January 10, 2023

Foster Garvey

Williams

Melter

Cohen

Foster Garvey announced the elevation of five lawyers to principal, effective Jan. 1. This includes three lawyers in the firm's Seattle office, Devra Cohen, Alyssa Melter and Kinnon Williams. Cohen is a member of Foster Garvey's Litigation team, representing clients in environmental litigation and business disputes and complex commercial matters, at the trial court and appellate levels. She has experience before all levels of federal and state courts. Cohen has an active pro bono practice. Prior to joining the firm, she was a judicial law clerk for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit and for the Washington State Supreme Court. She earned her J.D. (Order of the Coif) from the University of Washington School of Law. Melter focuses on the resolution of labor issues for both public and private sector employers. Additionally, Melter has experience in grievance arbitrations and settlement negotiations, unfair labor practice proceedings and related appeals. Prior to joining the firm, she was a judicial law clerk for the Washington State Supreme Court. She earned her J.D. (summa cum laude) from Gonzaga University School of Law. Williams focuses on assisting public entities and private property owners in eminent domain and municipal law matters, handling negotiations and litigation. He provides special legal counsel to local governments and is the co-author of the 2010 Washington State Bar Association Real Property Deskbook Chapter on eminent domain and will release the updated chapter in 2023. Williams is a board member of the Washington State Bar Foundation and has served in a variety of roles on the King County Bar Association. He holds a J.D. from the University of Oregon School of Law. Foster Garvey has offices in Seattle, New York and Spokane.