washington Super Lawyers.

Over her career, Stephanie has served in a variety of leadership positions with the Washington State Bar Association and Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association. She is also a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates, American Inns of Court, Washington State Association for Justice, American Bar Association, and Order of the Barristers. 

This recognition by the American College of Trial Lawyers is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and skill that Stephanie has and continues to put into her practice each day. Her advice to attorneys seeking a career as a litigator? “Take every opportunity. Work with talented trial attorneys – this includes opposing counsel. Observe and learn from everyone in the courtroom.  You will remember losses far longer than your victories; learn what you can and move on.  Don’t get so caught up in the adversarial and competitive nature of trial work that you forget to be a normal human, and remember to maintain your cool, your professionalism, and respect even when all is falling apart around you. “  

And, most importantly, “Ask questions, remain curious and interested, and work hard.” 

Gordon Thomas Honeywell is pleased to be a sponsor of the Alliance for Equal Justice’s Access to Justice Conference, held on September 28-30 at the Tacoma Convention Center (and virtual).  The Alliance for Equal Justice comprises a network of Washington-based organizations working together to coordinate and deliver civil legal aid to individuals and communities experiencing poverty and injustice.  Every two years, the Access to Justice Conference convenes individuals across Washington who are committed to dismantling legal systems of oppression and poverty and offers systemic advocacy strategies, skills-building, and training.

The 2023 Access to Justice Conference theme is “Shifting Justice Towards Accountability and Trust” and specifically focuses on the intersectionality of systems that lead to injustice and collectively make progress on breaking down barriers to advocacy.  The conference’s working sessions will be led by community organizations and groups developing strategies to change the systems perpetuating systemic oppression.

For more information about the conference and to register, visit: http://allianceforequaljustice.org/accesstojusticeconference/

On July 24, 2023, Division I of the Washington Court of Appeals affirmed a trial victory in a neighbor dispute litigated by GTH partner Ryan Espegard.  The appellate court affirmed a $982,000 trial court judgment in favor of Mr. Espegard’s client and awarded attorneys’ fees on appeal. 

In the dispute, Mr. Espegard represented the plaintiff, who brought claims of timber trespass, waste, and nuisance related to the neighbor’s repeated actions damaging plaintiff’s property.  Mr. Espegard also brought a quiet title claim to resolve a boundary dispute.  On November 23, 2021, a jury found the neighbor liable for all claims and awarded his client $853,545 in damages, plus $128,550 in attorneys’ fees and costs.  The neighbor appealed on several evidentiary, technical, and procedural grounds. On April 23, 2023, Mr. Espegard argued at the Washington Court of Appeals and defeated each of the neighbor’s theories as to why the trial verdict should be reversed.  The Court also ordered the neighbor to reimburse the plaintiff for his attorney fees incurred in the appeal, which is expected to bring the total award to over $1 million.

A copy of Division I’s opinion is below and can be read here.

What made you decide on a career in law?

Although I have always been interested in the law, I became more serious about pursuing a legal career after working with West African refugees in Philadelphia. Many of them needed legal advice with immigration and criminal defense and I wished that I had the tools and familiarity with the legal process to help them. Also, after staying at home with my kids for a number of years, I was ready to serve people in a different way and I have loved the challenge so far.

Do you know which area(s) of law you would like to practice after graduation?

I have especially enjoyed working with the land use and general litigation team here at Gordon Thomas Honeywell. Every day is different, and I have enjoyed working on a wide variety of legal issues. I would be happy to continue this type of work after graduation.

What do you hope to learn during your summer with GTH as you go into your 3L year?

Having never worked in civil litigation, I am hoping to become more familiar with the entire process of helping to solve problems for a client. This could be observing a settlement negotiation, writing a complaint or letter, observing a deposition and/or trial, and researching legal issues. I am hoping to develop my research and writing skills in a practical and useful way.

Why GTH for your 2L summer?

GTH has a great reputation in the South Sound. With offices in both Seattle and Tacoma, GTH serves a wide variety of clients and has attorneys that specialize in many different practice areas. I am excited to learn from attorneys who are the best in their fields and look forward to trying out different areas of law. Plus, it is close to home.

What do you like to do in your free time outside of school and work?

Having been raised in this area, I love all things outdoors. I enjoy hiking, waterfalls, paddle boarding, pickleball, and Seattle sports teams.

Partner Jemima McCullum has rejoined the Tacoma Art Museum (TAM) Board of Trustees, an organization “near and dear to [her] heart.” She previously served on the Board between 2009 and 2015. Jemima credits her love of Northwest art and a desire to stay current with the arts community as primary motivators that drew her to the position. She expressed that this was the perfect time to jump back into TAM and get plugged back into the art community. Jemima is particularly looking forward to all that Andrew Maus, TAM’s new director, will bring to the museum and regional arts community.

