Legal Services & Lawyers

A shareholder in Schwabe's Seattle office, Fraser Mendel focuses his practice on corporate law, with special attention to international transactions. Mr. Mendel has extensive experience in the areas of cross-border transactions, direct investment in China, venture capital investments, mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring, international employment issues, technology regulation, and intellectual property. He has over 12 years of experience in international corporate law, including promoting cutting-edge investment and diversification in Asia.

Mr. Mendel advises multinational firms and has built a diverse practice representing companies entering the Greater Chinese market, particularly in technology industries. He has been the driving force for over 100 venture capital financings and mergers and acquisitions, and advises U. S. businesses concerning Chinese regulatory issues, particularly in the areas of direct investment, technology licensing, cross-border partnerships, Cleantech, telecommunications, privacy, and IPR protection. Mr. Mendel, who is fluent in Mandarin Chinese, writes and speaks frequently on issues related to technology and international transactions. Prior to joining Schwabe, Mr. Mendel was Of Counsel at Morrison & Foerster, LLP.

Geniel M. Ashcraft, Esq. has nearly seven years of experience as an estate, tax, and business planning attorney and has helped hundreds of clients complete their estates. Ms. Ashcraft is known for her service, attention to detail, and down to earth manner. Ms. Ashcraft mainly conducts her business through house calls. Her clients find they appreciate the convenience, her easy-to-understand approach, and personal attention.

Geniel started her law practice in July of 2002. Geniel is admitted to practice in both Washington and Utah. She is also admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Western Washington District and the United States District Court of Utah. She is an active member of the Washington and Utah Bar Associations.

In addition to providing service to her own clients, she has worked alongside several investment firms and banks providing their clients with estate planning assistance. She has also spoken at many seminars on estate planning.

She received her Juris Doctorate Degree from the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2001.

Practice areas: tax, business and estate planning.

Advise owners of all types of businesses concerning the formation of new business entities, the acquisition of other businesses or strategic business assets, and the sale or dissolution of the business. Counsel clients in the preparation and negotiation of general business contracts, entity structure, and issues relating to corporate governance.

Personal estate planning.
Advise and prepare wills, trusts, family gifting entities, durable powers of attorney, property agreements, and other estate planning documents. Practice ranges from basic planning for young families to complex trusts, family LLCs, family business succession planning, and charitable giving. Prepare and advise clients regarding estate and gift tax returns.

Bruce S. Davis was born in Bellevue and raised in Seattle and Burien, Washington. He enlisted in the United States Navy in April 1986 as a Seaman Recruit (E-1), completed Boot Camp at Great Lakes Recruit Training Center near Chicago, Illinois, and completed Seaman Apprentice School at Naval Training Center San Diego, California. Seaman Apprentice Davis' first assignment was on board USS McKee (AS 41) at Submarine Base Point Loma, California, followed by duty on board USS Mahlon S. Tisdale (FFG 27) at Naval Station San Diego, California. In 1988, Seaman Davis was selected to attend the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island as a Midshipman Candidate. He left active duty in 1989.

In 1990, Davis joined the Washington Army National Guard as a Private First Class in B Company, 1-803rd Armor, was trained and awarded the 19E MOS (M60 Armor Crewman), and advanced to Specialist. He later transitioned with the battalion to the 19K MOS (M1 Armor Crewman) and upon deactivation of the 1-803rd, Davis was assigned to 1-303rd Armor and the 81st Brigade. In 1996, Specialist Davis transferred to 3-161st Infantry (Mechanized) as a Bradley Fighting Vehicle crewman (11M MOS). Specialist Davis was awarded the Washington Commendation Medal for service with the Joint Forces Headquarters tactical operations center during the Makah whaling protest state active duty call up in Neah Bay, Washington. He served briefly as a Cadet (MS-3) with the ROTC Simultaneous Membership Program at the University of Washington in 1998, remaining with 3-161st Infantry in that capacity until the expiration of his term of service in the Guard in 1999, followed by drills as a Cadet with the 6th JAG Detachment (Legal Support Organization), 70th Reserve Readiness Command, Fort Lawton.

