Decades of experience, over 100 cases tried to a jury with monumental failures and success. Landmark case include historic $91,000,000 verdict, the largest compensatory damages verdict for one person in Washington State.
Protecting citizens' rights of tenant housing against oppressive landlord control measures, Eric is responsible for the creation of the constitutional right to Intimate Association.
As George Clinton's lawyer, the iconic funk musician/artist, Eric's unique view into the entertainment industry crafted a result that allowed him to maintain his collection of music and is the lead attorney on the definitive copyright case in American jurisprudence.Â
Recognized in the industry as an innovator in trial work, Eric is the only Washington lawyer to be recognized by both the plaintiffs trial bar/WSAJ and the defense trial bar/WDTLA for their prestigious Trial Lawyer of the Year award.Â
A teacher of over 17 years at the Trial Lawyers College and a student there for 23, Eric is committed to the grace of continued learning.
Trial Lawyer. Educator. Advocate.
NATIONAL SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
STATES LITIGATED IN
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
EDUCATION
LICENSES
HONORS & RECOGNITION
PUBLICATIONS
TEACHING
BIOGRAPHY
Empathy and compassion are the cornerstones of my philosophy in the practice of law. Justice demands truth in thought, truth in speech, and truth in action. Anything less is unworthy.
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My ability to inspire justice and shine a light on untruths sets me apart. In a world bewildered by untruth, I expose those who run from responsibility, and effectuate change through accountability.Â
HONORS & RECOGNITION
NATIONAL SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Trial Lawyer of the Year, WA State WSAJ 2022
Super Lawyer (top 5% of all lawyers) 2011 – Present
Top 100 Trial Lawyer in America 2009 – Present
Trial Lawyer of the Year, WA State WDTL 2013
Instructor Trial Lawyers College 2006 – Present
AVVO, Perfect 10 rating
Martindale-Hubbell, Distinguished Ability & Ethics
Seattle Clemency Project, 2018 – Present
Trial Lawyer of the Year, Trial Lawyers College 2003
Rising Star, Law & Politics, 2005 – 2006, 2008 – 2009
Indiana Trial Lawyers Assoc, Presenting your case 2022
Montana TLA, Billings, Trial - A Living Organism 2022Â
AAJ, Atlanta, Cost of care for the severely brain-damaged 2022
Advocacy 360, Las Vegas, A Continuum For Change 2022
Chicago Federal Defenders, Story Telling 2022
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AAJ, Seattle New Trial Techniques 2022
Trial Guides, Zoom, Voir Dire and Opening Statements 2022
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WSAJ, Seattle, Arc of Triumph 2021
Trial Lawyers University, Las Vegas, Opening & Closing 2021
Trail Guides, Podcast, 2021
Great Trials Podcast, 2021
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NJ Assoc. of Justice, Atlantic City, Truck Driver Deposition 2020
AAJ, New Orleans, LA, Soulfulness in the Jury Trial, 2020
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Bob Chaloupka’s "Kick Ass Trial Seminar," NE, Closing Argument 2019
WSBA Small Practice Forum, Trial Tips From Trial Pros 2019
Western Trial Lawyers Assoc., Hawaii, Jury Selection 2019
WSAJ, Seattle, WA, Closing Argument 2019
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Alaska Criminal Defense Lawyers, Discovering the Story 2018
WSAJ Winter Convention, Seattle, WA, Voir Dire 2018
Western Trial Lawyers Assoc., Hawaii, Working With Experts 2018
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WSAJ, Tacoma, WA, General Damages, 2015
Justice Advocacy Africa, Ugandan Law Society, Trial Skills 2015
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WSBA, Seattle, WA, Trial Advocacy 2013
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WSTLA, Seattle, WA, All The Right Moves in Tort Litigation 2012
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WSTLA , Seattle, WA, Motion and Trial Practice 2010
Justice Advocacy Africa, Ugandan Law Society, Trial Skills 2010
