- Criminal DefenseKim practiced with the criminal defense firm of Allen & Hansen, and served as a judicial extern clerk to The Honorable Eugene A. Wright, Senior Judge, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, before joining Tousley Brain Stephens PLLC in 1981. He managed the firm from January 1994 through March 1997, reassuming this position from September 2001 through December 2008.
- Wrongful Death
- FraudOur class action practice has a national reputation for achieving exceptional results. Serving as lead and co-lead counsel in both state and federal court cases in Washington and across the country, we have recovered more than two billion dollars in damages for our clients. We represent plaintiffs in cases involving product liability, consumer protection, securities fraud, improperly imposed taxes, defective building materials, hidden fees charged by banks and others, and environmental law compliance.
- ArsonRepresented vessel owner in first-party fire claim against claim of arson by insurer. Claim was resolved in favor of vessel owner.
- Corporate LawWe advise our emerging business clients on issues including entity selection, financing, shareholder agreements and federal and state taxes. With established businesses, we act as outside general counsel, advising them on joint ventures, stock options, mergers and acquisitions, bank financing, securities offerings, commercial contracts, employment matters, as well as the full array of other legal and business issues they may face.
- Mergers and AcquisitionsTried and argued the first declaratory judgment action in the state of Mississippi related to a corporation owned by two national proprietary health care companies. The case involved the respective rights of owners and managers, and included claims related to mergers and acquisitions.
- Business DisputesMany members of our business law team have run a business. They bring a unique combination of legal know-how and business acumen that enables them to think creatively about positioning clients for success.
- Business TransactionsMichael’s practice involves the areas of business and commercial real estate, with emphasis on business acquisitions and dispositions, commercial real estate, finance transactions, general commercial transactions, and entity organization/formation issues.
- Intellectual Property
- Antitrust
- Employment LitigationHe has handled litigation regarding purchase agreement disputes; specific performance and foreclosure actions; restrictive use covenants and construction; ownership and management of closely held businesses including complaints of fiduciary breach; disputes by and among partners or shareholders in closely held entities; and employment issues related to restrictive covenants. Chris also has served as an arbitrator on numerous commercial cases, through both private selection and as an AAA arbitrator, and as a private mediator. He personally and with partners has participated in a number of real estate development projects.
- Real Estate LitigationAssociate Professor: Real Estate Litigation and Dispute Resolution – University of Washington School of Business, Commercial Real Estate Certificate Program (2003 through present term)
- Construction LitigationHe concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, real estate and construction litigation, insurance coverage (policyholder), and class actions/complex litigation. He also represents the firm’s clients in creditor-side bankruptcy matters in Washington and Oregon. He began his career in a large, regional law firm before joining Tousley Brain Stephens in 2001 and becoming an owner in 2004. Chase has represented individuals, publicly-traded companies, and privately-held businesses. He has been recognized by the Bar for his pro bono service, as a Rising Star by Washington Law and Politics, as a Best Lawyer in America in the area of Construction Litigation by Best Lawyers®, and is rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale-Hubble®. Chase has handled cases up and down the west coast, from Hawaii to Alaska, New York, and Florida, and before the Washington and Oregon State and Federal trial courts, the Washington State Court of Appeals, and the Washington Supreme Court.
- Real Estate TransactionsReal estate transactions can be tremendous commercial opportunities for your business, but they also often involve some of the most complex legal issues your organization will ever face. As you confront those issues, it’s important that your business has an experienced advisor it can trust for strategic advice — to help you make the most of your investments and to avoid potential pitfalls.
- Eminent DomainPort of Seattle v. Equitable Capital Group, Inc., et al. – Successfully represented the Port of Seattle through trial and before the Washington State Supreme Court as lead counsel in eminent domain action in which property owners sought $70 million. The jury returned a $12 million verdict favorable to the Port. The case was appealed, affirmed, and is reported at 127 Wn.2d 202, 395 P.2d 275 (1995).
- Easement
- Land Use and Zoning
- Property DamageRepresented Queen Anne condominium association in multi-million dollar property damage claim against downslope developer and first-party insurers. Obtained multiple settlements through litigation and arbitration, enabling complete repair of client’s building.
- Condominium Law
- Personal InjuryShe has represented plaintiffs and defendants in a wide range of matters involving commercial business disputes, aviation, products liability, insurance coverage, intellectual property, workers’ compensation, personal injury and wrongful death, healthcare, maritime, and real estate/property. Before joining Tousley Brain Stephens, Rebecca worked as an associate at a Texas litigation boutique firm and served as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. W. Royal Furgeson of the Northern District of Texas. Following Judge Furgeson’s retirement from the bench, Rebecca had the pleasure of continuing her clerkship assisting the other judges of the Northern District of Texas.
- Estate PlanningJason practices commercial litigation, with an emphasis on representing plaintiffs in class actions, investor litigation, and trust and estate litigation.
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureObtained significant settlements for national engineering firm in multiple professional service lien foreclosure actions by asserting lien priority over subsequent mortgages.