Bio

EDUCATION

Strauss Institute of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University 2016
J.D. Magna Cum Laude, Gonzaga University School of Law 1978
B.A. Pennsylvania Military College (now Widener University) 1972

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

I worked in Seattle the first 12 years of my career.  I was a trial attorney, working primarily in the areas of Admiralty and Maritime law, products liability, the U.S. Longshore Act, and personal injury claims. In 1990, I moved my practice to Kitsap County and continued to handle a variety of litigation cases with an emphasis on civil cases and mediation.  I have completed the mediation course at the Strauss Institute for Dispute Reslolution, Pepperdine University, Mediatiing the Litigated Case.

Martindale-Hubble awarded me an AV rating.  This is the highest rating available for legal skill and ethical behavior.

Trial and Appellate Experience

Jury and Bench trials, representing Plaintiffs and Defendants, in 15 Counties of the State of Washington, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington at Tacoma and Seattle, and Ketchikan Borough Superior Court, Alaska.

Administrative Hearings before Federal Administrative Law Judges, U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Workers Compensation Programs and Administrative Law Judges, U.S. Coast Guard.

Appeals briefed and Argued

• Supreme Court of the United States
• Supreme Court of the State of Washington
• Supreme Court of Alaska
• U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• Court of Appeals, Divisions I and II, State of Washington
• Benefits Review Board, U.S. Department of Labor

FEDERAL APPELLATE CASES

U.S. SUPREME COURT

Shute v. Carnival Cruise Lines, 499 U.S. 586, 111 S.Ct. 1522, 113 L.Ed.2d 622 (1991)

U.S. COURT OF APPEALS, 9TH CIRCUIT

Hemphill v. Kinchloe, 987 F.2d 589 (1993)
Shute v. Carnival Cruise Lines, 934 F.2d 1091 (1991)
Providence Washington Insurance v. Director, O.W.C.P., 765 F.2d 1381 (1985)

STATE APPELLATE CASES

Washington Supreme Court

Condon v. Condon, 117 Wn.2d 150, 298 P.3d 86 (2013)
Shute v. Carnival Cruise Lines, 113 Wn.2d 763, 783 P.2d 78 (1989) (This case is studied in most civil procedure law books.)
Cox v. Spangler, 141 Wn.2d 431, 5 P.3d 1265 (1989)

Alaska Supreme Court

Oaksmith v. Brusich, 774 P.2d 191 (Alaska, 1989)

Washington Court of Appeals

Gleason v. Cohen, 192 Wn. App. 788, 368 P.3d 531 (2016)
Lange v. Cebelak, 188 Wn. App. 1035 (2015)
Huntington v. Mueller and Henry, 177 Wn. App. 77, 302 P.3d 350 (2013)
Woodley v. USAA,  175 Wn. App. 1038 (2013), rev. Denied 179 Wn.2d 1003 (2013)
Howarth-Tuomey v. Vining, 162Wn. App.1004, WL 2039605 (2011)
Cox v. O'Brien and DeMers, 150 Wn. App. 24, 206 P.3d 682 (2009), Rev. Denied 167 Wn.2d 1006 (2009)
City of Port Orchard v. Rolfs, 136 Wn. App. 1030 (2006)
Reed's Meadow, LLC v. Herdman, 127 Wn. App. 1023 (2005)
Saathoff v. Kitsap County, 112 Wn. App. 1012 (2002)
Kibler v. Armstrong, 105 Wn. App. 1027 (2002)
Bess v. Brumbaugh, 93 Wn. App. 1022 (1998)
Cox v. Spangler, 90 Wn. App. 1028 (1998)
Murphy v. Tardiff, 90 Wn. App. 1025 (1998)
Sheppard v. Horluck Transportation Company, 90 Wn. App. 1025 (1998)Kodiak Fishing, Inc. v. M/V. Pacific Pride, 1982 American Maritime Cases 2089 (U.S. D.C. 1982)

