Virtual In-House Counsel - Kristian Hedine, Diane Corbett and Karen Dobbins

Kristian Hedine:

Kristian E. Hedine feels that every business deserves access to legal services that emulate "in-house counsel" convenience. We are on your desk top instead of down the hall, but the results can be just as effective.

Kris grew up in Walla Walla with his four siblings, the son of a local physician. He attended U of W in Seattle and then University of Kansas School of Law, earning his J.D., Doctor of Jurisprudence, in 1982. Kris has been in private practice since that time, for 15 years with the firm of Reese, Baffney, Schrag & Hedine in Walla Walla, and then as in-house counsel for a telecom startup.

In 2001, Kris founded Virtual In-House Counsel to serve the needs of small business clients with innovative and responsive approaches to the challenges of today's business climate. Today he provides a variety of services in the areas of business formation, contracts, labor and employment issues, estate planning and trusts, working with non-profits and charitable associations, and Real Estate. Kris is also an experienced mediator, offering assistance with business and family law matters.

Kris is admitted in Washington and Oregon. He is active in Washington Employment Lawyers Association and Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys. Kris regularly serves on committees for the Washington State Bar. He volunteers with community foundations and serves on two non-profit boards.

Links to commonly used websites:

Karen Dobbins:

Karen Dobbins and Kris Hedine have worked together as a service team since 1997. Karen's role as support staff at Virtual In-House Counsel ensures that clients have an extra layer of commitment to their needs.

Karen was raised in Walla Walla and attended Central Washington University in Ellensburg. Legal work is a second career for Karen, after spending 15 years working in the banking industry as a loan officer and then Vice President for Mortgage Loan Servicing.

Karen has special knowledge in matters of business organization, real estate, accounting, word processing and office management.

Laura Barnes:

Laura Barnes joined the staff of Virtual In-House Counsel in 2008 as an Office Assistant. Her responsibilities include reception work and data management, as well as providing the firm with courier services to all local area courts and other legal services locations. She also provides specialized clerical support to meet the needs of the firm's small business clients.

Laura is a 2008 graduate of Walla Walla High School, where she benefited from her involvement in many extra-curricular activities including 4-H, Northwest Quarter Horse Youth Association, Future Business Leaders of America and ASB.
She is currently attending Walla Walla Community College working towards an Associate in Arts degree.

Her future career plan is to become a Wedding Planner. In her leisure time, Laura enjoys riding her horse Ty and spending time with her large extended family here in Walla Walla.