Join us for a discussion with judges from the Western District of Washington to discuss their chambers procedures and practices, with special focus on matters where they deviate from the Local Rules or address issues not specifically covered by them. 

Whether attorneys practice in federal court every day, primarily litigate in state court with the occasional foray into federal court, or are a mock trial student (high school, college, or law school) interested in practicing in federal court, this series would provide a valuable opportunity to meet judges, hear directly from them, and ask questions in an open forum.

Speakers:
Judge Tiffany M. Cartwright, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Magistrate Judge Grady J. Leupold, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

Moderator:
Magistrate Judge Michelle L. Peterson, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

In-Person and Zoom attendance available.

Venue:
U.S. District Court - 1717 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402
Jury Assembly Room

CLE:
1.0 Law & Legal credit applied for

Advanced registration is not required. You may register at the door when you arrive at the program.

Registration for this event is being taken by Seattle University.

Register at: https://events.seattleu.edu/event/2026-tile-symposium

We invite Washington law students to join us for a free, half-day seminar exploring federal bankruptcy practice, featuring panels of experienced practitioners and sitting U.S. Bankruptcy Court judges from the Western District of Washington. The program will cover key aspects of bankruptcy law from consumer and commercial matters to case administration and litigation, and will offer practical guidance on building a career in the field. The seminar will be followed by a networking reception open to all attendees and speakers.

In-Person participation is required for University of Washington and Seattle University Law School students.

Remote participation is available only to Gonzaga Law School students.

Schedule:
Seminar: 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Reception: 4:30pm - 5:30pm

Cost:
There is no cost to attend. 

AGENDA

Introductory Panel

• Mallory Satre, Snell & Wilmer 
• Shane Creason, Bush Kornfeld LLP  
• Alexandra Yerigan Funk, Ryan Swanson Cleveland PLLC
• David C. Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator) 

The panel will deliver an overview of general case administration including both debtor-side and creditor-side issues, trustee/estate roles, litigation matters, and transactional matters. They will also discuss helpful law school courses to take for those interested in federal bankruptcy practice as well as clinics, externships, clerkships, and other avenues for gaining experience.

Consumer Panel

• Darren R. Krattli , Eisenhower Carlson PLLC 
• Angela Neeleman, Neeleman Law Group
• Samuel Dart, Hunnex & Shoemaker 
• David C. Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)

Commercial Panel

• Jason Wax, Bush Kornfeld LLP
• Aimee S. Willig Bush Kornfeld LLP
• Todd Brannon, Ballard Spahr
• David C. Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)
  

Judges Panel 

• Hon. Chief Judge Christopher M. Alston, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
• Hon. Judge Timothy W. Dore, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
• Hon. Judge Mary Jo Heston, United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
• David C. Neu, Miller Nash LLP (Moderator)

The judges will discuss their personal road to the bench, what a typical day in federal bankruptcy court looks like, what are common cases they see, and what separates effective advocates from ineffective ones.

A networking reception will take place immediately following the program for all attendees and speakers.

Registration for this event is being taken by Washington ABOTA.
Register at https://wa-abota.org/event-6686229

Professors Deborah Ahrens and Andrew Siegel will present on key cases the U.S. Supreme Court decided last term and will preview what to expect in the year ahead.  Attendees will learn about new precedent that may impact their practices and will be informed about cases and issues the Supreme Court is likely to grapple with in the new term.

Speakers:
Professor Deborah Ahrens, Seattle University School of Law
Professor Andrew Siegel, Seattle University School of Law

Location:
Nakamura Courthouse, 5th floor courtroom

In-person and remote attendance available.

We are honored to welcome Judge David F. Levi as our featured speaker. Judge Levi is the former Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California, former President and current Chair of the Council of the American Law Institute, the nation’s leading independent organization devoted to clarifying and improving American law, founding director of Duke Law School’s Bolch Judicial Institute, and former Dean of Duke Law School. Earlier this year, he received the 2026 Susan and Carl Bolch Jr. Prize for the Rule of Law, recognizing his extraordinary career devoted to strengthening the judiciary and the institutions that sustain our system of justice.

Judge Levi will be joined by Judge Margaret McKeown for a fireside conversation focused on judicial independence, integrity, civility, and public confidence in our courts.

Schedule:
Reception | 5:00 PM - 6:30 PM
Plated Dinner | 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Parking:
Valet parking is available at the venue at posted rates. Additional ramp parking is available in several nearby buildings at posted rates.

Table Sponsorships are available. Contact nicole@fba-wdwash.org for information.