Appellate Cases We Have Handled: Pre-2000

3601 Group Inc. v. Alfalfas Northwest, 119 Wn. App. 1036 (2003), rev. denied, 152 Wn.2d 1017 (2004): successfully obtained a new trial after the jury rendered an inadequate verdict due to improper damages instructions. Text of decision.

Almquist v. Finley School District, 114 Wn. App. 395 (2002): successfully defended $4.75 million verdict for 11 children injured in e. coli outbreak. Text of decision.

Beckman v. DSHS, 102 Wn. App. 687, 11 P.3d 313 (2000): successfully resisted extension of deadline for an appeal from a $17.8 million judgment. Text of decision.

Bishop of Vict. Corp. Sole v. Finley, 121 Wn. App. 1041, rev. denied, 152 Wn.2d 1012 (2004): successfully defended summary judgment dismissing claim against real property arising out of a failed partnership. Text of decision.

Denn v. Anderson, No. 42954-0-I (Wash. App. 2000): successfully appealed judgment in excess of $200,000 for breach of the duty of good faith; Court reversed and remanded for entry of judgment in favor of client. Text of decision.

John Doe v. Gonzaga, 99 Wn. App. 338, 992 P.2d 545 (1999), rev'd, 143 Wn.2d 687, 24 P.3d 390 (2001), rev'd in part, 536 U.S. 273, 153 L. Ed. 2d 309, 122 S. Ct. 2268 (2002): obtained reversal of $450,000 verdict based on violation of federal funding statute. Text of Washington Court of Appeals and Supreme Court decisions. Text of United States Supreme Court decision, concurrence, and dissent.

Fallahzadeh v. Ghorbanian, 119 Wn. App. 596 (2004): obtained reversal of a several hundred-thousand dollar judgment based on an illegal contract. The court reversed and dismissed the action against our client. Text of decision.

Gay v. Snohomish County, No. 44042-0-1 (2001); sucessfully defended verdict for failure to accommodate disabled employee. Text of decision.

Guillen v. Pierce County, 144 Wn.2d 696, 31 P.3d 628 (2001), rev'd and remanded, 537 U.S. 129, 123 S. Ct. 720, 154 L. Ed. 2d 610 (2003): successfully challenged the constitutionality of 23 U.S.C. 409 on the grounds that it could not be sustained under the spending power, the commerce clause, or the supremacy clause. Our clients achieved a successful settlement from Pierce County, the County petitioned for review from the companion case (involving the Guillens), and the United States Supreme Court reversed the Guillen decision. Text of Washington Supreme Court decision and concurring opinion. Text of United States Supreme Court decision.

Herrington v. Hawthorne, 111 Wn. App. 824, 47 P.3d 567 (2002): obtained reversal of summary judgment in action under Washington State Securities Act arising from multi-million dollar securities fraud scheme. Text of decision.

Hoel v. Rose, 125 Wn. App. 14 (2004): obtained reversal of judgment of negligent misrepresentation in a real estate transaction due to absence of justifiable reliance by the purchasers. Text of decision.

Lesher v. Murphy, 124 Wn. App. 1018 (2004): successfully defended personal injury verdict of $550,000. Text of decision.

Mader v. Health Care Authority, 149 Wn.2d 458 (2003): obtained reversal of trial and appellate court holding denying health care benefits to community college instructors who consistently teach half-time or more for nine months of the year. Text of decision.

Microsoft v. Timeline, No. 47888-5-I (Wash. App. 2002): obtained reversal of declaratory judgment interpreting software contract. Text of decision.

Rich v. Bellevue School District, 122 Wn. App. 1024 (2004): successfully defended verdict and attorney fee award in employment discrimination case. Text of decision.

In re Marriage of Rideout, 110 Wn. App. 370, 40 P.3d 1192 (2002), affirmed, 150 Wn.2d 337 (2003): Successfully defended contempt order for failure to comply with court ordered visitation. Text of Court of Appeals and Supreme Court decisions.

Roberts v. King County, 107 Wn. App. 806, 27 P.3d 1267 (2001): obtained reinstatement of equal pay action for class of employees of King County. Text of decision.

Rogerson Hiller Corp. v. Port of Port Angeles, 96 Wn. App. 918 (1999): Obtained reversal of attorney fee award against corporation. Text of decision.

Scarbrough v. Postema, 118 Wn. App. 185 (2003): obtained reversal of verdict for failure to instruct jury properly on the right of a non-custodial parent to bring action for the wrongful death of a child. Text of Decision.

Smith v. Behr, 113 Wn. App. 306, 54 P.3d 665 (2002): successfully defended default order in major class action for defendant's failure to produce key evidence in response to repeated discovery requests. Text of Decision.

In re Guardianship of Tobey, No. 47739-1-I (Wash. App. 2001): successfully defended determination that client is competent to handle her own financial affairs.

In re Marriage of Wallace, 111 Wn. App. 697, 45 P.3d 1131 (2002), review denied (Feb. 4, 2003): Successfully defended property division in marriage dissolution action. Text of decision.

Winbun v. Moore, 143 Wn.2d 206, 18 P.3d 576 (2001): obtained reinstatement of $800,000 verdict for medical malpractice. Text of decision.

Representative Appellate Cases
We Have Handled