Background:

Robert grew up in Tacoma, Washington. Following law school, he completed a two-year clerkship with the Honorable J. Dean Morgan State Court of Appeals, Division II.  He moved to Walla Walla in 2018 to be closer to his wife’s family and joined Minnick Hayner. Robert enjoys golfing, cycling, travel and spending time with his wife, Patricia. During most weekends, you will probably find Robert doing a home improvement project or cheering on his two children on their latest adventure.

Education:

• University of Washington, Foster School of Business (B.A. Business Administration, 1995)
• University of Washington School of Law (J.D., with honors, 1999)

Professional and Community Activities:

• Member, Washington State Bar Association
• President, Walla Walla County Bar Association, 2026
• Board Member Big Blue Boosters of Walla Walla, 2019 – Present
• Member, Rotary
• Former Board Member, Vice President, and Treasurer, Downtown Walla Walla Foundation, 2020 – 2025
• Former Board Member, Treasurer of the Fort Walla Walla Museum, 2019 – 2024
• Former Member, Washington State Bar Association Diversity Committee
• Former Member, KCBA Judicial Screening Committee

Admitted to Practice Before:

• Washington State
• Federal Court, Western District of Washington
• Federal Court, Eastern District of Washington

Representative Experience

Robert’s representative work includes trials, motion practice and mediated disputes on behalf of businesses and individuals.

• The Carlton Group, Ltd v. Amond World, LLC, Santa Clara County Superior Court. Robert successfully defended a landowner against claims of tortious interference following a two-week jury trial.
• Assisting a real estate developer with construction contracts and development of the f5 Tower, a 44-story skyscraper in downtown Seattle.
• Assisting a real estate developer with construction and architect contracts and development for a 40-story condominium building in downtown Seattle.
• Assisting a real estate developer with construction and architect contracts for a 20-story condominium building in Bellevue, Washington.
• Assisting a community development organization with the construction contract for its mixed use project in the International District of Seattle.
• Assisting a community group with the construction contract of the new Walla Walla Elks Lodge.
• Assisting with recent sale of a commerical property in Walla Walla in a transaction totaling over $13 million dollars.
• Representing a Walla Walla business in a sale transaction totaling over $10 million.
• Negotiating and drafting of the purchase and sale document for a large apartment complex at a price of more than $12 million dollars.
• Mukilteo Retirement Apartments, LLC v. Mukilteo Investors, LP, et al., Snohomish County Superior Court. Robert helped represent a tenant to enforce its rights under an option agreement. The dispute went to trial and the trial court ordered the landlord to sell the real property and awarded substantial damages to the tenant for the landlord’s wrongful delay in the sale of the facility.  Published decision at 176 Wn. App. 244, 310 P.3d 814 (2013).
• Nunnery v. Evergreen Kitsap, LLC, et al., Snohomish County Superior Court. Robert defended a skilled nursing facility against claims of negligence, outrage and neglect of a vulnerable adult. Following a three week trial, the jury returned a defense verdict on all claims.
• Payne v. Canterbury House, LLC, et al., King County Superior Court. Robert defended a skilled nursing facility against claims of negligence, outrage and neglect of a vulnerable adult in a jury trial. After three weeks of trial, the Court declared a mistrial and awarded sanctions against the plaintiff.
• New Albertson’s, Inc. v. AMEC Earth & Environmental, Inc., et al. Robert helped an owner resolve claims against two contractors arising from alleged faulty construction of a parking lot.
• Sunwoo v. Myall, King County Superior Court. Robert helped property owners to successfully defeat a neighbor’s claim for a prescriptive easement following a bench trial.