Representative Experience
Represents petroleum-industry clients before federal and state courts in a broad variety of cases involving environmental and transactional issues, including creative resolution of major litigation through trial or settlement

Represents potentially responsible parties in federal and state Superfund cleanups of contaminated sites and related litigation; has played major role in creative settlements through consent decrees and mediation

Represents agriculture and aquaculture industries on permitting matters and major litigation before administrative tribunals and state courts

Assists broad variety of clients in petroleum, manufacturing, food-processing, land development, and nuclear industries on compliance with environmental laws including CWA, RCRA, and CAA

Advises parties in negotiations and disputes with federal and state agencies involving environmental enforcement, including resolution of civil penalties and compliance orders

Assists clients in complex transactions involving contaminated properties and other environmental issues

Cases and Projects

Pipeline Litigation. One of the lead attorneys who represented major oil company in complex environmental civil and criminal litigation arising from the tragic 1999 Olympic pipeline rupture. Played key role in negotiating landmark settlement with United States and State of Washington involving creation of far-reaching pipeline integrity program, resolution of major federal and state environmental civil penalties, and highly unusual nolo contendere plea.

Salmon Aquaculture Appeals. Serves as lead counsel to salmon aquaculture industry in State of Washington. Successfully defended clients in six-week adversary hearing before Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board involving challenge to clients’ NPDES waste discharge permits. Successfully defended clients in subsequent appeals to Superior Court and Washington Court of Appeals.

Major Environmental Enforcement Actions. Represented major aerospace manufacturing company in Washington State enforcement action that raised complex regulatory issues involving alleged violation of hazardous waste, wastewater discharge, and air quality laws. Civil penalties and regulatory compliance issues were resolved in manner beneficial to client’s continuing operations. Currently defending seafood processing company in major enforcement action brought by EPA under Clean Air Act.

Petroleum Terminal Litigation. Represented major oil company in complex environmental litigation in Washington State involving alleged petroleum and methane contamination. Defendant oil companies stipulated to liability and trial was on damages and contributory fault. Successfully defended client against $12 million claim in six-week jury trial. Client’s share of verdict was small fraction of claim.

Pesticides Facility Litigation. Represented major chemical company in complex litigation in federal court involving multiple parties and alleged pesticides contamination. Instrumental in forming joint defense group to defend against contribution claims under CERCLA and state law. Case was resolved through mediation resulting in settlement favorable to client.

Cleanup and Redevelopment of Historic Town. Continues to serve as environmental counsel to major natural resources company in the environmental cleanup and redevelopment of a former sawmill site and historic company town in Washington State. The State awarded an Environmental Excellence Award to the client and another company for the successful cleanup of this complicated site.

Superfund Sites. Represents two companies in relation to the Pasco Landfill, a major state and federal Superfund site in Eastern Washington. As member of PRP steering committee and chair of technical committee, played key role in negotiations with agency and other parties, resulting in Interim Remedy and advantageous allocation for clients. Has represented clients at numerous other federal Superfund sites and state cleanup sites.

Federal Facility Cleanup Projects. Represented government contractors, including Westinghouse, Rockwell, Fluor, Associated Universities and Battelle Pacific Northwest Laboratory, with respect to numerous cleanup projects and enforcement actions at federal facilities, including the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and Brookhaven National Laboratory. Instrumental in formulation of creative cleanup schemes, including the Hanford Tri-Party Agreement.

Prior Experience
Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Civil Division of King County Prosecutor’s Office, lead counsel to County in complex litigation brought by Seattle Mariners Baseball Club alleging deficient conditions in Kingdome Stadium

Served as naval officer aboard nuclear submarine

Recent Publications
“Olympic Pipeline: Anatomy of a Complex Transportation Dispute,” Natural Resources & Environment, Fall 2006

Memberships and Activities
Washington State Bar Association

Admitted to practice in the U.S. Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington

Service as officer and board member on nonprofits, including Bellevue Philharmonic Orchestra, Greater Seattle Aquarium Society and Puget Sound Anglers

Member, National Asian Pacific American Bar Association and Asian Bar Association of Washington

Chair, PRISM Group (firmwide diversity committee)

Named as one of "America's Leading Business Lawyers" by Chambers USA, 2005-2007

Selected to “Super Lawyers,” Washington Law & Politics, 2004-2007

Listed in “Best Lawyers in America,” Woodward/White

Education
J.D., with honors, University of Washington, 1974

• Managing Editor, Washington Law Review

B.A., Oregon State University, 1964