Vanessa Waldref, former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, is a partner and founding member of Singleton Schreiber’s Washington office, focusing on environmental protection, wildfire litigation, public entity, consumer and financial fraud, personal injury, Tribal litigation, and civil rights. Ms. Waldref became the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington in October 2021, after being nominated by President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the Senate. Ms. Waldref was the first woman to serve in this role. As U.S. Attorney, Ms. Waldref worked tirelessly to deliver concrete results for residents of Washington, building strong partnerships between federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement to make the community safer and stronger. A relentless advocate for clients and her community, Ms. Waldref successfully opened a new Tri-Cities DOJ branch office to better protect Southeastern Washington communities and fight fraud that impedes the environmental remediation of the Hanford Nuclear Site. Ms. Waldref was also a leader within the Department of Justice on Native American Issues, working closely with Tribal Nations to support Tribal sovereignty, protect treaty rights and Tribal homelands, reduce violent crime on Native American Reservations, and address the crisis of Missing or Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). Ms. Waldref is a nationally recognized leader in environmental enforcement. She was selected by the U.S. Attorney General to chair his Subcommittee on Environmental Justice & Environmental Issues, and she launched Eastern Washington's Environmental Task Force that tackled regional, national, and international cases under the Clean Water Act, Clean Air Act, and federal laws that protect public health and safety. She also spearheaded civil rights enforcement and hate crime prevention efforts across the district. Ms. Waldref continues this community engagement through her leadership as Board President of Human Rights Spokane. Before her appointment as U.S. Attorney, Ms. Waldref served within the Department of Justice as an Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington and a Trial Attorney in the Environment and Natural Resources Division. Under Ms. Waldref’s leadership, the Eastern District of Washington played a key role in the Department of Justice’s fraud-fighting efforts, where she and her Fraud and White-Collar team prosecuted civil and criminal fraud matters, launched an award-winning COVID Fraud Strike Force, and recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for taxpayers under the False Claims Act. Ms. Waldref has first-hand experience working with whistleblowers, as well as negotiating False Claims Act cases at the highest level of the Department of Justice. Ms. Waldref is passionate about mentoring the next generation of attorneys and has taught several courses at Gonzaga University School of Law, including Environmental Law, Labor & Employment Law, and Conflict of Laws. Before her federal service, she worked in private practice in Spokane and in Washington, D.C., representing Tribes, companies, labor unions, and individuals in employment, trade secret, and other high-stakes litigation. Ms. Waldref received her B.A., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University, and her J.D., magna cum laude, from Georgetown University Law Center. After law school, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable John D. Bates on the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Ms. Waldref is a proud Spokanite and loves raising her family in her beautiful hometown.

Alexandria Drake serves as Senior Counsel in Singleton Schreiber's Spokane, Washington office, where her practice focuses on personal injury, civil rights, employment discrimination/wrongful discharge, and public entity litigation. With substantial experience litigating cases in both federal and state courts, Alexandria is dedicated to advocating for those whose lives have been shattered by negligence or whose rights have been violated. Before joining Singleton Schreiber, Alexandria served as a Principal at a highly respected litigation firm in Spokane, Washington, where she built a reputation as a seasoned trial attorney and civil litigator. Her courtroom experience and commitment to fighting for justice have made her a trusted advocate for clients navigating some of the most challenging moments of their lives. Alexandria's exceptional legal work has earned her consistent recognition from her peers and the legal community. She has been named a Rising Star by Washington Super Lawyers from 2023 to 2025 and has been recognized by Best Lawyers as "Ones to Watch" from 2021 to 2025. She was also honored by Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine as one of "Spokane's Best Lawyers" from 2018 to 2021. Alexandria's path to law was shaped by her service to her country. Born and raised in northern California, she earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Park University while serving enlisted in the United States Navy. Her time in the Navy reinforced her determination to attend law school and ensure that all people are afforded equal treatment and access to justice. After her discharge, Alexandria attended Gonzaga University School of Law, where she graduated magna cum laude. When not in the office, Alexandria enjoys spending time with her husband and her two very active young sons. In between attending her kids' sports events, she can often be found baking or cheering on her favorite teams, the Gonzaga Bulldogs and the San Francisco 49ers.

