[WSBAPT] Why it matters....

[Eric Nelsen]

Brent—Thanks for posting this. I completely agree. I remember vividly my first time before a commissioner—it was Velategui of course, who legendarily enjoys quizzing obvious newbies as well as more seasoned attorneys. While stuttering with nervousness and dropping things in front of an audience is never fun, I am so glad to have been able to start the process of learning how to navigate courtroom appearances when the stakes are at the minimum level.

Sincerely,

Eric

Eric C. Nelsen
Sayre Law Offices, PLLC
1417 31st Ave South
Seattle WA 98144-3909
206-625-0092
eric at sayrelawoffices.com<mailto:eric at sayrelawoffices.com>

From: wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbapt-bounces at lists.wsbarppt.com> On Behalf Of Brent Williams-Ruth
Sent: Thursday, December 28, 2023 11:23 AM
To: WSBA Probate & Trust Listserv <WSBAPT at lists.wsbarppt.com>
Subject: [WSBAPT] Why it matters....

I got a few emails back, directly, asking me why I care about the ability to present directly to a commissioner.

Notwithstanding all of the reasons why it (in certain instances) benefits my clients - I remember being a new attorney and other new associates that I worked with who are not as blessed/cursed as me with the gift of public speaking. Our bosses would frequently send the most junior of associates to the Courthouse with agreed orders or non-contested matters.

It gave those with little to no experience an opportunity to appear before the Court. To navigate the courthouse. To speak on the record when there was nearly nothing at stake.

When I went to the KC RJC to try and open the probates on Tuesday, I walked into the courtroom and the presiding officer was talking to the attorney and asked for their bar number. It was because they had forgotten to put it next to their name on their pleading. So without being snide/rude/condescending the Commissioner just asked for them to write in their number and reminded them that every pleading signed has to be accompanied by your WSBA number.

THIS is why I am truly sad that we are moving to this robotic system of Ex Parte Via the Clerk.  How many harmless errors have been committed in from of commissioners, just like this one, where there wasn't a client sitting at the table or a boss looking over your shoulder as 1st chair.

As I wrap up this calendar year - I am eternally grateful for the members of this section and list-serv for being willing to share experiences, forms, knowledge, citations to me and all the others.

The gratitude that I have is only repaid by paying it forward and now, with 9 years experience in this realm of practice, I always try to jump on those "this may be a silly/stupid question" email to help out others in honor of those who have done (and will do in the future) the same for me.

Have each of you have a spectacular and safe end to 2023 and may 2024 be filled with exciting adventures, health, and prosperity of you and yours.

With humble gratitude as a member of the RPPT Executive Committee, and as one of the At-Large members of the Board of Governors.

Brent

Brent Williams-Ruth (pronouns: he/him)
Attorney-At-Law

Law Offices of Brent Williams-Ruth, a division of BWR Consulting, PLLC

Physical Address: 500 S 336th Street, Suite 214; Federal Way, WA 98003

**EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY** All mail sent through the USPS should be sent to the following address: PO BOX 3319; Federal Way, WA 98063

Office/Scheduling Phone: (253) 285-7751

Direct: (253) 285-7453

e-mail<mailto:Brent at Williams-RuthLaw.com> / website<http://www.williams-ruthlaw.com/> / facebook<http://www.facebook.com/bwrlaw> /
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.fsr.com/pipermail/wsbapt/attachments/20231228/ff71908f/attachment.html>