Meet Our Team
Mitchell G. Faber
Partner/Attorney
Mitch Faber joined the firm in 2001 upon his return to Whatcom County after studying at Vanderbilt Law School. Mitch handles business transactions of all sizes and types, from small dental practices to multinational manufacturing firms. He also helps clients by drafting and reviewing business contracts, resolving real estate issues and providing general business law counseling. Mitch obtained his history degree at University of Washington (Go Dawgs!) before heading to Nashville, Tennessee to attend Vanderbilt. The Faber Family is obsessed with football, and Mitch and his boys have spent way too many hours playing, coaching and watching the game. They also enjoy traveling to national parks and are almost halfway to their goal of visiting all of the parks.
Jeffrey P. Fairchild
Partner/Attorney
Jeff Fairchild spends his days consulting with regional and local business hourly on best practices, legally compliant policy options, proper handling of thorny employment situations, and training company leaders. Jeff has successfully represented large and small employers in significant discrimination, wage and hour, and trade secret disputes in multiple state and federal courts and before the entire alphabet of federal/state agencies, EEOC, HRC, LNI—you get the point. Jeff joined the firm in 1993 following three years at Davis Wright Tremaine in Seattle. Jeff studied primate behavior at Duke University, knows every college nickname, and spends a disturbing amount of time re-watching Fawlty Towers and cycling alone in his basement.
Ian P. McCurdy
Partner/Attorney
Ian McCurdy is a Pacific Northwest native and joined the firm in 2015. He focuses his practice on estate planning, probate administration, and all aspects of employment law. After graduating with a degree in history from Occidental College and working in several bike shops in Portland and the Bay Area, Ian attended the University of Oregon School of Law followed by a clerkship with Judge David A. Kurtz. Ian was named one of the Top 7 Young Professionals under 40 by the Bellingham Business Journal and Bellingham Regional Chamber of Commerce in 2019 which (as we see it) means that there are six better Young Professionals in town. Ian is a member of the Bellingham Bay Rotary Club, volunteers with the LAW Advocates' Will Program, and spends his free time cycling, swimming and enjoying Whatcom County’s trails, forest service roads, and lakes with his wife and daughters.
Jim T. Hulbert
Attorney
Jim Hulbert is a senior litigator with over twenty years of trial experience. Jim focuses on construction and real estate disputes. A Bellingham native and Sehome High School graduate, Jim joined the firm in 2016. After admission to the bar in 1998, Jim worked at the Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for 18 years, where he prosecuted serious adult felonies. An experienced litigator, Jim taught trial advocacy skills at a statewide conference of the Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys in 2014, and has argued before the Washington Supreme Court. Jim is active in the community, belonging to the Greater Bellingham Running Club, and frequently coaching youth sports teams.
Patrick E. Byrnes
Attorney
Patrick Byrnes brings over a decade of experience to his business, real estate, and litigation practice and prides himself on helping clients find practical solutions to their legal challenges. In his business and real estate practice, Patrick assists clients with entity formation, contract review, purchases and sales, leases, and other legal needs. Patrick’s broad litigation practice includes real estate, commercial, trusts and estates, construction, and employment disputes. Patrick grew up in Western Washington and ventured out to attend Boston College and the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law before realizing that he missed the dreary gray of the Pacific Northwest and returning home. Outside of work, Patrick enjoys spending time with his wife and two boys and playing pickleball at some of the many nearby courts. Patrick is active in a number of local organizations, including the Bellingham Chamber of Commerce, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Whatcom County Association of Realtors.
Caroline M. Whitener
Attorney
Caroline Whitener joined Faber Fairchild McCurdy in 2022 after graduating cum laude from Pepperdine University School of Law. Caroline works in facilitating business transactions including entity formations and commercial real estate matters, and advising on interests related to ownership transfers. She also assists clients in preparing corporate documentation and working one-on-one in negotiating contracts. Caroline graduated from James Madison University with a degree in Music Business and worked for an opera festival in Virginia and a performing arts venue outside Washington, DC. In addition to her hobby as a semi-professional pumpkin carver, Caroline enjoys brushing up on learning languages, being involved in her local church and community, and exploring the Cascade Mountains with her husband.
Miles Martin
Attorney
Miles Martin joined Faber Fairchild McCurdy in 2023 after receiving his Juris Doctor degree from Gonzaga University School of Law. Miles studied creative writing as an undergraduate, and is our only attorney with significant professional bartending experience. Miles has already proven himself a valuable addition to our little firm with his thorough research, charming personality, and hard work on our clients’ behalf. Outside of the office, Miles enjoys snowboarding, playing music and adding to his ever-expanding knowledge of taco-trucks in Washington state. We may have mentioned this – but Miles is also an experienced bartender.
Schedule a Consultation
We are business lawyers; we are here to help, and would welcome a chance to learn how we can help you or your company. Perhaps over coffee.