For the Reporter<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p>\n Highline Community College has named Ronald Beard as its 2014 Distinguished Alumni Award winner. Beard has an active commercial litigation practice at Lane Powell Attorneys in Seattle.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Beard will be honored tonight during the college’s commencement ceremony at the ShoWare Center in Kent.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “The rigorous coursework at Highline made my transition to the University of Washington seem very smooth. It also gave me confidence that I could continue on my academic path,” said Beard, who after earning his associate degree at Highline, went on to earn his undergraduate degree at the University of Washington in 1990 and his Juris Doctorate in 1993.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n “I knew after spending time with Ron both in and out of class that he would be successful, not because of his sparkling personality and strong people skills, but because of his persistence,” said Ed Morris, Beard’s former math instructor. “Because of Ron and other students like him, I taught at the college for over 40 years. He is an ideal representation of the mission of Highline. We are here to give students the opportunity, the knowledge and the expectations they need to achieve their goals and dreams.”<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Beard is an active volunteer and mentor in the Seattle community. He frequently volunteers at a homeless shelter for men and has served as a board member for the Crisis Clinic and the University of Washington Law Foundation. He also mentors young lawyers and received the Excellence in the Legal Profession Award from the Loren Miller Bar Association for his work.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n During his years in practice, Beard has represented several municipalities, including the Port of Anacortes, the Port of Port Orchard and the city of Gold Bar as both plaintiffs and defendants in contract disputes and civil rights violations.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n In addition to his law practice, he is a former United States Coast Guard licensed chief engineer and has a broad mechanical background. He was named as a “Washington Super Lawyer” by “Super Lawyers” magazine and “Washington CEO” magazine ranked him a “Top Lawyer” in banking.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n