Jesse Fruchter serves as Senior Counsel in Singleton Schreiber's Spokane, Washington office, where he focuses on Whistleblower & False Claims Act matters, Class Actions, Environmental Litigation, Consumer Protection Law, and Wildfire Litigation. He brings years of experience enforcing the law on behalf of plaintiffs against companies throughout the United States, combining legal acumen with a distinctive scientific background that enriches his approach to complex environmental and consumer protection cases. Since entering the legal profession, Jesse has been recognized as a Wisconsin Super Lawyers Rising Star for five consecutive years for his work in complex plaintiff-side securities, antitrust, and consumer protection class actions. Before joining Singleton Schreiber, he practiced and argued in state and federal courts across the country, including the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the Delaware Court of Chancery. He has been appointed class counsel in numerous cases and has helped investors and consumers throughout the country recover millions of dollars from companies that violated the law. Jesse earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Wisconsin Law School, where he received the Abner Brodie Award for Outstanding Achievement in Legal Study and Practical Application of the Law, and was recognized in the Terence T. Evans Humor and Creativity in Law Competition by the Eastern District of Wisconsin Bar Association. Before pursuing his legal career, Jesse developed substantial expertise in environmental science and ecology. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology from the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, followed by several years working with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. He later obtained a Master of Science in Plant Biology from Southern Illinois University, where his thesis research investigated the ecological impacts of large-scale hurricanes and fires on coastal areas, experience that now informs his wildfire litigation practice in meaningful ways. He is admitted to practice in Wisconsin, the United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Wisconsin, the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, and the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas. Outside of his legal practice, Jesse spends as much of his free time as he can outdoors with his wife and their son, two dogs, and three chickens (their cat stays indoors).

Washington estate planning attorney Matthew M. Luedke has become a trusted advocate for families seeking clarity, protection, and long-term security. Serving clients across the state as the managing attorney of Elevated Estate Planning, P.S., Matthew leads a respected, client-centered practice dedicated to helping individuals preserve what matters most: their assets, autonomy, and their loved ones' futures. For over a decade, Matthew has dedicated his career to guiding families through some of life's most significant legal decisions. His practice spans the full spectrum of estate planning and elder law, including wills and trusts, powers of attorney, estate tax planning, Medicaid and long-term care strategies, elder law matters, and probate and estate administration. His work reflects a deep commitment to ensuring that every client receives a plan tailored to their unique goals and challenges. Matthew's legal journey is defined by his focus on protection, preparation, and peace of mind. He has helped countless families navigate complex issues, including rising long-term care costs, incapacity planning, wealth transfer strategies, and the intricate requirements of probate. Whether addressing elder law concerns or crafting comprehensive estate plans, he approaches each case with precision, empathy, and an unwavering dedication to doing what is right for his clients. Matthew earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Idaho College of Law and is a member of the Washington State Bar Association. He is additionally recognized as a Washington Super Lawyer, a distinction that reflects his professionalism, client focus, and excellence in the field of estate planning and elder law. Today, Matthew remains a respected presence in the legal community and a trusted resource for families seeking peace of mind in uncertain times. His dedication to thoughtful planning, client education, and personalized service continues to shape the strong reputation of Elevated Estate Planning, P.S.

John Stimson serves as Of Counsel in Singleton Schreiber's Spokane, Washington office, where his practice focuses on fire litigation. He brings to the firm more than four decades of distinguished service to the United States, transitioning from military and public sector leadership to advocating for individuals and families impacted by catastrophic wildfires. Mr. Stimson's career includes twenty years of active-duty service in the United States Marine Corps, followed by more than two decades as the civilian General Counsel for Marine Corps Air Station Miramar in San Diego, California. His extensive experience in complex legal matters, risk management, and high-stakes decision-making has equipped him with the strategic insight and discipline that now benefit the firm's fire litigation clients. Mr. Stimson earned his Juris Doctor magna cum laude from the University of Michigan Law School, where he was a member of the Michigan Law Review and the Order of the Coif. He also holds LL.M. degrees from Georgetown University Law Center and the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's School, reflecting his commitment to legal excellence and continued professional development throughout his career. He is admitted to practice in Washington and Michigan.

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