Who are we?

The partners of PDC are Sam Sueoka, Peyton Jacobsen, Rowan Laidlaw, and Ariel Bailey!

Ariel Bailey (she/her) is an immigration attorney with extensive experience representing immigrants and their family members in family-based and humanitarian immigration applications. She also has experience defending asylum seekers against deportation inImmigration Court and, more recently, against unlawful detention in federal court. Although she has represented clients from all backgrounds, she has worked most extensively with members of the African diaspora, the LGBTQI+ community, and survivors of violence.

Peyton Jacobsen (she/they) is a movement lawyer. In 2020 she was studying the law and witnessing first hand the brutalization of her friends and neighbors at the hands of SPD during the George Floyd uprisings for racial justice. These experiences shaped her commitment toabolition and movement lawyering. She has spent her years since graduating law school working in indigent defense representation. She practiced for several years as an eviction defense attorney before transitioning to immigration removal defense practice in 2024. Highlights from her time in eviction court include securing funds for a wrongfully evicted client and developing strong relationships with Tacoma’s unprecedented fight for tenant protections.

Sam Sueoka (he/him) is experienced in representing people in state criminal court and federal immigration detention. He previously worked at the King County Public Defenders office where he advocated for people charged with misdemeanor crimes and also represented individuals who were involuntarily held in treatment facilities. Sam handled bail hearings, pre-trial motions to suppress, sentencing hearings, and jury trials. Sam believes that the U.S. legal system was created as a tool to oppress and control the working class and that eventually he would like to live in a world where the legal profession ceases to exist. Sam wishes to use his bar card to help de-mystify the legal system and advocate for people who are currently being subjected to its everyday horrors.

Rowan Laidlaw (she/her) is experienced in representing political activists and indigent clients. She previously worked for the King County Public Defenders office advocating for the release of clients from civil detention. She also represented Palestine liberation activists pro-bono in the Seatac 46 criminal case (2024) and UW33 school disciplinary hearing (2025). Through motions practice, joint defense, and collaborating with activists on legal strategy, all Seatac defendants' criminal charges were dismissed. Students in the UW disciplinary hearing were facing expulsion, but through joint defense and collaboration with student activists, all students are allowed to return to school. These experiences have made Rowan a trusted lawyer within the Seattle organizing community.

Why Now?

Our community in the PNW is experiencing increased repression, impending fascist federal takeover, police brutality of protestors, expansion of surveillance, hostility and violence against Black people and immigrant communities, sweeps of unhoused neighbors, and suppression of pro-Palestine speech. There is a gap in legal services within our community for movement and community aligned direct representation. We recognize the unique and privileged position we hold within existing systems and seek to use our privilege to fight these terrors and stand alongside those who share our fight.

What We Will Do.

●      Representing protestors, organizers, and activists

●      Criminal Defense Against Political Repression

●      Habeas Corpus Litigation

●      Civil Suits to Protect pro-Palestine speech

●      Civil suits against landlords

●      Civil Suits Against police and other government actors

●      FOIA and Mandamus Litigation

●      Removal Defense, Humanitarian and Family Immigration

●      General Criminal Defense

●      General Landlord Tenant Litigation

●      General Civil Litigation 

Competitive analysis: who’s doing something similar?

There is a gap within legal services right now in Washington

ACLU-WA

The ACLU-WA is a prominent non-profit in Washington that specializes in impact litigation.

• The structure of the ACLU makes it difficult to rapidly respond to community needs for direct representation.

NWIRP

The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project is a power house immigrants rights organization that does both impact litigation and direct representation.

• NWIRP only supports cases related to immigration which leaves out representation for criminal defense, housing, and other areas where people are in need of legal support.

Northwest Justice Project

NJP is Washington’s largest civil legal aid organization which offers both direct representation and impact litgation.

NJP however is mainly funded by the government and is bound by Federal regulations. Due to its size, much like the ACLU and NWIRP creates bureaucratic issues such as long waitlists and slow response times.

Private Firms

There are many well-resourced firms with experienced attorneys, taking on big fights.

• Private firms are typically more conservative in what types of cases they are willing to take and often time charge fees that are inaccessible for the everyday person.

These orgs do incredible and necessary work, but none are aimed at offering direct representation to help assist and sustain grassroots community movements.

What’s to come?

We are currently fundraising to help cover launch and operating costs! We have a fundraising goal of $250K and have already raised $80K! The PDC will start to take on new cases in early April. Several of the PDC lawyers are already representing people in both State and Federal court. Your donations will help allow us to continue to do good and necessary work. We would like for you to please help donate or reach out to people in your network about the launch of our firm!

We have put together a "wish list" of specific donation items that we would love your help with. https://www.pdc.law/wishlist-donation We are also accepting general donations.

If you or someone you know is interested in donating to the PDC please email or text!

Email: info@pdc.law

Sincerely,

Sam Sueoka

phone: 808-729-1088

Peyton Jacobsen

Phone: 206-913-7430

Ariel Bailey

Phone: 940-208-8645

Rowan Laidlaw

Phone: 425-736-4918