Experience

Commercial Litigation

• Representation of zoo and its principals in a lawsuit filed by animal rights activist group asserting violations of the Endangered Species Act and public nuisance claims.
• Representation of manufacturer of truck accessories in action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition.
• Representation of restaurateur, wine importer and retailer, and bakery in dispute alleging breach of partnership agreement, breach of fiduciary duties, and asserting various business torts.
• Representation of EB-5 Regional Center in action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition.
• Obtained reversal of adverse judgment entered in breach of contract action. (Cambridge Decision Science v. Markman, Docket No. 74774-6-I (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).)
• Representation of major agribusiness company in multi-district litigation (MDL) involving multiple class actions alleging negligence and other torts arising out of the alleged release of genetically modified crops. (In re Monsanto Company Genetically-Engineered Wheat Litig., MDL No. 2473 (D. Kan.).)
• Secured preliminary injunction against environmental activist group prohibiting trespass, nuisance, and interference maritime navigation; successfully defended preliminary injunction on appeal. (Shell Oil Co. v. Greenpeace, Inc., (D. Alaska, 9th Cir).)
• Representation of multinational corporation and subsidiary in putative class action involving claim that defendants breached employment contracts. Class certification vacated. (Lee v. ITT Corp., 534 F. App’x 626 (9th Cir. 2013). Second class certification order affirmed, petition for certiorari pending (662 F. App’x 535 (9th Cir. 2016); pet. for cert. filed (U.S. March 17, 2017) (No. 16-1128).)
• Secured favorable settlement for consumer electronics manufacturer in antitrust action brought by Washington Attorney General.
• Representation of plaintiff in litigation concerning ownership and management of a limited liability company. (Dempsey v. Avenatti, No. 13-2-29955-1 SEA (Wash. Super. Ct.).)
• Secured favorable verdict in partnership and estate dispute concerning one of the oldest vineyards in Napa Valley, California.
• Served as appellate counsel for residential mortgage company following adverse trial court judgment. (Collings v. City First Mortg. Servs., LLC, 177 Wn. App. 908, 317 P.3d 1047 (2013); 175 Wn. App. 589, 308 P.3d 692 (2013).)
• Representation of plaintiff in lawsuit alleging fraudulent transfer, tortious interference, and successor liability.
• Obtained favorable arbitration award in action alleging breach of partnership agreement and breach of fiduciary duty. (Worman v. Green, No. 10-2-28261-1 SEA, 2010 WL 8747592 (Wash. Super. Ct. October 4, 2010).)
• Secured arbitration award for $1.3 million in damages, plus attorneys’ fees and costs, in an action concerning breach of power generation contract. (Energy Northwest v. Grays Harbor Energy, Nos. 09-2-39834-8, 7515811508, 2009 WL 8629707 (Wash. Super. Ct. August 18, 2009).)
• Representation of major paper manufacturer in construction defect case concerning pulp and paper mill.
• Secured dismissal of action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and tortious interference with contract and obtained an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. (VP Gables, LLC v. The Cobalt Group, Inc., 709 F. Supp. 2d 1357 (S.D. Fla. 2010), 597 F. Supp. 2d 1326 (S.D. Fla. 2009).)

Real Property and Real Estate Litigation

• Obtained two favorable awards after multi-day arbitration hearings on behalf of tenant in dispute with landlord related to the surrender of an aerospace-parts industrial manufacturing facility.
• Secured summary judgment granting specific performance on behalf of purchaser of commercial real estate and ordering seller to convey property. Case subsequently resolved in client’s favor.
• Representation of port district in dispute with neighbors concerning two gantry cranes and associated easements.
• Representation of port district in dispute with developer and its contractor regarding the injection of grout into sewer line.
• Obtained favorable settlement, including payment of all earnest money, on behalf of seller of commercial real estate when purchaser refused to close the purchase-and-sale transaction.
• Secured summary judgment determining client’s property was not encumbered by covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R’s) of neighboring homeowner’s association and awarding client attorneys’ fees and costs.

Trust, Estate, and Fiduciary Litigation

• Representation of administrator of estate in numerous creditors’ claims and disputes concerning real property, water rights, commercial torts, and security interests.
• Successfully represented estate in connection with dispute alleging fraud and elder abuse.
• Obtained dismissal of putative heir’s challenge to decedent’s will.

