Case Summaries

Representative matters:

  • Represented owner of large rural subdivision in dispute with its contractor over road construction deficiencies on the property. Successfully resolved case in mediation after conducting discovery with a result that allowed for repair of the roads.
  • Represented apartment building owner in property damage claim involving damage to curbs and sidewalks caused by adjoining property developer.
  • Represent site work contractor in dispute with general contractor and owner on a major mixed-use development project in Seattle, involving removal of contaminated materials far in excess of contracted amounts.
  • Represented local business owner who had been defrauded of over $1 million dollars by the facillitator in a IRS § 1031 property exchange.  Although the broker was bankrupt, we pursued claims against its insurer and reached a settlement in mediation that collected the vast majority of the lost funds.
  • Represented owner of machine fabrication business in substantial dispute with potential buyer over sale of the business. Successfully resolved the case at mediation.
  • Represented owners of a physical therapy in Issaquah in sale of their shares to employees of the company.
  • Represented owners of NCW physical therapy business in sale of the company to another local physical therapist.
  • Represented owners of winery in sale of business to another local winery.
  • Represented owner of several area golf courses in buyout of other members.
  • Represented owner of area golf courses in sale of subdivision to local developer.
  • Represented owner of area golf courses in creation of subdivision CCRs.
  • Represented owner of local dock company in dispute with broker over alleged commissions. Successfully resolved dispute without litigation.
  • Represented local homeowner in dispute with contractor over construction defects. Successfully resolved case in mediation prior to conducting substantial discovery.
  • Represented local restaurant owner in insurance coverage and bad faith dispute over wildfire-related losses.  Resulted in substantial settlement without litigation.
  • Represented winery in adverse possession with adjoining parcel. Resulted in boundary line adjustment of the claimed property in favor of client.
  • Represented co-owner of painting company in dispute with the other member over sale of the company’s real property.  Resulted in successful buy-out of the client prior to extensive litigation.
  • Represented member of affordable housing development in dispute with former partner.  Successfully resolved at mediation prior to extensive litigation.
  • Represented water restoration contractor in dispute with residence owner and its insurance company in claim for amounts due under the contract. Successfully resolved through negotiated settlement prior to extensive litigation. 
  • Represented general contractor in dispute with concrete supplier over defective mix product. Resulted in substantial settlement prior to litigation.
  • Represented patient who had severe complications following colonoscopy. Successful settlement at mediation shortly after filing lawsuit.
  • Represented private lender in collection of debt secured by remote private parcel, resulting in them obtaining ownership of the parcel following sheriff’s sale.
  • Represented co-owner of substantial rural properties in allocation of proceeds from sale to lands-trust cooperative.
  • Represented orchard owner in defense of personal injury claim arising from motorcycle accident with one of the orchard’s vehicles.
  • Represented homeowners in disputes with contractor over additional costs and deficiencies in residential remodel project.
  • Represented insured in bad faith claim against homeowners’ insurance company that had denied coverage. Resulted in successful settlement in mediation after filing federal lawsuit.
  • Represented site utilities contractor in change order dispute with municipality over sanitary and storm drainage installation. Successfully resolved in private negotiation prior to litigation.
  • Represented site utilities contractor in dispute with owner on extensive water pipeline installation project over scope of contracted work.  Resulted in successful settlement at mediation following discovery.
  • Represented borrower in commercial loan transaction over amounts owed and circumstances of default. Resulted in successful settlement following discovery and motions practice.
  • Represented residential contractor in dispute with owner over cost overruns on project.  Settled the case shortly after litigation.
  • Represented residential developer borrower in complex dispute with lender involving multiple properties and claimants.  Successfully resolved case in mediation prior to trial.
  • Represented residential developer in dispute with adjoining landowners regarding multiple easements and adverse possession claims.  Successfully resolved case in mediation prior to extensive discovery.
  • Represented rural landowner in claim against fencing supply company in dispute over defective materials on large ranch project. Successfully resolved at mediation prior to filing litigation.  
  • Represented owner of large rural property in eminent domain claim filed by the local public utility district. Resolved the case in private negotiation after several year legal battle.
  • Represented family trust in sale of condominium building.
  • Represented co-member in real estate development company over failure of partner to obtain construction loan and complete construction.
  • Represent member of a gold salvage company in dispute with co-member over his failure to surrender intellectual property generated during salvage operations as part of corporate sale. Resulted in 8 figure covenant judgment.
