Awards and Recognitions

Over the years, our attorneys at Stritmatter Whelan Kessler Coluccio (SKWC) have earned local and national recognition for our success as trial lawyers and as fierce advocates for our personal injury clients. We appreciate the accolades. And we vow to continue fight for justice for those who have been wronged.

Our active involvement in legal associations helps us strengthen our craft and foster growth in others. We are proud of the accomplishments listed below and remain humble in our endeavors, despite the fact that few Pacific Northwest law firms can match this level of talent.  We are honored to be the Washington personal injury law firm with the highest number of Super Lawyers.

Awards

Washington State Association for Justice (formerly “WSTLA”) Trial Lawyer of the Year Award

  • Paul L. Stritmatter
  • Keith L. Kessler
  • Karen Koehler
  • Leonard Schroeter

Washington State Association for Justice (formerly “WSTLA”) President's Award

  • Paul Stritmatter
  • Karen Koehler

Washington State Association for Justice (formerly “WSTLA”) Alvin Anderson Award

  • Paul Stritmatter
  • SKWC, the entire firm as one recipient

Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Outstanding Plaintiff's Lawyer Award

  • Keith L. Kessler

Accomplishments

President, Washington State Bar Association

  • Paul L. Stritmatter

President, Washington State Association for Justice (formerly “Washington State Trial Lawyer's Association”)

  • Paul L. Stritmatter
  • Keith L. Kessler
  • Leonard Schroeter
  • Karen Koehler

Champion of Justice, Highest Award given by Public Justice (formerly “Trial Lawyers for Public Justice”)

National President, Trial Lawyers for Public Justice

  • Paul L. Stritmatter

Firm listed as “First Tier” national law firm in US News America’s Best Law Firms
Washington State Association for Justice Lifetime Achievement Award

  • Paul L. Stritmatter

Listed in "Best Lawyers in America":

  • Paul L. Stritmatter
  • Paul W. Whelan
  • Keith L. Kessler
  • Leonard Schroeter
  • Karen Koehler

Washington Law & Politics 2010 Super Lawyers

  • Paul Stritmatter
  • Keith Kessler
  • Paul Whelan
  • Kevin Coluccio
  • Karen Koehler
  • Brad Moore

Washington Law & Politics 2010 Top 10 Super Lawyers

  • Paul Stritmatter

Washington Law & Politics 2010 Top 100 Super Lawyers

  • Paul Stritmatter
  • Keith Kessler
  • Paul Whelan
  • Kevin Coluccio
  • Karen Koehler

Washington Law & Politics 2008 - 2010 Top 50 Female Super Lawyers

  • Karen Koehler

American Association for Justice (AAJ)

  • Karen Koehler, Washington State Delegate, Minority Caucus Delegate

Public Justice, WA State Coordinator: Brad J. Moore
American Board of Trial Advocates (invitation-only)

  • Paul Stritmatter (WA Chapter Trial Lawyer of the Year)
  • Paul W. Whelan (WA Chapter Trial Lawyer of the Year)
  • Keith L. Kessler (WA Chapter President)
  • Karen Koehler

American College of Trial Lawyers (invitation-only)

  • Paul L. Stritmatter
  • Keith L. Kessler
  • Karen Koehler

Damage Attorneys Round Table (invitation-only)

  • Paul L. Stritmatter (Past-President)
  • Keith L. Kessler (Past-President)
  • Leonard Schroeter

U of WA, School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Trial Advocacy, Karen Koehler
Clerk for Washington Supreme Court Justices

  • Paul W. Whelan (Justice Robert C. Finley)
  • Paul L. Stritmatter (Justices Matthew Hill and Charles Stafford)
  • Keith L. Kessler (Justice Robert C. Finley)

Washington State Supreme Court Jury Instructions Committee

  • Garth L. Jones
  • Paul L. Stritmatter
  • Keith L. Kessler

Recent Pacific Northwest Injury Law Advocate Blog Headlines

Think About This the Next Time You Look at a Wine Bottle

Posted on 30 January 2012

SKWC attorney, Ray Kahler, recently wrote an article for Trial News. In brief, Ray discusses the importance of adopting safer... Read more


Super Lawyer's National Blog Spotlights Karen Koehler & Her Blog

Posted on 19 January 2012

SKWC's very own Karen Koehler continues to gain recognition far and wide for her unique brand of blogging. Super Lawyers... Read more


Parents of 2 Year Old Who Died from Tylenol Sue Johnson & Johnson

Posted on 13 January 2012

On July 22, 2010, Daniel and Katy Moore of Ellensburg, Wash., say they gave their 2-year-old son, River Moore, Very Berr... Read more


Steven C. Gonzalez, Newest WA Supreme Court Justice Sworn in

Posted on 10 January 2012

A little bit of history was made yesterday, as Steven C. Gonzalez was sworn in as the newest Washington State Supreme Court j... Read more


Recent SKWC Spinal Cord Injury Blog Headlines

The story of Toby Forrest

Posted on 6 November 2011

A young musician named Toby had a diving accident.  He became a C5 quadriplegic.  This movie tells Toby's inspirat... Read more


Being paralyzed doesn't mean being pain free

Posted on 4 October 2011

22 years ago, Kurt Gengenbach became a C4 quadriplegic during a senior high school hockey game.  He went in for a ... Read more


Sponataneous recovery after SCI

Posted on 25 September 2011

Almost all people who sustain a SCI show some recovery of motor function below the initial spinal injury level. The spontaneo... Read more


Doctors told her parents she wouldn't live past age 14

Posted on 22 September 2011

Janet Barnes was born with a broken neck in 1928.  Doctors told her parents she wouldn't live past age 14.  Janet m... Read more