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Employment, Benefits & Immigration

ERISA Litigation

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ERISA litigation counsel for high-stakes plan disputes, from risk assessment through trial and appeal.

Overview

Davis Wright Tremaine's ERISA litigation team represents plan sponsors, fiduciaries, trustees, employers, healthcare and institutional organizations, and service providers in employee benefits litigation nationwide. Our attorneys handle disputes involving retirement plans, health and welfare plans, fiduciary duties, plan investments, withdrawal liability, benefit claims, ERISA preemption, and statutory enforcement.

We move quickly to understand the plan, the business, and the litigation risk, then look for opportunities to narrow or resolve disputes through early case assessment, standing challenges, targeted motion practice, and efficient discovery. When a case requires full-scale litigation, we bring the technical ERISA knowledge, trial readiness, and regulatory perspective to protect our clients' plans and broader business objectives.

What We Do

ERISA Case Strategy
Developing litigation strategy for ERISA class actions and single-plaintiff disputes, including risk assessment, merits analysis, fiduciary record review, and coordination with plan operations.
Early Motion Practice
Using standing arguments, pleading challenges, class certification strategy, and damages analysis to narrow claims, reduce exposure, or resolve disputes early.
Multiemployer Plan Disputes
Litigating withdrawal liability, contribution, union benefits, and related disputes involving actuarial assumptions, plan terms, fiduciary duties, and successor-risk issues.
Preemption and Agency Matters
Handling ERISA preemption, Medicare Secondary Payer Act, statutory enforcement, DOL and IRS inquiries, and healthcare benefits litigation.
Top Ranked in Chambers USA 2026 - Davis Wright Tremaine LLP

Industry Recognition

DWT is ranked in Band 1 by Chambers USA for Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation in both Washington and Oregon, reflecting the strength of the firm's benefits practice supporting its ERISA litigation work. DWT's broader Labor & Employment practice is also recognized by Chambers USA nationally and across multiple markets, including Band 1 rankings in Alaska, New York, and Washington.
Read More Link to /about/news/2026/06/dwt-continues-to-advance-in-chambers-usa-rankings

Practice Contacts

Birmingham, Richard
Richard Birmingham
Partner
Seattle
206.757.8145
Christine
Christine C. Hawkins
Counsel
Bellevue
425.646.6112
Dipa
Dipa N. Sudra
Partner
Employee Benefits Partner
Seattle
206.757.8270
Maddalena, Kara
Kara Maddalena
Counsel
San Francisco
415.276.6569

Our Team

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Contact Us

Ready to tackle your next challenge, or simply have questions? Let's talk. Our team is ready to help you navigate complexity with clarity, confidence, and results.

ERISA Contact Form

CAUTION - Before you proceed, please note: By clicking "submit" you agree that our review of the information contained in your e-mail and any attachments will not create an attorney-client relationship, and will not prevent any lawyer in our firm from representing a party in any matter where that information is relevant, even if you submitted the information in good faith to retain us. You also agree and understand that we may not respond to your inquiry.
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©1996-2026 Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Attorney Advertising. Not intended as legal advice. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
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CAUTION - Before you proceed, please note: By clicking "accept" you agree that our review of the information contained in your e-mail and any attachments will not create an attorney-client relationship, and will not prevent any lawyer in our firm from representing a party in any matter where that information is relevant, even if you submitted the information in good faith to retain us.