Julia Doherty (Associate, Litigation) is enthusiastic about using her litigation skills to assist those most in need. When Julia first learned about Legal Counsel for Youth and Children (LCYC), she felt the opportunity to work with them would be a perfect fit. LCYC protects the interests and safety of youth in Washington state by advancing their legal rights through direct representation, strong community partnerships and systemic advocacy. She was eager to help individuals navigate this process, recognizing that the name-change process can be challenging, especially for those seeking gender-affirming changes. With family members throughout the country who have endured similar name-change journeys, Julia has a vested interest in this process.
The client first connected with LCYC through their local YMCA. After a screening and approval process, the LCYC connected the client with Julia. Julia assisted with the name change petition and related fee waiver petition, drafting and filing each petition. To ensure the client felt comfortable with the process, Julia accompanied them to the final name change court hearing. After the hearing, the client received certified copies of the name change order. Although it took months to schedule the hearing, Julia was happy to coordinate with the client throughout this process. Julia noted that LCYC, especially Pro Bono Manager Lu Jiang, were incredibly helpful in reviewing how the name-change process works in different courts.
In the end, Julia was able to assist the client in changing both their first and middle names to match their gender identity. “As an attorney,” Julia remarked, “I understand how challenging our legal system is to navigate. I strongly believe that it is part of our duty to assist others in navigating this complicated process, especially the most vulnerable members of our society, such as youth and children.”
The Foster Garvey team working on this matter included Cinda Fernald (Counsel, Seattle) and McKenna Filler (Legal Practice Assistant, Seattle). Cinda advised Julia on the scope of the process and McKenna assisted with court communications.
The Foster Garvey Litigation team assists clients across diverse industries. Whatever the dispute, our attorneys work with you to assess your needs and identify key objectives to get you the best possible outcome. Learn more about the team here.
