SEATTLE — The Washington State Bar Association presented retired Silverdale attorney Darrell Uptegraft with its Local Hero Award in recognition of a legal career dedicated to mentoring and professionalism. The award is given to those who have made noteworthy contributions to their communities. WSBA President Bill Hyslop presented the award at a luncheon in Bremerton April 15. Uptegraft was nominated by the Kitsap County Bar Association.

While studying at the University of Puget Sound School of Law, Uptegraft began clerking for the firm now known as Ryan Montgomery & Armstrong, Inc. P.S. He joined the firm in 1983 as an associate attorney and practiced with them until retiring in 2014. Uptegraft had a broad real estate and civil litigation practice during his career that has included representing many real estate companies, property management clients, housing authorities, commercial landlords, apartment owners and individual property owners. His main area of practice over the last 19 years was plaintiff’s personal injury.

Uptegraft was an Eagle member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (now the Washington State Association for Justice). He was an active member of the Kitsap County Bar Association, serving as its president in 1999, and was also a member of the Silverdale Chamber of Commerce. Uptegraft frequently volunteered with school programs teaching students the legal system. He was an active participant in Law Day activities, including judging student essays.

Over 33 years of practice, Uptegraft excelled in mentoring young attorneys, both within his firm and in the greater legal community. He focused his mentoring not only on teaching new attorneys the practice of law, but how to work with other attorneys at the highest professional standard.

In 2014, Uptegraft was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. After continuing with his law practice for as long as possible, Uptegraft retired from the practice of law in August 2014 to pursue his “bucket list.”

“Thank you to the WSBA Board of Governors for this very special recognition,” said Uptegraft. “[It] really gave me cause to reflect back over my career. For that, I am truly grateful.”