After practicing for over 40 years at their location on 1718 N.W. 56th St., Treece-Richdale Law Firm closed its doors and moved to make room for condominium and apartment high-rise projects.

David Richdale and Tom Treece built the building and started their office back in 1978. At one point they employed 13 attorneys and 25 support staffers. In 2001 they downsized and later sold the building but rented their space from the owner.

“It’s been good. We’ve been in Ballard all this time, but we sure wouldn’t have move if we didn’t have to. I figured we were set until we quit,” said Treece.

Along with Treece-Richdale Law Firm, 24 other tenants were displaced. A developer purchased the lot, as well as the neighboring lot to the east and one across the street.
The two have had a long go of litigation in Ballard, but have since moved on to practicing probate, estate planning and real estate law.

“We don’t do litigation anymore. That’s a young man’s job. … They’ve taken the ambush out of it, and it’s too arduous at my age,” said Treece.

With the move, Richdale has plans to retire, while Treece will continue to practice out of a law office down the street and around the corner at 5610 20th Ave. N.W.

“He’s (David) 78 and I’m 77, it was going to happen sometime.”
 
Treece was born at Ballard hospital, and went to Ballard Highs School. He studied Law at the University of Washington.

Treece said that he’s not melancholy about the move, and that in some sense they did the same thing as the developer over 40 years ago.

“We did the same thing there and knocked down four houses. It’s come full circle.”

Treece recalled a time when there were mainly department stores in Ballard. Now he said the neighborhood businesses consist of service-oriented ones like bars and restaurants. He said that when he was growing up the average aged person was around 50 to 60 in Ballard, but now he sees much younger people in their 30s on the streets.

“These apartments and condos are being taken are by 30-something-year-olds, and they are minimalists that don’t accumulate things.”

“I guess its progress, providing residences for people that require it. But it seems as you look back 20 years ago things seemed a lot calmer and easier. It’s pretty fast pace now. But I don’t feel melancholy about it, but I do think it’s a waste to lose our building.”