Attorney and Staff Profiles
Kenneth H. Coleman, MD, JD
President
Ken Coleman has been an Emergency Physician and Family Physician for 25 years. In 1992 he graduated from Gonzaga University Law School and started his law practice. Since then he has practiced medical negligence/medical malpractice law, and he has continued to practice emergency medicine. He maintains current credentials in both medicine and law .
Background: Mr. Coleman was born in Portland, Oregon, and raised in the Beaverton area. He graduated from Oregon State University in 1966 with a business degree and then taught junior high math and science. In 1973 he graduated from Loma Linda University Medical School. He then had a solo medical practice in Republic, Washington, and also practiced emergency medicine. Following that he was the Northwest Regional Medical Director for an emergency medicine organization and supervised several emergency departments in Oregon and Washington. He is Board Certified in Family Practice and is often asked to serve as a medical consultant and/or expert witness for other attorneys.
In 1993 he began his law practice, focusing on medical negligence/medical malpractice and personal injury cases. He handles cases where patients have been permanently injured or there has been a death due to medical negligence, and he also assists other attorneys on medical malpractice cases.
Mr. Coleman maintains both medical and legal affiliations including: American College of Emergency Physicians , Washington State Trial Lawyers Association , American Medical Association, American Bar Association , American Trial Lawyers Association, Spokane County Bar Association , and Washington State Bar Association .
He lives in the greater Spokane area with his wife and their 15 year-old daughter. His other four children are grown and live in Spokane, Seattle, Portland, and San Diego. His leisure-time activities include hiking, bicycling, flying, and horseback riding.
Betsy Johnson, BS, CCM
Paralegal
Betsy Johnson was born and raised in Erie, Pennsylvania. In 1988 she graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Bowling Green State University in Ohio. For the past 16 years she has worked in law firms that have represented injured individuals in medical negligence and in personal injury cases.
In 2000 she obtained the credential of Certified Medical Case Manager .
Betsy joined the firm in 2000 as a paralegal and case manager. She is experienced in all areas of medical negligence litigation and handles cases beginning with the first call from a new client. She then works regularly with clients until the case is settled or trial is completed. She assists Mr. Coleman with all aspects of case work, with particular focus and attention on client interactions, document preparation, expert and lay witness contacts, medical and legal research, and trial work.
Betsy lives in the Spokane area with her husband, a pilot, their two children, ages 11 and 8, and their yellow lab, Tanker. She is a member of the Midway Advisory Council for Learning Improvement and volunteers at her children's school on a weekly basis. Her leisure-time activities including reading, gardening, skiing, camping, and boating.
Leanna E. Cossman, RN
Legal Nurse Consultant
Leanna Cossman is a registered nurse with 18 years of nursing experience. She graduated from Fanshawe College School of Nursing in London, Ontario, in 1986. She has practiced as an emergency nurse in general, pediatric, and Level 1 trauma hospitals , and has been a Director of Emergency Services . Her career has spanned 5 states and 2 countries.
In 2002 Leanna changed her focus from direct patient care to legal nurse consulting. With her prior experience in performing chart reviews and quality assurance, she was a natural choice to handle initial inquiries from patients and their families. Along with the opportunity to assist patients with nursing related issues, she sees the consulting field as an opportunity to advocate for patients as well as for the medical profession.
Leanna is originally from Canada and was born in London, Ontario. Continuing education has always been a priority for Leanna. After graduation from Fanshawe College she has continued to maintain her credentials in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support), TNCC (Trauma Nurse Critical Care), and CMA (Cabin Medical Attendant-Air Ambulance), as well as other certifications. She has also practiced as a SANE (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner).
Leanna and her husband have six-year-old twins. She enjoys her active involvement in Junior League, cooking, playing softball, and coaching her children's T-ball team.
