Consistent with our commitment to the core values of Service, Passion and Excellence, we are pleased to announce that Mary Eklund, a litigator with a practice providing legal advice and representation to the accounting profession, is joining the firm on October 1, 2010. Mary has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell's Lawyer Rating system--showing that she has reached the height of professional excellence. Since 1992, Mary has practiced as lead counsel on a professional liability defense practice for accountants while also acting as the managing shareholder of Eklund Rockey Stratton, P.S. She received her juris doctorate from Hastings College of Law, University of California in 1978.

Shannon McMinimee will be an instructor for two courses at the Oregon-Washington School Bi-State School Psychology Conference in Vancouver, Washington on October 14-16. Shannon will be teaching a class on New Developments Special Education Law, and along with Drs. Richard Adler and Sarah Heavin, Ph.D., will be addressing violence risk assessments for public school students.

Shannon McMinimee will be discussing "What Constitutes a Threat, What Constitutes Free Expression? " and will be part of a panel discussion regarding the challenges faced by school districts in contracting at the Washington Council of School Attorneys Fall Workshop 2010 on Friday, October 15 at the Ceaderbrook Conference Center in Sea Tac. Shannon is a member of the COSA Board of Directors and a frequent presenter on school law issues.

On September 9th, 2010, in King County Court, Associate Rachel Tallon Reynolds obtained a defense verdict for her client, a commercial shopping center in Seattle, Washington. The plaintiff had claimed significant damages based on a perceived issue on the maintenance of the property. The claim was denied and nothing was awarded.

Partner Lori O'Tool, with assistance from associate David Chawes, successfully defended a general contractor involving construction defect and Consumer Protection Act claims in Whatcom County. The general contractor was also seeking damages for plaintiff's failure to pay for work performed. The case arose out of a fire-loss renovation of a single family residence. Plaintiff's demand at mediation and claimed damages at arbitration were $787,309. After a 2-day arbitration, the Arbitrator awarded the general contractor the entire amount requested of $11,920.04 and plaintiff was awarded only $38,026.83.

The Puget Sound Business Journal announced on August 27, 2010 that Preg O'Donnell & Gillett is one of the Top 50 Law Firms in Western Washington. This success is the result of the firm's core values of Service, Passion, and, Excellence as well as the legal talent and resources of the firm. In the last year the firm has solidified its presence and reputation in the Washington and Oregon legal community. The firm has also broadened its practice by adding talent and experience in school law and a broadening of legal, accounting, and, professional services liability defense. Preg O'Donnell & Gillett is grateful to its clients for the opportunity to provide legal services and is committed to providing service and excellence to its private clients, insurers, and, insureds in the full spectrum of a civil defense litigation practice.