REED LONGYEAR MALNATI CORWIN BURNETT - Key Persons
Alexander Pierson is a family law attorney who joined the Reed Longyear Family Law practice in 2021. graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in 2013, and went on to graduate from American University Washington College of Law in 2019. While attending AUWCL, Alexander clerked for The Honorable Zuberi Bakari Williams at the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County, Alexandria Office of the Public Defender, Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia - Parole Division, Gilbert Employment Law, and served as a student attorney in the American University Criminal Justice Clinic representing clients at the District Court of Maryland for Montgomery County. Additionally, Alexander Pierson worked as a legal intern at Whitman Walker Health Legal Services assisting underrepresented communities in Washington DC facing various civil issues such as employment discrimination, disability discrimination, estate and probate matters, and asylum and immigration. Alexander Pierson is an active member of the American Bar Association Litigation Section and served as the Washington State Regional Chair for the Judicial Intern Opportunity Program in 2021.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor at Seattle University Law School
Anton Cauthorn focuses his practice on assisting his clients with estate planning, tax planning, and probate. Licensed to practice law in Washington and California, Anton works with clients in both states to create estate plans tailored to their specific needs.
Anton works with clients from all backgrounds and can assist with drafting simple wills to complex estate tax reduction plans. Estate planning is a collaborative process. Anton works with his clients to explain their options and determine their goals and needs. Anton ensures that his clients goals are drafted into the proper legal documents that will accomplish those goals. Whether drafting wills and trusts, estate tax plans, or assisting a family after the loss of a loved one, Anton works personally with clients to ensure their goals are met and their plans create security and peace of mind.
Anton is an adjunct professor at Seattle University Law School where he teaches two classes: Estate Planning and Estate & Gift Taxation. He also regularly presents at continuing legal education seminars where he presents to practicing attorneys on estate planning, estate taxes, probate, and digital assets.
Anton is an active outdoors enthusiast who bicycle commutes, spends his weekends hiking and climbing in the Cascades, and enjoys any opportunity to get outdoors in the Pacific Northwest.
Carla Calogero focuses her practice on: elder and special needs law; the representation of persons involved in guardianships, probates and trusts; vulnerable adult protective proceedings; TEDRA (Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act) proceedings, and; advance care, end of life, and estate planning.
Carla is also regularly appointed by the King County Superior Court to serve as Guardian ad Litem, court- appointed Attorney, or Special Representative for alleged incapacitated persons, adjudicated incapacitated persons, and minors in guardianship, trust, probate and litigation matters.
Carla is a past Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, and a past Chair of the Guardianship and Elder Law Section of the King County Bar Association.
Carla currently serves on the Board of Directors of Sound Generations (formerly known as Senior Services) and on the Washington State Dementia Action Collaborative.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Carla was a Seattle public high school biology teacher, as well as a bioethics instructor and curriculum author. She holds a Master's degree in Bioethics from the University of Washington and a Master's degree in Education from Western Washington University. As an attorney, Carla enjoys the opportunity to educate various community and professional groups at her many speaking engagements and publications.
Christina L. Corwin is a skilled mediator and attorney in family law issues such as divorce, parenting plans, child support and family contracts. Christina can help you find the best legal process and solution for your particular needs, whether it be mediation, legal representation or a one-time consultation.
Christina has extensive experience guiding parties through mediation, traditional litigation, and less traditional formats such as FasTrack Divorce, Cooperative, or a Collaborative law processes. Christina first gains an understanding of all the important details before creating a plan of action to ensure the best possible outcome. She can also act as a consultant to clients who wish to represent themselves to help mitigate unnecessary legal costs.
Prior to becoming a member of the Washington State Bar in 2000, Christina taught elementary and middle school students in King County. Today Christina demonstrates the patience of a life-long educator when interacting with her clients, taking the time to ensure that her clients understand the legal process and the impact of their legal decisions.
As the mother of two daughters and a former teacher, it is important to Christina that she remains actively involved in the education of youth. In her free time, Christina volunteers as a mentor to middle school girls, providing extra support and assistance through challenging times in their lives.
Honors and Awards
Washington Law and Politics, Rising Star, 2009 - 2010
Washington State Bar Association, Award for Random Acts of Professionalism, 2005
King County Bar Association Award for Outstanding Volunteer, 2002
Job Titles:
- Member of Several Sections of the Washington State Bar Association
Fredric Reed has received the Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in Legal Ability and Ethical Standards from Martindale-Hubbell for his 25 years of being rated AV Preeminent by his peers.
Mr. Reed is admitted to the Washington State, U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, U.S. Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Claims. He has served clients since 1972 in the areas of Real Estate, Business Law, Civil Litigation, Estate Planning, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death. He has acted as lead counsel in over 100 trials and arbitrations.
Mr. Reed has provided legal services to many businesses, including both start-up and mature companies and has handled many acquisitions and mergers. Mr. Reed has provided legal services and acted as managing member for numerous real estate development projects from site acquisition, entitlements and documentation through construction, sale, lease-up, long-term management and financing.
Mr. Reed is a member of several Sections of the Washington State Bar Association, including Business Law, Litigation and Real Estate, Probate and Trust. He is also a member of the Washington State Association for Justice. Mr. Reed is a Seattle native and earned his Juris Doctor and his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Washington.
Gregory Porter is an associate attorney who focuses on litigation. He has conducted jury and bench trials; more than a dozen arbitrations; and numerous mediations. He excels in negotiation and pre-trial strategy to obtain favorable outcomes for his clients, while being efficient with his budget. Outside of the courtroom, he is also a member of the King County Bar Association and the Washington State Association for Justice. He prioritizes community service, including as the coach for the University of Washington School of Law Jessup International Moot Court team.
While a student at UW Law, Gregory Porter was active in multiple student programs. He was Associate Editor in Chief for the Washington Journal of Environmental Law and Policy and published with the journal's 2017 edition - analyzing Washington State administrative law for siting energy facilities. He also taught civil rights law at Ballard High School through the Street Law Clinic, and was a Pacific Regional Semifinalist with the Jessup International Moot Court team. Before law school, Greg studied chemistry and wrote his thesis on chemistry education.
Gregory Porter never misses an opportunity to partake in the beautiful Washington countryside. Whether sunny or rainy, you can find him running trails, hiking, and kayaking throughout the Puget Sound area. He is also a borderline hoolaginistic supporter of the Seattle Sounders and Seahawks - and a Seattle Kraken fan in-waiting.
Practice Areas
Litigation
Jason Burnett primarily focuses his practice on litigation matters with an emphasis on real estate, probate, trust and will litigation. Jason also has significant experience in business law matters and dedicates part of his practice to representing businesses in transactions as well as litigation.
An accomplished and practical litigator, Jason Burnett works to resolve clients' legal problems from beginning to end. He applies creative problem-solving and real world analysis to identify and maximize cost-effective and favorable resolutions. Litigation for Jason includes advising clients on how to avoid litigation, and he counsels clients on pre-litigation strategies and dispute resolution, and helps them identify issues and analyze the risk of alternative courses of action.
Jason Burnett graduated from the University of Washington in 1995 and earned his Juris Doctor from Seattle University in 2000. He clerked for the Honorable Elaine Houghton on the Division II Court of Appeals and the Honorable Charles W. Johnson on the Washington Supreme Court. Employing his writing skills, Jason is an editor of the Washington State Bar Association's Real Property, Probate and Trust newsletter and is also a member of the editorial board for the Washington State Real Property Desk Book Series.
Joshua Reinertson is an Associate Attorney with Reed Longyear. His practice focuses primarily on estate planning, probate, trust administration, and related tax issues. Joshua enjoys working closely with clients to develop estate plans that embody Reed Longyear's tenets of "proactive planning" and "sensible solutions." Joshua has experience drafting wills and trusts which implement client goals, whether the goals are general, such as reducing tax liabilities to preserve wealth for future generations, or whether the goals are specific, such ensuring that estate assets are used to set up scholarship endowments.
Joshua Reinertson received his law degree from Seattle University School of Law, from which he graduated with honors. While in attendance, Joshua excelled in classes dealing with diverse areas of law, however he quickly developed a passion for estate planning. In order to provide clients with refined level of service-and to further his understanding of the technical tax issues involved in estate planning-he attended the Graduate Tax Program at the University of Washington School of Law, where he studied tax law applicable to trusts, estates, retirement accounts, and business entities. Joshua received in Master of Laws in Taxation from the University of Washington in 2019.
