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BIO

Jeff assists small businesses, non-profit organizations, and individuals with transactional, corporate, estate planning, and probate issues.  Jeff also dedicates his practice to helping business owners, nonprofit boards, and individuals, who identify as Black, Indigenous, and/or People of Color ("BIPOC"), navigate barriers within the legal system with an ally.

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He is also an adjunct law professor at Seattle University School of Law where he has taught law students on Taxation of Nonprofit Organizations, Taxation of LLCs and Partnerships, and Corporate Taxation.

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Jeff's grandfather served the U.S. as a Merchant Mariner during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. His grandmother risked her life so that her two children (Jeff's father and uncle) could escape war in Shanghai, China and find a home in San Francisco, California.  
 
As a small business owner for over 40 years in San Francisco, Jeff's father made custom electrical boxes and sheet metal products for restaurants, government transportation projects, and builders. Jeff's mother helped raise seven kids by making wigs for customers to support her family.

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Continuing the deep-rooted tradition of service, Jeff uses a client-centered approach that focuses on listening with empathy, explaining legal concepts to clients, and collaborating with clients and opposing parties to solve problems.

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EDUCATION

• B.A., Political Science and Economics, University of California at Davis, 2000

• J.D., Seattle University School of Law, 2007

• LL.M (Taxation), New York University School of Law, 2008

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BAR ADMISSIONS

• Washington, 2008

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REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

• Entity Formation and Planning:  Help business owners protect their business and their personal assets

• Ownership Disputes:  Resolve disputes among owners of a business

• Commercial Leases:  Explain, interpret, and negotiate commercial lease

• Sales and Purchases of Businesses:  Help business owners buy a new business or sell their business

• Real Estate Purchase, Finance, and Development: Assist real estate developers with purchasing real estate from private owners and public agencies or entities

• Estate Planning:  Help families plan for life changing events

• Probate: Help families recover form the death of a loved one

• Family Disputes:  Provide culturally competent advice and guidance to assist in resolving a family dispute

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PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

• Speaker, ABA Business Law School Section Spring Meeting: Pro Bono Roundtable (April 28, 2023)

• Trainer, United Way of King County, Project LEAD, "Managing Risk: The Legal Implications of Board Service" (March 2021, 2022, and 2023)

• Speaker, Federal Bar Association, Washington State Chapter "Combatting Hate Crimes: The Role of Lawyers and the Legal System" (March 8, 2023)

• Speaker, myLawCLE, “Navigating Tax Issues in Real Estate: A legal perspective” (February 2023) 

• Speaker, Kin On Health Care Center, "Estate Planning: How to care for your family after you pass away" (September 2022)

• Trainer, United Way of King County, Project Lead, Managing Risks (March 2021 and March 2022)

• Speaker, WSBA Legal Lunchbox Series: Understanding Systemic Racism in the Law (March 30, 2021)

• Speaker, WA Nonprofits and Communities Rise, Economic Aid Act, PPP 2.0 (January 21, 2021)

• Speaker, WA Nonprofits and Communities Rise, COVID-19 & Nonprofits (July 22, 2020)

• Speaker, Korean American Bar Association CLE on Employment Law + PPP (June 30, 2020)

• Speaker, Advocacy for Nonprofits: Back to Basics (Wayfind, May 16, 2019)

• Guest Lecturer, The Law and Ethics of Community Building in Private, Public, and Nonprofit Entities COMMLD 550 (University of Washington Communication Leadership Graduate Program, May 15, 2019 and May 15, 2022)

• Speaker, Launching a Successful Law Practice (Seattle University School of Law, February 27, 2019)

• Speaker, Best Practices for Non-Profits (Friends of the Washington State Parks Foundation, October 16, 2018)

• Speaker, Professional Development and Office Management (Washington State Bar Association, May 31, 2016)

• Speaker, Using Project Management Principles in Law (Seattle Univ. School of Law, July 21, 2015

• Author, Purchase and Sale of a Small Business, Washington Lawyer’s Practice Manual (2014)

• Author, A “Tax Toolkit” for Small Businesses, Coast River Business Journal

• Author, Codification of the Economic Substance Doctrine (WSBA Tax Newsletter)

• Author, Gordon Hirabayashi: An American Case, (King County Bar Association News – Jan. 1, 2010)

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AWARDS AND PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES​

• National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, Pro Bono Service Award, 2022

• Asian Bar Association of Washington, Community Service Award, 2022

• Seattle University School of Law, Public Service Award, 2022

• President, Asian Bar Association of Washington Student Scholarship Foundation (2017 to Present)

• President, Asian Counseling and Referral Service (President 2020 to 2022, Board Member - 2013 to 2019)

• Co-Chair, Seattle Chinatown-International District Business Improvement Area (2019 to Present)

• President, Asian Bar Association of Washington (President – 2011, Board Member - 2007 to 2010)

• Basketball Coach, Seattle Asian Sports Club (2001 to 2017)

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