In life and in litigation – things that matter most should never be at the mercy of things that matter least.
How I represent clients at Schwabe
With more than 25 years in the courtroom and at the mediation table, I concentrate on high-stakes litigation requiring strategic defense and sound risk evaluation. I focus my practice primarily on product liability, medical malpractice, aviation, catastrophic injury, class action, and pharmaceutical and medical device cases. I manage matters from start to finish—collaborating with clients, engaging expert witnesses, developing creative, effective strategies, assessing exposure, negotiating durable resolutions, and trying cases in state, federal and tribal courts of Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. I regularly litigate on behalf of product manufacturers, aviation service providers, pharmaceutical companies, medical professionals, construction companies, healthcare entities, and insurers.
My foundation in medicine—through undergraduate study, work as an EMT, and nearly three decades of litigation—enables me to quickly absorb new information to understand how clinical practices, surgical procedures, and mechanical systems operate, evaluate where failures may have occurred, and assess how those alleged failures may translate into liability. This perspective sharpens my case strategy and negotiations across matters ranging from malpractice and drug or device disputes to product liability and construction claims.
Although every case is unique, there are some basic components that increase the likelihood of a favorable outcome. My approach is to delve deeply into a case at the outset – identifying the key issues likely to influence liability, causation, and damages; developing a detailed litigation plan to explore those issues and answer the key questions; and then providing the client with both a comprehensive roadmap and an efficient, realistic litigation budget.
Experience
- Defended chiropractor in a medical malpractice case involving vertebral artery dissection and resulting stroke. Obtained defense verdict following a jury trial.
- Defended concrete contractor in property damage case involving claims of violation of the Consumer Protection Act. Obtained defense verdict following a jury trial.
- Defended podiatrist in a medical malpractice case involving amputation. Obtained defense verdict following a jury trial.
- Defended tanker transport company in admitted liability personal injury case involving 5-car pileup on I-5. Jury returned verdict for $82,000 after asking jury for $2.8 million.
- Defended podiatrist in a medical malpractice case involving the development of serious post-surgical infection and need for revision surgery. Obtained directed verdict at close of Plaintiff’s case after eight days of trial.
- Defended building contractor in construction site injury case after untethered worker fell from roof. Jury split liability after 2-week trial.
- Successfully defended genetic genealogy company against class action certification and claimed damages of $90 million in a case involving claims of violation of Alaska’s Genetic Privacy statute, and ultimately prevailed in Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Education
- Pepperdine University, School of Law, Mediator Training Course (2019)
- Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College, Juris Doctor (1997)
- University of Washington, Bachelor of Arts (1993)
Admissions
- Tulalip
- Tulalip Tribal Court
- Alaska State Courts
- Oregon State Courts
- Puyallup Tribal Court
- Washington State Courts
- U.S. Court of Appeals - Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court - District of Alaska
- U.S. District Court - District of Oregon
- U.S. District Court - Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals
Memberships
- American Board of Trial Advocates, Member (2025-present)
- Association of Defense Trial Lawyers, Member (2021-present)
- International Association of Defense Counsel, Member (2012-present)
- Washington Defense Trial Lawyers, Member & Past-President (1999-present)
- Oregon Association of Defense Counsel, Member (1997-present)
- Defense Research Institute, Member (2001-present)
Awards
- Named as a “Super Lawyer” (2020-2024) and a “Rising Star” (2005 & 2007) in Washington Super Lawyers (Civil Litigation: Defense)
- Awarded DRI Exceptional Performance Citation by Defense Research Institute (2011-2012)
- Received the Washington State Bar Association’s Professionalism Committee’s Random Acts of Professionalism Award (2005)
Community Activities
- University of Washington School of Law; Mentor, Mentorship Program (2002-2010)
- YMCA High School State Mock Trial Tournament; Rater (2002-2018)
- Special Olympics of Washington; Volunteer (2001-2004)
Outside Interests
My two boys are my greatest joys!
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