Related Practices

Admitted to Practice

Washington, 1990
U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1992
U.S. Court of Appeals 7th Circuit, 1999
U.S. District Court Western District of Washington, 1990
U.S. District Court Northern District of Illinois, 1996
U.S. District Court District of Colorado, 2000
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington, 1993
U.S. District Court Central District of Illinois, 1997

Roger A. Leishman

Partner

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Seattle

T206.757.8083

F206.757.7083

Roger Leishman represents appellants and respondents in commercial, class action, constitutional, insurance, and employment appeals. Roger also offers clients many years of complex litigation experience in trial, class action, arbitration, and administrative proceedings. He has litigated in numerous substantive areas of the law including professional malpractice, patents and other intellectual property, family law, and First Amendment matters.

Representative Experience

Schmidt v. State of Alaska

Obtained summary judgment that property tax policy violates Alaska Constitution. (2012)

Franklin v. Johnston

Represent de facto parent in Washington Supreme Court appeal of parentage ruling. (2012)

Priyanto, et al. v. Holland America Lines, Inc., et al.

Successfully represented Holland America Lines in defeating class certification in a putative class action by Indonesian seamen involving statutory and contractual claims for damages; case then settled. (C.D. Cal. 2012)

Trinity Glass v. Port of Tacoma

Represent property owner and tenant in appeal regarding scope of the independent legal duty doctrine (formerly economic loss rule). (2012)

Abenoja v. Holland America Line N.V.

Obtained dismissal of individual wage claims and putative class action against cruise line. (C.D. Cal. 2011)

Apilado v. NAGAAA

Successfully established First Amendment affirmative defense for the North American Gay Amateur Athletic Alliance against claim that Washington state's public accommodations laws were violated by enforcing a rule limiting the number of heterosexuals who can play on a team. 792 F. Supp.2d 1151 (W.D. Wash. 2011)

Gunderson v. Pierce County

Retained to represent Pierce County (Wash.) after five years of litigation, after two classes were certified, and after partial liability was established for claims alleging that the county's inmate booking-fee policy was unconstitutional. Within two months of retention, and within one week after filing decertification motions, the case was settled on favorable terms, with final approval granted. (2011)

Defoor v. Defoor

Successfully defended appeal of multimillion-dollar property division after separation of unmarried partners. 2010 WL 3220165 (Wash. App. 2010)

In re Parentage of M.F.

Represented amici in Washington Supreme Court in case involving parental rights of stepparents. 168 Wash.2d 528 (2010)

Parmelee v. O'Neel

Represented amici in Washington Supreme Court in case involving First Amendment and attorneys' fees. 168 Wash.2d 515 (2010)

Balen v. Holland America Line

Defended client against putative class claims of alleged violations of the Seaman's Wage Act. Won a motion to dismiss potential class action and enforce contract requiring arbitration in the Philippines, seaman's home country. In October 2009, the 9th Circuit affirmed. 583 F.3d 647 (9th Cir. 2009)

Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. v. Expeditors (Japan) Ltd.

Obtained dismissal of Japanese contract claims. Affirmed on appeal. (2007) Read more

PotatoFinger, Inc. v. Snack Alliance, Inc.

Represented defendant in trade dress dispute over appearance of potato chip bag, and defeated motion for preliminary injunction. Case subsequently settled. (N.D. Ga. 2007)

Anderson v. King County

Constitutional challenge to the denial of marriage rights to same-sex couples in Washington state. 158 Wash.2d 1 (2006) Read more

Equilon Enterprises v. Great American Insurance Co.

Ruling for client, Equilon Enterprises, on an insurer's duty to defend and indemnify. 132 Wash. App. 430 (2006)

Wage and hour class action dispute for national retailer

Defended an employer in the largest wage and hour class action in Washington history. 133 Wn. App. 1036 (2006)

Olympic Pipe Line Company v. Equilon Pipeline Company, et al.

Defended Equilon in $500 million business interruption claim, criminal and regulatory proceedings arising out of the rupture of the Olympic pipeline in Bellingham, Wash. (W.D. Wash. 2005)

Professional & Community Activities

Governor, District 7-West, Washington State Bar Association Board of Governors
Chair, Washington Initiative for Diversity
Fellow, American Bar Foundation
Legal Committee, ACLU of Washington

Education

J.D., Yale Law School, 1990
- Articles Editor, Yale Journal of International Law
B.A., Brigham Young University, 1986, summa cum laude
- Founding Editor, Student Review