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About us

Our Volunteer Attorneys

Giving Back, Giving Big

The Chelan Douglas Bar Association has an outstanding reputation for service, civility and cooperation across the state. Local attorneys donate an average of 600 hours of pro bono legal services through VAS each year. This amounts to donation of legal services exceeding $150,000 a year

Celebrating our community!

We love recognizing the incredible contributions of our legal community and community partners to lift up individuals and families coming from poverty who are struggling with civil  legal problems.

2019 Awards

*Photo credit and thanks to JP Portrait Studio for capturing the award winners and event*


President’s Award

Awarded for efforts that the Bar Association President believes are worthy of recognition.

Honorable John Hotchkiss, Douglas County Superior Court, retired

In recognition of your career as an attorney and your long-standing public service as the Douglas County Superior Court Judge. Your unwavering professionalism, dedication, and integrity to the law and individuals in our community are appreciated, respected, and irreplaceable. Your endless hours of work to seek the just result will not be forgotten. 

Robin Gaukroger Professionalism & Civility Award

Russ Speidel, Speidel Bentsen, LLP

Awarded for your exemplary standards of civil professional conduct as a member of the Chelan Douglas Bar Association. 

 

Pro Bono Attorneys of the Year 

Ryan Feeney and Scott Volyn

Awarded for exemplary volunteer service and commitment to the principle of equal access to justice.

 

Commitment to Community Award

Steven C. Lacy, Lacy, Kane & Kube and East Wenatchee Mayor, retired

Awarded to an attorney for exemplary community service and generous contributions of time, talent and treasure.

 

 

Legal Services  Champion

William Bilderback, Women’s Resource Center Landlord Tenant Liaison

Awarded for exemplary commitment, leadership and service to access justice for vulnerable individuals and families in Chelan and Douglas counties.

2018 Awards

*Photo credit and thanks to John Marshall Photography for capturing the award winners and event*


 

President’s Award

Awarded for efforts that the Bar Association President believes are worthy of recognition.

Honorable Judith L. McCauley, Douglas County District Court, retired

 

In recognition of your career as an attorney and your long standing public service as the Douglas County Prosecuting Attorney and District Court Judge.  Your unwavering professionalism, dedication, and integrity for the law and individuals in our community are appreciated, respected and irreplaceable. Your contribution to the legal community as advocate, a mentor and a colleague is immeasurable. On behalf of the Chelan Douglas Bar Association, than you for your service. Your contributions to the legal community will always be remembered. 


Robin Gaukroger Professionalism & Civility Award

Robin Gaukroger, Davis Arneil Law FirmOf Counsel

 

In honor of your unwavering example of professionalism and civility throughout your career. You personify the most valued and revered characteristics of our profession; integrity, fairness, honest, cooperation, respect and civility.  Your example has elevated the practice of law in our legal community and shall forever be memorialized through this award, named to honor your legacy. 


Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award

David Kazemba, Overcast Law Offices

Awarded for exemplary volunteer service and commitment to the principle of equal access to justice.

David is committed to meeting every VAS client who is considering bankruptcy as a path to get out from overwhelming debt. In 2017 David donated over 50 hours and assisted 5 women struggling with debt, to file bankruptcy. All told he lifted the burden of over $200,000 from their shoulders. This gave one mom a chance to start over, opening a business that put her on a path to self-sufficiency. Another was able to discharge debt that kept her from having a driver’s license.

 


Commitment to Community Award

Earl W. “Wes” Hensley III, Lynch and Hensley

Awarded to an attorney for exemplary community service and generous contributions of time, talent and treasure.

Wes is great asset to the Veteran organization, North Central Washington Vets Serving Vets, as both an attorney and as a Veteran. He donates his time and legal expertise to assist Veterans with wills, divorce and bankruptcy. He serves on the Board of Trustees and is involved in the most important issues at the “Bunker.” He is always willing to help and gives of his time freely to assist his fellow Veterans.

