Client Collaborations

On behalf of executives and employers, advised parties about restrictive covenants in business transactions, employment contracts and severance arrangements, and litigated injunction and damage actions resulting from alleged violations.

In re Cupertino National Bank v. Des Chuttes Investments, Inc. Claims of bad-faith bankruptcy filing were dismissed, enabling Greater Bay Bancorp to proceed with collection efforts on multimillion-dollar debt, and sanction judgment was entered against debtor and debtor’s counsel. The judgment is one of the largest sanctions imposed against a lawyer in the history of the court.

Serve as regional counsel (seven state area) for tort and premise liability docket for retail clients.

We have represented a regional transit authority in over 600 acquisitions for its light rail, commuter rail, HOV, and park and ride projects across the Puget Sound, including over thirty trials and a dozen appeals.

• In 2020 alone, our team successfully tried four trials. The verdicts were all in our client’s favor and saved the client over ten million dollars in claimed just compensation plus millions more in attorney fees.
• At trial, we routinely achieve just compensation awards that do not exceed the transit authority’s pretrial settlement offer.

Patent applications directed to electronic displays including OLED displays and micro displays

Represented residential home owner in action against general contractor for breach of contract and construction defect with favorable mediated settlement.

Successfully closed $215 million syndicated credit facility for tribe and tribal enterprise to expand tribal casino and build hotel and resort (Northern Quest Resort & Hotel) and handled ongoing issues among bank, tribe, and contractor during project. Handled contracts with architects, contractors, and other construction-related vendors, addressed exceptional bonding and security issues related to tribe’s unique sovereign status, and negotiated ongoing construction-related relationships through fast-track construction from design to occupancy.

Assisted with president and superintendent searches and employment agreement drafting.

Defended employers in state and federal court in wrongful discharge, discrimination, and harassment claims. Routinely counsels employers about such matters both in routine personnel decisions and in the development of handbooks and policies.