William L. Beecher of Puget Sound (Seattle University) School of Law in 1975 (J.D). Mr. Beecher served in the US Army during the Vietnam war from 1969-1970. Mr. Beecher has concentrated his practice on representing all parties in bankruptcy proceedings (both debtors and creditors) and was a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Panel Trustee (appointed by the Justice Department) from 1978 to 2003. Mr. Beecher is admitted to practice in the State of Washington, the United States District Court, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and has appeared in bankruptcy proceedings throughout the country including Delaware, Chicago, Dallas, and California. Mr. Beecher is a frequent lecturer to local and state bar groups in their continuing education programs. He is a member of the National Association of Bankruptcy Trustees, American Bankruptcy Institute, National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, Creditor/Debtor Section of the WSBA (Executive Committee) and the Washington State Bar Association. He was honored by his peers as a Super Lawyer in Washington Law and Politics for several years. He has obtained the highest legal and ethical rating (A/V) offered by a national attorney rating organization.
Mr. Beecher prides himself as a people's lawyer. Most of his work involves helping individuals and small businesses resolve financial problems from both a creditor and debtor perspective. He often works for out-of-area clients who have matters pending in our local Bankruptcy Court (Creditor's Rights. Relief From Stay, Preference Defenses). His primary focus is in helping Debtors in Chapters 7 and 13, and small business reorganization cases (Chapter 11). Recently, Mr Beecher has been appointed as a receiver to prosecute a large Ponzi scheme and to liquidate a bank holding company after a closure by the FDIC. Mr. Beecher has been a resident of Tacoma since 1969, has two adult children, and when not in the office, spends most of his time on the golf course.
Desa Gese Conniff is a graduate of Seattle University (1978), cum laude, and obtained her law degree from the University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University School of Law) in 1984. Ms. Conniff has the highest legal and ethical rating (A/V) determined by a national attorney rating organization. This is a rating based upon the opinion of her peers. Ms. Conniff is admitted to practice in Washington State, United States District Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court.
Ms. Conniff has practiced exclusively in the area of Bankruptcy, representing debtors, creditors and trustees since 1984. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Debtor/Creditor Section, the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, the National Association of Chapter 13 Trustees, and the Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association. Ms. Conniff has completed the Advanced Consumer Bankruptcy Practice Institute sponsored by the NACTT and the University of Nevade Las Vegas School of Law. She has been selected as A Super Lawyer in Washington Law and Politics for several years. She has been on the faculty and taught Bankruptcy and Collections at Pierce College. She has spoken at numerous continuing education classes for credit counselors, accountants, and local bar groups. She has served on the Local Rules Committee for the US Bankruptcy Court for several years. She has been appointed to serve as a Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Court Federal Judicial Conference for a three year term ending in 2013.
Ms. Conniff prides herself on focusing on her client's unique circumstances and gives personal and hands on guidance through the bankruptcy process. Her work helps individuals and businesses who experience financial difficulty whether they are the debtor or a creditor. Her practice emphasizes the Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 areas.
Ms. Conniff is a Washington native, born in Seattle WA. She has raised three children here. Her oldest son has served two tours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and just graduated from college. He is now working as a nuclear engineer. Another son is an Eagle Scout and college graduate. He now works for a law firm. Her daughter has been involved in research and restoration of the Titlow Beach underwater park as a Marine Biology student and scuba diver, graduated from college, and is now teaching in Spain. Ms. Conniff has volunteered her time with Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and most recently, Family Readiness Group (FRG) for her son's Army unit. She is a great cook and secretly would love to spend her time preparing dinner parties.
Katherine Suhr is our administrative assistant who has worked with us since 1980. She is highly capable and will be the individual you will have much contact with her during your case. Being from Montana originally she likes to take charge of things.
Debi Delimont joined us in September 2010 after a ten year career as an escrow officer (LPO). She graduated with high honors with a paralegal degree from Tacoma Community College in 2010. Her interests are hiking, dogs, horses, and being a grandmother.
Lori Graham works for us part time and her she and her husband own a tavern.