 


Legal Services  Champion

Angelica Estrada, SAGE

Awarded for exemplary commitment, leadership and service to access justice for vulnerable individuals and families in Chelan and Douglas counties.

With knowledge, skill, and compassion, Angelica empowers survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault through her “invaluable advocacy” through SAGE. For over 10 years, she has been there alongside survivors from hospital emergency rooms to Superior court rooms. She educates, she translates, she empowers survivors throughout the Valley to find his or her voice, so each has a say in her own story.

2017 Awards

President’s Award

Awarded for efforts that the Bar Association President believes are worthy of recognition.

Commissioner Bart Vandegrift

This award is bestowed upon you in recognition of your long-standing career as an attorney and your public service as a Court Commissioner for Chelan County Superior Court. Your unwavering professionalism, dedication, and integrity to the law and the children, families, and individuals in our community are appreciated, respected, and irreplaceable.  Your contribution to the legal community as an advocate, a mentor, and a colleague is immeasurable.  On behalf the Chelan Douglas Counties Bar Association, thank you for your service.  Your presence on the bench will not be forgotten.

 

 


Professionalism Award

DeForest Neil Fuller

This award is bestowed upon you by the Chelan Douglas Counties Bar Association in recognition of having accomplished an extraordinary level of professionalism during your career.   Your colleagues have deemed you to be a thorough, knowledgeable and ethical legal counselor and advocate who also maintains the utmost civility and respect for opposing counsel and the court.  For setting a standard all attorneys can hope to achieve, the Chelan Douglas Counties Bar Association thanks you.

 

 

 


Pro Bono Attorney of the Year Award

Jess Monnette

Awarded for exemplary volunteer service and commitment to upholding justice.

VAS relies on the consistency and commitment of volunteers, especially at HJP, where every week tenants face overwhelming housing issues and eviction. Not only is Jess a consistent and dependable volunteer but his also a strong advocate of the Housing Justice Project.  He passionately and professionally seeks to ensure that landlords and tenants understand their rights and obligations under the landlord tenant act and strives to uphold the law in all cases.

 

 


 

Legal Services Volunteer of the Year Award

Diana McLean

Awarded for exemplary volunteer service and commitment to protecting children. 

2016 Awards

Baker Cup Award:Baker Cup_Vandergrift-Small_head

Awarded for Outstanding Judicial Participation
In The Campaign for Equal Justice

  • Chelan District and Superior Courts
  • Douglas District and Superior Courts 
  • East Wenatchee Municipal Court

 


Joe MorrisonPresident’s Award

Awarded for efforts that the Bar Association President believes are worthy of recognition.

Joe Morrison

“It’s hard to know everything that Joe does because when there’s a job to do, Joe quietly does it, seeking the least amount of recognition possible.”

 

 

 


coleenProfessionalism Award

Awarded for the pursuit of a learned profession in the spirit of service to the public and in sharing of values with other members of the profession and a lifelong dedication to the spirit of public service and frequent mentoring of young lawyers.

Colleen Frei

“Colleen is the epitome of professionalism and collegiality.  Her ethics are beyond reproach, and her word is her bond.

Having Colleen’s presence in any legal proceeding, meeting or matter only brings a more positive atmosphere for all involved.”

 


DavidPro Bono Attorney Award

Awarded for exemplary volunteer service

David Bentsen

“VAS is lucky to have someone like David in our corner. He has a keen eye for detail and quality and he cares deeply about the mission of VAS and ensuring its long-term sustainability so that legal services are available to everyone that needs them, not just for those that can afford them.”

 

 


MargePro Bono Non-Attorney Award

Awarded for exemplary volunteer service

Marge Littrell

“Marge exemplifies the missions of CASA, WVDRC and the heart of volunteerism. She has given of herself, her time and heart in making sure that each child, each individual has a voice and is heard.

It is a privilege and honor to work beside someone as committed, professional, and dedicated as Marge.”