Representative Experience
Mr. Steichen’s practice focuses on complex domestic and international commercial disputes, litigation and arbitration. Areas of emphasis include: commercial contracts; corporate governance and control; business torts; securities litigation; class actions; computer software; construction and design; and science and technology

Representative Litigation Matters

Belfor USA Group v. Trammel Crow. Arbitration proceeding, obtained arbitration award of more than $3 million in favor of Belfor in dispute arising out of construction defect repair project.

Bellingham Marine Industries, Inc. v. Mattie & O’Brien Mechanical Contracting Company, Inc., United States District Court, Maine/American Arbitration Association. Obtained arbitration award and judgment in favor of concrete floating dock manufacturer on United States Navy project.

Cedar Plaza L.L.C. v. Quality Food Stores, Inc., Snohomish County Washington Superior Court. Obtained trial judgment in favor of defendant grocery store chain against damage claims asserted by shopping center owner.

Corum Group Ltd. v. Datasul S.A., American Arbitration Association. Obtained arbitration award for Brazilian software company against significant damage claims in international arbitration hearing arising out of corporate financing transaction.

Davis v. Gray & Osborne, Inc. et al., Superior Court, King County Washington. Obtained summary judgment in favor of civil engineering firm against wrongful death claims exceeding $11 million arising out of a construction site accident.

Geonex Martel, Inc. v. Roy F. Weston, Inc., et al., United States District Court, Washington. Successfully defended against a subcontractor’s breach of contract and related claims totaling more than $10 million arising out of City of Seattle’s Joint Automated Mapping Project (a sophisticated computerized mapping program).

Knoll Construction Co. v. Pacific First Federal Savings Bank, et al., United States Bankruptcy Court, Washington. Successfully defended against lender liability claims totaling more than $8 million.

Mountain States Fire Protection, Inc. v. Bechtel Constructors Corp., et al., El Paso County, Colorado, District Court. Jury verdict and judgment in favor of defendants on claims arising out of Colorado State Penitentiary renovation construction project.

Neuberger and Berman Asset Management Corporation, Inc. v. Excel Energy Corporation, et al., United States District Court, Colorado/American Arbitration Association. Successfully defended against claims totaling more than $20 million arising out of oil and gas drilling program. Claims included federal and state securities law violations, breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, negligence, conversion, and RICO.

Remtech, Inc. v. Dames & Moore, et al., United States District Court, Washington. Jury verdict and judgment for $2.5 million (including attorneys’ fees) on breach of contract claim on environmental remediation project at Fort Lewis Army Base.

Saint Francis Hospital Systems, Inc. v. Elscint, Inc., El Paso County, Colorado, Superior Court. Successful jury defense verdict in favor of CT Scanner manufacturer on products liability, breach of express and implied warranty and related claims.

Prior Experience
Partner, Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Seattle, WA

Representative Clients
Belfor USA Group, Inc.
Bellingham Marine Industries, Inc.
Gray & Osborne, Inc.
MDSI Mobile Data Solutions, Inc.
Northwest Airlines, Inc.
Wesbild Shopping Centers, Inc.
Outland Technologies, Inc.
Walton International Group

Publications and Presentations
Lectures on a variety of topics involving commercial contracts, dispute resolution, and the construction industry and design professions

“Public Works Construction Contracts in Washington”

“The Miller Act”

Memberships and Activities
Selected to "Super Lawyers," Washington Law & Politics, 2002, 2003, 2005, 2006

Member, United States Court of Federal Claims

Member, Washington State Bar Association; Public Procurement and Private Construction Law and Litigation Sections

Member, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Member, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit

Member, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Member, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado

Member, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa

Member, King County Bar Association

Member, American Bar Association; Forum on the Construction Industry Section; Public Contracts and Litigation Sections

Education
J.D., with Distinction, University of Iowa College of Law, 1980

• Managing editor, Iowa Law Review