2026 May/June Hearsay

HearSay THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CLARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION

May/June 2026

December 2019

Welcome, Commissioner Lopez!

Raising the Bar (and the weights)

Don’t get lost in Oregon or Washington Got an injury law case in Oregon or Washington?

We can put you on the right path. Available for consult, association, or referral for injury claims. Let’s talk soon.

JESSE JACOBS OTLA Guardian / WSAJ Eagle Past President, Clark County Washington Bar Association

DON JACOBS Past Trial Lawyer of the Year, Clark County, WA Past President, Oregon Trial Lawyers Association

Portland 503.222.7757 | Vancouver 360.695.1624 | nwinjurylawcenter.com

The Clark County Bar Association is a professional organization that serves to support our local attorney community through providing education and networking opportunities designed to enhance and foster better relationships within the local legal community.

RYLANDERLAW

AN APPEALING SOLUTION All business, commercial & family law appeals.

Kurt Greg Greg Cheney: 14+ years experience. Dedicated.

Meticulous. Strategic.

Kurt Rylander: 30+ years. All levels of appeal including before the Supreme Court of the United States of America.

Contact us today.

Rylander & Associates PC (360) 750-9931 www.RylanderLaw.com

Rylander@RylanderLaw.com

May & June Hearsay Contributors

Jean McCoy

Amanda Hartman

Josh Sherman

Landerholm, P.S

Beaty Hatch

Jane Clark Legal

Jean McCoy’s practice focus is real

Amanda joined the Beaty Hatch team

Josh Sherman dedicates his

estate transactions and conflict

in February 2025 as a family law

practice to representing plaintiffs

resolution, landlord/tenant and

attorney. She focuses her practice

in medical malpractice cases.

creditors’ rights.

on dissolutions, modifications and prenuptial agreements.

Allison Woodruff

Jesse Jacobs

Brad Andersen

GLP Personal Injury Attorneys

NW Injury Law Center

Brad Andersen

Allison Woodruff is a dedicated

Jesse Jacobs is a trial attorney

Brad Andersen is a trial attorney

persona l injur y attorney ser ving

representing

personal

and litigator representing a

c lients t h roug hout Va ncouver,

injur y clients in Southwest

broad range of clients in a wide

Wa s h i n g t o n , a n d t h e g r e a t e r

Washington.

variety of litigation and trial

Portland area.

disputes.

faye breitreed

partner, vancouver

We protect what our clients value most. ®

McKinley Irvin attorneys are known for their relentless pursuit of successful results, whether representing individuals in financially complex divorce or high conflict parenting disputes.

But perhaps our most noted distinction is our steadfast commitment to protecting what our clients value most.

vancouver | portland | seattle | bellevue | kirkland | everett | tacoma | mckinleyirvin.com

omentum behind Lady Boss Vancouver reflects the incredible impa appens when women intentionally support other women. The unity continues to grow because of the energy, encouragement, an ctions shared at every event.

Raising the Bar (and the Weights): f all, all Lady Boss events are currently complimentary, and there is n Doug Foley’s o join. Now is the perfect time to get involved. Sign up to receive eve ions, updates, and opportunities to connect with this growing Fountain of netw essional women and help us continue building this powerful Youth unity. Because when women support other women, incredible thing

n.

page 10

https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/96XYd9K/LBVancouver

Lady Boss page 18

6

Portugal Bound: Part 5

y

page 20

PIODÃO

CCBA

President’s Message

By Nathan Petersen

Can you feel summer in the air? We made the mistake of putting up our above-ground pool during that hot streak a few weeks ago, only to have it cold and rainy the past week. Summer is still on its way, though. Here are a few of my favorite summer-time activities: Summer swimming holes - We utilize our above-ground pool almost daily in the summer, at least for the f irst half of summer. I try to work f rom home two days a week in the summer, just so my kids aren't home alone all day. I like to make a quick lunch and jump in with them for a few minutes. It is like priming the pump for them to get in. It gets them off their screens, and they usually stay in for another hour after I jump out following a short ten-minute swim. We also love going to Klineline, Frechman’s Bar, and other spots around Clark County.

