Why “Higher Ground” Law?

Raised on a wheat farm, I spent my formative years in the vast and beautiful plains of rural Eastern Washington State. I learned a deep respect for nature and humanity and the importance of always choosing the right way, which may not always be the easy way. The farm was originally homesteaded by my great-grandfather Alfred Teel, around 1900, and the land is still in my family to this day. My parents named the farm – Higher Ground Ranch, and my late father designed the logo symbolizing the rolling wheat fields that we held so dear (pictured below).

I am proud of the way I was raised on that farm, with a strong work ethic, tenacity, and a solid education, all of which helped make me the person I am today. When I founded my law firm and contemplated it's mission, it was natural to name the firm Higher Ground Law, in honor and memory of the farm and of my family. Beyond the deeply personal and nostalgic meaning of the name, I’m also proud of what the name brings to mind. When one thinks of “Higher Ground,” I hope they envision ethical, practical, and grounded reasoning, core tenets of how I strive to practice law and serve my clients each day.