Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

Washington, 1983
California, 1983
U.S. District Court Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington
U.S. District Court Northern District of California

Portia R. Moore

Partner

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Seattle

T206.757.8089

F206.757.7089

Portia Moore focuses on complex litigation, emphasizing defense against wrongful termination and race and sex discrimination claims. She regularly tries cases to successful conclusion for her clients and has served as lead counsel in numerous employment discrimination cases including charges of sexual harassment and retaliation. Portia’s experience also includes the successful defense of major product liability claims. With an undergraduate degree in nursing, Portia has a special and unique knowledge of the health care arena.

As a former assistant U.S. attorney for the Western District of Washington, Portia presented criminal indictments to federal grand juries, conducted jury and bench trials and presented oral arguments before the 9th Circuit. She successfully litigated jury trial cases involving charges of money laundering, mail fraud, tax violations, continuing criminal enterprise (CCE), racketeering (RICO) and national security issues.

Representative Experience

Criminal Law Litigation

United States of America v. Mohan*

Successfully obtained pleas of guilty from multiple defendants in a national security case involving claims of wire fraud, money laundering, Rico and conspiracy to defend. As a result of the successful prosecution, testified on role in the case at hearings before the Subcommittee on Oversight of the Committee on Ways and Means, House of Representatives, 102nd Congress. CR 89-247 (W.D. Wash. 1989)

United States of America v. Santos*

Successfully tried multiple defendants on charges of continuing criminal enterprise, mail fraud and narcotics. CR 87122M2 (W.D. Wash. 1987)

Employment Law Litigation

Russell Childs v. Microsoft

Won motion for summary judgment on all claims in wrongful termination case involving foreign-national plaintiff seeking monetary damages and injunctive relief related to residency in the U.S. and Canada. Our team secured a number of early case victories for Microsoft including 12(c) dismissal of three claims, blocking the deposition of a Microsoft executive and winning several discovery motions. The nine remaining claims for wrongful withholding of wages, race and national origin disparate treatment, disparate impact, wrongful termination in violation of public policy, misrepresentation, and four different federal immigration statute violations were dismissed on summary judgment. (W. D. Wash. 2011)

Williams v. BOSE Corporation, et al.

Plaintiff, an African American, claimed that his former supervisor made racially offensive comments and jokes during the 18 months that they worked together. He brought suit against both the supervisor and the company claiming, among other things, discrimination, retaliation and a racially hostile work environment. He claimed to have suffered severe and permanent physical and mental injuries as a result of the allegedly improper behavior in the amount of 1.5 to 3 million dollars.

Prior to trial, Ms. Moore was able to win summary judgment on five of Plaintiff's six claims. After a seven day jury trial on the one remaining claim of hostile work environment, Ms. Moore, as lead trial counsel, obtained a complete defense verdict for her clients. No. 08-2-17049-7 May 2010 (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2010)

Johnson v. Chevron, et al.*

Served as lead counsel in three-week jury trial alleging failure to accommodate, discrimination and hostile work environment. Successfully obtained summary judgment on failure to accommodate claims, later reversed by the Court of Appeal. Obtained defense verdict on remaining claims after one hour of jury deliberation. 159 Wn. App 18, 244 P 3d 438 (2010) / 07-2-20155-6 (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2009)

Abrams v. United Parcel Service, et al.*

Served as lead counsel in national class action alleging discrimination in pay and promotion by African-American entry-level managers. Successfully defeated plaintiff’s request for certification of nationwide class. 200 FRD 424 (E.D. Wis. 2001)

Kraszewski v. State Farm*

One of five trial team leaders in arbitration of claims of sexual discrimination. Successfully defended State Farm in the majority of personally led hearings. (1991)

Family Law Litigation

Family law

Pro Bono trial counsel for CASA program in King County Superior Court: Represent the CASA in prolonged, contested parental termination matter. (Ongoing)

In re Dependency of Baby Mia X

Successfully represented CASA in three week termination of parental rights trial. (2011)

Health Care Law Litigation

Campbell v. Southern California Permanente Medical Group, Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc.

Served as lead counsel representing defendants through trial in this single-plaintiff case initially asserting 10 causes of action related to alleged discrimination and retaliation on account of her sexual orientation, disability, gender, and having filed a workers' compensation claim. Prior to trial, the Davis Wright Tremaine team secured summary judgment on behalf of one of two defendants and summary adjudication on 5 of the 10 causes of action. After a 10-day jury trial, secured a complete defense verdict on all remaining causes of action. (2011)

Porteous, Teri v. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, Southern California Permanente Medical Group

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of various Kaiser entities and an individual defendant in a wrongful termination case alleging claims for age discrimination, retaliation, defamation, violation of Business and Professions Code § 17200, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. (2011)

* Denotes experience completed at a prior firm

Additional Qualifications

Shareholder, Lane Powell PC, Seattle, 2007-2010
Partner, Morrison & Foerster LLP, San Francisco, 1990-2007
Assistant U.S. Attorney, Criminal Division, United States Attorney's Office, Seattle, 1986-1990

Professional & Community Activities

Member, Board of Director, Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Puget Sound, 2011-present
Faculty, National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), Western Regional Program
Chosen as a Select Group of Women Attorneys to be a Class Member, DirectWomen Board Institute, 2009-present
King County Bar Foundation, 2009-present
American Bar Association, Committee on Diversity, 2009-present
Loren Miller Bar Association, 2007-present
Instructor, The Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle, Children’s Summer University, Summer 2008-2010
Investigative Hearing Officer, Office of Citizen (Police) Complaints, City and County of San Francisco, 1995-2007

Professional Recognition

Women Pioneer Award, Loren Miller Bar Association, May 2011
Awarded AV rating by the Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory

Education

J.D., University of Michigan Law School, 1982
- American Judicature Society Award
- Instructor, Legal Writing/Oral Advocacy
B.S., Nursing, University of Washington, 1977, magna cum laude