The law firm of Adams & Duncan has a team of seasoned attorneys that represent clients across a wide range of practice areas and industries–from startups to large corporations. Our commitment to assisting our clients achieve their objectives has earned our firm the highest rating for professional excellence and ethics.

Christopher D. Adams | Attorney

Practice

Christopher D. Adams has dedicated his practice to the areas of banking, corporate law, commercial real estate and tax matters.  His banking experience includes financial technology investments, fintech relationships, and bank governance. His corporate experience includes working with a diverse range of transactional matters, including entity formation, corporate governance, acquisitions, partner disputes and succession planning.  His commercial real estate experience includes drafting leases, lease litigation, purchase and sales, and environmental contamination.  In addition to his law degree (JD), Mr. Adams holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and Masters in Tax Law (LLM). 

Community Service

As an active resident of the Snohomish County community, Mr. Adams currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Coastal Community Bank, as the past board Chair of the Community Board of Providence Hospital (Northwest Region), and on the Board of the Everett branch of the YMCA.  Mr. Adams also advises and represents several local nonprofit organizations.

Sarah E. Duncan | Attorney

Sarah Duncan assists individuals and families with estate planning and elder law matters, including Wills and Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, Wealth Transfer Strategies, Medicaid Planning and Disability Planning.  Ms. Duncan also assists beneficiaries and fiduciaries (i.e. trustees, personal representatives and executors) with Trust and Probate Administration.

Ms. Duncan is an active member of the Snohomish County Estate Planning Council and the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).  Currently, Ms. Duncan serves on the boards of the Community Foundation of Snohomish County and the EverTrust Foundation.  She also is the co-founder and President of the Melissa Erickson Foundation, which is a non-profit organization focused on raising money to help cure Lou Gehrig's disease in honor of her dear friend and teammate, Melissa Erickson, who passed away in 2013. 

Ms. Duncan is a proud alum of the University of Washington.  She received her BA from the University of Washington in 2001 while playing basketball for the Huskies from 1997 – 2001.  She received her JD from the University of Washington in 2004.  Before she joined the firm, Ms. Duncan clerked for the Honorable Ronald L. Castleberry at the Snohomish County Superior Court.  She enjoys maintaining an active life with her family and friends by running, hiking and biking, and especially looks forward to attending spin classes at the local YMCA with her co-workers.  

Dylan M. LeValley | Attorney

Dylan LeValley is a real estate and business attorney focusing on agricultural issues for large and small farms, family farms, agricultural cooperatives, investors, and landlords. Dylan is passionate about the health of Washington’s farm community, and assists his clients in all matter of farm management issues, including lease drafting and negotiations, easements and other property use agreements, purchases and sales of real property, succession planning, business formation, planning and structure, and financing. Dylan also has an active litigation practice and is experienced in guiding farming clients through all stages of real property and business disputes.

In his spare time, Dylan serves on the North Sound Regional Leadership Committee for Forterra, Western Washington’s preeminent land conservation organization, advocating for protecting the northwest’s vibrant farm community from the increased pressures of our region’s growth. Dylan’s dedication to the agricultural industry can be traced to his roots in farming communities and the importance a strong agricultural community has on the health and vitality of our region.

Dylan received his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law in 2013, graduating summa cum laude, where he was a member of the Law Review, participated in many writing, trial, and appellate competitions, and was a competitor in the National Moot Court Competition in 2013. Dylan’s work during law school included advocating for an expanded right to counsel for indigent civil litigants, representing criminal defendants in court for the Snohomish County Public Defender Association, and authoring a published article about liability arising from self-driving vehicles.

Before law school, Dylan was deeply involved in the northwest marine industry, both working as a marine services technician and for the Northwest Marine Trade Association. Dylan’s love for the water inspired him to form an adventure racing team that, in 2006, rowed across the North Atlantic Ocean, setting several world records.

Carl D. Schremp | Attorney

Carl focuses his practice at Adams & Duncan on banking, business, and real estate matters. Carl works on a variety issues facing banks, ranging from structuring transactions and complex loan arrangements. Carl’s business practice includes assisting businesses with restructuring, succession planning, acquisitions, governance, and employee compensation.

In addition to his banking and business practice, Carl advises clients on matters related to both commercial real estate. Carl supports clients with the purchase and sale of real property, disputes between landlords and tenants, zoning and development issues, and code enforcement.

Carl received his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, where he graduated magna cum laude. During law school, Carl served as a member of the Law Review and as Treasurer of the Student Bar Association. While still in school, Carl worked as an extern for Justice Charles Johnson at the Washington State Supreme Court and as a Law Clerk in the Consumer Protection Division of the Attorney General’s Office. Before joining Adams & Duncan, Carl worked as an attorney for a local Fortune 500 company. 

