Board

As a nonprofit corporation, Columbia Legal Services (CLS) is governed by its volunteer Board of Directors. Under the bylaws established by the Board of Directors, the Board must consist of attorneys, client-eligible members, and members at large. Client-eligible members are people who, at the time they become members of the Board, meet the financial eligibility criteria that CLS clients must meet to receive services; these Board members represent the client community on the Board.

Current members of the CLS Board of Directors:

  • Brenda Carlstrom lives in Hoquiam. She is a client-eligible Board member. She has been a CLS Board member since 1997 and is involved in numerous boards and activities regarding the rights of people living with disabilities. She served on the state’s Home Care Quality Authority and will be serving on the Governor’s Committee on Disability Issues and Employment.
  • Cecile Greenway works at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and lives in Port Angeles. She previously directed health and social services programs for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. She has been a CLS Board member since 1996, and has been involved in many other community activities.
  • Henry Haas is an attorney practicing in Tacoma, WA. He has been a CLS Board member since 1996. He helped found and works closely with the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association’s pro bono program.
  • Will Halpin is an attorney practicing in Yakima, WA. He has been on the CLS Board since 1996. He is currently President of the Yakima County Bar Association.
  • Michael Hanbey is an attorney practicing in Olympia, WA. He has been a CLS Board member since 1996 and has been involved in many community and bar activities.
  • Paul B. Mack is an attorney practicing in Spokane, WA. He has been a CLS Board member since 2001. He is a former President of the Spokane County Bar Association.
  • Carmen Mireles lives and works in Granger for Radio KDNA. She is a client-eligible Board member. She has been on the CLS Board since 2007 and has been involved with many community projects including Amigas Unidas and Radio KDNA.
  • Brenda Morbauch lives in Skokomish, on the Skokomish Reservation. She is a client-eligible Board member. She has been a CLS Board member since 2007 and is involved in many civic activities.
  • Robert Patrick is an attorney practicing in Pullman, WA. He has been a CLS Board member since 1996 and has been an active member of many community organizations.
  • Rick Potter is an attorney practicing in Vancouver, WA. He has been a CLS Board member since 1996. He has been involved in many access to justice activities, including serving on the board of Legal Aid for Washington Fund.
  • Linda Strout is an attorney and is Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Port of Seattle. She has been a CLS Board member since 2002. She is a past President of the King County Bar Association and currently serves on the King County Bar Foundation and the Seattle University Law School Alumni Board.
  • Gordon Wilcox is a lawyer practicing in Seattle, WA. He has authored and co-authored several chapters of the Washington State Bar Association Deskbook in his field of practice. He has been on the CLS Board since 1996 and was on the board of Evergreen Legal Services before that.

Upcoming Board Meetings:

June 7, September 6, December 6