The loss of my good friend Paul Whelan
In 1990, when I began practicing law at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender, in Seattle, I was assigned an office next to partner Paul Whelan. Paul had been with the firm for many years and had a reputation as a skilled and successful trial attorney. He handled medical malpractice claims, battled asbestos companies and major corporations...
The loss of my good friend Paul Whelan Continue reading…Remembering Brooke, and the death that broke his heart
On Friday, I received a message from the brother of one of my clients. My former client had suddenly passed away on Christmas Day. His cause of death was not immediately known. In my mind, it was caused by a broken heart. I represented Brooke about 10 years ago, but his story stays with me....
Remembering Brooke, and the death that broke his heart Continue reading…Why we “Walk for Water” in Seattle
Did you think about water this morning? You drank a glass of water, and used a clean, safe toilet. You washed your hands. You made coffee, and started the dishwasher. You worked out, and tossed your gym clothes in the washing machine. You had a hot shower. It's easy to forget that nearly a billion...
Why we “Walk for Water” in Seattle Continue reading…Being thankful for the invisible forces of safety
This morning, you got behind the wheel of your car. You checked traffic, and revised your route. You dropped the kids off at school, and navigated your way to work. This afternoon, you'll do the same thing in reverse. The things that didn't happen ... You didn't trip and fall on a broken sidewalk. Your...
Being thankful for the invisible forces of safety Continue reading…Keeping them safe: a note on teen drivers
As I watch my teenage son and his friends learn the skills of safe driving and the rules of the road, I embrace their growth into adulthood, but, I also experience fears and concerns for their safety. The number of teenagers involved in deadly car crashes in the United States is rising for the first...
Keeping them safe: a note on teen drivers Continue reading…How to conduct a good investigation: A Plaintiff’s Lawyer Checklist
As a plaintiff’s lawyer, I am often retained to help injured people and their families long after the harm has occurred. Most people—rightfully—focus on medical care, recovery and grieving. On the defendant’s side, insurance companies know about a serious crash or injury incident almost immediately. They have investigators, experts and lawyers on retainer. Their team...
How to conduct a good investigation: A Plaintiff’s Lawyer Checklist Continue reading…The brain injury case that reminds me of why I became a lawyer
I know a lot of very nice people, who refer other nice people to me when they need legal help. As a result, most of my clients are pretty great. But the Robinsons are particularly kind, good people. They didn’t deserve to have their lives changed like this. The crash The Robinsons were heading home...
The brain injury case that reminds me of why I became a lawyer Continue reading…One thing you can do to help after Aurora Bridge crash in Seattle
You have probably seen the heartbreaking images from today's crash between a charter bus and a Ride the Ducks vehicle on the Aurora Avenue Bridge. Many people are saddened by this tragedy. But if you live in Seattle, there is one thing you can actually do to help, right now. Helpful Reading: Aurora Avenue Seattle...
One thing you can do to help after Aurora Bridge crash in Seattle Continue reading…Coluccio’s Lawyer Profile in King County Bar Bulletin
Every month, the King County Bar Association features a Washington lawyer. I am honored to be the subject of October's Bar Bulletin Profile. I am grateful to my friend Lincoln Sieler of Friedman Rubin for the profile, and to my former law partners Mike Withey and Paul Whelan for the kind words. Thanks, Kevin Coluccio
The days that really change your life –
Most change is slow. Bit by bit, people can adjust to gradual changes. Growing up, going to school, learning a skill, developing relationships: these things all take time. Can you pick out the days had the most impact on your life? Births and deaths are the obvious, big life-changers. Even so, we usually adapt to...
The days that really change your life – Continue reading…Leonard Schroeter – the passing of a legal giant
Leonard Schroeter, a lawyer who fought for access to justice for everyone and was a protector of our Constitutional Rights passed away on April 28, 2014. Leonard had an extraordinary legal career which began after he graduated from Harvard Law School in 1951. He prepared the school segregation cases for the NAACP Legal Defense and...
Leonard Schroeter – the passing of a legal giant Continue reading…