Jan 06, 2026

BakerHostetler

BakerHostetler has elected 26 lawyers to firm partnership. The new class includes attorneys from all six of the firm's core practice groups and from 12 of the firm's 18 offices across the United States. Two lawyers from the Seattle office, Nikki Sanford and Alexander Vitruk, were named partner. Sanford focuses her intellectual property practice on patent prosecution and global intellectual property portfolio development for emerging U.S. market leaders and multinational corporations. Drawing on extensive research and academic experience in physics, mathematics and biomedical engineering, she advises across scientific fields such as artificial intelligence, software, mechanical and electrical systems, and life sciences technologies. Sanford has contributed to multinational research initiatives ranging from nuclear physics to computer science, and builds portfolios that protect complex, cross disciplinary innovations. Vitruk advises clients on complex data privacy and cybersecurity matters, offering practical solutions to help companies comply with rapidly evolving privacy and data protection laws and defending class actions. He advises and defends clients across different industries on multifaceted issues such as biometric privacy, artificial intelligence, pixel-related technologies and HIPAA compliance. Vitruk also has substantial experience defending clients in securities, consumer protection, ERISA and employment class actions. BakerHostetler helps clients around the world address complex and critical business and regulatory issues, and employs more than 1,000 lawyers nationwide.

L'Ecole No. 41

L'Ecole No. 41, one of the founding wineries of Washington's Walla Walla Valley, has formed a national partnership Winebow, one of the leading distributors of Pacific Northwest wines. The partnership adds distribution in Washington and California — the two markets where the partners were not already aligned — to their existing partnership in 15 other markets. L'Ecole No. 41 and Winebow are now aligned in California, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. “Winebow has been a terrific partner, and we are excited to expand our partnership with them across their national footprint,” said Ryan Pennington, chief operating officer for L'Ecole No. 41. “Winebow has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Washington wine, and we look forward to continuing our work with them to grow the Washington wine category in our home market and across the country.” L'Ecole No. 41 and Winebow first began working together in 2014, when Winebow merged with The Country Vintner, which at the time represented L'Ecole No. 41 in 12 markets. L'Ecole 41 then aligned with Winebow in three additional markets in 2021. The addition of Washington and California to the partnership completes the alignment of L'Ecole No. 41 across Winebow's national footprint and significantly increases the partners' volume of business together.

Dec 31, 2025

CAST

Nguyen

CAST architecture has hired Vy Nguyen, a generalist architect with experience across diverse project types, including hospitality, healthcare, multifamily, and custom single-family residences. Nguyen has a Master of Architecture with an Urban Design Certificate, and a Bachelor of Arts in Architecture, both from the University of Washington.

Säzän Group

McKinnon

Yamin

Gardner

Säzän Group recently added new team members in its Seattle and Portland offices.

Mark Gardner joins Säzän as director of engineering. Gardner brings three decades of experience leading service groups and design-build teams across biotech, commercial, corporate campus, and higher education markets. He will focus on aligning Säzän Group's work with client outcomes and on team building. He comes to the firm from McKinstry, where he most recently served as senior operations manager. His portfolio includes the WSU North Puget Sound Campus building in Everett and the Thomas S. Foley United States Courthouse in Spokane.

Farid Yamin joins as a principal in the Portland office, where he leads the mechanical engineering team. Yamin has over four decades of experience in organizational and design management, overseeing engineering and construction activities of multidisciplinary teams across a variety of sectors, including transportation, semiconductor, life sciences, healthcare, and mission-critical facilities. Throughout his career, Yamin has advanced through key leadership roles such as mechanical lead, department manager, engineering manager, principal engineer and buildings/MEP practice lead for the western U.S. region.

Corey McKinnon joins as an associate principal. McKinnon brings more than 25 years of electrical design and engineering leadership experience across healthcare, mission-critical, industrial, logistics, and commercial markets in the Pacific Northwest. His experience in the design-build sector includes leading multidisciplinary teams and overseeing complex electrical systems from concept through construction. McKinnon most recently served as executive director of design at SeaTac Electric Design.

Dec 30, 2025

Capstone Accounting and Tax

Capstone Accounting and Tax has partnered with North Star Tax & Accounting, further expanding Capstone's presence in Washington with locations in Snohomish and Lynden. Capstone's acquisition of North Star aligns with its strategy to expand its footprint into new geographies by partnering with local firms. While North Star Tax & Accounting will integrate its operations under the Capstone brand, clients will continue to receive local service from the professionals they have come to know and trust. David Romano and Sheena Frenzel, leaders of North Star, will continue their practices as partners within Capstone. Founded in 2004, Capstone Accounting and Tax is a full-service accounting firm providing tax, accounting, and advisory services to businesses and individuals across the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West regions. Capstone is actively seeking to invest in small and mid-sized accounting, tax, bookkeeping and HR advisory practices nationally. Founded in 2008, North Star Tax and Accounting provides a full suite of tax and accounting services.

