Board of Trustees

Vice President: Nathan Petersen
Phone: (360) 326-4577
Email: nathan@theprlawfirm.com

Nathan Petersen's practice focuses primarily on family law, including dissolutions, custody issues, child support, modifications of parenting plans, and minor guardianships. Nathan is originally from Spokane, Washington. He received his undergraduate degree from BYU and attended law school at the University of Houston in Texas. He practiced in Texas for a few years after law school, but moved back to the Pacific Northwest in 2011. Nathan is married with three wonderful children. He loves playing guitar, soccer, and reading in his spare time.

Secretary: Le Ann Larson
Phone: (564) 397-2265
Email: leann.larson@clark.wa.gov

Le Ann Larson has worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for 25 years.  She has worked in the child support division for nearly 20 years and her practice is devoted to securing financial support for children.  She volunteers her time to serve on boards and committees that advocate for the rights of those living with developmental disabilities.  Autism awareness is a passion for her. Le Ann is the former VLP President and Liaison to the CCBA.  She graduated from Washington State University (Go Cougs!) and Willamette University College of Law.  Le Ann and her husband, Rob, have two sons.

Treasurer: Ben Melnick
Phone: (360) 695-4244
Email: benm@WahingtonOregonLawyers.com

Ben Melnick joined Schauermann Thayer Jacobs Staples & Edwards in 2018, and he became a partner in 2020.  He graduated from Washington State University with a Bachelor's degree in 2010, and went on to earn his Juris Doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law.  In 2016, he was named as the Clark County Bar Association's Rising Star.  His practice focuses on personal injury, auto, motorcycle, and biking accidents, premises liability, products liability, wrongful death, and insurance disputes.  Outside work, Ben likes spending time with his family, running, playing soccer, hiking, and skiing.

Trustee: Owen Sutanto
Phone: (360) 436-6403
Email: osutanto@barrarlaw.com

Owen is an attorney at Vancouver Defenders and practices criminal defense and minor guardianship representation in Clark County. Owen is licensed in California where he practiced personal injury in Los Angeles before moving to the Pacific Northwest and has been licensed and practicing in Washington since 2020. He is also currently the Vice President of the CCBA Young Lawyers Section. In 2021, he was the treasurer of the Young Lawyers Section and an at large member of the WSBA Animal Section. In his spare time, Owen enjoys rescuing chickens and spoiling them rotten.

Trustee: Ryan Busby
Phone: (360) 949-2140
Email: ryan@busbylaw.com

My legal practice is focused primarily on misdemeanor criminal defense and parent representation in dependencies. In addition, I have extensive experience assisting persons with criminal convictions to restore their rights and get out from under the constraints of prior convictions. I have gained extensive experience navigating the criminal justice systems of southwest Washington, practicing in Clark and Cowlitz Counties.

Raised in rural northern California, I grew up enjoying the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. After obtaining my bachelor's degree from Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California, I decided to move north and attended Gonzaga University School of Law where I graduated magna cum laude in 2012.

Following my first year of law school, I interned with the Spokane County Office of Public Defense, assisting in the representation of defendants facing serious felony charges. During the second half of my law school career, I worked for a Landlord Tenant attorney as a rule 9 intern preparing, filing and arguing 40-60 unlawful detainers each month. In addition, I worked as an intern for the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division 3. While waiting for my bar results, I interned at the Shasta County District Attorney's office in Redding, California. I then moved back north to be near my now wife, who is a Clark County native.

When I am not practicing law, I spend my time camping, golfing, and riding atv's.

Trustee: Marla Rapp
Phone: (360) 695-5313
Email: marla@ccvlp.org

Marla is the Managing Attorney for the Survivor Support program with the Clark County Volunteer Lawyers. Her practice includes family law and domestic violence/sexual assault protection orders.

Marla was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She graduated from Stanford University and then attended law school at UCLA. Marla started her legal practice in business litigation and entertainment law in Los Angeles before moving to Vancouver. Marla has been an active member of the Family Law Section of the CCBA and participates on the CCBA's Hearsay Committee and The George and Donald Simpson Inns of Court. In 2023 Marla was awarded the CCBA?s "Dean Langsdorf Family Law Attorney of the Year."

Outside of work Marla finds joy in the time she can spend with her children and friends, hiking with her energetic Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, camping, skiing and exploring fun local restaurants and bars.

Trustee: Courtney Mendoza (she/her)
Phone: (360) 326-4577
Email: Courtney@thePRlawfirm.com

Courtney Mendoza has been working as a family law attorney with Petersen Rothermel Law Firm since late-2021. She began sitting as a Pro Tem Judge for Clark County District Court in 2022 and for Battle Ground Municipal Court in 2023. Prior to practicing family law, Courtney spent three years as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney with Clark County, handling cases involving misdemeanors, felonies, juveniles, and domestic violence. Born and raised in Southern California, Courtney graduated from Northern California's UC Davis in 2015, returned to Southern California to graduate summa cum laude in 2018 from Western State College of Law, and moved to Washington State a few weeks later. During law school, Courtney interned/externed for the Sexual Assault and Homicide Units of the Orange County District Attorney's Office, and clerked for an Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Menninger ? who presided over felony criminal trials and Sexually Violent Predator civil commitment hearings at the time. Courtney is licensed to practice in Washington and California (currently inactive in CA). She is passionate about ensuring accessible equitable justice for everyone. Courtney participates in CCBA's DEI Committee, Hearsay Committee, JEC/Forum Committee, and wherever else she can help out. In 2024, Courtney was awarded the CCBA's "Service to the CCBA" award. Outside of work, you'll find Courtney spending time with her husband and dogs, visiting with friends, playing card/video/board games, attending live concerts, camping, or crafting!