Practice Areas

• Real Estate
• Litigation & Dispute Resolution
• Construction
• Finance & Creditors’ Rights

Honors & Awards

• AV* rated by Martindale-Hubbell
• Recognized by Super Lawyers as a Super Lawyer (2024 – 2025)
• Recognized by Super Lawyers a Rising Star (2006, 2009, 2011)

• Recognized by Best Lawyers in America (Litigation – Real Estate, Real Estate Law, Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights/Insolvency and Reorganization law)  (2024 – 2025)
  

  *AV is a registered certification mark of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.

Education & Admissions

• J.D., Gonzaga University School of Law, summa cum laude, 2001
  • Articles Editor, Gonzaga Law Review
• B.A., Lindenwood University (Political Science), 1997
• Construction Contracting – Overview of Fundamentals of Construction Law (ESI International/George Washington University), 2002

Admissions:

• Washington (All State Courts)
•  United States District Court, Western District of Washington
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
• United States Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Articles & Presentations

• Reformation, Rescission, and Lost Instruments, Washington Real Property Deskbook Series (WSBA Pre-Publication)
• Adverse Possession, Other Boundary Adjustment Doctrines, and Encroachment and Trespass, Washington Real Property Deskbook Series (WSBA Pre-Publication)
• Construction Liens, Washington State Bar Association (2024, 2022, 2020, 2018)
• Construction Liens, King County Bar Association (2021, 2019, 2017)
• Overview of Title Insurance in the State of Washington, National Business Institute (2021), King County Bar Association (2017)
• Best Practices for Curing Title Problems, National Business Institute (2019)
• Resolving Boundary Disputes, National Business Institute (2019, 2017, 2014)
• Select Liens on Real Property, Washington State Bar Association (2019)
• Boundary Law Essentials, National Business Institute (2016)
• Mechanic’s Liens: How to Avoid or Defeat Them, Commercial Brokers Association (2016)
• Non-judicial Foreclosures of Commercial Loans, National Business Institute (2011)
• Drafting a Winning Appellate Brief, National Business Institute (2010)
• May It Please the Court: Oral Argument Techniques that Get Results, National Business Institute (2010)

Representative Matters

Representative Transactional Matters:

• Represented seller in $70 million sale of three parcels of real estate used to operate car dealership
• Represented buyer in acquisition of $45 million business/light industrial campus comprising eight buildings and 38 tenants
• Represented seller in $28.5 million sale of two parcels of real estate used to operate car dealerships
• Represented buyer in acquisition of $18 million retail center enrolled in Voluntary Cleanup Program with the Washington State Department of Ecology
• Represented seller in seller-financed sale of $20 million residential property
• Represented buyer in acquisition of $18.5 million retail mall
• Represented buyer in acquisition of $11.5 million marina

Representative Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution Matters:

• Successfully represented buyer in action seeking to rescind sale of vacant lots created by seller in illegal testamentary subdivision. Obtained summary judgment rescinding the sale and substantial award of attorney fees and costs.
• Successfully represented seller and broker against claims by buyers of residential properties for breach of contract, negligent misrepresentation, fraudulent concealment, and Consumer Protection Act violations. Obtained summary judgment dismissing most claims, trial verdict dismissing remaining claims, and substantial award of attorney fees and costs.
• Successfully represented landlord in declaratory judgment action against retail tenant seeking to reduce amount of bonus rent owed under long-term lease. Obtained trial verdict declaring tenant was bound by course of performance for calculating bonus rent established by tenant’s predecessors-in-interest, along with substantial award of attorney fees and costs.
• Successfully represented landlord in action against guarantor of commercial lease for unpaid rent and damages to premises. Obtained summary judgment and substantial award of attorney fees and costs.
• Successfully represented a homeowners’ association in lawsuit brought by unit owner over right to manage and maintain certain common areas. Obtained trial verdict dismissing unit owner’s claims along with substantial award of attorney fees and costs.
• Successfully represented homeowner in boundary dispute with neighbor involving valuable waterfront property. Obtained trial verdict in favor of homeowner on claims for adverse possession and mutual recognition and acquiescence.
• Successfully represented homeowners against neighbor’s adverse possession claim. Obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims and substantial award of attorney fees and costs.
• Successfully defended commercial lender against borrower’s claims deed of trust and nonjudicial foreclosure were void due to fraud. Obtained trial verdict dismissing all claims and substantial award of attorney fees and costs.
• Successfully represented community bank in adversary action against borrower on commercial loan. Obtained trial verdict declaring debt non-dischargeable under bankruptcy law due to borrower’s fraudulent financial statements.

Representative Appeals:

• Successfully represented homeowner in lawsuit against contractor for defective EIFS siding. 1000 Virginia Ltd. Partnership v. Vertecs Corp., 158 Wn.2d 566, 146 P.3d 423 (2006).
• Represented surety in defense of claim against AIA A-311 Performance Bond. Colorado Structures, Inc. v. Insurance Company of the West, 161 Wn.2d 577, 167 P.3d 1125 (2007).
• Successfully represented title insurer against wrongful foreclosure and Consumer Protection Act claims. Robertson v. GMAC Mortgage, LLC, et al., 702 Fed. Appx. 595 (9th Cir. 2017).
• Successfully represented general contractor on grocery supermarket project in claim against subcontractor which had abandoned and filed lien claim against project. Woodman Construction, Inc. v. Roy Rogers, Inc., 2008 WL 116280 (2008).
• Represented developer of condominium conversion in defense of lien and breach of contract claim by painting contractor. Chayer Enterprises v. Townhomes at Kirkland, LLC, 2008 WL 2132813 (2008).