ATTORNEYS
Rachel R. Burkemper
PARTNER
BIO
Rachel Burkemper is an attorney with over twenty years of experience in real estate litigation and transactional work. She represents community associations by providing general counsel and aiding in the collection of delinquent assessments. Rachel also advises clients on residential real estate matters. She has extensive experience with title issues, boundary line and easements disputes and real property contract review and negotiation. Rachel is a trained mediator and regularly negotiates on behalf of clients. Through her experience, Rachel exercises a holistic approach to dispute resolution, including litigation, and brings to the table a strong foundational knowledge of Washington State statutes, policies, and procedures.
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, Saint Louis University School of Law, 2002
Master of Arts in Communication Arts, Bangkok University, 1996
BA in Political Science, University of Washington, 1989
BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS
Washington State Bar Association
King County Bar Association
Snohomish County Bar Association
US District Court, Western District of Washington
US Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
PRACTICE AREAS
Community Association Collections
Community Associations General Legal
Real Estate Litigation
Real Estate Transactions
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
• Community Association Institute, Washington Chapter, 2011- Present
• Missouri Solid Waste Advisory Board, 2005-2008
Public Advisory Member and Chair
• Global Leadership Study Program, Bangkok, Thailand, February 2005
Missouri delegate studying conflict resolution and community development
• Mediation - 45th Judicial Circuit, Troy, Missouri, December 2002
Trained in meditation techniques and practice
• Union Language School, Bangkok, Thailand, 1992-1993
Intensive Thai Language Instruction, achieved proficiency level U.6
STEPHEN M. SMITH
PARTNER
PRACTICE AREAS
Community Associations General Legal
Community Association Collections
Business & Corporate Law
Real Estate Transactions
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
• Community Association Institute, Washington Chapter
• Certified Instructor – Washington State Real Estate Continuing Education (for real estate brokers) – Real Estate Law, Legal Aspects, and Advanced Real Estate Law
• Commercial Brokers Association (CBA)
• King County Bar Association – Volunteer Legal Services
BIO
Stephen Smith is a seasoned attorney and adviser with over a decade of practice in the greater Seattle area. In addition to representing a large number of condominium and homeowners associations, Stephen also assists individuals looking to buy/sell a home or who are facing a real estate transaction or dispute. Additionally, he helps small businesses form their corporate entity, settle shareholder disputes, and establish measures to minimize the risk of litigation. Should the need for court arise, Stephen has extensive experience in both state and federal court. He guides his clients by assessing not only the legal merits of the case, but also by discerning the personal and professional goals underlying each of his clients' decision to retain counsel. When it comes to problem solving and conflict resolution, Stephen at all times maintains control through rational analysis, consideration of the client’s values, and employment of a variety of strategies adapted to the unique characteristics of each case.
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, University of Toledo College of Law, 2009
BA in Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2004
BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS
Washington State (all courts)
Supreme Court of the United States of America
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
American Bar Association
King County Bar Association
Stephen M. Smith
PARTNER
PRACTICE AREAS
Community Associations General Legal
Community Association Collections
Business & Corporate Law
Real Estate Transactions
ACTIVITIES AND MEMBERSHIPS
• Community Association Institute, Washington Chapter
• Certified Instructor – Washington State Real Estate Continuing Education (for real estate brokers) – Real Estate Law, Legal Aspects, and Advanced Real Estate Law
• Commercial Brokers Association (CBA)
• King County Bar Association – Volunteer Legal Services
BIO
Stephen Smith is a seasoned attorney and adviser with over a dozen years of practice in the greater Seattle area. In addition to representing a large number of condominium and homeowners associations, Stephen also assists individuals looking to buy/sell a home or who are facing a real estate transaction or dispute. Additionally, he helps small businesses form their corporate entity, settle shareholder disputes, and establish measures to minimize the risk of litigation. Should the need for court arise, Stephen has extensive experience in both state and federal court. He guides his clients by assessing not only the legal merits of the case, but also by discerning the personal and professional goals underlying each of his clients' decision to retain counsel. When it comes to problem solving and conflict resolution, Stephen at all times maintains control through rational analysis, consideration of the client’s values, and employment of a variety of strategies adapted to the unique characteristics of each case.
EDUCATION
Juris Doctor, University of Toledo College of Law, 2009
BA in Philosophy, University of Toledo, 2004
BAR AND COURT ADMISSIONS
Washington State (all courts)
Supreme Court of the United States of America
U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
American Bar Association
King County Bar Association