Kellan Byrne

Kellan Byrne is senior counsel in WSHB’s Seattle office, where his practice focuses on complex civil litigation with an emphasis on professional liability and construction. In the professional liability arena, Kellan represents attorneys, medical professionals, municipalities, construction and design professionals, property owners and managers, local businesses, and many other individuals and companies. In the construction realm, he is well known to developers and general contractors handling a wide array of issues throughout Washington. He also enjoys broad experience handling all facets of civil litigation from premises, transportation and catastrophic issues. Kellan is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and is admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court of Washington in the Western and Eastern Districts.

While in law school, Kellan was awarded the CALI Excellence for the Future Award for academic achievement in basic real estate. He also served as an article editor for the Seattle Journal for Social Justice. In addition to his studies, he completed two internships with Seattle City Light’s employee relations department, working primarily in the field of employment law.

Lindsay v. Azose Commercial Properties – Defense of property management company in premises liability case. Client managed property in commercial plaza that included co-defendant tavern. An altercation between patrons of the tavern spilled into plaza parking lot and resulted in multiple homicides. Estates of deceased sued client for negligence based on failure to prevent. Summary judgment for client granted based on (1) lack of possession or control of subject premises; (2) lack of special relationship with victims; and (3) lack of foreseeability of subject third-party criminal conduct.

Westwood v. Watterson – Defense of excavation company in breach of easement and trespass action. Summary judgment for client granted on basis of Spearin Doctrine, holding excavation company could not be liable as a matter of law for merely completing work according to plans and designs it was obligated to follow.

Private Hospital Arbitration Matter – Represented plaintiff hospital in private arbitration against defendant healthcare services organization. Hospital defended and settled underlying medical malpractice action alleging negligence on behalf of physician provided by healthcare services organization (physician was not employee of hospital). Healthcare services organization did not participate in defense of underlying action, and did not contribute to settlement. Brought arbitration matter on behalf of client to recover portion of settlement amount from healthcare services organization under theory of contractual indemnity. Arbitrator found underlying settlement was reasonable and based in part on provided physician’s alleged negligence. Secured award of $5.7 million on behalf of client.

Education

• Seattle University School of Law (J.D., 2015, cum laude)
• Washington State University (B.A., 2011, magna cum laude)

Licensed to Practice in

• Washington
• U.S District Court, Western District of Washington
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington

Publications

Memberships

• Washington State Bar Association
• King County Bar Association