MARCH 16, 2026 – Teal Luthy Miller, a preeminent appellate lawyer and former Acting U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, has joined Davis Wright Tremaine LLP as a partner in Seattle.
Miller brings to the firm more than two decades of experience at the U.S. Department of Justice, during which time she handled hundreds of civil and criminal cases and argued before nine federal Courts of Appeals. As Acting U.S. Attorney, she headed a 150-person office in Seattle investigating and prosecuting federal crimes, including high-profile cases involving fraud and data breaches against major corporations, and defended the U.S. government in constitutional and administrative challenges to agency actions.
"Teal's arrival further strengthens DWT's leadership in the Northwest while her extraordinary expertise in appellate advocacy will benefit our clients around the country," said Wendy Kearns, DWT's Seattle partner-in-charge. "She is a lawyer of the highest caliber, with a unique skillset that will be instantly in-demand for our clients' most vital legal questions and appeals."
"Every industry we serve and every DWT practice benefits from expanded, high-quality, appellate capability," said Rob Maguire, Seattle-based chair of DWT's nationwide litigation group. "Teal's exceptional skills and experience will provide tremendous value, not only for appeals but across all stages of disputes—including for critical trial motions and for advice and counseling, before and after litigation."
Miller began her DOJ career as an attorney with the appellate section of the civil division, where, over the course of a decade, she handled cases in all federal courts of appeals and drafted numerous briefs to the U.S. Supreme Court. Her work included cases under the False Claims Act, administrative law challenges to agency regulations, bankruptcy, immigration, intellectual property, the Fair Debt Collections Practices Act, employment disputes, and environmental law, among other issues. In 2012 she moved to the U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Washington, where she held roles of increasing responsibility, concluding with her service in 2025 as Acting United States Attorney.
"Teal has spent the last twenty years framing and crystalizing legal issues, presenting her client's position in the most compelling way possible, and figuring out how to frame arguments to best persuade specific courts," said Maguire. "She has particular familiarity with the 9th Circuit, where she has argued 50 cases and won the overwhelming majority of them. This kind of deep experience will be of tremendous value to our clients."
"DWT culture is unique and the platform first-rate," said Miller. "I was looking for an opportunity to do interesting work with a collegial group of lawyers, while remaining in the Northwest—and DWT was the clear choice. The firm has Seattle roots and nationally draws some of the most complex, sensitive, and high-stakes matters from the world's most innovative companies. I'm very excited to get started."
Miller received her B.A. from Cornell University and her J.D. (with high honors) from the University of Chicago Law School. She began her career in private practice at the noted Washington, D.C., litigation firm Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick: P.L.L.C. Miller also clerked for the Honorable Edward R. Becker, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and served as a Bristow Fellow in the Office of the United States Solicitor General.
About Davis Wright Tremaine
Davis Wright Tremaine LLP is an AmLaw 100 law firm with more than 600 lawyers representing clients based throughout the United States and around the world. Learn more at dwt.com.