Jemima urges everyone to become a Tacoma Art Museum member and learn about its exciting upcoming plans with Maus at the helm, as well as TAM’s commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and anti-racism. As a Board Member, Jemima looks forward to learning more about what regional artists have been working on over the last few years, reconnecting with Tacoma’s art enthusiasts, and being a part of TAM’s mission and passion for the arts.

For more information about the Tacoma Art Museum, please visit: https://www.tacomaartmuseum.org/

Spring of 2022 has seen notable changes to both federal and Washington state laws regarding arbitration, confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-disparagement agreements between employers and their employees.  These changes were enacted to promote public policy that gives employees more freedom to either resolve or disclose claims of illegal activities that occur (or, in some cases, are reasonably believed to have occurred) in the workplace, which may have broad implications for employers in Washington State.

Amendments to the Federal Arbitration Act

On March 3, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021, which amends the Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”) to invalidate arbitration agreements that require arbitration of sexual assault or harassment claims. The alleging party may, however, choose to arbitrate after his or her claim arises.

As a result, preexisting arbitration agreements and joint/class-action waivers are invalid and unenforceable when dealing with claims of sexual assault or harassment under federal, tribal, and state law. This rule applies to any dispute or claim arising on or after March 3, 2022.

Changes to Washington State Non-Disclosure and Non-Disparagement Agreements

In Washington, state legislators passed the Silenced No More Act, which will have a significant effect on Washington employers’ current and future confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-disparagement agreements.

The new law states that beginning on June 9, 2022, employers may not bar any current, former, or prospective employee or independent contractor from disclosing or discussing conduct (or the existence of a settlement related to conduct) that he or she reasonably believes to involve:

• Illegal discrimination, harassment, or retaliation;
• Wage and hour violations;
• Sexual assault; or
• Any other matter “recognized as against a clear mandate of public policy.”

The law applies to conduct in the workplace, at work-related events (coordinated by or through the employer), between employees, and between an employer and employees on and off work premises, and retroactively applies to pre-existing agreements should an employer attempt to enforce such provisions.

In practical terms, this new law broadly prohibits Washington employers from requesting or requiring employees to sign confidentiality agreements concerning any conduct that the employee reasonably believes to be illegal, even as part of a settlement or severance agreement.

There are three narrow carve-outs to the Silenced No More Act:

• The law does not apply retroactively to settlement and/or severance agreements entered into before June 9, 2022;

• Employers may still require confidentiality as to the severance or settlement amount; and

• Employers may still require and enforce confidentiality or non-disclosure agreements related to trade secrets, proprietary information, and confidential business information.

Employers who violate this law on and after June 9, 2022 could be liable for actual or statutory damages of $10,000, plus reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs.

Gordon Thomas Honeywell’s Labor and Employment attorneys can help you navigate these new changes in the law and ensure that any arbitration, confidentiality, non-disclosure, and non-disparagement policies in use at your business comply with these new federal and state regulations. Please do not hesitate to call our office for more information.

Stephanie Bloomfield is being honored by the American Board of Trial Advocates Washington Chapter as its 2021 Trial Lawyer of the Year. 

ABOTA is an invitation-only national association of experienced trial lawyers and judges with 7,600 members nationwide. Membership is spread among 96 chapters throughout the entire United States—equally balanced between plaintiff and defense lawyers—and judges.  ABOTA and its members are dedicated to preserving and promoting the right to a jury trial in civil cases. Its mission is to foster improvement in the ethical and technical standards of practice in trial advocacy.

Trial Lawyer of the Year from ABOTA is a very prestigious and well-deserved award. We are thrilled that this and other organizations also recognize Stephanie as a gifted and amazing trial lawyer. Congratulations!

The firm is excited to welcome our newest Associate, Chelsea Rauch.  Before receiving her J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, she worked as an intern for the Washington Court of Appeals, Division II, and a summer associate at GTH.  She looks forward to growing her practice in the business and labor and employment fields of law, and we are confident she will serve our clients well. 

The firm is excited to welcome Ian Leifer and Kirsten Parris. Ian joins our Trial attorneys and Kirsten joins our Employment attorneys. These talented attorneys come to GTH with a diverse range of skills and experiences that will serve our clients well. They have already enriched the GTH team and we are delighted to have them on board.

GTH is delighted to welcome our new partner, Molly Kling Crowley. Molly has successfully represented plaintiffs for negligence claims for twenty years. Her commitment to clients and dedication to excellence make her a perfect addition to GTH’s talented litigation team. Reputation and experience matter and we are pleased to have Molly join us in providing our clients with exceptional legal services.

www.gth-law.com/attorneys/molly-kling-crowley