Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) is proud to announce a significant victory in a high-stakes jury trial in King County, Washington, securing a decisive win for our esteemed clients—a leading general contractor and a real estate developer. Led by the exceptional legal acumen of seasoned trial attorney Tim Repass and senior associate Nohl Speck, WSHB skillfully dismantled a construction site injury and premises liability claim, delivering a powerful defense.
"This was a case that had to be tried due to the unreasonable and inflexible demand presented," said Repass, managing partner of WSHB's Seattle office. "Although the demand fluctuated throughout the litigation, by the time of trial it remained exorbitant $1.9 million."
The trial unfolded over two intense weeks, featuring testimony from numerous witnesses and expert opinions on both liability and damages. As the trial approached its climax, and just before the case was set to be deliberated by the jury, the plaintiff's counsel-initiated settlement discussions. This pivotal shift was sparked by the defense's rigorous cross-examination of the plaintiff and the persuasive testimony from our expert witnesses, which understandably raised serious concerns about the viability of the plaintiff's case.
Despite the plaintiff alleging economic damages in the range of $800,000, and anticipating a multi-million-dollar jury request, the plaintiff's counsel ultimately opted to mitigate potential losses by settling the case significantly below the last pre-trial offer from the defense.
"Today's legal environment often sees plaintiff attorneys emboldened by inflated verdicts and a culture of overreach," remarked Tim Repass. "They frequently attempt to leverage these trends to secure settlements that lack merit. We are grateful for the trust our clients place in us to mount a robust defense, ultimately sending a clear message to opposing counsel."
Repass further stated, "While the plaintiff suffered genuine injuries, our client bore no responsibility for them. We were confident in our trial strategy and believed the jury would deliver a just verdict. It required navigating the trial process, but we achieved our objective and secured an excellent outcome for our client. Our team is dedicated to countering the tactics of plaintiff lawyers who attempt to exploit the current legal landscape for unjust gains."
The trial team also included the skilled contributions of Christopher Borgman, paralegal, and Renee Faulds, office administrator, who played an integral role in this successful defense.
Wood Smith Henning & Berman: Your Trusted Partner
Experience the power of a proven industry leader in the law. Wood Smith Henning & Berman (WSHB) is renowned globally for our exceptional trial results and expertise in handling complex litigation. With our nationwide network of almost 500 lawyers across 42 office locations, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive litigation and counsel to both public and private companies. From start-ups to Fortune 100 corporations, we deliver unrivaled legal representation that consistently achieves favorable outcomes for our clients.
At WSHB, our strength lies in our diverse and accomplished team of attorneys. We boast thought leaders and defense specialists in over 41 fields of practice, covering an extensive range of specialties. Founded in 1997, we are proud to be among the top ten law firms in the nation for diversity, female partners, female lawyers, and Hispanic lawyers. This rich tapestry of diversity forms the foundation of our success when presenting cases to juries of our peers, ensuring we understand the unique nuances underlying each claim.
Our expansive geographic footprint allows us to provide effective and efficient representation to clients nationwide, regardless of their location, background, or legal expertise. By prioritizing strategic and cost-effective approaches to litigation, our dedicated attorneys work tirelessly to protect the interests of our clients. We have a track record of success, securing numerous victories such as summary judgments and defense verdicts on behalf of our clients. As a trial firm, we have taken over 2,000 cases to verdict, making us well-equipped to handle even the most complex and high-stakes litigation matters across the country.