DHAP Directing Attorney Apply today to join our team.
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).
Alex KF Doolittle, Executive Director 
Alex became BLC’s executive director in July 2009 after representing hundreds of people in Social Security matters as directing attorney at BLC. Alex graduated from Pacific Lutheran University with a B.A. in Women’s Studies and Anthropology, and from the University of North Dakota School of Law. As a law student, Alex was the Student Director of the UND Law Clinical Education Program. Alex utilizes her law degree as a tool to give a voice to individuals and entities that traditionally have not had a voice in the law. She has worked to help clients stand-up for their rights in state and federal court as well as in administrative venues to enforce the First Amendment, the ADA, WA Growth Management Act, WA Shoreline Management Act, and the Social Security Act.
Staff Attorney Apply today to join our team!
Peter Grieser, SSAP Directing Attorney 
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.
Ana
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.