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WSBA, Seattle, Solutions for the Criminal Law Practioner 2009
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WSTLA, Voir Dire with Paul Luvera 2007
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WSBA, Seattle, Managing and Running a Law Firm 2004
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WAÂ State
USÂ Supreme Court
USÂ District Court, Western WA
USÂ District Court, Eastern WA
USÂ Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
USÂ Tax Court
US District Court, District of CO
LICENSES
VERDICTS & SETTLEMENTS
Traumatic Brain Injury $91,000,000
Medical Malpractice $5,600,000
Trip & Fall $2,750,000
Car crash $2,600,000
Sex Abuse $2,500,000
Civil Rights $2,150,000
Loss of Consortium $2,100,000
RICOÂ $1,100,000
STATES LITIGATED IN
WAÂ Truck accident, Med mal, Products liability, Murder, White collar crimeÂ
CAÂ Copyright infringement, US Olympic sex abuse, Personal injury
FLÂ RICOÂ
IAÂ Nursing home abuse
CO Traumatic brain injury, Civil rights, Med Mal
NV Personal injury
ID Sexual assault, Personal injury
OR Personal injury
HI Business law
AK Insurance bad faith
UT Civil rights
TEACHING
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Trial Magazine, I Am Just Your Reflection 2020
The Warrior Magazine, The Mind Is Not a Brain, It Is Your Soul 2019
The Trial News, The Problem With Today 2018
The Warrior Magazine, GUILTY 2017
Trial Magazine, Trial Tips For The Trial Lawyer 2014
Trial News, I almost Puked 2012
The Warrior Magazine, Presidents Report 2008
The Warrior, What The Trial Lawyers College Means To Me 2006
PUBLICATIONS
Board Member, Western Trial Lawyers Assoc. 2021 - present
Chair, Criminal Law Section, AAJ 2020 - present
President, Kitsap County Bar Assoc. 2011–12
President, F-Warriors Club 2008–09
Board of Directors, Trial Lawyers College 2008–2009
Board of Directors, WSAJ 2007–2012
Board of Leg. Affairs, Chamber of Commerce 2004 –08
Treasurer, Port Orchard Rotary 2001-2003
LEADERSHIP POSITIONS
EDUCATION
Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, WY 2001
Seattle University School of Law 1996
Indiana University 1993
TLC Teacher from 2006 - Present
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Trial Lawyers College, New Port Beach, Opening Statement 2022
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Trial Lawyers College, WA, Opening Statement 2021
Trial Lawyers College, CO, Trial Skills 2021
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Trial Lawyers College, WY, Voir Dire 2019
WA Regional, Trial Lawyers College, Closing argument 2019
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University of Washington, Trial Skills, 2018
CA Regional Seminar, TLC, Los Angeles, Cross Examination 2018
Trial Lawyers College, WY, Voir Dire 2018
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Trial Lawyers College, WY, Cross Examination 2017
WA Regional, TLC, Direct Examination 2017
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Trial Lawyers College, WY, Grad Course I 2016
Trial Lawyers College, WY, Trial Skills, July & September 2016
WA Regional, Direct Examination 2016
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Gerry Spence’s Trial Lawyers College, WY 2015
CA Regional Seminar, New Port Beach, TLC, Voir Dire 2015
WA Regional Seminal, Leavenworth, Direct Examination 2015
Trial Lawyers College, WY, Graduate Course I 2015
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Trial Lawyers College, Dubois, WY, Trial Skills 2014
CA Regional Seminar, TLC, Opening Statements 2014
Trial Lawyers College, WY, Graduate Course I 2014
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Trial Lawyers College, WY, Prejudice in the Courtroom 2013
CA Regional Seminar, Opening Statement 2013
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Trial Lawyers College, WY, Trial Skills 2012
WA Regional, Discovering the Story 2012
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Trial Lawyers College, WY, Trial Skills 2011
Trial Lawyers College, WY, Graduate Course I 2011
WA Regional Seminal, Cross Examination 2011