Client Collaborations

Negotiation of design/build contracts for new grocery distribution centers in California and Idaho and expansion projects of other centers.

Assisted with public records requests and Public Meetings law issues.

Wyndham Resort Development Corporation et al v. Swinerton Builders Northwest, Inc., et al. Multimillion-dollar recovery in the largest construction-defect case in the history of the state. Case involved claims of negligence, breach of contract, and breach of warranty. Representation of the Resort at Seaside against a general contractor and some 28 additional subcontractors, architects, designers, vendors, and material suppliers. Case complexities included dealing with condominium association rights and complex insurance and coverage issues.

We represent property owners in condemnation actions throughout the Northwest. Our clients have been routinely awarded just compensation greater than the amount offered by the condemning authority. In many instances, we have obtained reimbursement of legal fees and expert costs for our clients.

• Represented property owner in multi-week condemnation trial for city roadway expansion project. The property owner was awarded just compensation of nearly four times the amount argued by the city, and awarded fees and costs in defending action.
• Achieved a $1.7 million verdict for property owner in a city’s acquisition of a family farm for the creation of a park in Gig Harbor ($1.2 million over the condemnor’s evidence at trial).
• Represented property owner in expansion of the University of Washington Tacoma Campus resulting in a $1.9 million verdict ($900,000 over the condemnor’s evidence at trial).

Successfully represent clients in responding to and resolving BOLI complaints.

Represented yacht owner against vessel repair yard in breach of contract and fraud claim and obtained unanimous jury verdict in favor of yacht owner.

Successfully negotiated design and construction contracts among general contractor and multiple owners of single structure broken into three or more commercial condominiums, including affordable housing, church, and commercial owners, on several different matters. Design and construction counsel for Northwest facilities for the leading developer of computer processors and related technology. Assist with preparation of contracts for construction and expansion of large fabrication facilities under extreme design and construction conditions.

Bruce Engelbrecht et ux v. Motorola, Inc., et al. Successful defense of wrongful death case arising in products liability case, including recovery of attorney fees. Client: Defendant URS Electronics, Inc. Claims: Wrongful death, loss of consortium, strict liability, and negligence claims arising from the distribution of two-way radio components containing phenolic resins which plaintiff claims caused him to contract mesothelioma. In this “new wave” asbestos case, we cross-claimed on behalf of the distributor against radio manufacturers GE, RCA, Motorola, and Raytheon based on indemnity in contribution . . . breaking the traditional practice among asbestos defendants to unite. We also filed a motion for summary judgment against plaintiffs, which was heard by the court on the eve of trial. The court granted summary judgment to URS alone and dismissed the multi-million dollar claims against URS. Claims against insurers resulted in reimbursement of defense costs.

Represent U.S. energy companies in negotiating and drafting cross-border IP agreements, including non-disclosure agreements and trade secret and technology agreements.