Terry E. Thomson Terry Thomson is an AV-rated lawyer, who has represented clients for more than 30 years on their business, business tort, real estate, construction, and personal injury matters. This broad experience as a general business and litigation practitioner has enabled him to work closely with clients in devising pragmatic, cost-effective, strategies suitable for their unique needs.
Terry Thomson has tried more than 50 jury and non-jury cases in various state and federal courts throughout the country, as well as arbitrated many more. These cases have been of varying size and complexity, ranging from straightforward contract matters to multi-million dollar, multi-party, business transactions and disputes taking up to six weeks to try.
He has represented a number of business and individual clients for more than 25 years, including in contract negotiations, entity formation, business counseling, real estate negotiations and disputes, and personal injury claims . He prides himself on understanding his clients' business and individual interests, communicating well with them, and providing a close collaborative effort throughout his representation of them.
He has selectively prosecuted and/or defended a variety of tort claims, and personal injury claims, including claims for wrongful death, on behalf of his individual clients. He has also served as a mediator, arbitrator, and guardian ad litem.
Sampling of More Complex Litigation Cases:
-represented minority shareholders in complex derivative action against majority shareholders, directors and officers of mining company, in Idaho trial court, resulting in 6-week trial and what was then ($5,000,000) the largest punitive damage award in State's history against certain of the defendants
-represented employer in complex dual-employer dispute with employee in King County Superior Court, successfully obtaining dismissal of all claims after 5-week trial
-represented subcontractor clients in multi-party dispute brought by former Washington Public Power & Supply System in King County Superior Court, involving alleged damages of $120 million due to defective weld for Hanford Nuclear Plant No. 2, resulting in clients being the only defendants to receive monies in global settlement resulting in overall $16 million payment to the Supply System
-represented employee in Washington State Civil Rights lawsuit in King County Superior Court, securing landmark appellate court decision on hostile work environment, and retaliatory termination, in Kahn v. Salerno, 90 Wn.App. 110, 951 P.2d 321 (Div. One), review denied, 136 Wn.2d 1016, 966 P.2d 1277 (1988), leading to successful settlement of claims
- represented wrongful death claimants in lawsuit against King County, based on allegations of gross negligence and negligent supervision relating to performance of designated mental health professional's duties, resulting in approved settlement on behalf of Estate and minor statutory beneficiaries
-represented employees in two class action lawsuits in King County Superior Court relating to hour and wage dispute, leading to approved class action settlements
-represented 19 members of Romany family in multi-million dollar lawsuit against the City and County of Spokane, and over 20 of their police officers and deputy sheriffs, relating to the wrongful search and seizure of the Romany family members' homes and persons, leading to what at the time was the largest Civil Rights settlement by the City and County; obtained summary judgment order of dismissal of RICO claims brought by City and County of Spokane against the plaintiffs in the same lawsuit
-represented fraternal organization in longstanding dispute and jury trial in King County Superior Court, resulting in upholding of expulsion of members allegedly committing contumacy against the organization
-defended contractor clients in King County Superior Court and on appeal, obtaining leading appellate court decision upholding validity of contractor's contractual limitations of remedies in Southcenter View Condominium Owner's Association v. Condominium Builders, Inc., 47 Wn.767, 736 P.2d 1075 (Div. One. 1986).
-defended, and obtained summary judgment order of dismissal of breach of fiduciary duty and RICO claims against majority shareholder of regional airline in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Professional and Community Activities:
Member, Washington State Bar Association, 1973
Inactive Member, New York State Bar, 1975
Former member, Seattle Zoo Commission
Former Trustee and Secretary, The Bellevue Repertory Theatre
Former Trustee, Ballet Petite
Various bar-related memberships, past and present
Education:
J.D., Harvard Law School, 1973
B.A., University of Washington, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa |