CENTRALIA LAW - Key Persons
Derek Scott is an associate attorney who practices in Civil Litigation, Real Estate Law and Corporate Law and advises on complex probate and estate administration within the firm where business and real estate is involved.
Derek is starting his second career as an attorney after an extensive management career in large scale commercial and industrial real estate development and corporate real estate in Southern California. He is a seasoned veteran in closing large real estate transactions, financings, joint ventures and construction projects as well as all aspects of commercial and industrial leasing, build-to-suits and tenant improvement build-outs from both the developer and corporate tenant perspectives.
Derek holds a Bachelor of Science in Business, with emphasis in Real Estate Finance from California State University, Long Beach (1993), an MBA from the University of California, Irvine (1995) with a focus on finance and real estate, and a Juris Doctor from Chapman University School of Law (1999) where he focused on land use, real estate, business and environmental law.
Derek is a widower, and now enjoys spending his free time involved in community service through a local fellowship and his church and going on nature walks with his black lab, Sadie Boo.
Jakob is a trial ready criminal defense attorney. Jakob represents clients charged with felony and misdemeanor crimes, as well as DUI and traffic infractions. Jakob practices in both our Olympia and Centralia offices.
Jakob graduated cum laude from Gonzaga University in 2011 with a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. He then attended Gonzaga University School of Law, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude.
He excelled academically, earning CALI awards in several courses including Constitutional Law, Professional Responsibility, and Real Estate Law. He also excelled in Moot Court competition, competing in the National Appellate Advocacy Competition twice, and winning the Gonzaga University Clarke Cup oral advocacy competition in 2012.
During law school, Jakob volunteered for several organizations such as the Washington Moderate Means Program, the Center for Justice, and the Spokane County Prosecuting Attorney's office. His worked earned him the Pro Bono Distinction honor from Gonzaga University School of Law.
In 2014 Jakob joined Althauser Rayan Abbarno, LLP as an associate and became a partner in 2020. He focuses his practice on criminal and DUI defense, Worker's Compensation, Landlord/Tenant and property disputes, firearm rights restoration, and the expungement and sealing of criminal records.
Jakob is active with several organizations, serving as Chairman of the City of Centralia Planning Commission; President-Elect of the Twin Cities Rotary Club, Board Member with Young Professionals of Lewis County; Board Member with Discover! Children's Museum; Committee Member of the Washington State Bar Association New and Young Lawyer's Committee; and is a Council Member with the Lewis County Law and Justice Council.
In his spare time he enjoys hiking and fishing, golfing, reading, and cooking.
John Turner is a retired judge, who represents clients charged with felonies and misdemeanors, defends the licenses of professionals, as well as assists clients with estate planning matters. Judge Turner retired from the practice of law in December of 2018.
John E. Turner was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan. He graduated from Western Michigan University with a B.A. in sociology and social work, and earned a Juris Doctor from Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1983. Upon completion of his education, Mr. Turner moved to the Pacific Northwest to enjoy the quality of life.
Judge Turner has been practicing law in Olympia, Washington, since 1984. In 1995, he was elected to the Washington State Court of Appeals, where he served his term with distinction. He later retired from the bench to return to his community-based law practice. Judge Turner started the law firm John E. Turner, PLLC before joining Althauser Rayan Abbarno in 2018.
In addition to his education and experience, Judge John Turner (Ret.) uses his dispute resolution skills and assertive representation to resolve any unavoidable legal problems. He believes that helping people understand the process and their options relieves some of the stress and uncertainty associated with legal matters.
Todd Rayan represents clients in complex civil litigation with a focus on personal injury, catastrophic and brain injury and wrongful death cases. Todd also handles complex real estate, construction defect and estate and probate matters.
Born and raised in Rochester Washington, Todd has spent his entire professional life serving the greater South Puget Sound and Southwest Washington areas. He graduated summa cum laude from Saint Martin's University in 1995 with degrees in History and Political Science with a minor in English. He was a high school teacher and coach prior to attending law school and spent several years working in the restaurant industry. Todd graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2003 where he was a staff member and Editor of the Seattle Journal for Social Justice. Todd was an avid volunteer during law school where he participated in the Seattle University School of Law Access to Justice Institute and was named the 2001-2002 King County Bar Association Student Volunteer of the Year. Todd continues to enjoy volunteering and supporting his communities various non-profit and charitable organizations.
Todd joined the firm after graduating from Law School in 2003 and became a partner in 2006. His practice focuses Complex Civil Litigation, Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases. Todd is licensed to practice in all State courts of Washington as well as the Federal District Court of Western Washington. Todd is a past Secretary and Treasurer of the Lewis County Bar Association, has served as pro-tem judge, an Adjunct Professor at Centralia College in the BASM program and is on the Board of Directors of the Historic Fox Theatre Renovation non-profit organization. In both 2012 and 2013 Todd was named by his peers as a Super Lawyer, the only attorney in Lewis County to be honored with this prestigious title. Todd also does appellate work and has had several of his cases at that level result in favorable published opinions.
Todd, together with all the attorneys in the firm, volunteers his time and legal services providing legal consultations and access to justice on a pro bono basis. Todd is a member of the Lewis County and Thurston County Bar Associations, the Washington State Association for Justice and is active in Gerry Spence's Trial Lawyer's College, attending several multi-day regional sections to not only improve his trial skills, but also to improve his ability to communicate with clients, judges and juries.
Though advocating for clients is his passion, Todd does spend time away from the office where he enjoys playing golf, working in his yard and on home improvement projects, traveling and spending time outdoors enjoying the many activities the great Pacific Northwest has to offer. Todd also enjoys spending time with friends and family, including his wife Dani and their dogs.