Timbers match - Even when they are pretty bad (see the last three years), nothing beats a hot day at Providence Park CCBA golf tournament - I don't golf often, and if you go to the CCBA golf tournament on July 11th, you will see why. It is just fun to get out with colleagues and enjoy the greens and sun for an afternoon.

Concerts at Edgef ield - Go into the restaurant for dessert after the show to avoid the nightmare of exiting after a show.

Summer Soiree - This is always a fun event at Hidden House towards the end of summer. This year it is on Saturday, August 29th Reading in the hammock - Which is almost always followed by sleeping in the hammock.

NATHAN PETERSEN | CCBA PRESIDENT 8 NATHAN@THEPRLAWFIRM.COM | 360.326.4577

CCBA PRESENTS

“THE MAYHEW” GOLF TOURNAMENT

JULY 10, 2026

Tri- Mount a in

Sho tg u n s tar t 1:00 PM

Golf Cours e

P izz a a n d Pr ize s

Ri dgefi eld, WA 9864 2

18 -h o l e s o f g o l f w ith ca rt in c lu ded. Piz za and pr iz es af ter wa rd.

E ar l y r eg i st r a tion is $10 0 p er player. Af t er May 31st it is $ 115 per pl a y er . We a re a lso l oo kin g f or sp on so rs! P lease reac h out to Be n n e t t Br a nd en bur g if y ou 're in ter es ted in sp o nso ri ng .

V i s i t t h e CC B A W e b s i t e o r m a i l a c h e c k t o th e C C B A O ff i c e t o r e gi s t e r !

In d i v i d u a l - $1 0 0 T e a m o f F ou r - $ 40 0 T e a m o f F ou r + O n C ou rs e S p o n s o r s h i p - $ 9 0 0 O n C o u r s e S po n s or sh i p O n ly - $ 5 0 0 O f f C o u rs e S p on so rs h i p O n l y - $ 25 0 If you have questions, please contact: Alex Uskoski - auskoski@vancouverlaw.net or Bennett Brandenburg - bennett@thebrandenburglawfirm.com

9

RAISING THE BAR (AND THE WEIGHTS): DOUG FOLEY’S FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH

By Jesse Jacobs An inside look at how one Clark County attorney is defying age, lifting heavy, and building a fitness community in Battle Ground.

10

For most, turning 74 might signal a time to slow down, relax, and enjoy a quieter pace of life. But for veteran Clark County lawyer Douglas F. Foley, 74 is just a number. In fact, he says he truly feels like he’s 16. His secret? A steadfast dedication to physical fitness, a pair of merciless personal trainers, and a 12,000-square-foot fitness haven he built from the ground up.

Five years ago, at the age of 69, Doug made a decision that would change the trajectory of his golden years: he decided to start lifting heavy again.

Today, he feels fantastic, living proof of his personal mantra: “Take care of the body and the mind will follow.”

Two years ago, Doug took his passion for fitness to the next level by constructing a purpose-built, 12,000-square-foot facility located at 1320 SE 13th Avenue in Battle Ground, WA. While Doug owns the building, the gym itself is run by Jeremiah Rodeman under the banner of Battle Ground Martial Arts.

Walk through the doors, and you’ll find an expansive, state-of-the-art playground for health enthusiasts. The facility boasts free weights, assistive weights, kickboxing, aerobics, a long turf sled mat, and a massive 3,000square-foot space dedicated solely to jiu-jitsu mats.

The aesthetics are just as striking as the equipment. Custom murals adorn every wall, but one piece of decor stands out as distinctly fitting for a member of the legal profession: the “Eagles Wall,” featuring a magnificent bronze eagle gripping the U.S. Constitution in its claws.

With 400 active members, Battle Ground Martial Arts has cultivated a vibrant, disciplined community. The organization hosts jiu-jitsu tournaments and offers comprehensive programming that includes kids' classes and women's self-defense. The roster is heavily populated by retired military personnel, police officers, and—as Doug humorously puts it—“a lot of wannabe tough guys like me.”

Doug and his wife are fixtures at the facility, working out religiously nearly every day. To keep them in top shape, they enlist the help of personal trainers who are younger than their own children. Doug affectionately describes these trainers as "just merciless." He also notes with a laugh that, surrounded by "lots of good-looking buff people" (which he is also trying to become), he and his wife might just be the only people in the entire building without tattoos.

