Business Washington

Dovinh Law, PLLC is a law practice based in Seattle, Washington where its founder, Betty Trang Dovinh, was born and raised. The daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Ms. Dovinh’s experience as a first generation American gives her important insight into the unique challenges that historically disadvantaged groups face. She’s dedicated her career to advocating for those communities and fighting every day for the American principles of justice and equality for all to be upheld in the legal system and beyond. Ms. Dovinh has over 20 years of diverse professional experience, helping local businesses and serving the Greater Seattle community. Prior to launching Dovinh Law, she served as Strategic Initiatives Officer for National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children, Director of Development & Community Relations for Millionair Club Charity and Executive Secretary for Seattle King County NAACP. She has also served as a strategic adviser to DNPro Counsel (now An Legal), an international corporate law firm based in Vietnam. She has has held leadership, consultation and operational roles for a range of other businesses including a nationally recognized capital investment firm, and the largest independently family owned and locally operated electrical distributor in the West. As an attorney, Ms. Dovinh has helped ease the burden for children and families experiencing the hardship of a variety of issues such as abuse, divorce and separation. She fights vigorously against discrimination in the workplace and other civil rights abuses. She litigates in both state and federal court, as well as administrative bodies such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), and The Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA). In her immigration practice, she’s authorized to represent clients from all 50 states and around the world in U.S. visa, immigration and naturalization matters. She has successfully reunified families in Washington and other states with their relatives abroad as well as assisted businesses expand in the local economy. Ms. Dovinh earned a B.A from the University of Washington and J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. Ms. Dovinh is a member of the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Asian Bar Association of Washington, and the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington. She is natively fluent in English and Vietnamese.

Brittany S. Bitar is an attorney licensed to practice law in Washington state and California. She focuses on business, intellectual property, and real estate law, but also takes cases in various other areas. Brittany also holds her real estate brokers license in Washington state. In addition to having her own law firm, Brittany works as general counsel for a corporation in Seattle. She has litigated copyright infringement, contract, and real estate related cases, and worked on real estate, HOA, land use, and other contractual, business, and property related non-litigation matters. In addition to taking individual client matters, she also does contract work for other firms including in family law cases. Brittany has interned with Judge Morris at Dauphin County Courthouse and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Civil Litigation Section during law school. She additionally holds a certificate in Dispute Resolution. Brittany has worked with firms that practice in estate planning, business law, employment law, contract law, family law, torts, personal injury, intellectual property, trademark law, copyright law, civil rights, real estate law, copyright law, nonprofit organization law, landlord tenant law, RICO and fraud, breach of contract, civil racketeering, corporate law, commercial torts, and other areas. She has also done contract work in business and trademark law. In 2015, Brittany founded and managed a charitable nonprofit organization, Diëresis, which focused primarily on assisting the homeless in the greater Seattle area. She has also volunteered with the American Red Cross as a lead, Bread of Life Mission, Hopelink, and other nonprofit organizations. In her spare time, Brittany enjoys day hikes, resin painting, playing the acoustic guitar and piano, and playing with her dogs.

Practicing for nearly twenty years in the areas of business law, estate planning, and tax law, Chris has worked with small business owners and start-ups to large corporations to solve problems involving legal and tax structuring and operational issues that may derail their success. He has advised hundreds of clients on setting up their businesses, growing their enterprises and ultimately retiring from their companies by selling them or passing them to their children. And, since a client’s business is only as successful as having a strong strategy for protecting what his clients have built, Chris develops working, practical estate plans including trusts and wills that provide certainty for asset preservation and tax minimalization. His passion for and extensive knowledge of his areas of practice allow Chris to provide guidance through the confusing, intimidating, while yet important steps of preparing the success of both businesses and ordinary lives.

With deep experience in family law, high-asset divorce, estate planning, and civil litigation, Collin McKean brings a strategic, no-nonsense approach to legal challenges across Oregon and Washington. As a founding partner of McKean Smith, Collin combines sharp legal insight with a background in business and accounting to help clients resolve emotionally and financially complex disputes. Known for his compassion, creative problem-solving, and unwavering advocacy, Collin is a trusted ally for clients who need clarity, confidence, and results.

