I am an experienced civil litigator and appellate attorney. I regularly represent vessel owners, operators, and their underwriters in all aspects of maritime law, including casualty response and investigations, vessel attachments and arrests, commercial disputes, marine-related regulatory compliance, environmental matters, personal injury claims, and cargo claims. I also represent ports and other marine service providers and contractors.Over the course of my career, I have briefed and argued numerous appeals in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and Washington State Courts of Appeal. I have also filed briefing in the United States Supreme Court at the certiorari stage and as counsel for amicus. In addition to acting as co-lead for our appellate practice group in Seattle, I serve as Assistant General Counsel to the firm.In addition to my maritime and appellate practices, I have represented banks, broker-dealers, and registered persons in litigation, arbitration, and regulatory investigations. I have successfully defended clients against allegations of fraud, negligence, unsuitability, selling away, and numerous lending-related claims.

Bar Admissions

• Oregon State Courts
• Washington State Courts

Education

• Smith College, Bachelor of Arts degree (2002)
• Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, Juris Doctor degree, summa cum laude, Order of the Coif (2008)

Significant Accomplishments

Maritime

• Obtained vacatur of Rule B attachment of multiple containerships, including award of substantial costs to client.
• Obtained summary judgment on behalf of classification society against claims of breach of contract and negligence related to issuance of tonnage certificates.

Financial services

• Obtained summary judgment on Consumer Protection Act and wrongful foreclosure clams on behalf of bank, affirmed in published appellate opinion.
• Obtained dismissal of claims against bank based on federal preemption, upheld by Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
• Successfully represented broker-dealer client in a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration on claims related to variable life insurance policy.
• Obtained a defense award in FINRA arbitration on significant "selling away" claims against firm.

• Supreme Court Rules that Discovery is Not Available in Aid of Private Foreign Arbitration: ZF Automotive US, Inc. v. Luxshare, Ltd., Decided June 13, 2022
• COVID-19: Force Majeure Clauses and Considerations for the Transportation, Ports, and Maritime Industry
• SCOTUS Accepts Review of Ninth Circuit Maritime Punitive Damages Case
• Tax Reform: What Does the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Mean for the Transportation, Ports and Maritime Industry?

Seminar

• Ethics Hour: Ethical Communications
• Ethics Hour: Do I Have a Conflict?
• 2021 Maritime Law Update
• WSB Maritime Law 2021 CLE: Force Majeure in Maritime Law
• MIAS 2021 Day of Education: Maritime Legal Update
• Women Leaders in the Maritime Industry
• Webinar: Lead Like a Woman
• What's New For The PNW's Iconic Maritime Industry