Smith Freed Eberhard had a wonderful time at the 2024 PLRB Claims Conference in Boston! The conference proved to be a great event for networking, education, and fostering valuable connections. The Portland and Seattle Partners are grateful for the opportunity to talk with everyone who visited our booth and in the educational sessions. Our team also enjoyed connecting with our peers at our firm-hosted happy hour. Managing Partner Bill Taaffe, Partners Cliff Wilson, Melanie Rose, Brian Schiewe, Melanie Gillette, and SFE Marketing team attended this year ..read more

Ashley Nagrodski demonstrates more than 10 years of exceptional talent at Smith Freed Eberhard and joins the SFE Equity Partners in 2024. Ashley says, “I am honored and excited to join the Equity Partnership at SFE, and to be given a leadership role in helping to grow this firm. SFE has an excellent reputation as one of the premier civil defense firms in the PNW, and I look forward to expanding that reputation and recognition beyond the Washington and Oregon defense communities.” Ashley is based in our Seattle, WA office and plays an integral role in the firm’s Commercial Liability Defe ..read more

Please join us in welcoming Matthew Hebert, Alexandra Jansky, and Melvin van Hurck, our newest Associate Attorneys at Smith Freed Eberhard's Portland, OR office! Matthew Hebert is an Associate Attorney licensed in Oregon. His practice primarily focuses on Personal Lines. Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, Matthew grew up in Dundee, Oregon. When he’s not working, he spends time with his wife and his very active toddler. Matthew and his wife also recently welcomed a newborn. Fun fact: In addition to studying for the bar, Matthew spent his summer watching the Women's World Cup and Leagues ..read more

Smith Freed Eberhard's Portland and Seattle offices celebrated at their annual Holiday parties! Our Charity Committee raffled off prizes and all donations went directly to our charity of the year, ReWa (Refugee Women’s Alliance). The offices enjoyed fantastic evenings together to wrap up a successful year! Portland Office Holiday Party at the Hilton Skyline Room Seattle Office Holiday Party and Gift Exchange at The Whiskey Bar ..read more

Please join us in welcoming Maritza Fernandez, our newest Associate Attorney at Smith Freed Eberhard's Seattle, WA office! Maritza is an Associate Attorney licensed in Washington. Her practice focuses in commercial liability defense, personal lines, and construction & development. Maritza graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 2022. Prior to that, she graduated with a B.A. in History from the University of Washington in 2019. Before joining Smith Freed Eberhard, Maritza worked as a legal writer and she also interned at the Children and Youth Law Clinic in Miami, where sh ..read more

Smith Freed Eberhard sponsor table at the 2023 Oregon CPCU Society's Industry Day (I-Day)! Partners Cliff Wilson and Melanie Rose attended the annual educational seminar and enjoyed networking with the insurance community ..read more

Please join us in welcoming Michaila Messenger, our newest Associate Attorney at Smith Freed Eberhard's Portland, OR office! Michaila is an associate attorney licensed in Oregon. She works primarily on the commercial lines practice team. Michaila obtained her Graduate Diploma in Comparative Law and J.D. from Louisiana State University. Prior to that, she obtained her undergrad with a Bachelor of Science in Coastal Environmental Science at Louisiana State University. Before joining Smith Freed Eberhard, Michaila practiced family law. From her initial interview, she says she was immediately dr ..read more

Smith Freed Eberhard is pleased to announce that 6 lawyers have been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers has earned the respect of the profession, the media, and the public as the most reliable, unbiased source of legal referrals. Its first international list was published in 2006 and has grown to provide lists in over 75 countries. Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic r ..read more

Smith Freed Eberhard’s 2023 annual attorney retreat! We enjoyed team-building activities including a “Family Feud” trivia game, golfing and sightseeing along the coast. Both our Portland and Seattle offices got together for a fun retreat in Long Beach, WA this year ..read more

Please join us in welcoming Alex Robertson, our newest Associate Attorney at Smith Freed Eberhard's Portland, OR office! Alex is an associate attorney licensed in Oregon. He works primarily on the commercial lines and construction defect practice teams, with specialized areas such as jobsite injury, premises liability, subcontractors and more. Alex graduated from Willamette University College of Law. Prior to that, he obtained his undergrad with a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering from Oregon State University. Before joining Smith Freed Eberhard, Alex's worked in general constructio ..read more