Huy Nguyen, Executive Director Huy joined BLC in July 2022. He received a law degree from the University of Washington School of Law and he brings over two decades of experience serving as an advocate for social justice. Huy has 16+ years of experience working with clients in the public benefits space at Northwest Justice Project, and spent five years at the University of Washington School of Law, where he was the Director of the W.H. Gates Public Service Law Program. He has taught Public Benefits and Poverty Law at Seattle University and UW School of Law.
Tanner Yamada, Mobile Attorney Tanner joined BLC in 2022 as a mobile attorney. He graduated from the University of Oregon with bachelor’s degrees in History and Philosophy, and received his law degree from the University of Washington School of Law in 2022. As a law student, Tanner participated in clinical programs and internships focusing on issues relating to immigration, criminal defense, and civil legal aid. Tanner aspires to use his legal education to support individuals historically disadvantaged or ignored by the legal system and ensure that legal services are accessible to all types of people.”
Angie Lafave, Development Director Angie joined BLC in December 2021. She leads BLC’s work to engage and steward donors and funders to partner in our work to provide free legal advocacy to the most vulnerable people with physical and mental disabilities. She is passionate about supporting agencies that provide impartial advocacy, legal, economic, and supportive services to marginalized and underrepresented BIPOC communities. Angie has supported King County nonprofits for 13 years, raising millions of dollars to build a more inclusive community through several community based non-profit organizations with missions that support the abilities of people to stay staff and meet their basic needs. Angie holds a B.A. in English and Political Science from Dickinson College, and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).
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Peter Grieser, Interim Legal Director 
Peter joined BLC in January 2019 as a staff attorney. In January of 2020 he became the directing attorney of our Social Security Advocacy Project. He graduated from Seattle University in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science, and received his law degree from the University of Southern California Gould School of Law in 2018. His mission is to use his legal education and skills to empower and passionately advocate for those in the Washington State community who face legal and economic barriers.
Alex Strout, Paralegal 
Alex began working at Benefits Law Center in June of 2020 as a paralegal. He has a Political Science degree from the University of Oklahoma before moving to Seattle to pursue Masters of Social Work at the University of Washington. Alex has experience working for various social service organizations all focused on supporting the basic needs of people living in poverty. The best part of working for BLC is connecting with clients and the community to support their abilities to overcome barriers to economic justice.
Ana Nina, Staff Attorney Ana joined BLC in April of 2022 as a staff attorney. Ana received her JD from Seattle University School of Law in 2021. She holds a PhD from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-RJ) and an LLM from Harvard Law School. She worked with public interest law in the United States and Brazil. Ana believes in using law to remove barriers to more just and sustainable lives for all of us, particularly the most vulnerable.
Kate Means, Staff Attorney 
Kate joined BLC in September 2019 as a temporary paralegal. After passing the bar exam. Kate re-joined the team for the remainder of 2020 as an attorney focused on serving those clients at BLC that have cases born out of the COVID-19 Pandemic to ensure client economic stability and preventing eviction due to a lapse or lack of benefits. In January of 2021, Kate joined our staff on a permanent basis as a staff attorney serving people with all kinds of Social Security problems.
Hillary Lovell MacNealy, DHAP Directing Attorney Hillary joined BLC in February 2022 as the directing attorney of our Disabled Homeless Advocacy Project. She graduated from Kent State University in 2007 with a BA in Political Science and received her JD from the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law in 2011. Hillary was also a visiting law student at the University of South Carolina, where she was a South Carolina Bar Foundation Fellow with Disability Rights South Carolina. Hillary has represented clients in a variety on contexts while in private practice in both South Carolina and Washington, over time narrowing her practice to focus on elder law, guardianship practice, vulnerable adult protection actions, and related litigation. Hillary’s mission is to navigate complex legal systems alongside her clients so that they can feel informed, supported, and empowered.
Maria Quintero, Paralegal Maria joined Benefits Law Center in May 2022. She has a History degree from the University of Washington. She has a background in working with low income and marginalized communities. Coming from a low income community herself, Maria is dedicated to providing services to help folks overcome generational and systemic poverty.
Hannah Schubert, Development & Volunteer Coordinator Hannah joined BLC in July of 2022 as the Development and Volunteer Coordinator. She graduated from the University of Washington with a BA in International Studies, focused on Global Health and Population, and minored in Human Rights and Spanish. Her background includes varying experiences and positions that have furthered her interest in social justice, specialization in human rights, and drive to aid marginalized communities. Her mission is to approach every situation with transparency and authenticity, which will help foster reciprocity in her encounters, and provide a safe and supportive space to those she interacts with.
