This is my last edition of the Managing Partner’s Corner, as my time as Managing Partner came to a close on January 1, 2013. I am pleased to announce tha Tim Resch of our firm became Managing Partner as of that date. Tim has extensive litigation experience, both here in Oregon and abroad, when he was a war crimes prosecutor at The Hague. Tim also has knowledge and experience in employment law and business and medical practice issues. This makes him uniquely suited to lead a firm with such strong links to small business and the owners of small businesses, helping them navigate litigation issues and other matters.
Our change in Managing Partner is also an example of a situation that many businesses now face. As baby boomers like me continue to mature and continue their evolution from baby boomer, to flower child of the 60s, to grandparents of the 21st century, the reins of their businesses are handed on to the next generation. I am confident Tim will steer Samuels Yoelin Kantor well.
Transition has been the key element of my four years at the helm. Physical transition, including moving our firm back to downtown Portland from the Johns Landing area. We also added Ed Cunningham, our first Executive Director, an Victoria Blachly as our first woman partner. (Yes, we admit we were well behind the curve!) We have expanded our capabilities by adding Don Hull,Denise Gorrell,Valerie Sasaki an Christine Costantino. Judge Hull brings a broad range of experience and the perspective of a 22-year Judgeship and mid-Columbia region practitioner. Denise expands and supports our capability to deal with young emerging businesses and brings particular familiarity with the wine industry, as well as capabilities as a resolute and effective litigator. Valerie, who joined the firm a few months ago, brings great tax skills and experience both in the accounting and legal areas of tax analysis and client advocacy. Our newest addition, Chris contributes years of family law expertise to Samuels Yoelin Kantor.
With the addition of Judge Hull — as well as Steve Seymour’s expanding practice near his home community of Mosier, and Denise Gorrell’s wine industry clients —we have also taken the step of opening a satellite office in Hood River. We are very excited about the opportunities there.
The last point of transition was the passing of our longtime partner Merritt Yoelin on October 15, 2012. He died after a long and brave battle with cancer. He was a lion in the legal practice and in our office. We will miss his tireless work ethic, feisty spirit and utter devotion to client service.
As I leave my role as Managing Partner, I look forward to focusing my day-to-day efforts more on work for clients and supporting Tim and the rest of the Samuels Yoelin Kantor family. My thanks to all of my colleagues here at the firm, lawyers and non-lawyers, for their support during my tenure as Managing Partner and my thanks to all our clients and friends for your continuing support of our firm throughout.
Alan may be contacted directly at AMS@SamuelsLaw.com.