Although Carl grew up abroad, his strong family ties to the Pacific Northwest caused him to move to the area after graduating from high school. Carl holds a B.A. in Public Affairs from Washington State University. 

Katelyn Wenzel-Grette | Attorney

Katelyn Wenzel-Grette focuses her practice at Adams & Duncan to areas of bank and business law, often handling matters relating to residential & commercial real estate, banking & finance, entity formation, and corporate governance. She works on a wide variety of issues on a national level. Ms. Wenzel-Grette assists strategic banking and fintech partnerships on issues of regulation compliance, contract drafting, and risk management. 

In addition to her business practice, Ms. Wenzel-Grette has diverse experience in both civil and criminal litigation. She has successfully conducted multiple criminal jury trials on behalf of the State of Washington. She also has experience in all aspects of insurance defense, including first party coverage, bad faith claims, and third party defense claims. 

 Ms. Wenzel-Grette earned her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law. While at UW Law, she was a member of the Women’s Law Caucus and the Moot Court Honor Board, where she successfully competed in numerous mock trial and contract negotiation competitions. During law school, Ms. Wenzel-Grette worked as a law clerk at the Washington State Attorney General’s Office, the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, and the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. Ms. Wenzel-Grette was UW Law’s Pro Bono Student of the Year for her graduating class.  

 A Central Washington native, Ms. Wenzel-Grette enjoys spending her free time exploring the outdoors with her family, friends, and her Australian Shepherd, Birdie. 

 Admissions

Washington State

United States District Court, Western District of Washington

Education

Biola University, B.A.

University of Washington School of Law, J.D.

Maren Benedetti | Attorney

Maren Benedetti focuses her practice on Estate Planning, Probate/Trust Administration, and Estate Litigation. Ms. Benedetti assists individuals through the estate planning process of setting up Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Health Care Directives as well as coordination of beneficiary designations. Benedetti also assists individuals and fiduciaries with estate litigation matters involving the Trust & Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA), will contests, accounting requests and the like.  

Ms. Benedetti is currently licensed in both Washington and Oregon, and is a member of the Snohomish County Estate Planning Council. Before moving to the Seattle area in 2011, Ms. Benedetti spent six years as a public defender in Bend, Oregon. She worked for the Washington United for Marriage campaign during 2012, helping to secure the right to marry for all Washingtonians.   

Ms. Benedetti was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest. She graduated from Portland State University with a B.A. in Music in 1996 and from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2004.

Ms. Benedetti is a CrossFit and yoga enthusiast and loves spectating at her children’s sporting events. She particularly enjoys camping and hiking with her family and their two dogs.

Tayah E. H. Smoot | Attorney

Tayah Smoot has dedicated her practice to assisting individuals, families and small businesses in the areas of estate planning, business planning and development, and tax planning and controversies.

Ms. Smoot’s estate planning practice includes preparing Wills, Trusts, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives and Community Property Agreements.  In addition, Ms. Smoot assists with the trust and probate administration process.  Ms. Smoot’s tax background allows her to assist with sophisticated tax planning for individuals with taxable estates.

Ms. Smoot also assists small businesses throughout the life of the company.  She is able to assist with the formation, business planning and operations, audits, disputes and appeals.  Ms. Smoot has handled audits and appeals with the Department of Revenue and the Department of Labor and Industries.  In Determination No. 11-0281, Ms. Smoot’s tax background allowed her to successfully appeal a decision by the Department of Revenue for a controlling interest transfer.  Because the clients had paid the tax bill, Ms. Smoot was able to get a refund plus interest.  In addition, Ms. Smoot assists business owners with audits and appeals with the Department of Labor and Industries for matters related to Industrial Insurance Premiums, including premiums associated with the use of subcontractors and independent contractors.

In addition to her law degree, Ms. Smoot has a Legal Masters Degree (LL.M.) in tax law.  Ms. Smoot is also licensed to practice before the United States Tax Court and is able to provide audit guidance, represent taxpayers in appeals, and negotiate collection alternatives in federal tax matters.

Ms. Smoot is an active member at her church, where she regularly volunteers in the children’s department.  Ms. Smoot and her husband reside in Snohomish County, and enjoy spending time with their young family.

John Curry | Attorney

John’s practice is centered in corporate law, with experience in litigation, corporate governance, business transactions, and regulatory and administrative proceedings. John received his Juris Doctor from the University of Washington School of Law, where he served as an Articles Editor on Washington Law Review and as Vice President of the Moot Court Honor Board. John holds a Bachelor of Science from Haverford College, with a major in Chemistry, and has published scholarship in both legal and scientific journals.

