CONSIDERING THE FEDERAL BENCH OR INTERESTED IN HONING YOUR PRACTICE BEFORE MAGISTRATE JUDGES?

Join sitting United States Magistrate Judges for a live Zoom conversation on the newly announced full-time Magistrate Judge vacancy in the Western District of Washington at Tacoma.

August 11, 2026: 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

August 19, 2026: 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

PRESENTED BY CHIEF MAGISTRATE JUDGE THERESA FRICKE

Judge Fricke and others will share firsthand insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of a Federal Magistrate Judge and to demystify the merit selection process.

Topics will cover the primary duties of a Magistrate Judge:

• Criminal preliminary proceedings, search & seizure warrants, misdemeanor trials
• Civil referrals: prisoner civil rights, habeas corpus, Social Security appeals
• Consent for civil cases, including jury trials
• Settlement conferences
• Understanding the statutory framework for Magistrate Judges
• Tips for practicing before a Magistrate Judge

ANNUAL SALARY: $229,908

TERM IN OFFICE: 8 Year Renewable Term

MIN. BAR MEMBERSHIP: 5 Years

TENTATIVE START DATE: May 2027

CLE credit applied for in Washington.
This program is available online online.

Registration is being taken by the court.
Register Here 

The panel will discuss tips for a successful mediation, including the importance of preparation, having a plan, negotiation strategy, tactical empathy, curiosity, effective mediation submissions, and brackets.  The panel will also discuss trends in mediation, including the benefits and drawbacks of remote Zoom mediations, mediator proposals, class action mediations, and areas of law seeing a proliferation of cases.

Speakers:  
Marc Cote, Cote Law & Mediation PLLC
Judge John P.  Erlick, (Ret.)  JdR LLC
Matt Turetsky,  Matt Turetsky Mediation & Arbitration

CLE Program: 2pm-3pm
Reception: 3pm-4pm

1.0 CLE will be applied for in Washington

Venue:
U.S. District Courthouse
700 Stewart St, Seattle

This program will be available in person only.

Advanced registration is not required. You may register at the door when you arrive at the program.

We invite Washington law students to join us for a free, half-day seminar exploring federal bankruptcy practice, featuring panels of experienced practitioners and sitting U.S. Bankruptcy Court judges from the Western District of Washington. The program will cover key aspects of bankruptcy law from consumer and commercial matters to case administration and litigation, and will offer practical guidance on building a career in the field. The seminar will be followed by a networking reception open to all attendees and speakers.

In-Person participation is required for University of Washington and Seattle University Law School students.

Remote participation is available only to Gonzaga Law School students.

Schedule:
Seminar: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Reception: 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Cost:
There is no cost to attend. 

AGENDA

Introductory Panel

• Mallory Satre, Snell & Wilmer
• Shane Creason, Bush Kornfeld LLP
• Alexandra Yerigan-Funk, Ryan Swanson Cleveland PLLC
• David Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)

The panel will deliver an overview of general case administration including both debtor-side and creditor-side issues, trustee/estate roles, litigation matters, and transactional matters. They will also discuss helpful law school courses to take for those interested in federal bankruptcy practice as well as clinics, externships, clerkships, and other avenues for gaining experience.

Consumer Panel

• Darren Krattli, Eisenhower Carlson PLLC
• Angela Neeleman, Neeleman Law Group
• Samuel Dart, Hunnex & Shoemaker
• David Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)

Commercial Panel

• Jason Wax, Bush Kornfeld LLP
• Aimee Willig, Bush Kornfeld LLP
• Todd Brannon, Ballard Spahr
• David Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)
  
  

Judges Panel 

• Hon. Christopher Alston, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
• Hon. Timothy Dore, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
• Hon. Mary Jo Heston, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
• David Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)
  

The judges will discuss their personal road to the bench, what a typical day in federal bankruptcy court looks like, what are common cases they see, and what separates effective advocates from ineffective ones.

A networking reception will take place immediately following the program for all attendees and speakers.