Client Collaborations
All Representative Cases
Benchmark v. City of Battle Ground. The Supreme Court ruled that the city’s requirement for a developer to improve street frontage was unlawful. The key in that case was the fact that the developer would put few trips on the street that the city was requiring the developer to improve. The required connection between an impact of the development and the need for the public improvement was lacking.
Advised private university through staff reduction-in-force process, including disparate impact analysis and resulting layoff adjustments and disclosures.
Represented agricultural cooperative in dispute with members.
Breach of Fiduciary Duties. Assisted small manufacturing company in obtaining a multimillion-dollar recovery against large transnational corporation arising out of claims that the transnational corporation breached fiduciary duties owed to its implied joint-venture partner.
Negotiated and favorably resolved discrimination and retaliation claims on behalf of private religious university.
Defended retail cannabis location in dispute with landlord over option agreement for sale of interest in cannabis location. Obtained dismissal of claims at pleading stage.
Lead attorney representing public school districts in disputes with construction contractors over payment of the Oregon Corporate Activity Tax. Obtained jury verdict in favor of school district on breach of contract claim following a five-day jury trial.
Habitat Watch v. Skagit County. The Washington Supreme Court ruled that an environmental group’s challenge to golf course project was untimely under the Land Use Petition Act. The court found that not only did the environmental group not file an appeal in time after learning the project was going forward, but that filing a motion for reconsideration with the county, instead of court, was the wrong venue in which to challenge the permit.
Assisted private university in planning for potential salary reductions or layoffs of tenured and tenure-track faculty in response to budget crisis.