Prior to joining Reed Longyear, Joshua Reinertson was a legal extern for the Department of Housing and Urban Development's Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity office. There, he gained experience related to the enforcement of anti-discrimination laws and worked on negotiating settlements of discrimination claims. Joshua began working at Reed Longyear as a legal intern in 2017 and has been a great asset to the firm since.
Joshua also enjoys engaging in volunteer work. He is currently a volunteer with the Washington First Responder Will Clinic, which provides free estate planning to police officers, firefighters, and other first responders. Joshua has also served as a Team Leader with King County Explorer Search and Rescue, an organization providing free-of-charge rescue services on Washington trails.
Outside of the office, Joshua Reinertson spends his free time riding motorcycles, running on Alki beach, learning Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, working his way through a variety of classic literature, and enjoying the great Pacific Northwest on mountain bikes or skis.
Practice Areas
Personal and Estate Planning
Kristin Kelly is an Associate Attorney with Reed Longyear. Her practice focuses on family law, contract law, and beverage law. Kristin approaches her clients with compassion and kindness. She takes the time to explain the legal process and the law, and works with her clients to come up with the best strategy for their personal circumstances. She works hard to resolve matters amicably, but is an experienced litigator who fervently advocates for her clients in court. She has managed numerous complex litigation cases in both family and contract law and has established a beverage law practice, assisting local distributors and suppliers with various issues, from defending statutory protections to negotiating contracts.
Prior to law school, Kristin Kelly worked as a legal professional in an array of practice areas, including personal injury, criminal defense, and construction contracts & lien law.
Kristin Kelly was admitted to the Washington State Bar after obtaining her Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law in 2015, after completing her third year as a visiting student at Berkeley Law. While in law school, Kristin interned for the Racial Disparity Project and the ACLU of Washington, where she gained experience in defending civil rights through criminal law, civil legal proceedings, the legislative process, and the collective bargaining process in public interest labor law.
When the weather in Seattle permits, Kristin loves to hike and camp with her family or work in her garden. In the other 9 months of the year, she reads and practices yoga.
In light of the novel coronavirus COVID-19, Mary Anne Vance is now offering Skype/Zoom and telephone appointments. Please contact Mary Anne at mvance@reedlongyearlaw.com to arrange an appointment . Thank you.
If you have any questions regarding COVID-19 and your Estate Plan, please visit Mary Anne's most recent blog post.
Mary Anne Vance focuses her practice on estate planning, trusts, and probate law at Reed Longyear Malnati Corwin and Burnett. She enjoys helping people find comfortable solutions to their estate planning and probate concerns.
Mary Anne Vance has represented a wide variety of clients, helping them organize their estates and care for their family members. Estate Planning for blended families can be especially challenging for families wanting to be "fair" to children from a prior marriage. Mary Anne offers surprisingly direct solutions to help parents care for both their earlier born children and their new spouse.
Mary Anne Vance is grateful that her clients give her the opportunity to help them at difficult times. The passing of a loved one is one of life's most difficult challenges. Mary Anne helps family members navigate probate laws, so that they can focus on what is most important to them.
Mary Anne Vance is the co-author of the Probate and Estate Planning chapters of Butterworth's Washington Civil Practice Deskbook. She has chaired and spoken at many legal seminars sponsored by the Washington State and King County Bar Associations. She was voted "Super Lawyer" by the readers of Washington Law and Politics Magazine, voted one of Seattle's "Top Attorneys" by Seattle Magazine and voted a Top Lawyer and Super Lawyer in 2021 by Seattle Met Magazine. Mary Anne graduated from Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago, Illinois.
Michael C. Malnati has over 30 years of legal experience counseling individuals and small businesses regarding all aspects of real estate transactions, general business and corporate matters and creditors' rights. Michael also devotes part of his practice to estate planning and probate administration.
Whether preparing or reviewing documentation on complex commercial transactions, or helping clients analyze the risks and options involved when considering litigation, Michael brings experience and problem solving skills to assist clients to formulate the best plan of action.
Michael has an AV® Preemient™ 5.0 out of 5 rating in Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™. In 2013 he was recognized as one of the Top Rated Lawyers in Real Estate. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and King County Bar Association, including the Sections on Real Property, Probate and Trust and Creditor-Debtor.
A true Washingtonian, Michael has spent his entire life in the State of Washington. He completed his undergraduate degree cum laude from Washington State University and went on to earn his Juris Doctor from the University of Washington. Originally from Renton, today Michael raises his family in the Maple Valley area. Outside the office, Michael enjoys playing golf and is an avid sports fan.
