Client Collaborations

In recent years, work on wage and hour matters has expanded and included defending employers in multiple class actions, individual claims and compliance advice on issues such as minimum wage, prevailing wage, meals and rest break as well as classification issues involving exemptions under state and federal law and independent contractor status. Served on the Governor’s Task Force on Independent Contractors, which resulted in legislative amendments revising Oregon’s independent contractor statute.

James E. Rich v. Rippling River Association et al. Successful defense of homeowners association board and the recovery of costs and attorney fees in the face of multimillion-dollar claims. Recovered more than $1 million in attorney fees and costs and disbursements. Plaintiff’s motion for preliminary injunction was denied. Claims against Rippling River Association and its board included breach of fiduciary duty, breach of state statutes relating to homeowners association and master plans, and violation of homeowners association articles and bylaws. The case involved an effort by minority members to take over the board of a homeowners association and recover millions of dollars in damages and attorney fees based on, among other things, failure to obtain proper membership vote for change in voting procedures and election of directors.

Served as regional counsel for underground storage tank portfolio.

Jackee has been trying cases to juries and the bench for more than a decade. She is a skilled trial attorney and has first-chaired complex, multimillion-dollar cases helping shape eminent domain law in Washington. Because of her vast experience of trying cases, she understands it’s a completely different atmosphere, and is better able to make accurate jury-value predictions and assess settlement.

• Successfully tried a six-week virtual condemnation bench trial for Sound Transit to acquire property rights needed to construct the Federal Way Link Extension. The trial involved ten experts, a number of complex legal issues regarding conversion of a motel to apartments, and a valuation dispute of millions in just compensation. The court awarded just compensation matching Sound Transit’s valuation evidence and was less than its pre-trial settlement offer. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (2020, Bench Trial - Singh)
• Successfully represented Sound Transit in a multi-day condemnation trial to acquire property rights needed to construct the Federal Way Link Extension. The trial involved a dispute over the highest and best use of the property and the court awarded just compensation matching Sound Transit’s valuation evidence of more than $1 million less than owner’s just compensation. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (2019, Bench Trial - Ingersoll)
• Member of trial team that successfully represented Sound Transit in a multi-week condemnation trial for the Lynwood Link Extension. The trial involved a dispute over whether or not Sound Transit’s light rail station specially benefited the property due to proximity and an upzone. The jury determined the property was specially benefitted by light rail and returned verdict matching Sound Transit’s valuation evidence and $1.4 million less than the owner’s valuation. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (2018, 12-Person Jury Trial – Maxwell)
• Member of trial team that successfully represented Sound Transit in a multi-week condemnation trial for the East Link Extension. The trial involved a dispute over whether or not Sound Transit’s light rail station specially benefited the adjacent property due to proximity. The jury determined the property was specially benefitted by light rail and returned a verdict that did not exceed Sound Transit’s pretrial settlement offer. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (2018, 12-Person Jury Trial - Safeway)
• Successfully represented Sound Transit in condemnation trial for the East Link Extension. The trial involved a dispute over project influence, capitalization rates, and special benefits. The court awarded just compensation that did not exceed Sound Transit’s pretrial settlement offer. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (2015, Bench Trial – PS Business Park)
• Successfully represented Sound Transit in condemnation of a tunnel easement for the Roosevelt Station. The court awarded just compensation matching Sound Transit’s valuation evidence and was less than its pre-trial settlement offer. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (2014, Bench Trial – Tacey Miller)
• Successfully represented Sound Transit in a 3-week condemnation trial for the South Link - Airport to 200^th Street light rail project. The trial involved a value dispute over damages to the remainder property, offsite impacts, and business damages. The jury returned a verdict for nearly $1.5 million less than the owner’s just compensation evidence. (2013, 12-Person Jury Trial – Hospitality First)
• Member of trial team that represented Sound Transit in multi-week condemnation trial for its South Link - Airport to 200^th Street light rail project. The trial involved a number of complex legal issues regarding the valuation of temporary easements, franchise requirements, and reducing the scope of the acquisition at trial. The jury returned a verdict in less than two hours that matched Sound Transit’s valuation and did not exceed Sound Transit’s pretrial settlement offer. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (2013, 12-Person Jury Trial – Airport Investment)
• The property owner appealed this result to the Supreme Court. The Court ruled in Sound Transit’s favor concluding Sound Transit’s settlement offer was timely, which was not rendered ineffective by subsequent revisions to reduce the impact of its temporary construction easement.
• Successfully represented King County Fire District No. 2 in condemnation of adjacent property for fire station expansion project. The jury returned a just compensation verdict matching King County’s valuation and was less than the fire district’s pre-trial settlement offer. No fees or costs awarded to property owner. (2010, 6-person Jury Trial)

Advise clients on the regulatory framework and legality of manufacturing, selling, and marketing hemp-derived products in the U.S. and overseas.

Patent applications covering optical systems including AR and VR devices in the areas of diffraction gratings and waveguides, and optical switching components

Represented general contractor in action against grocery store chain for breach of contract and failure to pay with favorable mediated settlement.

Represent national/international internet service provider to prepare and negotiate design/build and conventional construction contracts for data farms and related facilities nationwide.

Drafted multiple policies and procedures, including bylaws, delegation of authority, censure policies, equity policies, and use of property policies.