On New Years’ Eve 2014, following a seven-day jury trial in King County Superior Court, Member John Butler won a defense verdict for his client in a construction defect breach of contract claim.

The plaintiff was a general contractor asserting significant repair cost damages which it claimed resulted from the subcontractor client’s alleged failure to perform work. The repairs totaled into the six figure range, but the claim also included the potential for an award of attorneys’ fees and costs which significantly increased the client’s prospective exposure on the case. Following deliberations lasting less than three hours, the twelve-member jury found that the subcontractor client did not breach its subcontract.

Assisting Mr. Butler as part of the trial team were associate Michelle Pham and paralegals Andrew Dick and Rindy Griffith.  The case was the third jury trial victory for the firm in 2014. Earlier in the year Member Lori O’Tool and associate Greg Latendresse received a verdict on an admitted liability motor vehicle accident case substantially less than demanded, and in November Founding Member Mark O’Donnell and associate Amber Gundlach received a verdict of liability, but no damages proximately caused by the incident.