HearSay
THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE CLARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
October 2025
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.
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
October Hearsay Contributors
Jason Rosenbaum
Chenoweth Law Group, P.C.
Jason focuses his practice on real estate, business and commercial, and construction litigation. Jason represents both plaintiffs and defendants.
Mia Demay
Honorable James Smith
Clark County Disrict Court Judge James Smith was appointed as District Court Judge in 2021. Before, he was serving as a Senior Deputy Prosecutor and Team Leader for the child abuse prosecution unit.
Beaty Hatch
Amanda joined the Beaty Hatch team in February 2025 as a family law attorney. She focuses her practice on dissolutions, modifications and prenuptial agreements.
Clark County Volunteer Lawyers Program
Mia Demay started at the CCVLP in March 2025 as CoExecutive Director. She primarily focuses her work on Community Engagement.
Brad Andersen Brad Andersen Law
Brad Andersen is a trial attorney and litigator representing a broad range of clients in a wide variety of litigation and trial disputes.
Amanda Hartman
Portugal Bound, Part II
Access to Ju stice: What, Like it’s H ard?
By: Mia Demay
1990
Our guests embraced the theme and showed up decked out in pink and Elle Woods-chic outfits, enjoyed character-inspired raffle baskets donated by generous local partners and businesses, and remembered the night forever with our amazing photo booth. Together we filled the Kiggins theater with energy, laughter, and purpose.
Beyond the pink and popcorn, the night carried a deeper meaning: together, we raised over $14,000 to support free legal aid for those in our community facing some of life’s hardest challenges from housing instability to domestic violence to navigating the complexities of family law.
But don’t just take our word from it, hear what other folks had to say about the evening!
“I love pink and I love Elle Woods. I get the rich, skinny, beautiful blond girl thing we are supposed to be unhappy with as a fake “ideal”, but I think Elle would be my friend no matter how I look. The fact that you can get ahead and still like pink and have a scented resume is a beautiful thing. This fundraiser appealed to all ages and genders, and I have not been to something this ins
HEADER (CHANGE ON MASTER B)
“I had an amazing time at the Legally Empowered event! The movie, the photo booth, the prize baskets, and even the sweet little swag bags made it such a fun evening. As someone who plans events, I know just how much heart and effort went into making it all come together, and I was so impressed. Beyond the event itself, I have enormous admiration for the CCVLP team and the incredible work they do to provide access to justice in our community. It’s a mission the CCBA is proud to support, and one I'm personally so grateful for.” - Lisa Darco
One last ‘thank you ’ to our generous sponsors who allowed us to make this wonderful night so wonderful:
Inatai Foundation
Molina Healthcare
Schauermann Thayer
Navigate Law Group
Loren and Dana Etengoff
Gevurtz Menashe
Butchard Law
Law Office of Eva Luchini
Law Office of Greg Price
Huge shout out to our Donor Engagement Officer, Michelle Charbonneau – this entire idea was her brainchild! We love her dearly and are so grateful for all her ideas and her passion. We couldn’t have done any of this without her.
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C l a r k Co u n t y D i s t r i c t Co u r t J u d g e – D e p a r t m e n t 3
Clark County Bar Association
CLARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING
September 15, 2025
Minutes of the CCBA Annual Membership Meeting 9/15/2025
In Person at the Artillery Barracks at Fort Vancouver
CCBA President Deb Wechselblatt
Called to order, Opening remarks and welcome REPORTS
A. Treasurer’s Report, Ben Melnick
Discussed this past year’s budget outcome. $1,600 in the black. The CCBA would like to see an increase of 18 more members than last year. Ben presented the 2025/2026 Proposed Budget. Motion to approve the budget (Melnick/Rapp) Approved
B. Annual Report Of Superior Court, Judge Jennifer Snider
Some changes in this past year include two working courthouse elevators, new jury administration software, a 12th judge position (Judge Hayes), a hybrid judge position created that handles any type of trial and dockets. Judge rotations have occurred and there will be news soon about additional changes. Commissioner Christina Phelan’s position will become full time; this change is connected to ITA funding. Discussed filing stats. There is now a daily protection order docket. Discussed jury trial stats. The Clark County Council will refer the issue regarding whether the County Clerk position should be an elected position to the Charter Review Commission. The plan is to have all of Superior Court in the courthouse by next summer.