11

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

For Doug, fitness isn't just a hobby; it’s a way of life. He is always pleased to talk about physical fitness and extends a warm, open invitation to his colleagues in the Clark County Bar Association to come see what the Battle Ground Martial Arts community is all about.

He even offered a personal invitation to your intrepid reporter: "You are welcome at any time, and you can even bring your decrepit aging father along."

So, the next time you find yourself bogged down by briefs, rulings, and the daily grind of the legal profession, remember the wisdom of Doug Foley: "Never stop working, and never stop working out."

��

Room to Work: A look down the gym's turf sled mat alongside rows of Rogue equipment, showcasing the impressive 12,000-square-foot space built by Doug two years ago.

The Eagles Wall: A fitting piece of decor for an attorney's gym, featuring a bronze eagle proudly clutching the U.S. Constitution, serving as the backdrop for Doug's lifting sessions.

12

13

Revisiting Old Friends

By Jean McCoy and Jesse Jacobs

Some of our die-hard readers will recall that your intrepid drinkers (I mean reporters) have already covered local haunts “The Elbow Room” and “The Grocery” in our publication. Well, like old friends we looked them up again because of some exciting developments.

Those of you who read The Columbian know that The Elbow Room is under new ownership/management since our 2024 visit, and that The Elbow Room was a James Beard semi-finalist for “Best New Bar”. While the Bar did not advance to the semifinals, the fact that it was the only Bar in Washington nominated this year is a big deal (beating out even Seattle). In their comments after being told of the nomination, the owners told The Columbian reporters that they were very focused on the craft of the cocktail and were doing specialty drinks with potions concocted ahead of time so that the bartenders weren’t spending so much time mixing and shaking, but taking a few ingredients with premade mixes to create a perfect cocktail.

What did we find? Ordering three drinks off the elevated cocktail menu had “mixed” results. The Penicillin had whiskey with a ginger mix that was pretty tasty. The form of Manhattan and Boulevardier that also used pre-made mixes along with the spirits were not tasty and were difficult to finish. And this is from us – two who will drink pretty much anything!

The food menu is approachable and down home, but execution is nothing special. The bare tots were not overflowing and not a bargain. Ordering was at the bar and the bartenders were not very welcoming and at one point loudly complaining about a competitor bar (although maybe that is a Portlandesqe vibe of being unapproachable they were going for). The décor is better and it doesn’t smell like old carpet anymore, but it was not the ecstatic event we 14 expected.

The Grocery, on the other hand, was more amazing than usual. The owners have turned the “whiskey” room upstairs and in the back into a little hidden bar with fun memorabilia and pinball machines. You could have an incognito private party spilling out into the mezzanine area that would be unique. The coconut shrimp were superb and they have a great rotating cocktail list with items mature adults will remember from when their parents had a party (Brandy Alexander anyone?) The staff was very attentive and the tunes were spot on for the vibe. If you are going to spend money on alcohol in this economy you want to leave with a good taste in your mouth and not too sad your card has a little higher balance. Both are true with the Grocery!

So what is the moral of the story? First is that consistency is key to bringing people back to your location. If things are good one time and not so good the next the public may not try the third time. Attitude counts also. Some of our readers may like to have a little snark with their cocktails, but we like to have the warm blanket wrapped around our shoulders with a little kiss on our forehead. That may be the alcohol talking but if given the choice, I would go back to the Grocery every time!

Do you have a fun place that makes you feel glad you went every time? Let us know and we will join you!

FROM SEATTLE, WITH FEELINGS HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

By Lisa Darco Last week, CCBA VP Marla Rapp and I packed our bags and headed north for the WSBA Bar Leaders Summit — a gathering of county and affinity bar leaders from across Washington, now in its second year. The idea is beautifully simple: bring bar leaders together, share what's working, learn from each other, and go home better than you came.

Reader, we came home better.

We sat in on sessions covering data-driven member engagement, fundraising, community building, and smarter decision-making. It was a lot. I returned to Vancouver with a full notebook, a lot of feelings, and approximately one million ideas. (Marla’s seen the list. She's concerned. We're fine.)

One thing that really struck me: how intentional the State Bar has become about connecting voluntary bars to each other and to WSBA. Out here in Clark County, it's easy to feel like we're doing this work in our own corner of the state — far from Seattle, figuring it out as we go. This summit is changing that. It's building a real bridge, and we are genuinely better for it.