Cristine Beckwith is the owner of Beckwith Law. She is exceptionally qualified to provide strong representation to clients facing a wide range of criminal charges. Cristine began her career as a Deputy Prosecutor for Pierce County. During her time as a Prosecutor, Cristine realized that her passion was not for building cases against people. Her desire to fight for people accused of a crime caused her to change direction and focus on criminal defense. As a result, Cristine knows the legal system from both sides and can create opportunities that other attorneys often do not explore. Cristine has been a criminal defense attorney since 2004 and established Beckwith Law in 2007. At Beckwith Law, each client receives personalized attention and an aggressive defense. The majority of Cristine’s clients are charged with misdemeanor and felony crimes in the courts of Pierce County and King County. Her experience working with prosecutors and judges in these courts can result in faster and more favorable resolutions. For the convenience of her clients, Cristine has office locations in downtown Tacoma and downtown Seattle.

James Doyle Kirkham Jr. earned a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Public Policy from Central Washington University, graduating in the year 2000. He then attended Gonzaga University School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctorate in 2005. That same year, he was licensed to practice Law by the Washington State Bar Association. After working as an attorney in Spokane, Washington for three years, James relocated to Ellensburg, Washington, where he founded Kirkham Law Office, PLLC. James Kirkham is also a member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Kittitas County Bar Association, and in 2009 received a Pro Bono Publico Award from the Washington State Bar Association. He also taught Business Law at Yakima Valley Community College.

James V Hill, attorney at Russell & Hill, PLLC, is a lifelong Washingtonian and has spent time calling both sides of the Cascades “home.” Jim has devoted his law practice to helping people obtain the benefits and compensation they deserve, both in personal injury cases as well as social security disability claims. After graduating with academic honors from Seattle University School of Law, Jim went to work at a law firm that provided legal defense for multiple insurance companies. Working as a lawyer for the insurance companies provided valuable experience and insight into how insurance companies do business, how they value claims, and what they look for when litigating a claim against a plaintiff. In 2002, with the knowledge and information he learned to work as an insurance defense attorney, Jim transitioned his legal practice to focus solely on representing injured people against the insurance companies. Jim’s experience working for insurance companies has given him the knowledge to bring a successful claim for injury and the insight to avoid the pitfalls that exist in the settlement and litigation process. Jim has successfully represented thousands of Washingtonians in personal injury claims. In 2005, Jim Hill had a handful of personal injury clients ask him for help with their applications for Social Security Disability benefits. After successfully helping these clients obtain disability benefits, Jim noticed similarities between the two areas of legal practice. In both instances, injured people need help fighting for the compensation that they deserved against entities much larger than an individual – whether the fight was against an insurance company or the federal government. Out of that experience grew a passion to help people with disabilities obtain their rightful benefits. When a physical or mental health condition leaves a person unable to work on a full time, sustained basis, Jim represents the client in all proceedings with the Social Security Administration to get his clients the disability benefits they need and deserve. Most clients have a hearing in front of a federal administrative law judge, and Jim makes sure that his cases are prepared thoroughly and presented in a manner that will best deliver a favorable ruling. Jim Hill continues to be busy with his vibrant and growing law practice at Russell & Hill, PLLC. He splits his time representing hundreds of local people in both personal injury claims and disability claims.

Karim A. Hamir, Managing Attorney at The Cowlitz Law Group, is licensed to practice law in Washington State and the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. With over 15 years of distinguished experience, his firm specializes in family law, probates, and estate law. Although Karim now focuses on managing firm operations at Cowlitz Law Group and does not take on new clients personally, he ensures the firm delivers exceptional legal services. This includes promoting Unbundled Legal Services to make quality legal assistance more flexible and affordable, thus increasing access to justice for underprivileged clients. Throughout his career, Karim has demonstrated exceptional leadership and executive guidance. His work includes a tenure as an adjunct faculty professor at a prestigious university in Canada, fostering business values and growth for various private and public entities. His extensive background in commercial banking enhances his adept handling of financial transactions. Karim’s career is marked by diverse legal exposure and industry experience, enabling him to offer creative solutions to unique legal challenges. He has served both as a Rule 9 prosecutor and a criminal defense lawyer. The Cowlitz Law Group is home to skilled attorneys such as Kenneth Anderson (Wills, Estate, Probate, Family Law), James Sansone (Family Law), Jay S. Ritchie (Family Law), Holly Henson (Estate and Probate matters), and Steve Karimi (Criminal Defense), all of whom handle cases under Karim’s operational leadership. Additionally, Karim values physical fitness and is an active sports enthusiast, enjoying tennis and golf in his spare time. His comprehensive approach to professional life and personal well-being exemplifies his commitment to excellence and balanced lifestyle.

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