Between 1996 and 2004, Davis completed his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science at the University of Washington, completed his Master of Public Administration at Seattle University's Institute of Public Service, engaged in graduate studies abroad at Uppsala Universitet, Sweden, and completed his Juris Doctorate at the College of William & Mary. After law school and sitting for the Washington State bar exam, Davis returned to the United States Navy, joining the Navy Reserve as a Petty Officer Third Class (E-4), rated Yeoman, on board USS Rodney M. Davis (FFG 60) at Naval Station Everett, Washington. While awaiting the results of his bar exam, Petty Officer Davis was ordered to active duty and deployed to the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans on board USS Rodney M. Davis in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. FFG 60 conducted VBSS (vessel boarding, search and seizure), vessel escort, and resupply missions for land forces engaged in Global War On Terrorism operations. Petty Officer Davis was advanced meritoriously to Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) during this deployment. Upon his return from deployment in 2005, Petty Officer Davis was sworn in as a member of the Washington State Bar, accepted a position as a corporate attorney in Beijing, China, and was selected for advancement to Petty Officer First Class (E-6) before leaving the Navy.

Davis returned to the Washington National Guard in January 2008, receiving his commission as a First Lieutenant, Judge Advocate and was assigned as Command Trial Counsel for the 66th Theater Aviation Command, Fort Lewis. He attended the Judge Advocate Officer Basic Course at the Judge Advocate General's Legal Center and School in Charlottesville, VA, completing the course with distinction in May 2008 on the Commandant's List. Lieutenant Davis completed his Direct Commissioned Officer and Basic Officer Leadership Course at Fort Sill, Oklahoma in June 2008. Upon returning to Washington, Lieutenant Davis volunteered for transfer to the 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, then preparing for deployment to Iraq, and was placed on active duty for special work at Camp Murray supporting the brigade's mobilization, serving as a Legal Assistance Attorney at the Office of the State Judge Advocate, Joint Forces Headquarters, Washington National Guard, Camp Murray, providing legal advice and assistance to deploying members of the 81st Brigade and their families.

Lieutenant Davis deployed with the 81st Brigade in August 2008 as Brigade Trial Counsel. Following post-mobilization training and certification at Fort McCoy, WI and the Brigade's transition into U.S. Army Central Command's Area of Operations via Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Lieutenant Davis was positioned with 1st Battalion, 161 Infantry (CAB) at Joint Base Balad, Iraq. While there, he assumed duties with 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)'s Office of the Staff Judge Advocate (Consolidated Legal Center) as Brigade Trial Counsel for the 304th Sustainment Brigade and Trial Counsel for 3d ESC, while continuing to serve as Brigade Trial Counsel for the 81st Brigade. He was promoted to Captain with a date of rank of 31 March 2009. Captain Davis currently serves as prosecutor for military justice actions arising both at Joint Base Balad and within the 81st Brigade at Ramadi, Iraq.

Captain Davis' awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Washington Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (2 awards), Naval Reserve Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2 awards), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Army Service Ribbon, Navy & Marine Corps Overseas Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy Reserve Sea Service Ribbon, National Guard Service Ribbon (10 years), and Coast Guard Presidential Unit Citation (w/Katrina device).

Captain Davis is married to Ms Moyan Wang, an international business consultant from Beijing. They make their home in Washington State.

The defining principle of my practice is that everyone is entitled to have his or her conduct judged and regulated in accordance with the law, and should not suffer because that conduct fails to accord with someone else's personal opinions, morals, or beliefs.

A client is entitled to straightforward advice expressing the lawyer's honest assessment. Legal advice often involves unpleasant facts and alternatives that a client may be disinclined to confront. That said, in presenting advice, I endeavor to sustain the client's morale and to put advice in as acceptable a form as honesty permits.