So what does all of this mean for you? A few things worth knowing: You're going to hear more about our Core Values. We're going to spend some time asking the big questions — who are we as a bar, and what are our non-negotiables?

We'd love for you to be part of that conversation.

We're going to talk more about wellness. The legal profession isn't exactly known for prioritizing it, and we'd like to help change that — starting with you.

And we're going to ask you more questions. Please answer them. I will consider it a personal favor. We only want to do what's useful, what's positive, and what makes you better lawyers and better people. If something isn't working, we'll sunset it. If something new is needed, we'll build it. We are not afraid of change.

Marla and I came home energized, grateful, and ready. More to come — stay tuned.

16

— Lisa Darco, CCBA Executive Director

Powerful LITIGATION

SUPPORT

COURT REPORTING

LEGAL VIDEOGRAPHY REMOTE DEPOSITIONS TRIAL PRESENTATION LEGAL TRANSCRIPTION COPYING AND SCANNING LANGUAGE INTERPRETERS

N A E G E L I U S A. C O M

(800) 528-3335

SERVING WASHINGTON AND THE ENTIRE NATION NAEGELI is a leader in the court reporting and trial support industry. We provide exemplary client service while leading the country in technology and innovation. NAEGELI utilizes only the most qualified professionals to assist you and your client at every stage of the legal process.

Established 1980

17

By Allison Woodruff Something Big is Happening in Vancouver What began as a small gathering of professional women has quickly grown into one of Vancouver’s most exciting and supportive networking communities. Lady Boss launched in Spokane in 2020 by Janelle Carney Boston f rom GLP Attorneys and Randi Johnson of Gravis Law as a regular gathering of women to network, socialize, collaborate, and support one another. Their vision was to create a center of influence for professional women in their area – a hub for connection, education, and development.

That vision continues to grow across Washington, including in Vancouver, where Lady Boss Vancouver started last year under the leadership of Allison Woodruff of GLP Attorneys. What started as a small circle of connections quickly expanded into a network of nearly 100 professional women who are passionate about building meaningful relationships and creating opportunities for one another across Southwest Washington.

Lady Boss is more than a networking event. It is a dynamic community where women f rom all industries and backgrounds come together to exchange ideas, support each other’s goals, and foster both personal and professional growth. Every gathering is designed to create an environment where women feel welcomed, encouraged, and empowered to show up authentically and connect in meaningful ways.

Whether you are an entrepreneur, attorney, healthcare provider, business owner, nonprof it leader, creative professional, or just beginning your career journey, Lady Boss creates space for women to be seen, heard, and supported. Through engaging conversations, educational panels, networking opportunities, and community-focused events, members are building relationships that inspire collaboration, mentorship, and advancement.

18

The momentum behind Lady Boss Vancouver reflects the incredible impact that happens when women intentionally support other women. The community continues to grow because of the energy, encouragement, and connections shared at every event.

Best of all, all Lady Boss events are currently complimentary, and there is no cost to join. Now is the perfect time to get involved. Sign up to receive event invitations, updates, and opportunities to connect with this growing network of professional women and help us continue building this powerful community. Because when women support other women, incredible things happen.

LINK https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/sl/96XYd9K/LBVancouver

19

PORTUGAL BOUND, PART 5: VISITING EVORA & LISBOA

By Amanda Hartman

May 7–8, 2025 Evora: After Porto we started our drive to the southern part of Portugal. We stopped at the historic village of Piodão, then continued on to Evora to spend the night. This portion of the trip was more to see the country and explore the various historic sites available to tour.

While these less-urban areas are less expensive than Lisboa or Coimbra, they also are further from major airports and the other benefits of large cities.

The hotel we stayed at in Evora was inside a stone city wall but had good wi-fi. We also kept excellent cellservice throughout the drive and time spent around the town(s) except for about ten minutes while we drove over a20 mountain.

PIODÃO

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

CHAPEL OF BONES We spent the night in Evora, and stopped by the Chapel of Bones in the morning before we resumed our drive to the south Algarves region. The long drive from the northern part of the country to the south was generally positive. During the day there are beautiful views, though there are not many lights after dark. Be prepared for fairly high tolls or unlit alternative routes (said alternative routes were usually between 15 minutes and an hour longer for us on the long drive).

