Whatcom County Attorney Directory

Butler Beschen Law PLLC provides free consultations for those accused of a crime.

Emily C. Beschen is one of two Bellingham Criminal Defense Attorneys on the Butler Beschen Law team. She joined our team in 2011 after gaining experience at the Federal Public Defenders Office (2008-2010), Metropolitan Public Defenders (2009-2010), and as a consumer mediator at the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (2005-2006).
Emily is licensed to practice law in both Washington State and the United States Federal Court – Western District of Washington. Currently, she is practicing primarily in Bellingham Municipal Court, Whatcom County District Court, US Federal Court – Western District of Washington (in Bellingham), Blaine Municipal Court, and Whatcom County Superior Court.
EXPERIENCE
Emily has experience representing clients in the following areas:
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol or Drugs (DUI)
Animal Cruelty
Drug Possession and Delivery Charges (cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, prescription medications, and marijuana)
Prescription Fraud
Arson
Property Crimes (Theft, shoplifting, malicious mischief and trespass)
Sex Offenses
Disorderly Conduct
Possession of Dangerous Weapons & Unlawful Discharge of a Firearm
Assault & Domestic Violence – Self Defense, Defense of Property
Other various misdemeanor and felony charges
Police Misconduct
Search & Seizure
Civil Rights / Protection of Constitutional Rights
Administrative hearings / Defense of Professional Licenses through the Department of Health
Defamation
PROFESSIONAL HONORS & ACTIVITIES
Member, Washington State Bar Association
Member, Whatcom County Bar Association
Certificate of Recognition, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Legislative Committee, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
EDUCATION
Before becoming a Bellingham Criminal Defense Attorney, Emily attended Western Washington University (WWU). At WWU she received her undergraduate degree in Sociology – criminal justice, and Psychology – cognitive issues leading to problems in eyewitness testimony and memory of witnesses.
After WWU, Emily temporarily left Bellingham to get her law degree at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon. She received several scholarships including: the Dean’s scholarship for Excellence, Washington Trial Lawyers Association Scholarship, and Certified Fraud Examiners Scholarship. During law school, Emily worked as a research assistant for a local civil rights attorney with lawsuits relating to police misconduct. She also served as an associate editor of the nation’s oldest law review dedicated solely to animal law issues.