Related Practices

Complex Commercial Litigation

Class Action Defense

Health Care Litigation & Dispute Resolution

Antitrust

Environmental & Natural Resources

Financial Services Litigation

Related Industries

Health Care

Telecommunications

Financial Services

Software & Technology

Additional Bios

Languages

Admitted to Practice

Washington

U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit

U.S. District Court Western District of Washington

U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington

Charles S. Wright

Partner

charleswright@dwt.com
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Seattle
206.757.8175 direct
206.757.7175 fax

Charles Wright represents clients in complex litigation, with an emphasis on antitrust, consumer protection, and class action defense. He has defended against private antitrust claims, federal and state antitrust investigations, consumer class actions, securities fraud claims, partnership disputes, fiduciary duty claims, complex contract disputes, tortious interference claims, and other business-related disputes. Charles also counsels clients on compliance with antitrust and consumer protection laws.

Charles represents hospitals and healthcare systems, national wireless carriers, software companies, banks and forest products companies, as well as closely held corporations, partnerships, and family-owned businesses. He is named as one of the "The Best Lawyers in America" by Woodward/White, and as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" by Chambers USA.

Selected Experience

D.M./Z.D. v. Group Health Cooperative

Representing Group Health Cooperative in class action relating to insurance benefits under Washington’s Mental Health Parity Act. (W.D. Wash., King Cnty. (Wash.) Sup. Ct. Ongoing)

Kelley, et al. v. Microsoft Corporation

Defended Microsoft in litigation challenging the 'Windows Vista Capable' marketing program, which preceded the release of the Microsoft Windows Vista operating system in early 2007. Class initially certified, decertified after the close of e-discovery in February 2009, and resolved after appeal. (W.D. Wash. 2011)

Arellano v. National wireless carrier

Represented national wireless carrier in litigation arising from 4G marketing campaigns. Obtained favorable ruling compelling arbitration as required by consumer contract. (N.D. Cal. 2011)

Bower/Stoican v. Verizon Wireless

Obtained orders compelling arbitration and enforcing class action waivers on behalf of national wireless carrier. Presently on appeal to Ninth Circuit. (W.D. Wash./C.D. Cal. 2011)

DOJ v. AT&T/Deutsche Telekom

Assisted national wireless carrier in managing response to Department of Justice challenge to merger with AT&T. (2011)

PMG v. Children’s Hospital Central California

Defended one of California’s largest children’s hospitals against antitrust claims asserted by neonatology group. (E.D. Cal. 2011)

Robertson et al. v. The Port Blakely Company

Trial counsel to The Port Blakely Company, a family-owned tree farming business in dispute with limited partners. Successfully tried securities fraud claims to jury after obtaining dismissal on summary judgment of claims seeking dissolution. (2010)

Witham v. Clallam County Public Hospital District No. 2

Counsel to public hospital district sued by oncologist who claimed the hospital monopolized the provision of oncology services by hiring its own providers. On motion to dismiss filed against the complaint, obtained dismissal of Sherman Act damage claims under Local Government Antitrust Act and of all state antitrust claims. (W.D. Wash. 2010)

Defense of cable operator in a putative class action

Defended national provider of broadband services in a putative class action by the residents of an area of a county annexed by a city. The plaintiffs claimed cable operator should charge them lower cable television rates. Dismissed with prejudice by trial court as pre-empted by federal Cable Act. The dismissal was affirmed by the Washington State Court of Appeals. 150 Wn. App. 721, 208 P.3d 1261 (Wash. App. 2009)

Yountville Investors, LLC v. Bank of America N.A.

Obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims challenging the enforceability of an interest rate swap agreement. WL 2382862 (W.D. Wash. 2009)

Boyle v. Amazon.com, Inc.

Represented Amazon.com in a putative nationwide class action alleging misrepresentation and the sale of counterfeit goods on the Amazon.com website. Obtained orders striking class allegations and granting motion for summary judgment. (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2008)

East Portland Imaging Center and Body Imaging v. Providence Health System and Providence Health Plan, et al.

Represented large health system and its health plan in an antitrust case brought by two outpatient diagnostic imaging centers that were terminated from the plan in favor of two diagnostic imaging joint ventures formed by health system and community radiologists. The district court entered summary judgment for client after intense discovery. The 9th Circuit affirmed. (9th Cir. 2008)

Mill v. Virginia Mason Medical Center

Represented client in a class action challenging the imposition of a facility fee at Virginia Mason's downtown outpatient clinic. Following entry of summary judgment in Virginia Mason's favor on the claim that such fees were unlawful, the remaining claim regarding disclosure of the fees was settled. (King Cnty. (Wash.) Sup. Ct. 2008)

Smale et al. v. Cellco Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wireless

Represented Verizon Wireless in putative class action alleging the failure to disclose surcharges in consumer contracts and billing statements. Obtained dismissal on the pleadings. See Smale et al. v. Cellco Partnership, dba Verizon Wireless, 547 F.Supp.2d 1181 (W.D. Wash. 2008).

Woodruff v. Hawai'i Pacific Health, et al.

Obtained summary judgment for Hawai'i Pacific Health in antitrust litigation filed in state court in Honolulu by a group of pediatric oncologists who were terminated from the health system's medical group. Plaintiffs asserted claims under the state's antitrust laws and unfair trade practices act. Currently representing the health system in analogous litigation filed under the Sherman Act in federal court. Civ. No. 02-1-0090-01 (2008)

More Experience >>

Additional Qualifications

Professional and Community Activities

Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Washington Law School, teaching health antitrust, 2010-2011
Member; Executive Committee of Antitrust, Consumer Protection and Unfair Business Practices Section – Washington State Bar Association, 2007-present
Active contributor to Antitrust Practice Group, American Health Lawyers Association
Frequent speaker for Washington State Society of Healthcare Attorneys

Professional Recognition

Named as one of "America's Leading Lawyers for Business" in Litigation: General Commercial (Washington) by Chambers USA, 2010-2011
Named as one of the “Best Lawyers in America” in Health Care Law by Woodward/White, 2011-2012
Selected to "Washington Rising Stars," Law & Politics, 2007-2011

Education

J.D., University of Washington School of Law, with high honors