Client Collaborations

Summary judgment in favor of university employer facing a variety of discrimination and retaliation claims by former enrollment employee.

“Our plaintiff group of approximately 60-70 persons engaged Miller Nash in a 4-5 year litigation with extraordinary results. We recovered 90%+ for most of the plaintiffs. MN was professional, knowledgeable and very customer focused. The other law suits and legal teams drafted from the hard work done by the MN team. Even when the defendants used aggressive tactics, MN kept their cool and prevailed. We were pleased with the results and the team who helped us. They are superstars.”

Represented executive in a high-profile lawsuit brought by former employer, asserting claims that our client misappropriated trade secrets, violated fiduciary duties, and breached contractual obligations. The case included a six-day evidentiary hearing of the former employer's motion for terminating sanctions based on allegations that our client had knowingly destroyed relevant evidence. The court rejected the allegations, finding that our client was a credible witness who did not violate a duty to preserve evidence, did not act in bad faith, and did not engage in conduct that prejudiced the former employer. As trial approached, the court granted a number of summary judgment and evidentiary motions that significantly limited the scope and value of plaintiffs’ claims. On what would have been the first day of trial, the parties were able to reach an amicable resolution that terminated the case.

Represented the Chapter 7 trustee in multiple preference actions against creditors and negotiated favorable settlements.

Representing Washington companies on appeal in disputes with their insurer regarding insurance coverage of business losses incurred due to COVID-19. See, e.g., ES Restaurants Group, Inc., et al v. Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company, et al., No. 21-356646 (9th Cir.) (Ongoing)

Cannabis Counsel. Provided ongoing counsel to the leading cannabis retail, production, and processing companies, including delivery of positive outcomes for business transaction, real estate, litigation, regulatory, and enforcement issues.

Summary judgment and Ninth Circuit affirmance in favor of school district and individual defendants, dismissing freedom of speech, religious discrimination, and other civil rights claims of former educator.

In the largest recovery in the 140 year history of the firm the client and corporate co-founder and 50 percent shareholder, described the Miller Nash representation in the following manner: “The Miller Nash team, led by the tireless efforts and skill of Dennis Rawlinson were unrelenting in their pursuit of the best outcome for their client.”

Represented Eastern Washington apple wax producer against claims of trade secret misappropriation and breach of previous injunction brought by Indian conglomerate arising out of client’s new wax formulation. After a bench trial in Yakima County Superior Court, court agreed with client that there were no trade secrets to protect, dissolved previous injunction and awarded client its attorneys fees. As stated in the trial court’s decision awarding fees, “Mr. Esler has demonstrated expertise in trade secret litigation . . .”