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Here are just a few of recent examples of the work our alumni are doing. For a complete look at the professional and personal accomplishments, read Class Notes.
Bradley W. Matthiesen was appointed a municipal court judge in Menomonee Falls, Wis. He is a senior partner with the Hartford law firm of Matthiesen, Wickert & Lehrer, where he has been an insurance defense trial attorney for 12 years.
Harold Booker received the Distinguished Alumni Award at the University of Washington Multicultural Alumni Partnership Bridging the Gap Breakfast. A Seattle-area attorney and chemical engineer, he spearheaded efforts to eliminate the segregated housing patterns in Federal Way by organizing the Federal Way Committee for Human Rights and working with the Urban League’s Operation Equality Housing Program. He also was a leader in the efforts to eliminate bias in membership selection by such social clubs as the Elks. He served almost 20 years as a commissioner on the King County Housing Authority. Besides his pro bono family law cases low-income client cases, Harold gets pro bono client referrals from Volunteer Attorneys For People With AIDS of the King County Bar Association. His bro bono work also has been recognized by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, the King County Bar Association and Seattle University School of Law’s Black Law Student Association.
Michael Iaria received the 2007 President’s Award from the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. He was recognized for his “fearlessness” in the courtroom and his highly regarded death penalty and white-collar defense work. He is an active member and former board member of WACDL, former co-chair of WACDL’s Death Penalty Committee and a frequent lecturer at seminars. He is also a consulting attorney for the Mexican Capital Legal Assistance Program. Since his 1981 internship with the Seattle-King County Public Defender Association, Michael has defended clients accused of serious crimes. In 1983, after a one-year clerkship with the criminal division of the New Jersey Superior Court, he became a staff attorney at the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender. He next became a staff attorney in the felony division of the Seattle-King County Public Defender Association. In 1987, he started a private criminal defense practice in Seattle.
Frank Van Dusen was awarded the 2007 Joseph M. Gaffney award as the King County Bar Association Legal Clinic attorney of the year at a Pro Bono award ceremony at the Seattle Center in October.
Curt Cutting received a “CLAY” award – California Lawyer Attorney of the Year – from California Lawyer magazine for handling a successful appeal on behalf of the City of San Diego. He was the lead attorney in that appeal, which resulted in a published opinion that reversed a $122.5 million judgment against the city in an inverse condemnation case.
Kathryn Salensky was appointed principal court attorney to New York State Supreme Court Justice John. N. Byrne after more than seven years as a Bronx assistant district attorney. She also was appointed to serve on the Women in the Courts Task Force of the New York City Bar Association. The Task Force focuses on court reforms such as improving access to court interpreters in New York State and providing more access and protections to elder citizens.
Gregg Hirakawa is the new deputy executive director for external relations for the Washington State Bar Association. He will handle public outreach and communication activities and oversee several WSBA departments and initiatives, including Continuing Legal Education, Justice and Diversity Initiatives, Lawyer Services, and Member and Community Relations departments, and the Loan Repayment Assistance Program. He was the communications director for the Seattle Department of Transportation since 2006 and worked as bureau chief/correspondent for “The MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour” in Seattle from 1991-1996. Previous experience also includes working as an attorney in private practice and in the King County Prosecutor’s Office. He served as commissioner of the City of Seattle Ethics and Elections Commission from 2004-2006, and serves as commissioner of the King County Charter Review Commission.
Kurtis Sherwood is an associate in the Hong Kong office of Allen & Overy, the second largest firm in the world. He is in the U.S. practice group of the International Capital Markets Practice Group. He earned an LL.M. in corporate and financial law from the University of Hong Kong. His job takes him all over Asia to meet with company executives and government officials to help them comply with U.S. securities law.
Submit your Class Note by e-mailing lawalumni@seattleu.edu. Update your information at www.law.seattleu.edu/alumni/keepcurrent.