Emma O. Gillespie

Vcard:

Areas of Practice

• Errors and Omissions / Professional Liability
• Insurance Defense Litigation
• Product Liability
• School Law
• Transportation and Trucking Litigation

Professional Experience

Emma Gillespie's practice focuses on defending people, businesses and schools in civil litigation. Emma has eight years of school litigation experience and has attended the National Institute of Trial Advocacy. Emma earned approval as panel counsel for the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool in January 2008, and she has been involved in approximately 100 school liability cases, which have involved representation of twenty school districts.

Her passion for school litigation and her active involvement in organizations relating to such litigation demonstrates her sincere dedication to her field of practice. This results in representation that upholds the integrity of the people, businesses, and schools for which Emma advocates.

Professionally, every case presents new facts and new issues.  The challenge is coming up with new and creative ways to address these issues in a manner that is unique and effective for each particular situation. These challenges keep legal work fresh and interesting, and Emma seizes the opportunity to help bring about solutions to unresolved problems.

Education

• Emma graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in May of 2002.
• She received a Bachelor's Degree in Politics, as well as a Certificate in Environmental Studies from Princeton University in 1999.

Admitted to Practice

Washington State Courts (WSBA #33255)
United States District Court, Western District of Washington

Professional & Community Activities

• Emma is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the King County Bar Association, and the Washington State Defense Trial Lawyers.
• She is the Pro Bono coordinator for Preg O’Donnell & Gillett, a program that she initiated and implemented for the firm and through which the firm provides legal services to those in need.

Publications & Presentations

• Presenter, "Athletic Liability Training," Washington Schools Risk Management Pool seminar at the Puget Sound Educational Service offices in Renton and Anacortes, WA, October 8 and November 18, 2009.
• Presenter, "Media Relations for School Boards and Administrators," School Law Seminar sponsored by Washington Education Association and Washington Schools Risk Management Pool, Seattle, WA, October 26, 2009.

Honors

Emma was named a Washington Law & Politics Rising Star in 2009.