Elena Thompson
About Elena
Elena Thompson focuses her practice on complex commercial litigation with a particular emphasis on eminent domain and condemnation. Clients benefit from her ability to effectively strategize and navigate nuances of eminent domain law and its impact on some of the region’s largest and most complex disputes.
Elena represents municipal agencies and property owners from pre-project planning through negotiations, litigation, trials, and appeals. Her ability to understand overall objectives, processes, timelines, and budgets ensures that clients receive knowledgeable, proactive, and informed advice and counsel. She is frequently invited to speak on best practices, trends, and other topics related to eminent domain and condemnation.
Elena also negotiates contracts and provides risk management strategies to public and private organizations including those in transit, real estate, and highly regulated industries.
Elena serves on the firm’s pro bono committee and uses her experience to support pro bono clients, including cases managed in partnership with the ACLU of Washington and the ACLU of Louisiana. She also co-leads Miller Nash’s team that participates in the Legal Foundation of Washington’s Associates Campaign for Equal Justice. The team works to expand access to critical legal services for families experiencing poverty.
Representative Experience
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Litigation Plus
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Successfully represented local transit authority in a significant arbitration briefing that resulted in a multi-million-dollar resolution. Services included preparing opening and closing briefs, pretrial motions, and cross-examination outlines.
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Represented client in a residential multi-million-dollar real property dispute, including taking depositions, drafting trial-related briefing, and settlement negotiations that resulted in a positive outcome.
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Drafted trial and appellate briefing used in a successful contract claim for breach of a real estate lease agreement appeal before the Washington Court of Appeals.
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Represented cannabis producer in a complex dispute regarding cannabis sales, including drafting briefing, managing all aspects of discovery, and settlement negotiations.
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Served as lead counsel in a highly public dispute involving four separate cases that included civil and criminal claims in state and federal courts in Washington and Oregon. Successfully and discreetly negotiated a complex global settlement on terms favorable to client while managing a high volume of press and social media coverage.
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In partnership with the ACLU of Louisiana, currently representing client in a lawsuit challenging an unconstitutional arrest after a dispute regarding the first amendment right to peaceably assemble. (Ongoing)
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In partnership with the ACLU of Washington, challenging the Department of Licensing’s practice of suspending driver’s licenses for failure to appear or pay traffic violations. (Ongoing)
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Activities
- King County Bar Association, Member
- Washington State Bar Association, Member
- Litigation Section, Member
- International Right of Way Association, Member, 2025-present
- American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio, Legal Fellow
- Education and Students’ Rights Law Program, Leader
- Texas Civil Rights Project, Law Clerk
Insights from Elena
- “Top 10 Ways to Help Your Eminent Domain Attorney,” International Right of Way Association, Chapter 4 Monthly Meeting, copresenter (Jan. 2025)
- “Arguing the Reasonable Probability of a Rezone,” The Seminar Group, 14th Annual Cutting-Edge Issues in Condemnation (October 2024)
- “Exceptions to the Unit Rule,” Appraisal Institute Seattle Chapter, 18th Annual Fall Real Estate Conference (Oct. 2024)
Outside the Office
Elena enjoys spending time outdoors, either in her garden or with her husband as they hike their way through every U.S. national park. When it’s raining, you can find her watching college football (Boomer Sooner!) or playing pub trivia.