PARTIAL LIST OF TRIALS

Rickey v. Cline, Pierce County Superior Court, 2013 (wrongful death)
Knudsen v. Jurden, Jefferson County Superior Court, 2012 (real estate/boundary line dispute)
Hendren v. Wilson, Clallam County Superior Court, 2011 (alleged Traumatic Brain Injury)
Huntington v. Mueller and Henry, Clallam County Superior Court, 2011 (multiple vehicle collision)
Freeman v. Tumwater Lanes, Inc., Thurston County Superior Court, 2011 (slip and fall at bowling center)
Bartrug v. Moreira, Kitsap County Superior Court, 2010 (personal injury from auto accident)
Marohn v. Peterson, Mason County Superior Court, 2010 (breach of real estate contract)
Howarth-Tuomey v. Vining, Thurston County Superior Court, 2009 (timber trespass, waste)
Loving v. White, Jefferson Superior Court, 2008
Cox v. DeMers, Kitsap County Superior Court, 2007 (Economic Loss rule, misrepresentation)
Hankins v. Hussey, Clallam Superior Court, 2007
Roberts v. Appell, Jefferson Superior Court, 2007
Garrietz v. Peyton, Kitsap Superior Court, 2007
Magnuson v. State of Washington, Kitsap Superior Court, 2006
Butchart v. State of Washington, Pierce Superior Court, 2002 (wrongful death)
Holman v. Jones, Pierce Superior Court, 2001
Sangder v. McCabe, Thurston Superior Court, 2000 (loss of limb)
Vogelgesang v. Van Zanten, Thurston Superior Court, 1999
Woodland v. Miller, Pierce Superior Court, 1999
Kuklinski v. Hess, Kitsap Superior Court, 1999
Nestegard v. Minihan, Pierce Superior Court, 1998
Moon v. Phillips, Kitsap Superior Court, 1998
Ragan v. Hinson, Kitsap Superior Court, 1998
Cox v. Spangler, Pierce Superior Court, 1997
Hamilton v. Kitsap County, Pierce Superior Court, 1995 (quadriplegia)
Wellbrock v. Alvarado, Kitsap Superior Court, 1995 (wrongful death)
Britton v. Arasim, Skagit Superior Court, 1995
Lindberg v. Kinchloe, Thurston Superior Court, 1995
Sonesouphab v. Stricklen, Pierce Superior Court, 1994
Quist v. Kussman, Pierce Superior Court, 1994
Sorenson v. Lange, U.S. Dist. Court Tacoma, 1993 (collision between vessels)
Frame v. Sinclaire, Kitsap Superior Court, 1993
Reed v. Binford, Kitsap Superior Court, 1992
King v. The Austin Company, King Superior Court, 1990
Hjaltoson v. M/V Arctic Sea, King Superior Court, 1984 (loss of eye)
Smith v. Crowley Maritime Corportation, U.S. Dist. Court, Seattle, 1981(maritime personal injury)

OTHER PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

Washington State Bar Association and Kitsap County Bar Association member
Chaired Executive Board, Litigation Section, Washington State Bar Association
Served as Washington State Bar Association Hearing Officer (Judge for cases involving lawyer discipline) 2004-2015
Served as Member of Professionalism Committee, WSBA
Served as Member of Professional Liability Insurance Committee, WSBA
Contributing Author: Washington Civil Trial and Evidence Manual
Contributing Author: Washington Civil Procedure Deskbook
Seminar Chair, Litigation Section Mid-Year Seminar, 1994
Speaker, W.S.T.L.A., First Annual Tort Law Seminar, 1990
Speaker, Longshore Administrators Association, Spring Seminar, 1995
Speaker, WSBA Law Practice and Management Section, Technology Seminar, 1997
Featured Speaker, General Civil Practice Seminar, Public Defender’s Association, 1998
Served as Trustee, Kitsap County Bar Association
Recipient of Professionalism Award, Kitsap County Bar Association