  • Represented member of gold salvage company in legal malpractice claim against company’s attorney. Confidential settlement shortly after filing litigation.
  • Represented borrower in commercial loan dispute with its lender relating to gold dredging barge.  
  • Represented owner of beachfront property in Cabo San Lucas in dispute with title insurance company over coverage of disputed title claims.
  • Represent owner of new home in prestigious golf course community in dispute with contractor over cost overruns. Resulted in settlement prior to filing litigation.
  • Represent owner of commercial and vacation properties in complex breach of contract and fiduciary duties dispute with co-owner.
  • Represented owner of investment property in claim against driver who lost control and caused extensive damage to building.
  • Represented borrowers in dispute with private lenders over enforceability of residential loan. Resulted in successful settlement following motions practice.
  • Represented architect in insurance bad faith claim against carrier for failure to cover damaged property. Resulted in successful settlement prior to litigation.
  • Represented owner of large alfalfa farm in dispute with former partner who claimed ongoing ownership. Resulted in dismissal of the former partner’s claims in trial court, followed by successful defense of the appeal.
  • Represented orchard owners in dispute with neighboring property owner or multiple claimed easements. Resulted in successful settlement prior to trial.
  • Represented commercial general contractor in dispute with municipality over change order claims on community recreation center project.  Successfully resolved at mediation shortly after filing litigation.
  • Represented commercial general contractor in dispute with subcontractor over its defective work and defense of change order claims.  Resulted in successful settlement prior to litigation.
  • Represented owners of private subdivision in obtaining right-of-way and easements from government and private owners.
  • Represent suburban homeowners’ association in dispute with lot owner seeking to develop lot in critical are.
  • Represent owner of ranch property whose fence line was damaged by snowplowing company. Resulted in successful settlement after limited discovery.
  • Represented commercial general contractor in arbitration of disputes with subcontractor over deficiencies and change orders. Proceeded to arbitration, with award substantially in favor of client.
  • Represented beneficiary of retirement fund in claim against brokers for negligent handling of transfer of assets. Resulted in full payment prior to filing litigation.
  • Represented large ranch property owner in insurance bad faith claim against carrier for failure to cover wildfire damage. Resolved in mediation following filing of federal court lawsuit.
  • Represented large ranch property owner in claim against insurance brokers for negligent failure to obtain adequate insurance. Resolved in direct negotiation after filing lawsuit.
  • Represented owners of rural property in dispute with neighboring owners over access road. Resulted in successful settlement prior to trial.
  • Represented contractor in construction claim against county public housing authority in claims relating to delays and additional work caused by plan deficiencies.  Case settled shortly after filing litigation.
  • Represented member in restaurant LLC in dispute with co-member regarding mismanagement of funds and breaches of obligations.  Resulted in substantial judgment following motions practice, forcing the defendant into bankruptcy. Continue representation and achieved full payment as condition of bankruptcy dismissal.
  • Represented premier winery in negotiation of tenant lease involving substantial tenant improvements.
  • Represented shoring subcontractor in dispute with general contractor for extra costs in major road shoring project. Settled case through direct negotiation prior to trial.
  • Represented customer of luxury recreational vehicle in product defect claim against national RV company. Settled case prior to filing lawsuit.
  • Represented low-income housing developer in claim asserted by customer over funding responsibilities. Customer dropped claim following mediation.
  • Represented orchard owner in claim against downhill neighbor who removed lateral support, causing instability and other damages to client’s property. 5-day bench trial resulted in substantial positive judgment for client.
  • Represented general contractor in claim against major waste management company over tipping fees. Case settled in mediation prior to trial.
  • Represented general contractor in dispute with plumbing supplier over amounts owed on contract. Case settled by direct negotiation prior to trial.
  • Represented premier medical care provider in dispute with equipment manufacturer on hi-technology laser system. Case resolved through direct negotiation prior to litigation.
  • Represented residential landlord in dispute with tenant who caused substantial property damage. Case settled following motion practice by our firm.
  • Defended farm owner in lawsuit filed by neighbors over water system usage and maintenance. Favorable settlement achieved following motions practice and discovery.
  • Represented renowned glass and photographic plates artist in complex series of lawsuits arising from the construction of her studio and adjoining residence. Successfully mediated settlements prior to trial.
