Best Law Firms in Washington for Litigation - Labor and Employment
Lukins & Annis was established in 1972 when Scott Lukins and Gene Annis combined their tax and litigation practices. What began with eight attorneys and twelve staff members has grown into one of the larger law firms in Spokane, serving individuals, businesses, and organizations throughout the Inland Northwest from three office locations.
Gene Annis
Gene Annis was born and raised in Shelby, Montana. He graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1959 and later earned a degree in Advanced Studies in Environmental Law from Lewis & Clark Law School. Before co-founding Lukins & Annis in 1972, Gene began his legal career with Hamblen, Gilbert and Brooke in 1960. In 1962, he formed a partnership with George Shields and Eldon Reiley under the name Shields, Reiley and Annis. Two years later, the firm became Reiley and Annis, and later Smitty Myers — former dean of Gonzaga Law School, U.S. Attorney, and Federal Magistrate — joined the partnership, which became Myers, Reiley and Annis.
Throughout his career, Gene was known for his commitment to clients, the legal profession, and the Spokane community.
Gene retired from the practice of law in 2011. He enjoyed spending time with his wife, nine children, and fifteen grandchildren. Gene Annis passed away in Spokane, Washington, in October 2019.
Scott Lukins
Scott Lukins was born and raised in the Palouse region of Washington State. He graduated from Harvard University in 1951 and from the University of Washington School of Law in 1954. From 1955 to 1957, Scott served in the U.S. Army. Prior to co-founding Lukins & Annis in 1972, he practiced with Witherspoon, Kelley, Davenport & Toole and later became a principal with Butler & Lukins.
Scott was active in the Spokane community and served on numerous boards and civic organizations. In 2004, Scott and his wife, Betty, established the Scott & Betty Lukins Fund to support the arts, the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, and public radio and television.
Scott Lukins passed away in Spokane, Washington, in April 2010 at the age of 81.
We formed Summit Law Group to revolutionize the way legal services are provided to law firm customers. Most law firms practice the same way that they did 25 years ago. Those firms focus on lawyers, not customers. Their practice model relies on large numbers of people billing large numbers of hours, often without regard for the value of the work to the customer.
We reject that model. We believe that the market for legal services has dramatically changed in the last decade. Our mission is to think creatively and proactively in formulating the most effective and efficient solutions to your legal needs.
Summit Law Group achieves great results with small, efficient and creative teams. Every person at Summit Law Group is a legal professional who shares in the firm's success, and every lawyer is an equity owner of our business. As a result, everyone on your Summit team personally feels a sense of ownership, responsibility and accountability to our customers unparalleled at other firms. We strive to eliminate the inherent inefficiencies of traditional law firm practice, such as a leveraged partner/associate hierarchy, in order to focus exclusively on you, our customer.
This model has been proven over the years by our success with a broad variety of complex legal issues, success that has created loyal, enthusiastic customers. Summit Law Group is committed to building working partnerships with our customers and delivering the highest caliber work product with entrepreneurial vigor.