C. Annual Report Of District Court, Judge Kristen Parcher
The Clark County Council appointed two new judges. Judge Sonya Langsdorf retires 9/30/25 and Judge Leslie Lopez begins. Judge Megan Peyton will be on the bench before the end of the year when Judge Kelli Osler retires. Pre trial/Probation services moved to the PSC building. The auto vacate process is 70% complete. The Mabry Center celebrates 40 years of service. District Court hopes to be in their newly renovated building (Old City Hall) by February 2026. There has been an increase in case filings. District Court is doing a lot of data collection which will be published on their website. The fairness survey project is ongoing. In 2027, Enterprise Justice will replace JIS, JAVS, and On Base (in District Court only); trainings to come.
D. Clerk’s Report, Scott Weber
It has been a rebuilding year for the Clerk’s Office. Discussed various statistics from the Clerk’s Office. Filings down a bit. 46% of employees in the Clerk’s Office have been there less two years; the office has not been approved for more employee positions and remains short staffed. The exhibit return project is ongoing; promptly get your exhibits when available for return as the Clerk’s Office has limited storage space.
E. CCBA Committee Reports (report from law library was on the tables)
Family Law Section, Chelsey Butchard New year means new board members. The section has 100 members. There is a goal to increase section participation and increase in person events. Monthly CLEs have been planned for this year and next year. Social events are planned. The bylaws have been updated. Judge Retsinas is now the family law lead judge and the board appreciates her working with them.
Young Lawyers Section, Leah Petersen A new board was elected. There is a Happy Hour event planned next week following the attorney swearing in ceremony. CLEs are being planned. Experienced attorneys are welcome to attend YLS social and CLE events.
Guardianship, Probate, and Elder Law Section, Marissa Bartolucci CLEs are being planned and open to all. Judge Snider has attended section events and they appreciate her involvement. There is a large need for attorneys who will represent respondents in conservatorship/ guardianship cases. All attorneys are welcome to attend section events.
CLE Committee, Josh Sherman Discussed the schedule for Nuts and Bolts CLEs; there is a great lineup planned through the spring. Plan to attend!
CCBA Diversity Equity Inclusion Committee, Courtney Mendoza The committee’s purpose is to increase the diversity of the CCBA. Meetings are every other month on the fourth Monday. Events this past year included the annual summer CLE, Together We Grow a farm event, and a panel event for collegians that covered a variety of careers in the legal system.
Hearsay Committee, Whitney Hawke The committee meets the first Thursday of the month. Meetings are via Zoom with a quarterly in person Happy Hour meeting. Come join this strong committee.
Social Committee, Whitney Hawke This committee plans and organizes the fun. Fundraising is a part of what they do. Thank you for supporting CCBA events! When you sponsor events and attend events it makes them revenue neutral, which is important for CCBA finances.
Membership Committee, Nathan Petersen We are now in the push for members as it is the start of the CCBA’s fiscal year. It is time to renew and for new members to join. Membership has decreased. The committee is making efforts to retain current members and to attract new members. They have sent post cards with a QR code for easy membership sign up. There is a new CCBA Connects program that will focus on connecting members in different types of social activities. The committee will do outreach to potential members in areas of practice that have not historically been involved in the CCBA.
NOMINATIONS AND ELECTIONS OF NEW OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
Slate presented
President: Nathan Petersen, Vice President: Marla Rapp, Secretary: Le Ann Larson, Treasurer: Ben Melnick, Trustees: Ryan Busby (1 year remaining), Courtney Mendoza (2 years remaining), Josh Sherman (3 year term), Immediate Past President: Deb Wechselblatt
No nominations from the floor
Motion to elect slate of officers (Anderson/Hawke), Voted by raise of hands. Slate elected.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW CCBA PRESIDENT NATHAN PETERSEN
Deb Wechselblatt introduced President Nathan Petersen. Nathan spoke briefly.
2024/2025 PRESIDENT’S AWARD TO DEB WECHSELBLATT
Plaque presented by Nathan Petersen to Deb Wechselblatt. Thank you to Deb for their service as Trustee, V.P., and President. Deb’s many contributions include their focus on updating the CCBA mission statement and job descriptions, attention to details for smooth board transitions, and (secretary added) co-leading the DEI Committee from it’s start to a point recently when it was established and ready for new leadership. Deb will continue to serve as the Immediate Past President.