Representative Work and Published Opinions

• Pamela J. Bridgen v. Windermere Real Estate Co., 9 Wn. App. 2d 1003, 2019 WL 2273506 (2019)
• Cambridge Decision Science v. Markman, Docket No. 74774-6-I (Wash. Ct. App. 2017)
• State of Washington v. LG Electronics, 186 Wn.2d 169, 375 P.3d 1035 (2016)
• Lee v. ITT Corp., 662 F. App'x 535, 537 (9th Cir. 2016)
• State of Washington v. LG Electronics, 185 Wn. App. 394 (2015)
• Collings v. City First Mortg. Servs., LLC, 177 Wn. App. 908, 317 P.3d 1047 (2013)
• Collings v. City First Mortg. Servs., LLC, 175 Wn. App. 589, 308 P.3d 692 (2013)
• Lee v. ITT Corp., 534 F. App’x 626 (9th Cir. 2013)
• Iron Partners, LLC v. Maritime Admin., No. 3:08–cv–05217, 2010 WL 2871144 (W.D. Wash. July 22, 2010)
• VP Gables, LLC v. The Cobalt Group, Inc., 709 F. Supp. 2d 1357 (S.D. Fla. 2010)
• VP Gables, LLC v. The Cobalt Group, Inc., 597 F. Supp. 2d 1326 (S.D. Fla. 2009)

Honors & Activities

Professional Honors & Activities

• Included in The Best Lawyers in America^® (Commercial Litigation), 2024
• Named a Rising Star (Business Litigation), Washington Law & Politics, 2010
• Chair, Stoel Rives Seattle office Coaching and Mentoring Committee, 2020–present
• Member, Stoel Rives Firm-wide Coaching and Mentoring Committee, 2020–present
• Chair and Member, Stoel Rives Seattle office Recruiting Committee, 2009–2019
• Pro Bono Service Award, Stoel Rives, 2011
• Member, King County Bar Association
• Member, American Bar Association

Civic Activities

• Corporate Secretary and Member, Board of Directors, Aqua Club, Inc., 2018–present
• President and Member, Executive Committee and Board of Directors, TeamChild, 2012–2018
• Member, Membership Committee, Penguin Ski Club, 2009–2011, 2012–2016
• Class Representative, Whitman College, 2009–present
• Diabetes research volunteer, Benaroya Research Institute, 2004–2013
• Member, Sports & Diabetes Group Northwest, 2012–present
• Volunteer, King County Bar Association Housing Justice Project, 2007–2010​

Insights & Presentations

• Co-author, various chapters, Washington Civil Procedure Deskbook, 3d ed., 2014
• Presenter, “Getting Paid for Work or Materials Provided on Real Property Projects: An Overview of Lien Rights and a Case Study,” Stoel Rives LLP Straight Talk Series, September 2014
• Presenter, E-Discovery, Spoliation, and Ethics; Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) Ethics in the House: Professional Conduct in the Corporation, November 2012
• Presenter, “Spoliation of Evidence: Case Law Updates and Skill-Sharpening Tips,” NALS ... the association of legal professionals, March 2012
• Presenter, “Spoliation of Evidence: Case Law Updates and Skill-Sharpening Tips,” WSBA Continuing Legal Education (CLE), September 2011
• Presenter, “A Practical Guide to eDiscovery in Litigation,” Public Risk Management Association, Washington Chapter, September 2011
• Co-moderator and commentator, “Discovery Skills Training Boot Camp: Checkmate or Stalemate,” WSBA CLE, April 2011
• Co-author, “Taxing the Court and Litigants: Secret ‘Mary Carter’ Settlement Agreements,” King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin, April 2011
• Presenter, “Best of CLE 2010: Encore of Excellence, Recent Developments: Spoliation of Evidence,” WSBA CLE, December 2010
• Presenter, “New Developments in Discovery-Related Ethics Issues, Recent Developments: Spoliation of Evidence,” WSBA CLE, October 2010
• Presenter, “Discovery Skills Boot Camp: Checkmate or Stalemate, Game Over—Spoliation,” WSBA CLE, August 2010
• Co-author, “On Spoliation of Evidence: Using Your Discovery Arsenal to Disinfect Cavalier Discovery,” Washington State Bar News, December 2009
• Full Compensation, Not Overcompensation: Rethinking Prejudgment Interest Offsets in Washington,” 30 Seattle University Law Review 703, 2007