HWS LAW GROUP - Key Persons
Education
University of Nebraska College of Law, Juris Doctorate
University of Nebraska Omaha (Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy and Bachelor of Arts, Political Science)
Practice Areas
Appellate Law
Aaron John is a Senior Associate Attorney with HWS Law Group based in the Seattle office. Aaron is a tenacious litigator and trial lawyer with a successful record of representing individual and corporate clients before regulatory agencies and in both state and federal courts in Washington State, Missouri and Minnesota. His practice focuses mainly on complex civil and commercial litigation, including construction liability and defects, personal injury, and insurance defense litigation.
Prior to joining HWS Law Group, Aaron has honed his litigation, advocacy and regulatory compliance skills in a variety of additional practice areas including, breach of contract claims, investor and ownership disputes, appellate matters, first- and third-party insurance defense, real estate transactions and litigation, creditor's rights, foreclosure, and bankruptcy proceedings.
Aaron hails from Nebraska, home of the good life, and is a devout Cornhusker through and through. He graduated from the University of Nebraska Omaha with majors in Philosophy and Political Science before receiving his Juris Doctorate from the University of Nebraska College of Law.
When not practicing law, Aaron's passions lead him into the Pacific Northwest mountains and onto the water in search of local trout and salmon, routinely with a fly rod in hand and his dog, Tela, in tow. Aaron finds intense delight in listening to the band Phish and live music in general. When winter rolls around and the camping season wanes, he can usually be found snowboarding at whichever mountain has the freshest powder and indulging in Seattle's renowned coffee.
Education
Washington State University, B.A. Broadcasting
Anthony Oien is a Staff Accountant for HWS Law Group, primarily responsible for client invoicing, and he has been with HWS Law Group in this role for 2 years.
He is a graduate of Washington State University, achieving a Bachelor's Degree from the Murrow College of Communication in Broadcasting.
In his free time, he is an avid fan of Seattle sports and drumming.
Education
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
University of Richmond
Practice Areas
Accident Investigation
Tony is a full-service civil attorney who focuses on the resolution of complex, civil matters throughout Washington and Oregon. Tony takes a hands-on, creative and appropriately aggressive approach to achieving his clients' goals.
Congratulations to Brandon Smith and Shaun Campbell of HWS Law Group on their defense verdict and successful defense of a
Education
University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 2012)
Azusa Pacific University (B.S., 2007)
Practice Areas
Accident Investigation
Brandon is an experienced litigator and legal advisor with a practice focused on complex litigation and providing general counsel services to clients. He has extensive experience with disputes concerning construction, product liability, personal injury, contracts, fraud, insurance, lien rights, and other related areas. His clients include property developers, general contractors, subcontractors, manufacturers, product distributors, transportation companies and individuals.
Brandon has been recognized as a leading construction and litigation attorney in Washington by Super Lawyers among other industry honors.
Brandon is also active in the community. He has volunteered with numerous pro bono legal clinics and regularly advises a number of non-profit organizations. He is also a passionate outdoorsman and volunteers as a trip leader for a non-profit organization offering outdoor experiences designed to promote teambuilding and community engagement.
Outside of the office, Brandon enjoys spending time skiing, hiking, and golfing, and is an Oregon Ducks football and Seattle Sounders season ticket holder.
Education
Western Washington University, B.A. in Linguistics, concentration in Japanese
Caroline Bryant is a legal assistant at HWS Law Group, primarily assisting partner Brandon Smith. She graduated from Western Washington University two years ago with a bachelor's degree in Linguistics and a concentration in Japanese. She has been working in the legal field since graduating, and has been with HWS Law Group for 1.5 years. In her free time, she enjoys attending concerts across the country and playing the piano.
Christie Kramer is the Lead Legal Assistant and Paralegal with HWS Law Group. She primarily works with Partner Kelsey Shewbert. Christie has been with HWS Law Group since 2016 when she began her employment with us as a file clerk with no legal experience. She has worked diligently to learn the steps to becoming a Paralegal and is still navigating the Paralegal Role.
Prior to joining HWS Law Group, she worked as a bookkeeper, payroll processing representative and customer service/sales manager. She works hard to use her previous experiences to assist in working with the attorneys here internally and externally to accomplish the goals of the case.
In her free time, Christie enjoys spending time with her family. She is a native Washingtonian so she is familiar with the state and enjoys being outdoors when the Pacific NW weather allows. She is an avid music fan and enjoys attending concerts with her now adult daughter along with spending time with her nieces and nephew.
Education
Campbell University School of Law, Juris Doctorate
Rider University, Masters of Business Administration
Rider University, B.S. Finance & International Business
Practice Areas
Auto, Trucking & Transportation
Jaclyn is an associate attorney at HWS Law Group's Portland office. She focuses her practice on complex civil and commercial litigation including product and premises liability, medical and professional liability, subrogation and construction liability. Jaclyn represents clients in state and federal court, as well as in private arbitration and administrative proceedings.
