CCBA Welcomes Judge Gonzales

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WILLIAM F. NELSON Baumgartner, Nelson & Price, PLLC Celebrating forty years of evaluating, settling, and trying claims of professional negligence and serious personal injury in Southwest Washington. Many thanks to the more than sixty lawyers, judges and court personnel for the referrals that have made this celebration possible. And special thanks to my partners of fifteen years - Bill Baumgartner and Greg Price. Available for consultation or referral on professional negligence and serious personal injury claims. Martindale-Hubbell bell recognizes William F. Nelson as an AV rated attorney, the highest such rating available to any individual lawyer. 112 W.11th Street, Suite 150 Vancouver, WA 98660 Phone:(360) 694-4344 wnelson@bnplaw.com | mthompson@bnplaw.com www.bnplaw.com 4 CLARK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION
The CCBA Welcomes Judge Gonzales DON JACOBS Hearsay Special Correspondent Gregory Michael Gonzales is now “Your Honor”. Judge Gonzales became the newest member of the Clark County Superior Court bench replacing retiring Judge Edwin Poyfair. Appointed by Governor Christine Gregoire to fill the seat, Judge Gonzales will take over the opening in Department 4. Judge Gonzales was sworn in May 1st by Judge John Nichols and by all accounts, leaped into the duties like a kid entering Disneyland. The word "enthusiastic" was the most used by others describing his first days. The official investiture ceremony was late Friday afternoon on May 4th in Judge Barbara Johnson's courtroom. The place was packed to the rafters with family, well wishers and members of the bar. In an unusual twist, Judge Gonzales used the occasion to announce he'd just become engaged to Molly Trafelet, his now fiancé. Local historians have been consulted, and this is believed to be a first in Clark County. No other judge in memory has used the investiture ceremony to also announce their engagement. There was even a little suspense involved. The Judge happily informed the crowd he'd asked Molly to marry him, but didn't tell us her response. So Judge, she said yes, right Although, one could assume the response was positive since Molly handled the role of helping his honor into his first Clark County Superior Court standard issue black robe. After Judge Johnson did the official swearing in, the standing room only crowd heard from Mike Roe describing his years with the Judge in private practice. Then Judge Bennett said a few words about the job followed by the newest judge thanking all assembled. He mentioned he was truly humbled by all the support he received and the overwhelming favorable response in the bar poll. When he sat down with the rest of the gowned members of the bench in attendance, it immediately looked like he belonged there. So Judge Gonzales is joining a pretty elite club. Although the Judge did preside over the Battle Ground Municipal Court for the last seven years, a big learning curve awaits. That's primarily because it looks like he'll be filling Judge Poyfair's family court slot with Judge Rulli over in the annex. He'll even slide right into Judge Poyfair's old office. Judge Gonzales admits he wouldn't know a family law case if it bit him. Fortunately, he also inherits Gizella Darfler, Judge Poyfair's very capable JA. The local historians were consulted one more time and it is believed Judge Gonzales is the first person of color to occupy the Superior Court Bench in Clark County. It wasn't that long ago that Clark County saw its first female on the bench. So history was made twice in Judge Johnson's courtroom that day. Funny, but I've never thought of Judge Gonzales as a person of color. He was just Greg Gonzales. A funny, effervesent and passionate guy who really cared about his clients and the practice of law, with the reputation of being a very fine lawyer. I guess that is where we are all trying to get to in this society. I asked the Judge about this historic first in our interview. Although the significance of it wasn't lost on him, he too says he just always thought of himself as Greg Gonzales, and hoped others did as well. Nevertheless, this is a nice plus with his appointment. The county gets a really good candidate to dispel justice and a significant and increasing percentage of our population sees someone who looks like them on the bench. Judge Gonzales graduated from Lewis and Clark Law School in 1981. His undergrad years were at UC Riverside. Of note is his baseball career at the school. The Judge was the starting second baseman in his senior year when the school won the Division II National Championship. Skills he put to some use over his thirty years in the community acting as a volunteer coach for kid's sports. He came to Clark County when Bill Baumgartner offered him a job in the summer of 81 with the then firm of Weber, Baumgartner & Gunn. He's stayed with the firm ever since, doing civil litigation. Of course Judge Gonzales does have to run for election in November. So far, no one has announced any plans to challenge him for the seat. Given how well he fared in the bar poll, any challenger would have an uphill battle. At 56, it's seems unlikely Judge Gonzales will ever return to his career as a lawyer. Which is something he tells me he'll miss. When asked what he'll miss most about private practice, he talked about being able to help clients. The first lawyer in his family, Judge Gonzales told me his biggest achievement in life was when he became a lawyer. Well Judge, you just eclipsed that. Welcome to the bench your honor. Many of us hope you'll be there for a long time. HEARSAY - MAY 2012 5
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Page 11 and 12: The Clark County Bar Association is
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Page 23 and 24: HEARSAY PROFILE DOUGLAS F. FOLEY HO
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CCBA Welcomes Judge Gonzales

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