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 family.  Robert enjoys golfing, cycling, and travel.  During most weekends, you will probably find Robert coaching or standing on a sideline cheering on his two children.

Education:

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

Professional and Community Activities:

• Former Member, Washington State Bar Association Diversity Committee
• Member, Washington State Bar Association
• Member of DRI Committees on Retail & Hospitality, Medical Liability, and Construction
• Former Member, KCBA Judicial Screening Committee
• Member, Rotary
• Board Member, Big Blue Boosters of Walla Walla
• Board Member, Downtown Walla Walla Foundation
• Board Member, Fort Walla Walla Museum

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.

• 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 commercial 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.
• Brown v. Holder, Pierce County Superior Court. Robert successfully helped a partnership pursue claims against another partner for breach of fiduciary duty and conversion of partnership assets.
• 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.