Prior to joining HWS Law Group, Jaclyn worked in the Business Sector for over 10 years covering all areas of the value chain including Sales, Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Legal, Supply Chain, Customer Service, and IT. Leveraging her experience of working cross functionally with both internal and external parties, such as vendors, distributors, customers, and adversarial parties, Jaclyn brings an understanding ear and a unique perspective to her commercial clients.
Jaclyn graduated from Campbell University School of Law, where she served as Managing Editor for the Campbell Law Observer. While attending law school, Jaclyn worked as a law clerk for the Office of the Attorney General at the Department of Justice in North Carolina, as well as a law clerk at a national law firm. Additionally, Jaclyn worked for the legal department of GSK Pharmaceuticals and Warner Music Group.
Before attending law school, Jaclyn received her undergraduate degree in Finance and International Business, as well as her master's degree in business administration (MBA) from Rider University.
In her free time, Jaclyn enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and traveling the country one road trip at a time. As a transplant to Oregon from the East Coast, Jaclyn is overjoyed to finally be surrounded by fellow Seattle Seahawks fans.
Education
University of Oregon, J.D.
Mercer University, Master of Divinity
Union University, Applied Linguistics, B.A.
Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation
Jordan Sharp is an associate attorney in the Portland office of HWS Law Group. He is licensed to practice in the state of Oregon and focuses on complex civil litigation and construction law.
Prior to joining HWS Law Group, Jordan worked in the non-profit sector and taught standardized test prep courses for nearly a decade. He graduated from University of Oregon School of Law, where he served as an Executive Editor on the Journal of Environmental Law and Litigation. While in law school, he clerked at the Oregon Court of Appeals and interned at a small environmental law firm in Eugene, Oregon. After graduating from law school, he served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Judith Matarazzo, Presiding Judge of the Multnomah County Circuit Court.
Before attending law school, Jordan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Union University with a Bachelor of Arts in Applied Linguistics. He then went on to get a Master of Divinity with a focus on Academic Research from Mercer University in Atlanta, Georgia. While at Mercer University, Jordan wrote his thesis and presented a number of papers and lectures on Comparative Religion, Sociology of Religion, and Religious Conversion and Empire.
In his free time, Jordan enjoys cooking, adventuring through the great outdoors of Oregon, and building wood furniture.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner at HWS Law Group 's Seattle
Kelsey is a Partner at HWS Law Group's Seattle office who focuses her practice on complex civil and commercial litigation. Her practice involves handling of a wide range of cases, including catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, product liability, premises liability, medical and professional liability and construction defects. She is admitted to practice in the federal and state courts in Alaska, Idaho and Washington. As an admittee to several state and federal bars, Kelsey is adept to represent and manage risk for clients who do business across the Pacific Northwest.
Kelsey's well-versed legal background has provided her with the ability to evaluate key issues and identify strategic opportunities in her cases. This enables her clients to efficiently prepare for trial or pursue favorable early resolution of matters when appropriate. Kelsey works closely with her clients to exchange ideas and possible solutions and believes that this close collaboration results in successful outcomes for her clients.
Kelsey is actively engaged in Washington's civil defense legal community through participation in committees and associations. She is the Associate Editor for the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) Defense News quarterly publication, has authored articles regarding jury trials and changes in Washington law and serves as a Board of Trustee on the WDTL Board. Kelsey also manages HWS Law Group's newsletter which advises clients on recent developments in Washington law and the potential implications to their business. She was also selected as a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers in 2021 and 2022, a distinction awarded to no more than 2.5% of lawyers in Washington State.
Kelsey is a Seattle native and an avid Husky and Seahawks fan. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, visiting Washington wineries, attending comedy shows, concerts and other local live performances.
Education
California State University, Sacramento - M.A.S.S. (International Affairs)
California State University, Sacramento - B.A., Government & Communications
Kristin Baldwin is the Chief Operating Officer at HWS Law Group, where she excels at making sure everything runs like a well-oiled machine. Her role involves streamlining processes and leading a dedicated team to keep the firm on the cutting edge.
Kristin is known for her knack for finding creative solutions and her commitment to efficiency and innovation. She's adept at handling complex projects and navigating the ever-evolving legal landscape, always with an eye on improving operations.
Before taking on her current role, Kristin gained valuable experience in various positions in the law that sharpened her skills in strategic planning and project management. Her career in the law ranges over the past 30 years being law adjacent She has been the CLE Director for the King County Bar Association, a Training Consultant for the California District Attorneys Association, managed the paralegal program for the Navy in Bremerton and was the Executive Director for the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers. She is still the Executive Director for the Washington Courts Historical Society. She's passionate about building strong teams and fostering a positive work environment where everyone can thrive.
