Trailblazers Since 1928

Represented women’s health care facility in seeking RICO liability against anti-choice organizations who perpetrated firebombing of clinic.

Represented reporter improperly fired from her position due to political activities.

Obtained reversal of sentence of death on constitutional grounds.

Represented amicus curiae ACLU-WA in case involving censure and suspension of municipal court judge for pattern misconduct.

Represented amicus curiae ACLU-WA in case challenging constitutionality of public housing authority’s anti-trespassing policy.

Represented amicus curiae ACLU-WA in case asserting rights of disabled public housing tenant in unlawful detainer action.

Trial counsel in landmark case establishing doctrine of de facto parentage in Washington.

Skellenger Bender attorneys teamed with the Northwest Women’s Law Center (now Legal Voice) and Lambda Legal to represent the courageous plaintiffs who brought suit to establish marriage equality for same-sex couples in Washington. The Northwest Women’s Law Center honored the Marriage Equality Team with its 2005 Cynthia Gillespie Award.

Represented amicus curiae Northwest Women’s Law Center in case asserting constitutional right to appointed, publicly funded counsel in actions for dissolution of marriage.

Represented mother with amicus support from Legal Voice to successfully reverse termination of mother’s parental rights based on the court’s conclusion that mother’s relationships with men who abused her, but not her children, was not sufficient evidence of parental unfitness.

Represented amicus curiae Legal Voice in case involving application of de facto parentage doctrine to stepparent/stepchild relationship.

Represented amicus curiae ACLU-WA, Incarcerated Mothers’ Advocacy Project, and Incarcerated Parents’ Advocacy Clinic in case involving application of mandatory factors regarding impact of parent’s incarceration on termination of parental rights.

Represented amicus curiae National Center for Lesbian Rights, LGBTQ+ Legal Advocates and Defenders, and QLAW Association of Washington in case underscoring doctrine that trial court may not consider a parent’s sexual orientation as a factor in child custody determinations absent an express showing of harm to the child.

Represented the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Equal Rights Washington in this federal case in which the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington recognized that states can regulate licensed therapists to ensure they do not subject LGBTQ+ minors to the deadly practice of conversion therapy.