Justice in rural and small-town communities depends not only on access to legal services, but on the ability of attorneys and advocates to build sustainable, connected, and supported practices over time. This year’s STAR Summit centers the people who make justice possible and explores what it takes...
Justice in rural and small-town communities depends not only on access to legal services, but on the ability of attorneys and advocates to build sustainable, connected, and supported practices over time. This year’s STAR Summit centers the people who make justice possible and explores what it takes to sustain rural lawyering in the face of workforce shortages, professional isolation, economic pressures, and evolving community needs. Sessions will highlight practical strategies for strengthening rural practice, sharing resources, and building professional and community networks. The Summit will also create intentional space for connection, peer learning, and collaboration, fostering relationships that support attorneys and communities long after the event ends.
This year the STAR Council is partnering with the Access to Justice Board! The Summit will be held at the Central Washington University Student Union and Recreation Center and opens with a hosted reception on the evening of Thursday, June 25, at Gallery One Visual Arts Center in Ellensburg. Lunch will be provided on Friday, June 26, and a final hosted reception will close out the event on Friday afternoon.
Space is limited. $30 registration fee includes two receptions, continental breakfast, and lunch.
LODGING INFORMATION
There are several hotels located in close proximity to Gallery One Visual Arts Center and Central Washington University. Follow the links below to be taken to the information for each hotel.
CHAIRS
Ashley Cummins - Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, WA
Michele Moore - Guardian Community Law, Ellensburg, WA
Gloria Guizar - Seattle University School of Law (JD Candidate), Seattle, WA
Kevin Plachy - Washington State Bar Association, Seattle, WA
KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Justice Helen G. Whitener - Washington Supreme Court, Olympia, WA
FACULTY
Crissy Anderson – Administrative Office of the Courts, Olympia, WA
Mark K. Baumann – Mark K. Baumann Attorney at Law, P.S., Port Angeles, WA
Ashley Cummins – Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, WA
Lesly Diaz-Perez – Familias Fuertes | Strong Families, Legal Technician, LLC, Spokane, WA
Jocelyn Granados – University of Washington School of Law (JD Candidate), Seattle, WA
Fabiola Jimenez – Lawmera, PLLC, Seattle, WA
David Leonhardt – Seitel Systems, Seattle, WA
Michele Moore – Guardian Community Law, Ellensburg, WA
Edwardo Morfin – Morfin Law Firm, PLLC, Kennewick, WA
Tyler O’Brien – The Longhair Lawyer, Ritzville, WA
Camila Quintero – Yakima Sounty Superior Court Intern, Toppenish, WA
Sandra Schilling – Washington State Bar Association, Seattle, WA
Rikki Thompson – Pacific County Superior Court, South Bend, WA
SCHEDULE
Thursday, June 25, 2026
6:00-8:00 p.m. Opening Reception at Gallery One Visual Arts Center 408 N Pearl Street, Ellensburg, WA 98926
Friday, June 26, 2026*
8:00 a.m. Registration Opens with Coffee and Continental Breakfast
8:30 a.m. Opening Remarks by Dr. Cody Stoddard, Chair of the Law and Justice Department at Central Washington University
8:40 a.m. Opening Plenary – Keynote Speaker Justice Helen G. Whitener
9:20 a.m. Break
9:30 a.m. AI for Lawyers: Practical Applications and Everyday Use featuring Familias Fuertes | Strong Families, Legal Technician, LLC founder Lesly Diaz-Perez of, Managing Partner of Seitel Systems LLC David Leonhardt, Guardian Community Law founder Michele Moore, and Longhair Lawyer founder Tyler O’Brien
10:45 a.m. Break
11:00 a.m. Building Community and Strengthening Referral Networks – Panel Discussion with UW School of Law JD Candidate and Class of 2027 Gates Scholar Jocelyn Granados, Lawmera, PLLC founder Fabiola Jimenez, and Morfin Law Firm, PLLC founder Edwardo Morfin
11:45 a.m. Hosted Lunch
1:00 p.m. Ethics in Rural Practice: Unbundled Services, Alternative Payments, and Real-World Challenges featuring Mark K. Baumann, Attorney at Law, P.S., and Washington State Bar Association Professional Responsibility Counsel Sandra Schilling
2:15 p.m. Break
2:30 p.m. Access to Courts in Rural Communities: Barriers and Solutions – Panel Discussion with Associate Director of the Access to Justice Institute at Seattle University School of Law Ashley Cummins, Equity and Access Program supervisor at the Washington State Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) Crissy Anderson, and Superior Court Administrator for Pacific and Wahkiakum Rikki Thompson
3:45 p.m. Closing Remarks by Kari Petrasek, Chair of WSBA STAR Council
4:00 p.m. Wrap-up Social immediately following the program.
5:00 p.m. Adjourn
*Schedule is subject to slight modifications as sessions are confirmed.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS OF THE CONFERENCE:
SILVER SPONSORS
Fette Trust
Columbia Bank
WSBA Solo and Small Practice Section