Outside of her professional life, Kristin is the mother to three grown men, of whom she is extraordinarily proud. She enjoys wine tasting, gardening, knitting and watching British television, which adds a touch of balance and inspiration to her work while horrifying her sons.
Education
Seattle University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, cum laude
University of Washington, Bachelor of Arts with Honors
Practice Areas
Accident Investigation
Ms. Gorman is an accomplished litigator with over 28 first chair trials in state and federal courts in the Pacific Northwest. She has been included in the Top 25 Women Oregon Super Lawyers, acknowledged by Best Lawyers in America, and included in Oregon Super Lawyers since 2011. Ms. Gorman holds an AV Preeminent™ Attorney Peer Review Rating and is listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers™ (Martindale-Hubbell). She is an active participant on committees and associations including the American Bar Association and the International Association of Defense Counsel, both of which indicate engagement with evolving legal standards and regulations.
Ms. Gorman has a J.D., cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law and a B.A. with Honors, from the University of Washington. She is admitted to practice in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, U.S. District Court, District of Oregon, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, U.S. District Court, District of Idaho, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.
Luke is a Law Clerk at HWS Law Group's Seattle Office. He is a versatile advocate that focuses on a variety of civil matters.
Luke attended undergraduate at Gonzaga University before pursuing his J.D from the University of Washington School of Law. Luke began his legal career as a law clerk defending state agencies at the Washington State Attorney General's Torts Division. In law school, Luke was elected President of the Moot Court Honor Board and excelled in multiple local and regional mock trial tournaments. Luke also served as an editor and CFO of the Washington Journal for Environmental and Social Justice.
In his free time, Luke enjoys playing the guitar, trying new restaurants, and cheering for his beloved Seattle Mariners. He enjoys camping, hiking, paddle-boarding, and all the outdoor activities the Pacific Northwest has to offer.
Education
Seattle University School of Law, Juris Doctorate
Seattle University, Bachelor of Arts, International/Global Studies
Practice Areas
Auto, Trucking & Transportation
Prior to joining HWS, Mai Khue worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, where she gained valuable courtroom experience representing the County in all stages of criminal matters.
In her free time, Mai Khue enjoys painting, going to brunch with friends, learning Vietnamese recipes, and spending time outside with her dog, Pippin.
Job Titles:
- Assistant at HWS Law Group 's Seattle
- Legal Assistant / Paralegal
Education
Washington State University, B.A. Political Science & Criminal Justice
Mario A. Zahuita is a legal assistant at HWS Law Group's Seattle office. He completed his undergraduate studies at Washington State University, majoring in Political Science and Criminal Justice. Prior to joining HWS Law Group, Mario worked at a criminal defense firm, where he gained experience in various stages of criminal matters.
Education
University of Texas School of Law, Juris Doctorate
Evergreen State College, B.A., Sustainable Agriculture
Practice Areas
Construction
Matthew Yeley Frederick is an associate attorney in the Portland office of HWS Law Group. His practice is focused on representing individuals and businesses in complex civil litigation, including construction and premises liability litigation.
Prior to joining HWS Law Group, Matthew was a Legal Fellow for a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit focused on Agricultural Law before working as the sole law clerk in the Office of the Presiding Judge of the Circuit Court for the County of Multnomah. As a Legal Fellow, Matthew built on his extensive work mediating with energy producers on behalf of low-income residents of Houston's un-zoned ship-channel neighborhoods through UT's Environmental Law Clinic, gaining invaluable experience analyzing complex interplays between administrative codes and state statutes and developing strategies for litigation. As law clerk to Multnomah County's Presiding Judge, Matthew observed first-hand the rigors of the life a complex civil litigator and acquired a unique understanding of court operations that he brings with him to serve HWS Law Group's clients. Matthew studied agriculture and agronomy (alongside philosophy and social sciences - that uniquely Evergreen approach at work) as an undergraduate student and was employed as a farm laborer and landscape construction laborer before going to law school, and that background and love of hard work have readied him to serve our clients with tenacity. Last, but not least, Matthew's experience with court procedures and comfort in the courtroom combine with these varied experiences have readied him to meet any challenge that our clients can throw his way.
Personal
A California native transplanted - by way of Washington - to Oregon in 2013 who at 33 has already successfully dealt with a few of life's greatest pitfalls, Matthew enjoys playing the drums, long-distance running, and spending quality time with his life partner.
Education
University of California, Davis, Juris Doctor
Hastings College of the Law, Visiting Student
Bachelor of Arts, University of Washington, Seattle
Practice Areas
Accident Investigation
Ms. Sawyer joined HWS as a senior attorney in 2020 and has over twenty years of civil litigation experience. Her practice currently focuses on civil litigation in the areas of personal injury, property damage and real estate disputes, including boundary line, trespass, premises liability and homeowners' association litigation. She also has experience handling subrogation matters involving fires.
