Representing Our Community Since 1959

A Trusted Law Firm

Our firm has served Lynnwood, Seattle, Everett, and the surrounding areas of Washington since 1959. We have held long relationships with many of our clients; we are proud that people trust us enough to return to us as new legal issues arise, and to refer their friends and family to us as well.

We are ready to stand beside you and meet your legal needs, including those related to estate planning, probate and trust administration, and real estate law.

Riach Gese Jacobs PLLC is led by attorney Michael P. Jacobs, with support from those profiled below. We invite you to read our bios to learn a bit about us individually.

To find out how we can help, please email or call us at 425-329-7857. We offer consultations in person and virtually, according to what is best for your situation.

Attorneys

Michael P. Jacobs

Michael P. Jacobs graduated from the University of Washington in 1988 and obtained his law degree from the University of Puget Sound in 1993. While at the University of Puget Sound, Mike was on the Board of Directors of the U.P.S. Law Review, and he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He is also a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers’ Association and the King County and Snohomish County Bar Associations.

Mike began his career as a litigator prosecuting for the City of Lynnwood. While prosecuting for the City, he participated in and conducted all manner of trials and hearings. He also handled the administrative hearings for the drug asset forfeitures in South Snohomish County. This early experience provided an exceptional legal foundation and opportunity to participate in numerous trials, court hearings, and administrative hearings. Mike has parlayed the solid foundation into a thriving and successful civil litigation practice emphasizing probate and trust administration and litigation; estate planning; real estate transactions; contract creation, review and litigation; and construction litigation.

Avvo Rating | 10.0 | Michael P. Jacobs | Top Attorney

Courtney Whitmore Wyckoff

Courtney Whitmore Wyckoff graduated with a BA in English from Whitman College in 1997. In 2002, she earned her law degree from the University of Oregon, where she was an editor on the Law Review, a participant in moot court, and a competitor in the National Appellate Advocacy Competition in San Francisco.

Courtney’s early legal experience includes insurance defense litigation and the complex litigation of class-action lawsuits. Today, she continues to represent civil litigation cases as well as probate matters.

When not in a court of law, Courtney might be found playing tennis or with the neighborhood book club discussing their latest read.

Staff

Judy Knickerbocker
Paralegal

Judy graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts in 2005, received her Advanced Paralegal Certificate from Edmonds Community College in 2007, and has worked as a paralegal since then, joining our firm in 2014. She specializes in trust and probate administration – from simple to complex – bringing to it her experience with guardianships, estate planning, and real estate legal matters.

Judy enjoys spending time with her two children, gardening, making quilts for foster children, and sewing – often her own designs and with upcycled materials.

Janet Russell
Paralegal

Janet’s career in the legal profession began in 1983 and has steadily advanced in various legal support roles since that time. She has worked in King and Snohomish county courts and also worked as Clerk for the Ocean Shores Municipal Court in Grays Harbor County.

Janet has worked as a paralegal at our firm intermittently since 2002 and returned to us fulltime in 2021. Janet currently focuses on our probate practice, bringing to it her experience in the areas of guardianship, estate planning, real estate transfers, corporations/LLCs, and litigation.

In her free time, Janet enjoys time with family and friends; growing and preserving vegetables and fruits; long road trips; extended visits with friends at the ocean; reading and crocheting; and attending car racing events of various kinds.

Christie Blackston
Paralegal

Christie obtained her Associate of Technical Arts degree in Paralegal Studies at Edmonds College in 2023 and joined our firm soon thereafter. She has enhanced her legal education by volunteering as a court-appointed advocate for children in the dependency system (CASA), gaining experience with conducting legal research, drafting legal documents, adhering to Court rules and deadlines, and organizing case information – electronic and physical.

At our firm, Christie focuses on probate and guardianship matters and has determined that elder law is her favorite area of practice, influenced by her close relationships with the elders in her family.

Outside of the office, Christie will be found spending time with her family; playing cards and board games; tending her flower and vegetable gardens; roller skating; or grabbing a quiet moment for reading or writing.

Christian Warren
Paralegal

Christian earned his BA from the University of Washington, cum laude, in 2017 and his Certificate in Paralegal Studies from the U.W. in 2019. He joined our firm in 2024 and focuses on support for estate planning, probate, guardianships, and litigation.

Christian has an array of interests from ballroom dancing to boxing. These days you are most likely to find him engaged with his flourishing family life.

Louise Williams
Paralegal

Louise has been a paralegal with our firm since 2006 and has experience in estate planning, small estate administrations, community property clearances, corporate and LLC formations, and real estate matters.

She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and completed her Advanced Paralegal Certificate at Edmonds Community College.

Louise enjoys swimming, running, kayaking, and hiking with her family and friends.

Vern Seather
In Memoriam

Vern J Seather practiced law from 1966 until 2013, when health concerns encouraged his retirement. During those years, Mr. Seather handled an array of general practice matters and created estate plans for many clients. He was involved with the community and Rotary services for many years and established long term relationships with his clients and the community. Mr. Seather passed away in 2022. His calm and thoughtful care of our clients will be missed.