21

SUNSET IN PORTO PARK

21

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

May 8–9, 2026 Sagres Lisboa: Our southernmost destination was Sagres. We arrived on time and took a boat tour out to see some sea caves. If you’re considering moving to Portugal, the southern region is a popular pick as there is a large expat community there. The prices reflect it as well. Living on a sunny beach will cost a bit more than rainy Porto. Nevertheless, if you intend to explore Portugal in the future – give yourself time to explore the region.

We were not personally considering it as a place to live – our goal is to integrate as much as possible, so we want to avoid the dense expat areas. Beyond that, Sagres was several hours away from the airport and living close to the airport is important to us.

22

22

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

On that note, after the boat tour we realized the hotel was farther from Lisboa and the airport than we had thought (a little over three hours). So, we decided to drive to Lisboa the night of the 8th and get a new room closer to the airport. We were able to rent a room in a large apartment complex, that involved getting keys and codes to three different doors to get into the room itself.

The next morning, we drove to the airport (or rather the car rental place) in what was plausibly rush hour traffic. I’m not actually sure because the time of day aligned, but the traffic itself wasn’t too bad. Dropping the car off was easier than picking it up. They inspected it then and there and confirmed that there was no damage we’d be charged for. The shuttle to the airport was easy, and once we arrived it did not take long to get through Lisboa security and into the terminal itself. Navigating the airport was generally positive beyond a lack of available seats. Given how long we were about to sit on our flight(s) back, standing around for an hour was a fine way to end our trip.

Next Steps: Portugal has officially published the Amendments to their Nationality Law, which means anyone looking to move to the country as of May 19, 2026 faces an extended process. Rather than five years to citizenship, the timeline has been extended to ten years. Beyond that, the timeline starts as of the issuance of the residency permit rather than the date of submission for the application. That may not sound like a large difference, but administrative processing delays means counting from the date of issue will likely add six months and may add over a year to your wait.

We will not be changing our plans to move to Portugal, despite this obstacle to citizenship. We always planned to stay in Portugal for more than the five years previously needed for citizenship, so while it’s disappointing to have access to an EU passport delayed it’s not nearly enough to dissuade us from pursuing our move.

23

23

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

TheTrialWhisperer A series of articles

by Brad Andersen

For more than three decades, I’ve stood before juries, judges, and other decision-makers- first as a prosecutor, and later in a wide range of civil cases.

What I’ve learned is that success at trial rarely comes from luck. As Trey Gowdy puts it, “chance favors the prepared mind.” Experience is the great teacher, though too often it is what we gain right after we most needed it.

Many of the lessons I share here are things I wish I had done better, earlier, and more often.

This five-part series is about those choices and missed opportunities. My goal is not to offer theory for theory’s sake, but practical guidance—drawn from experience, mistakes and from some of the great trial teachers of our time—on how to pick the right cases, frame them with purpose, conduct discovery strategically, prepare with compelling themes and witnesses, and finally, present a story that empowers the jury to write their own ending that favors your side.

Part 4 – If You Can’t Sing It, You Can’t Win It Albert Einstein once said, “If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” That principle applies as much to trial law as it does to physics.

The most brilliant legal theory means little if jurors cannot understand it, remember it, and then repeat it to each other in the deliberation room.

Jurors love stories. It is how human beings make sense of the world. Long before law books and jury instructions, people passed down truth through tales, myths, parables, and songs. The best trial lawyers understand that jurors are not legal technicians — they just love a 24 good story with a happy or at least a

"If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough."

— Albert Einstein 24

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

good ending. If your case is a story they can carry with them, you have given them a way to do justice. If it is a jumble of details and jargon, you have given them nothing.

Trial lawyers are part movie producers and so can learn a thing or two from screenwriters, like Robert McKee who wrote: “A true theme is not a word, but a sentence—one clear coherent sentence that expresses a story’s irreducible meaning…it implies function: the controlling idea shapes the writer’s strategic choices. It’s yet another creative discipline to guide your aesthetic choices toward what is appropriate or inappropriate in your story, toward what is expressive of your controlling idea and may be kept versus what is irrelevant to it and must be cut. The more beautifully you shape your work around one clear idea, the more meanings audiences will discover in your film as they take your idea and follow its implications into every aspect of their lives.