Phosio

Phosio named Andrew Grenville, former CEO of Inpria, to its board of directors. Grenville is a recognized leader in advanced materials and semiconductor innovation, with deep experience guiding materials platforms from early-stage development through manufacturing scale-up and strategic acquisition, including the successful sale of Inpria to JSR Corporation. As CEO of Inpria, Grenville led the commercialization of metal-oxide photoresist materials critical to next-generation semiconductor manufacturing. His leadership helped transform cutting-edge R&D into large-scale industrial adoption and a strategic exit. Joe O'Keeffe, executive chairman of Phosio, said, “Andrew's ability to bring breakthrough technologies to market and navigate strategic partnerships will be instrumental as Phosio accelerates customer engagement and commercialization.” Phosio, headquartered in Corvallis, Oregon, develops advanced lens coating materials that enable immersive visual experiences through lightweight AR eyewear.

Dec 24, 2025

John A. Martin & Associates

Nissen

Pacheco

John A. Martin & Associates recently announced the opening of a new office in downtown Seattle and the team members who will lead it.

Principal Kim Pacheco now manages the Seattle office. Her project experience covers a wide range of sectors including healthcare, education, telecommunications, aviation, civic, forensic investigation and commercial structures. Pacheco's vision for the Seattle office centers on applying the firm's national experience to benefit Pacific Northwest clients, and grow the firm's presence in the region.

Longtime Seattle resident John Nissen has practiced in the area for 30 years and is a principal at the firm. Nissen is a veteran structural engineer who brings creative expertise to everything he does. He manages a range of projects for long-term clients, including international telecommunications companies and information suppliers, among others. He serves as a mentor, sharing project approaches, advice and feedback on technical, career, and development questions.

Mayer/Reed

Warmouth

Drew

O'Brien

Simms

Landscape architect Shannon Simms has been promoted to principal at Mayer/Reed. In this role, she co-leads the firm's urban design and landscape architecture group alongside Principal Jeramie Shane. Simms is experienced in public open space design with particular expertise in multimodal streetscapes. She is currently engaged in efforts to reimagine downtown Portland as a livable neighborhood and strengthen its relationship with the Willamette River. Her recent projects include the Green Loop Concepts and West End Street Plazas in Portland, and the Riverwalk in St. Helens, Oregon.

Landscape architect Michael O'Brien has been promoted to associate. With more than 30 years of professional experience, O'Brien brings design and management expertise and is valued for his mentorship of emerging landscape architects. He focuses on site context, ecological function and human experience. O'Brien's recent projects include Oregon Health and Science University's Children's Hospital expansion and Errol Heights Park in Southeast Portland.

Senior visual communications designer Margaret Drew has been promoted to associate. Drew approaches planning and designing wayfinding systems with an eye to being inclusive and to informing, guiding and connecting people across differences in language and ability. Her recent work includes leading signage standards for Multnomah County Library's 15-branch system.

Content coordinator/editor Stefanie Warmouth has been named associate, in recognition of her vital role in quality control, and promoting Mayer/Reed's story and culture by providing copyediting and communications expertise. Warmouth's recent initiatives include managing the firm's social media presence, and project-managing its 2025 Portland Winter Light Festival installation at Mill Ends Park.

Washington DECA

Washington DECA is looking for business and community members to volunteer as judges at the 2026 Washington DECA State Career Development Conference, taking place Feb. 26–27 in downtown Bellevue. Nearly 6,000 high school students from across the state will convene to demonstrate their skills in more than 50 DECA competitive events spanning business, marketing, finance, hospitality, and entrepreneurship.

In addition to competition, the conference will offer over a dozen industry-led workshops, hands-on financial literacy simulations, and opportunities for students to earn industry-recognized credentials, providing a comprehensive, real-world learning experience.

The conference will be hosted at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue and the Meydenbauer Center, creating an environment where students engage directly with professionals and community volunteers while applying classroom learning to practical business challenges.

To learn more or sign up as a volunteer judge for the Washington DECA State Career Development Conference, visit http://www.wadeca.org/judge. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs in marketing, finance, hospitality, and management in high schools and colleges around the globe.