  • Represented law firm in legal malpractice case against a subcontracting law firm. Case resolved successfully at mediation after lawsuit filed.
  • Represented owner of property in Chelan area victimized by neighboring developer who attempted to kill trees along the property line. Case involved both civil and criminal phases, with favorable resolution of restitution claims and the defendant found guilty of a felony for malicious destruction of property.
  • Represented owner of downhill property in lawsuit against uphill neighbors who illegally channeled water onto her property. Successful result at mediation following complex litigation involving multiple parties and insurance companies.
  • Represented property owners in lawsuit filed by neighbor claiming rights to a mile-long easement over their rural properties. Case settled with agreed easements in more favorable location prior to trial.
  • Represented general contractor in defending claims brought by earthwork subcontractor for costs claimed on subdivision development.  Arbitration hearing resulted in award less than offered in settlement by client.
  • Represented general contractor in bid protest filed by two other bidders on $8 million high school athletic field project. Bid award affirmed.
  • Represented site work contractor on claim against owner of commercial project requiring substantial removal of contaminated soil. Case resolved successfully by direct negotiation prior to filing litigation.
  • Represented guardian ad litem of an elderly client suffering from Alzheimer's disease whose family member had misappropriated over $1,000,000. Michael's aggressive pursuit of remedies provided by elder abuse statutes helped result in a settlement with virtually all monies returned.
  • Represented contractor in dispute with homeowner client over major fire-damage renovation project. Following two-week jury trial, obtained a verdict for over 90% of claimed damages, dismissal of counterclaims and substantial attorney’s fee award.
  • Represented contractor in dispute with insurance agents and carriers over wrongful conduct relating to issuance of policy. Contractor had been sued for claimed unpaid premiums, but strategic plan resulted in settlement granting full relief to contractor client.
  • Represented general contractor in successful 4 million dollar bid protest on a federal project.
  • Represented heir of substantial estate in dispute with P.R./beneficiary over distribution of estate assets. Successfully resolved case in mediation.
  • Represented property owner in dispute with title insurer over coverage of underlying easement dispute. Successfully settled case in mediation.
  • Represented developer of major low-income housing project in dispute with lending groups and government agencies over allocation of revenues. Resulted in re-structuring of payout schedules and liability allocation in favor of client.
  • Represented co-owner of a premier North Central Washington golf course whose partner had attempted to force him out with minimal compensation. Our firm immediately filed legal proceeding and a motion to exclude the law firm representing the opposing party, which had acted as counsel in the formation of the underlying company. The case settled at mediation with the client receiving almost 100% of the value of his units.
  • Represented minority owner of a drilling company who had been sued by the LLC for alleged misappropriations. Successfully obtained cooperation of insurance companies whose contributions allowed for settlement of the case on more favorable terms for the client.
  • Represented owner of a welding/manufacturer who had been sued by a business partner over ownership rights of equipment they had purchased together. Through insurance and counterclaims, the case settled with the client keeping all the equipment, additional funds, and incurring no out-of-pocket attorneys’ fees.
  • Represented developer of major low-income housing projects in a dispute with its business partner over the guarantee of an under-performing multi-million dollar housing community. Used summary judgment motions to force a very favorable settlement, in which the underlying debt structure was rebalanced, significantly reducing the client’s contributions and exposure.
  • Represented local non-profit chapter of a major national charity in high-profile dispute over the ownership and control of local facilities. Assisted client in accessing insurance to provide funding for settlement that resulted in no out-of-pocket liability.
  • Represented a national food service company in a bid protest over a $250 million-plus food contract with the State of Washington. The successful challenge to the apparent low bidder was the largest governmental bid protest victory in State history at that time.
  • Represented mechanical subcontractor who had been sued by its insurance company for increased premiums on an excess lines policy. After determining that the policy had been issued in violation of Washington law, we were able to negotiate a settlement by which the client was not only able to avoid paying the increased premium, but also obtain an award of all its attorney’s fees.
  • Represented North-Central Washington winery owners in a dispute with their co-members, after they had reached a stalemate in business affairs. We were able to successfully negotiated a buyout of the other members’ interest for a fraction of their claimed value shortly before arbitration.
  • Represented owners of prime commercial property in Pierce County in dispute arising from petroleum contamination from neighboring properties. After filing suit under the Model Toxics Control Act, successfully negotiated a settlement that allows for allocation of clean-up costs and further development of both properties.