Ms. Sawyer's secondary practice area focuses real estate transactions and related litigation, in both residential and commercial settings. She has experience representing owners, buyers, sellers, and small developers negotiating and drafting purchase and sale agreements, easement and license agreements, construction contracts, and leases. She has also represented real estate brokers and agencies in professional liability disputes and ethics claims.
Over the course of her career, Ms. Sawyer has worked in both large and small firm settings, first in San Francisco and later in Seattle. Her background as both a litigator and as a transactional lawyer have given her a unique perspective in recognizing the strengths, weakness and potential challenges of any legal matter. By both temperament and training, Ms. Sawyer is a problem solver and her approach to the practice of law is collaborative. She strives to learn about each client's particular business, interests, and goals and to use that knowledge to provide pragmatic and strategic advice so that her clients can make informed decisions in whatever situation they are facing. Ms. Sawyer has successfully resolved hundreds of cases through summary judgment dismissal, settlement, mediation, arbitration and trial. She has experience handling appeals in all divisions of the Washington State Courts of Appeal.
Ms. Sawyer believes in improving access to the legal system for persons of limited means. Early on her career she worked for the University of Washington School of Law and was instrumental in developing and implementing the first incarnation of its Center for Public Interest Law. She currently volunteers her time as a facilitative mediator with the Dispute Resolution Center of Kitsap County, helping parties resolve a variety of disputes involving parenting plans, landlord- tenant claims and small business disputes.
Professional Associations
Washington Bar Association
California State Bar Association
King County Bar Association
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
In her free time, Meredith is an avid (perhaps fanatical…) gardener and her happy place is digging in the dirt and moving plants around in an ongoing (yet elusive) effort to achieve design perfection. She loves sailing and traveling with her husband and enjoys all things outdoors: hiking, biking, and kayaking. She has three mostly grown (and amazing) daughters with whom she tries to keep up.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Strategist
Education
University of Notre Dame, Juris Doctorate
Indiana University, (Bloomington) Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish Literature
Practice Areas
Appellate Law
Natalia Bendis is an associate attorney in the Seattle office of HWS Law Group. Natalia is a strategist with a practice focused on complex civil and commercial litigation.
Prior to joining HWS Law Group, Natalia spent four years clerking at the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky. While there, she worked for three different federal judges, working on cases in both the civil and criminal divisions. Natalia's comfort in the courtroom and love for writing serve as strong foundations to her work with HWS.
Originally from Bolivia, South America, Natalia spent most of her life in the Midwest. Natalia considers herself an avid traveler and is always on the lookout for new restaurants and breweries to visit. As one of Washington's newest residents, she is eager to begin exploring all of Washington's hiking trails.
Natalia is fluent in Spanish and is learning Italian.
Education
Lewis and Clark Law School, J.D. cum laude- Portland, OR
Central Washington University, BA in Psychology // BA in Philosophy- Ellensburg, WA
Practice Areas
Appellate Law
Rachel Jones is an associate attorney in the Seattle office of HWS Law Group, licensed to practice in the State of Oregon and Washington.
Rachel is a recent graduate and received her Juris Doctorate from Lewis and Clark Law School. There, she graduated cum laude and received a certificate in intellectual property law. Before law school, Rachel attended Central Washington University, where she double majored in Psychology and Philosophy.
In her free time, Rachel enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family, attending concerts and cheering on the Seattle Mariners.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Attorney
- Counsel
- of Counsel
Education
Gonzaga University, Juris Doctor
University of Utah, Sociology and Speech Communication
Practice Areas
Auto, Trucking & Transportation
Shaun Campbell is an Associate Attorney at HWS Law Group, admitted to practice in federal and state court in Washington State. His practice primarily focuses on personal injury, construction defect, and products liability. Shaun works diligently to serve as an advocate for his clients to ensure their rights are protected during each step of the litigation process.
Prior to joining HWS Law Group, he worked as in-house defense counsel for a Fortune 100 insurance company where he concentrated on representing the company's insured individuals and assisting them through the intimidating and often unexpected process of civil litigation. Additionally, Shaun previously worked as Managing Attorney for a Seattle-based trustee company, representing national lenders in foreclosure matters.
Shaun earned his undergraduate degrees in Sociology and Speech Communication from the University of Utah and went on to earn his Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law.
In his free time, Shaun enjoys exploring the many charms of the Seattle area and the Pacific Northwest. He is an avid Seattle Sounders fan and enjoys attending live shows and concerts, along with traveling to explore an ever-growing list of international destinations.
Education
University of New England, B.A. in Political Science
Zijiao (Thea) Lao is an associate attorney in the Seattle office of HWS Law Group, admitted to practice in federal and state courts in Washington State. Her practice focuses on personal injury and construction litigation.