Honors and Awards
AV® Preemient™ 5.0 out of 5 rating in Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
2013 Top Rated Lawyers in Real Estate Law, Martindale-Hubbell®
Michael Longyear has over 30 years of experience helping clients make important decisions regarding their personal and estate planning, guardianship proceedings, probate and trust administration, as well as elder law issues. He also devotes part of his legal practice to related real estate and business organization management matters.
Michael Longyear values the opportunity to educate his clients about proactive planning and personal decision making. He enjoys helping clients to solve complex problems and to meet the goals of individuals, couples and families. Taking a big picture approach with his clients for their planning needs, he works with clients about their best options and opportunities in order to select a tailored course of action.
Michael Longyear has been recognized as a 2021 Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics Magazine, as well as a Super Lawyer in 2001-2010 and 2014-2020. He was also named Seattle Best Lawyer in 2001 and 2003 by Seattle magazine. Michael received the Highest Possible Peer Review Rating in Trusts & Estates from Martindale-Hubbell for being rated AV Preeminent by his peers. He is a Children's Legacy Advisor at Seattle Children's Hospital and Research Foundation, a member of the Estate Planning Council of Seattle, as well as a member of the Washington Planned Giving Council, and North West Family Business Advisers.
Michael Longyear was a past chair and served on the Executive Committee for the Real Property, Probate & Trust section of the King County Bar Association (KCBA). He is also currently a member of the Executive Committee for the Washington State Bar Association's (WSBA) Elder Law section. He is Past-Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association and served on the Executive Committee in various capacities from 1999 to 2008 and from 2015-Present. He previously served on the executive committee of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Section of the Washington State Bar Association.
Michael Longyear has been recognized for his experience in the area of guardianship and served on the Washington Supreme Court Certified Professional Guardian Board from 2001 to 2008. He is a Certified Professional Guardian and serves as guardian of the estate, trustee, and estate administrator in routine and contested matters. He is currently serving a two-year term on the Washington Association of Professional Guardians board of directors.
He is a Past-Chair of the King County Bar Association Guardianship and Elder Law Section, and is a Past Co-Chair of the Title 11.88 Mandatory Guardian ad Litem Training Program. He is a past Co-Chair of the King County Settlement Guardian ad Litem (SPR 98.16W) Training Program.
As part of Michael's commitment to racial equity and justice, he is lending his expertise and advice as a member of the Justice Society Committee of the Endowment for Equal Justice. The Endowment exists to provide unrestricted, long-term funding to help people experiencing poverty secure the legal help they need to solve problems. Michael's work on the Justice Society Committee is focused on helping the Endowment create and implement a planned giving strategy to encourage lawyers and others to leave a legacy of justice to the Endowment in their estate plan.
Sophia Woolery is an associate attorney at Reed Longyear. She has been in practice since 2014 and practices exclusively in the area of family law, including but not limited to marital dissolutions, child custody actions, actions for child support, and domestic violence matters. Sophia approaches each of her cases with pragmatism, empathy, and care. She prides herself on strong communication and advocacy skills-both inside and outside the courtroom. Sophia has handled a wide array of family law matters and has the experience to handle the unique issues and nuances each case brings.
Sophia Woolery graduated from the University of Washington with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Spanish in 2011, and went on to graduate from Seattle University School of Law in 2014. While attending SU Law, Sophia clerked for the Honorable Kathryn Nelson and the Honorable Thomas Felnagle in Pierce County Superior Court. She also worked as a Rule 9 Extern at the Crystal Judson Family Justice Center in Tacoma, Washington, providing legal services to survivors of domestic violence and families in need.
When she isn't working, you can catch Sophia supporting Seattle's live music scene, riding her bike, practicing yoga, and enjoying all that the great PNW has to offer.
Attorney Xan Gerson has a practice focused on wills, trusts, estate planning, probate and trust administration, business succession, and tax planning.
By taking the time to understand each client's family and personal relationships as well as their financial situation, Xan Gerson helps clients evaluate their options and develop an estate plan tailored to a their specific circumstances.
Xan Gerson also assists clients with their more comprehensive estate planning, including establishing irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, and charitable trusts. She works with clients to protect assets, implement lifetime gifting programs to transfer wealth and reduce taxes, plan for the succession of family-owned businesses, and plan for the transfer of their estates with minimal estate tax.