Reviews

Amanda represented me after I was selectively pulled over by police when driving away from an animal rights-related protest in Beaverton, OR. The protests had become a regular occurrence, and police in the area had started responding with various forms of threat and intimidation, mostly utilizing the legal system. At that point, there had been some arrests, but one tactic the police adopted was pulling people over as they left the protest under random pretenses in an effort to harass protesters and stick them with fines. Their logic was to increase the cost of protesting, hoping to deter through the bureaucracy of the legal system. I had been targeted by the police and pulled over multiple times. I wanted to challenge one of the tickets I received, for "improper signaling", and Amanda represented me in a challenge against the city and the police. After requesting discovery and making it clear that this little traffic violation would be turned into a political case to investigate the city's complicity in quelling protected speech, the City Attorney decided to drop charges. Thanks to Amanda, we were able to mitigate the threat against activists and show the city of Beaverton that they couldn't arbitrarily use the police so easily and not face consequences and challenges. She was a pleasure to work with and a true advocate for activists.

I was unexpectedly arrested at a protest and charged with several misdemeanors as a result. I wanted to fight the case as I felt the charges were unfair, but I needed an attorney who could understand the scope of my situation and be willing to fight for me without pressuring me to accept a plea. I was so lucky to have found Amanda. She fully understood my concerns and helped me mount the best possible defense I could have. She patiently walked me through all the steps, advised me of potential outcomes, and calmed me when I was stressing. I am extremely grateful that there are good lawyers like Amanda.

Amanda Schemkes! Is an incredible defense attorney. She is well-paced, thoughtful, intentional and humble. For my case, she took all potential legal avenues into account and made the safe and effective legal decisions for my well being. After chaining myself to that Arctic Challenger in defense of a livable climate and healthy arctic, I received a $20,000 fine from the USCG. To defend me, Amanda was able to compile a 17-page necessity-defense speaking to the subsistence needs of the Inupiaq people, The Climate and the sensitive ecological systems of the Arctic. Her work brought my fine down to a manageable $5000 dollars, which my community will be able to raise. Amanda, is an amazing person to work with. She is professional, responds to emails, keeps track of time-lines, is available for questions, is an effective listener and always asks the right questions. If you are looking for a lawyer to support you in pushing boundaries Amanda is a great person for the job.

Amanda Schemkes is the type of lawyer that you need when you are standing up for your rights. As a climate justice kayakativist involved in the ShellNo actions in the Pacific Northwest, I was cited by the USCG for a $40,000 fine. Learning that the "judge" in my case also works for the USCG was intimidating. Amanda made it possible for me to stand up for my rights, to tell my story, and to prevail in my case. Amanda cares not only about the law and movement strategy, she cares about representing your unique voice. She is both professional and compassionate. Engaging in civil disobedience is a serious decision with consequences, and I appreciated Amanda having my back in navigating my case.

My daughter locked down to an anchor chain in Bellingham, WA as part of the SHellNo campaign. Contesting Shell's intention to drill in the Arctic. There were many citations served by the USCG to allies involved in the action. Everyone paid their fines and moved on. My daughter and another activist who spent time on the chain bravely decided to contest their fines based on the Necessity Defense. Amanda presented a sound and well researched empirical argument and defense, setting precedence. As a mother it was reassuring to have someone competent and accessible overseeing my daughter's case. The fine was significantly reduced from $20,000 to $5,000. During the action I was out in the water trying to see and communicate with my daughter. The driver of the boat and I were each unjustly fined for entering the safety zone. We contested and Amanda set up a clear and again precedence setting case. My case was dropped due to lack of evidence! The driver of the boat had his fines significantly reduced. Amsnda proved to have the legal competence in a unique case. She was continually available, collaborative and on top of it.