BOARD APPRECIATION
Thank you to Owen Sutanto for three years of board service.
Adjourned
CLE “A View from the Bench” presented by Judge Banfield and Judge Bartlett followed the meeting.
Clark County Bar Association
CLARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION BOARD MEETING
September 3, 2025
Minutes for the CCBA Board of Trustees Meeting September 3, 2024
Called to order 12:10 p.m.; Hawke, Wechselblatt, Melnick, Larson, Petersen, Sutanto, Phelan, and Executive Director Darco
August 6, 2024 board meeting minutes: Motion to Approve (Wechselblatt/Petersen) Approved
Treasurer’s Report (Melnick): Financials prepared for board to review. If an outstanding bill is paid then we will be in the black for the fiscal year. The CCBA has needed to dip into reserves in the budget years since the 2017/2018 fiscal year. (Not to worry, we have healthy reserves but needed to reverse that trend) So this year was great! Thank you Lisa Darco, Ben Melnick, all of our fabulous event sponsors, our great Hearsay advertisers, all who attend CLEs and social events, the volunteers who work on the committees and sections, and to you for being a CCBA member. Please renew your membership, sign up your staff for staff memberships, and recruit our nonmember colleagues to join the fun.
Ongoing Action Items
Committee Reports:
Hearsay Committee (Hawke): August issue is coming out soon. The committee is meeting this week. As usual, expect good content.
Social Committee (Phelan, Darco): Next up is the Coffee Cart Social. Pumpkin Patch event is in the works.
CLE Committee (Darco): The CLE schedule is full.
DEI Committee (Wechselblatt): The next meeting is 9/23/24 and they are working on a chairperson transition for the committee.
Membership Committee (Darco, Petersen): Membership drive will be kicked off with the Coffee Cart Social.
Previous Action Items
Membership Update: 2023/2024 Attorney members:439, Non Renewed: 38, New Members: 48, Staff: 37. Attorney members 410 for 2022/2023. We need to get 450 members for this fiscal year to meet our budget projections.
Current Action Items
Goal Setting and tracking: roundtable discussion of goals
Honorary Membership for Judges and Commissioners (Hawke) Bylaws section 2d. Will send email requesting donations in lieu of dues. Motion to approve honorary memberships for judges and commissioners for the 2024/2025 year (Hawke/Phelan) Approved
Bylaw Amendments (Hawke, Wechselblatt) Discussion about suggested bylaw amendments. Article 2: add staff as a classification of membership. Section 3.02 Composition: 3 or 4 regular members (trustees). Section 3.10 regular meetings the first Tuesday of each month. Motion to approve the proposed bylaw amendments for vote by the membership at the Annual Meeting (Phelan/Petersen) Approved
Nominating Committee (Hawke) : Proposed Slate for 2024/2025: Pres: Deb Wechselblatt, VP: Nathan Petersen, Treasurer: Ben Melnick, Secretary: Le Ann Larson, Trustee: Owen Sutanto (year 3 of 3), Trustee: Ryan Busby (year 2 of 3), Trustee: Marla Rapp (3 year term), Trustee: Courtney Mendoza (3 year term), Past Pres: Whitney Hawke. Motion to approve slate for vote at the Annual Meeting (Phelan/Melnick) Approved
Representing Injured Workers on Their Washington Claims
Farewell/Welcome lunch (Wechselblatt) the board will meet for lunch on 9/18/24 to welcome new board members and thank Christina who is exiting. Christina you are always welcome to attend the monthly meeting, you won’t have a vote but also cannot be assigned any projects.
Volunteer Lawyer Program Resolution (Hawke) motion to approve the resolution supporting the VLP (Phelan/Sutanto) Approved. Resolution signed.
Upcoming Meetings/ Events
Annual Meeting: September 16th, noon, CLE to follow at 1:00 View From the Bench presented by Judge Sheldrick and Judge Sleight
Membership Drive Coffee Cart Social: 9/24/24 at the West Park room. Thank you to our sponsors, Ryan Busby and Theresa Springer.
Barrister’s Ball 3/8/25
Adjourned
