August 16, 2018
The Platt Irwin Law Firm, Clallam County’s largest private law firm, has dissolved. The firm was founded nearly 100 years ago and has undergone several name changes as members of the firm have changed.
The firm had offices in Port Angeles and Port Townsend. The Port Angeles office, at 403 South Peabody Street is now occupied by former firm partner Stephen Moriarty, and Olympic Peninsula Title Company.
The final partners of the firm were Stephen Moriarty, Simon Barnhart, and Patrick Irwin who was the son of Bart Irwin a former and now retired member of the firm. Stephen Moriarty and Patrick Irwin have opened their own private law firms, and Simon Barnhart is currently working for the Port of Port Angeles.
Former members of the firm included Frank Platt (deceased, 2009), Bart Irwin, Gary Colley, Steve Oliver, S. Brooke Taylor (former president of the Washington State Bar Association), George Wood, David Neupert, David Berger, Allison Mahaney, and Christopher Riffle. Mr. Taylor and Mr. Wood resigned from the firm to serve as Clallam County Superior Court Judges (both retired from the bench). Mr. Neupert retired from the firm in 2015 and is currently running for Clallam County District Court judge (district 1).
Among the firm’s many notable accomplishments, Mr. Colley was involved with the initial creation and operation of the North Olympic Land Trust. Mr. Oliver was involved with the creation of John Wayne Marina in 1969.
The firm had a long history of community involvement, dedicating time and financial resources to groups such as Rotary International, Kiwanis, Chamber of Commerce, Education Foundation, United Way, YMCA, YMCA Youth in Government, Pro Bono Lawyers, North Olympic Land Trust, Clallam County Parks Board, Port Angeles Citizens for Education, Northwest Maritime Center, Wooden Boat Foundation, Olympic Medical Center Foundation, Hurricane Ridge Winter Sports Education Foundation, Boys and Girls Club,Volunteers in Medicine of the Olympics, and the Clallam County Bar Association.
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