Conversely, the more ideas you try to pack into a story, the more they implode upon themselves, until the film collapses into a rubble of tangential notions, saying nothing.”

Theories and Themes: Different Tools, Same Goal A trial theory is the law’s structure (and how you can get past the judge to the jury): the legal claim, the elements, the framework that must be proven. It is necessary — but it is not enough.

A trial theme is what the jury remembers (how you win your case). It is the short, simple truth that anchors your story and explains why you should win.

Here are a few themes I have found helpful, none of which required a legal degree: “If you break it, you buy it.”

“Government shouldn’t pick winners and losers” “If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck…”

“The truth doesn’t need a good memory.”

“A deal is a deal.”

“Promises are not made to be broken.”

“Your word should be worth more than your lawyer.”

25

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

Tom O’Toole of Sound Jury Consulting of Seattle has tried to teach me how to discipline myself to develop what he calls the nine-part story. His framework forces lawyers to translate complexity into clarity. It demands you know your characters, your conflict, the rules that were broken, the harm caused, and the responsibility that must be restored by the jury. Without that structure, it is easy to wander. With it, you stay focused on the story jurors actually need, and want.

Rick Friedman’s Rules of the Road builds on this same point. His method is to reduce a case to simple, undeniable rules that jurors accept as common sense. Once jurors adopt those rules — “drivers must keep a proper lookout,” “companies must test products before selling them” — the verdict becomes a matter of holding the other side accountable for breaking them. Rules are sticky.

Jurors can repeat them in deliberations. And repetition is power.

A trial theory is the law's structure. A trial theme is what the jury remembers."

Why Stories Stick Stories stick because they are simple, rhythmic, and memorable. Think about advertising. For more than a century, the most successful products have been sold with jingles and slogans that distill an idea into a few words: Nike: “Just do it.” or “Just say no.”

Alka-Seltzer: “Plop, plop, fizz, fizz.”

McDonald’s: “I’m lovin’ it.”

Coca-Cola: “It’s the real thing.”

Nobody remembers the fine print at the bottom of a Coke bottle. But everyone remembers the jingle. That is what trial themes must do: take the essence of your case and make it unforgettable.

The same is true in the courtroom. One of the most famous examples came from Johnnie Cochran during the O.J. Simpson trial: “If the glove don’t fit, you must acquit.” Whatever you think of that case, the line is unforgettable. It distilled the defense into a single chorus the jury could repeat in deliberations. Simplicity became persuasion.

26

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

The Country Chorus Test Over the years, I have come to rely on a simple test: if I can’t reduce my case to something as clear and repeatable as a country-western chorus, I know I’m not ready for trial.

Country songs endure because their choruses capture entire worlds in a few lines: “Don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys.” “All my exes live in Texas, “Take this job and shove it.” “You were always on my mind.”

If a songwriter can distill longing, struggle, or regret into one chorus, a lawyer should be able to distill a case into one theme. If you can’t sing it, you can’t win it.

I once used this approach in an arbitration where my client was caught between two warring parties. My opening statement began with the familiar lyric: “Fools to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.” It drew a smirk from the arbitrator, but it also gave him an instant framework for my client’s predicament and frustration. In a single line, my client’s position was clear.

Einstein’s Simplicity, Applied Einstein’s point wasn’t that complex ideas are easy — it was that true mastery reveals itself in simplicity. The same is true at trial. If you can’t explain your case in plain words, you don’t yet understand it.

Friedman’s Rules of the Road echoes the same truth. Cases often collapse under complexity. But when you reduce the conflict to a handful of simple, irrefutable rules, you give jurors a script they can carry into the deliberation room. The rules become the chorus of your case.

Robert Klein often tells lawyers that if the jurors can’t tell each other what the case is about in one sentence, you haven’t done

27

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

your job. Charles Rose emphasizes the same point from a storytelling perspective: every narrative needs a through-line. Lose that, and you lose the jury.

Conclusion: Story as Trial Strategy Jurors may listen politely to law, but they remember stories. They remember jingles. They remember choruses. That is why the task of the trial lawyer is not just to know the law, but to translate the law into story. “hum a few bars” and they will get it.

