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I have represented municipal governments for a long time, and they are sued in small claims court every once in a while. I have represented those clients by asking the judge for permission to appear. In other instances, my request has been denied and I have coached my clients from the pews. It is not uncommon to have a lawyer appointed as a pro tem, and I seem to have had more luck with an elected judge than a pro tem. Mediation is usually required, and I have never had an objection to representing my clients in mediation.
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On 11/03/2022 11:46 PM PDT John J. Sullivan, Esq. <sullaw@comcast.net> wrote:
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<p class="MsoNormal">I believe that the plaintiff can choose the Small Claims forum if the amount at issue is below the ceiling. If the claim is properly before the Small Claims Court neither side may have an attorney appear for the person. However, I have coached a client or two over the years, and prepared their pleadings.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">One was actually against the client’s trust mill referred attorney who neglected to advise and assist the client to convey the house to the trust, for the cost of probating the pour-over will. <span style="font-family: 'Segoe UI Emoji',sans-serif;">😉</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">John J. Sullivan</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong>From:</strong> wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com <wsbarp-bounces@lists.wsbarppt.com> <strong>On Behalf Of </strong>Douglas Scott<br><strong>Sent:</strong> Thursday, November 3, 2022 7:49 PM<br><strong>To:</strong> WSBA Real Property Listserv <wsbarp@lists.wsbarppt.com><br><strong>Subject:</strong> Re: [WSBARP] Small Claims Court</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">My understanding is that no attorneys whatsoever are allowed in small claims court. The only exception is if an attorney is la party to the claim</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><strong><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #6e8f94;">DOUGLAS W. SCOTT</span></strong></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;">Rainier Legal Advocates|LLC</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;">465 Rainier Blvd. N., Suite C </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;">Issaquah, Washington 98027 </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;">425.392.8550 (tel)</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Georgia',serif;">425.392.2829 (fax)</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Arial',sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.rainieradvocates.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="font-family: 'Georgia',serif; color: #1155cc;">www.rainieradvocates.com</span></a></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #695d46;">Notice: This communication, including </span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #666666;">attachments</span><span style="font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: 'Open Sans',sans-serif; color: #695d46;">, may contain information that is confidential and protected by the attorney/client or other privileges. It constitutes non-public information intended to be conveyed only to the designated recipient(s). If the reader or recipient of this communication is not the intended recipient, an employee or agent of the intended recipient who is responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, or you believe that you have received this communication in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and promptly delete this e-mail, including attachments without reading or saving them in any manner. The unauthorized use, dissemination, distribution, or reproduction of this e-mail, including attachments, is prohibited and may be unlawful. Receipt by anyone other than the intended recipient(s) is not a waiver of any attorney/client or other privilege</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">On Thu, Nov 3, 2022 at 2:05 PM Dave Culbertson <<a href="mailto:dculbertson@culbertsonlawoffice.com">dculbertson@culbertsonlawoffice.com</a>> wrote:</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Hello, Listmates.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">I have a PNC who might be facing a small-claims court action. My understanding has always been that both parties have to agree to not have attorneys for it to be in Small Claims, and that if one side wants representation they have a right to it and the dispute has to be heard in district or superior court.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Am I wrong about that? I don’t see where that appears in the RCW’s. If I’m right and somebody knows the source of the rule, I’d be interested.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Thanks, folks.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Best Regards,</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Dave Culbertson</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><strong>The Law Office of Davisson Culbertson</strong></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">PO 20403</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Seattle, WA 98102</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><em> </em></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><em>Phone: </em>(206) 478-8134</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><em>FAX: </em>(866) 867-7796</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><a href="mailto:dculbertson@culbertsonlawoffice.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><em>dculbertson@culbertsonlawoffice.com</em></a></p>
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