Erik Borgen | Attorney

Erik Borgen is a real estate and natural resources attorney helping businesses and individuals navigate real estate disputes, real estate transactions, and issues concerning water rights.

Prior to joining Adams and Duncan, Erik practiced at a boutique natural resources and Indian law firm in Seattle, advising individual, Tribal, agency, foundation, and corporate clients on matters concerning water rights, shorelines, and stormwater. In addition to his prior legal practice experience, Erik provided strategic advice and technical support as a water rights consultant, assisting clients with buying, selling, transferring, and valuing water rights for a variety of projects throughout the western United States. He is currently licensed to practice in Washington.

Erik graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. in Geography.  Erik received his J.D.  from Willamette University School of Law and his MBA from Willamette’s Atkinson Graduate School of Management. Before law school, Erik worked for a top-rated property and casualty insurance company.

Admissions

Washington State

Jeff Christensen | Attorney

Jeff focuses his practice at Adams & Duncan on real estate, banking, and business law. Jeff’s banking experience includes regulatory compliance on a state and federal level, drafting agreements relating to Bank-FinTech partnerships, and management of active litigation. His real estate experience includes drafting purchase and sale agreements, residential and commercial leases, and resolving boundary line and zoning disputes. He also handles matters related to corporate formation and governance.

 Jeff received his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law, graduating with honors. During law school, Jeff served as Executive Editor of the Gonzaga Journal of International Law, externed with the Honorable Maryann C. Moreno at the Spokane County Superior Court, and worked in-house at a global technology company. Prior to joining Adams & Duncan, Jeff clerked for the Honorable Bruce I. Weiss at the Snohomish County Superior Court.

 Admissions

Washington State

Education

University of Washington, B.A.

Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D.

Bryn Wells-Edwards | Attorney

Bryn Wells-Edwards focuses her practice on Estate Planning and Probate & Trust Administration. Ms. Wells-Edwards assists individuals and families through the process of preparing Wills, Powers of Attorney, Health Care Directives, and Trusts. She also guides clients through the trust and probate administration process.

Ms. Wells-Edwards was raised in Everett and holds B.A.s in Political Science and Communication from the University of Washington. She earned her J.D. from the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law, graduating with honors.

In her free time, Ms. Wells-Edwards enjoys swimming, playing tennis, and traveling.

Judge Ronald L. Castleberry (Ret.) | Of Counsel

After retiring with over 20 years of experience on the Snohomish County Superior Court bench, Judge Castleberry has joined the law firm of Adams & Duncan of counsel and will be available for arbitrations and mediations.

His 20 years as a trial lawyer and 20 years on the bench provide Judge Castleberry tremendous back ground experience to serve in the role of a mediator or arbitrator.  He is able to work effectively with lawyers and their clients to bring their cases to settlement in mediation or efficiently heard and ruled upon via the arbitration process.

To schedule a mediation or arbitration please contact our office:  (425) 339-8556.

Work History:

·      Superior Court Judge for Snohomish County, Washington (1992 - 2012)

·      Newton, Kight, Adams & Castleberry (1986 – 1992) Partner/Attorney

·      Williams, Novack & Hansen (1975 – 1986) Partner/Attorney

·      Snohomish County Public Defender’s Office (1973 – 1975) Director/Attorney

·      Judge Advocate General Corps., Captain United States Army (1969 – 1973) Attorney

Experience:

·      In 1969, was admitted to the Washington State Bar.

·      Served four years as a JAGC Officer where he prosecuted and defended a variety of cases.

·      In 1973, joined the newly founded Snohomish County Public Defender’s Office.

·      After one year, was appointed Director, then joined Williams, Novak & Hansen.  He was the principle litigator for the firm handling a multi-million dollar construction suit for the Snohomish County PUD.  This included the re-licensing of the Sultan River Hydro-Project and related litigation concerning the bidding process, construction claims on the tunnel boring and claims relating to the road building and construction.

·      Represented the Frieman Fund in its insurance defense cases, both personal injury and commercial cases.

·      Represented various local banks, insurance companies, and real estate agencies in their commercial disputes.

·      At Newton, Kight, Adams & Castleberry continued to be the primary litigator of the firm.

·      Was an early participant in the Settement Now Project and was an Arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association.

As a Superior Court Judge, presided over a wide variety of commercial disputes ranging from stockholder directive lawsuits on publicly traded corporations to cross claims in limited partnerships.  Has handled all sorts of real estate litigation from simple purchase and sale defaults to cases involving multi-million dollar developments.  Has handled a number of employment disputes, form wrongful termination to violation of trade secrets.  Simply stated, have seen almost any type of civil claim brought in Superior Court.