If you can distill your case into a chorus that jurors can carry into the deliberation room, you’ve done the work. If you can’t, then, as Einstein warned, you don’t understand it well enough yet.

Next time in this series, we’ll look at how to close the circle: how to win the case through the most compelling story — the one that allows the jury not just to listen, but to write the ending themselves.

Brad Andersen has been a trial attorney in Southwest Washington for more than thirty years and has learned the hard way how to take a case f rom start to f inish.

For questions or advice you can reach Brad at (360) 638-3007 or brad@bradandersenlaw.com

28

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

29

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

30

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

31

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

32

Clark County Bar Association

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

CLARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING

April 14, 2026

Minutes for the CCBA Board of Trustees Meeting April 14, 2026 1. Called to order 12:05 pm; Petersen, Rapp, Melnick, Larson, Mendoza, Busby, Sherman, Wechselblatt, and Executive Director Darco 2. Approval of March 3, 2026 Board Meeting minutes: (Mendoza/Petersen), Approved Approval of March 16,2026 General Meeting minutes : (Mendoza/Rapp), Approved 3. Treasurer’s Report: (Melnick) Barrister’s Ball expenses are in and it was a break even event. Issue is that there is $2k revenue forecast from the event in the budget for this year. Expenses were up and more sponsors were needed. The CCBA is also behind on dues, advertising, and CLE income while expenses have increased. This could result in a $6k-8k loss which is not sustainable.

Motion to close KeyBank account and transfer funds to an investment account at WA Trust. (Melnick/ Wechselblatt) Approved.

Motion to transition lending from KeyBank to Washington Trust Bank with a $10,000 credit limit. Authorized signers are Ben Melnick, Nathan Petersen, and Marla Rapp. Lisa Darco will be authorized to have an active card. (Melnick/Wechselblatt) Approved 4. To Discuss a. Membership Update: Current quarter 394 members, 81 have not renewed, 22 are new members to the CCBA. First Quarter 2025 there were 420 members. Staff memberships 43, 43 total last year. b. Barrister’s Ball Recap: Great turnout. Loads of fun. Great speeches. Event space is very nice. See Treasurer’s Report for fiscal impact news. c. Brainstorming Session: There are 400 Clark County lawyers that are not CCBA members. The board shared ideas on how to reach these attorneys and promote CCBA membership. We need to increase our memberships. Have a good idea or want to help out? Contact Lisa Darco 5. Upcoming Events a. Swearing In followed by Young Lawyer Section Happy Hour 4/23/26 b. DEI Planting event at Heritage Farms 5/30/26, 9 to Noon c. Bowling with the Judges will be in June d. Jim Mayhew Memorial Golf Tournament 7/17/26 e. Summer Soiree 8/29/26 f. Membership Kickoff Coffee event will be in September Adjourned 1:04 pm

33

Clark County Bar Association

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

CLARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING

May 5, 2026 Minutes for the CCBA Board of Trustees Meeting May 5, 2026 1. Called to order: Rapp, Larson, Sherman, and Executive Director Darco No quorum. George, Marla’s sweet dog, offered to participate. Still no quorum.

2. Approval of April 14, 2026 Board Meeting minutes: Tabled to June meeting 3. Treasurer’s Report: Tabled to June meeting 4. To Discuss a. Brainstorming Session: ideas to increase membership and serve present 5. Upcoming Events a. DEI Planting event at Heritage Farms 5/30/26, 9 to Noon b. Bowling with the Judges: 6/11/26 at Big Al’s c. Jim Mayhew Memorial Golf Tournament 7/10/26 d. Summer Soiree 8/29/26 at Hidden House e. Annual Meeting: 9/14/26 at Artillery Barracks at Fort Vancouver f. Membership Kickoff Coffee event will be in early September Adjourned 1:00

HIRING ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY - FAMILY LAW The Vern McCray Law Firm is hiring a motivated Associate Attorney to join our well-established family law practice. The primary emphasis is on family law, with exposure to criminal defense, estate planning, and probate. We provide an experienced administrative staff and a relaxed atmosphere designed for long-term success. With a large and growing client base, we offer a desirable compensation split with generous bonuses. If you have previous experience in or a passion for family law, we would love to meet you.

