In 2023, we are dedicating all of our Washington State Bar Association BAR NEWS ads to sharing each of our team members’ “why”. Why have we chosen this profession? Why do we represent our clients? Why do we fight?

Paige Lewis: What’s My Why?

That’s a hard question to answer because if I were to get into details about all of my why’s, it could be a book. That book would not be a best seller, so I will keep this short.

 It sounds very cliché, but I really enjoying helping people when they are going through some of the worst times of their lives.  There is nothing better than seeing a family back in their home; children back in their own bedrooms; an injured person healing and receiving the care they desperately need; seeing a large corporation being held accountable; and last, but certainly not least, holding corporations and their executives responsible for their discriminatory or sexually harassing behavior.

I’ll admit that a lot of responsibility comes with the job, but I would gladly take that responsibility everyday if it could help someone.

One of my greatest joys in my job is meeting and getting to know our clients. There are numerous former clients, some from over 20 years ago, that I am still in touch with and who I consider good friends. I’ve met a lot of very special people. That is a reason to get out of bed every day and continue on.

McKean Evans: What's My Why?

By McKean Evans

I knew I’d chosen the right business when my client called me in tears after I sent them the draft complaint for their approval. “Nobody’s ever fought for me before” they said. “Thank you.”

The law is not a business that lends itself to banker’s hours. So, as long as you’re spending a good part of your finite time on earth practicing law, you might as well work for people who appreciate you.

It can be a stressful occupation. People hire lawyers like me because they’re in a really bad place: they’re worried about where their family will sleep after their house burns down and the insurance company denies coverage; they’ve been fired and wonder how they’re going to pay the mortgage; they can’t sleep at night thinking about going to work in the morning for a boss who sexually harasses them. It’s a big responsibility.

But that’s what makes it rewarding. I get to fight for people who can’t fight for themselves. I get to bring accountability to disproportionately powerful groups—big corporations, superstar executives, governments—who are unused to being held accountable. That’s worth getting out of bed in the morning for.

At her retirement gala, my former mentor (a lifelong plaintiff-side and civil rights lawyer) gave a speech and said: “I spent my career helping people and was able to pay the bills doing it. Not many jobs let you say both at the same time.” For me, that gets more and more true all the time.

I’m lucky to have wound up doing what I do.