Adrian Urquhart Winder Receives Pepper Schubert Barer Award from Pro Bono & Community Service Committee
Adrian Urquhart Winder received the Pepper Schubert Barer Award from the Pro Bono & Community Service Committee, awarded in May 2024 at the Foster Garvey Attorney Retreat in Portland, Oregon.
Adrian is a principal in Foster Garvey’s Seattle office with more than 15 years of experience representing public agencies and public clients in trial and appellate litigation. Adrian regularly partners with the Family Violence Appellate Project (“FVAP”) to help domestic violence survivors navigate the appellate court system and shape Washington law. Since 2021, Adrian has dedicated over 200 hours to pro bono and community service-related projects.
The Pro Bono & Community Service Committee recognized Adrian’s work on a number of pro bono projects, but called out two in particular: she supervised Andrea Bradford’s work in Blevins v. ATF, a FOIA case referred to the firm by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington’s pro bono office, and she led the team handling a domestic abuse survivor’s appeal, referred to the firm by FVAP. Adrian's extensive appellate experience shone through as she meticulously presented the case, shedding light on the ex-husband's abusive use of litigation. She argued that the tort action was primarily an act of retribution against the client and all those associated with the court's findings in the divorce matter.
Adrian logged more than 100 hours on that appeal alone and mobilized a team of six other attorneys to assist in the effort. The team’s efforts culminated in a big, newsworthy win, with a Washington State appeals court upholding against challenging the constitutionality of Washington’s new Abusive Litigation – Domestic Violence statute.
Kelly Mennemeier, who worked with Adrian on the case, stated, “…over the past year-plus, she’s enthusiastically taken on seemingly any pro bono project pitched to her and [has] really taken ownership of them.”
Impressed by Adrian’s work, FVAP has now referred more appeals to Foster Garvey. Shortly after receiving the Pepper Schubert Barer Award, FVAP also recognized her as their Advocacy Champion of the Year.
Adrian is a model firm citizen who displays leadership qualities in a variety of ways. Although she is a shareholder with a growing practice, she still makes time for substantial and high-profile pro bono work. She is a dedicated mentor, both formally on the Professional Development Committee (“PDC”) and informally to many of the junior Seattle litigators. We congratulate and applaud Adrian for her exceptional service.