Requirements: Candidates must be a member of the Washington State Bar Association in good standing, with technical proficiency in MS365, Adobe, e-filing, and FamilySoft, along with a firm grasp of Clark County Local Court Rules.

Pay: $120,000 - $180,000 per year Benefits: Health, Dental, and Vision insuyrance. Paid CLEʼs and provided parking.

Location: Camas, WA 98607 How to Apply: If youʼre interested in building a great client base and working in a relaxed atmosphere, please submit your confidential resume to: mccraylaw@vernmccraylaw.com

34

vernmccraylaw.com

Clark County Superior Court

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

BENCH/BAR COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

May 12, 2026 Jessi Anderson Persons in attendance: Judge Camara Banfield (Camera.Banfield@clark.wa.gov), Jessi Anderson (jessi@ccvlp.org), Alex Reaganson (alexander.reaganson@nwjustice.org) Aaron Bartlett (Aaron.

Bartlett@clark.wa.gov ) If you have matters that you would like to bring to the attention of the Bench/Bar, you are welcome to contact the above-mentioned members of the committee. The next meeting will be Tuesday, September 8th at 12:00. Please email Jessi Anderson (jessi@ccvlp.org) for the Zoom link if you would like to attend.

Meeting commenced: 12:01 pm

Meeting adjourned:12:20 pm

Meeting Updates: Court updates: Judge Banfield Civil department: Superior Court Administration is moving to the ground floor of the courthouse. Boxes are still present upstairs for now, but those will be moving downstairs at some point and when they move there there will be a gap before the new boxes are ready. There are also boxes at the clerk’s office where attorneys can leave things for judicial officers and someone from Superior Court will go pick those documents up. You can utilize those boxes now and/or during the gap while boxes from the 3rd floor are relocated to the ground floor.

Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s office: Aaron Bartlett, Chief Deputy Prosecuting Attorney The prosecutors office will be attending and having a presence at Superior Court Bench Bar again.

Question from CCVLP/NJP regarding pro se petitions to vacate convictions:

One of the barriers that we’re seeing with pro se litigants is that there is a real disparity between the ability of a pro se litigant to get a prosecutor to sign an agreed order to vacate versus the ability of a defense attorney to have contact with a prosecutor and get an agreed order. This is resulting in pro se folks having to set a hearing to get their vacate order every time, even in instances when at the hearing the prosecutor isn’t objecting to the order.

This takes more of everyone’s time, including the court. Is there a way to get more engagement from the prosecutor’s office with pro se people on their petitions/orders to vacate, particularly on ones that the prosecutor’s office wouldn’t be objecting to at a hearing?

Judge Banfield states that it would be helpful for the prosecutor’s office to have information on their website for pro se individuals on how best to serve their paperwork on the prosecutor’s office and a process to indicate receipt by the prosecutor.

Mr. Bartlett is going to follow up to determine who the best contact is at the prosecutors office on this issue.

Northwest Justice Project: Alex Reaganson

35

HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)

Regarding Legal Financial Obligations: NJP is still seeing a slow response time of sending things in through ex parte with the clerks office on LFOs. Because of this, NJP will be noting LFO petitions for hearing moving forward rather than utilizing the ex parte process.

Judge Banfield will communicate with Judge Snider to relay that information and still suggests that a meeting with Judge Snider may be useful as she is the only judge handling LFOs at this time.

RTC caseload update: NJP has seen an increased case load for RTC matters as CCVLP is currently down 2 attorneys.

Jessi clarifies that CCVLP has contract coverage to make up for 1 of those FTE caseloads and is currently in the process of rehiring for the 2nd FTE.

NJP was granted a temporary paralegal position which was filled internally leaving one legal assistant position open. Attorneys are working hard to cover matters while short one legal assistant and response times may be slower until that position is refilled. That vacancy does not affect NJP’s Right To Counsel team as they have their own dedicated paralegal staff.

Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program: Jessi Anderson No further updates from CCVLP This group takes a break over the summer months and will resume in September. Jessi has facilitated/ been responsible for meeting minutes, Zoom links and calendar invites for the last two years and invites other interested members of the group to switch out with her. Please email Jessi (jessi@ccvlp. org) if you are interested in facilitating Superior Court Bench Bar when it resumes in September.

Respectfully submitted, Jessi Anderson

36