Suzanne Pierce Email & Phone Number

Seattle, Washington

I defend Washington State agencies from claims of personal injury, wrongful death, premises liability, negligent CPS investigation, foster care abuse and alleged failure to prevent crimes by parolees. Committed to instilling confidence in our civil justice system through listening, courtesy and a commitment to improve my cultural competencies.

Seattle, Washington

Practiced complex civil litigation including construction defect, large-loss personal injury, municipal defense (wrongful death), products liability, insurance bad faith, sex abuse torts, and defense of medical professionals from malpractice claims.

Seattle, Washington

Managed Seattle office of bi-state insurance defense firm, expanding its book of business and number of attorneys each sixfold. Became sole Washington counsel for two large carriers. Conducted seminars for carriers and outside attorneys. Wrote primer on Washington law.Litigated primarily in the areas of professional liability defense, catastrophic personal injury/wrongful death and construction defect. Also defended sex torts, premises liability, class actions, dram shop, products… Show more Managed Seattle office of bi-state insurance defense firm, expanding its book of business and number of attorneys each sixfold. Became sole Washington counsel for two large carriers. Conducted seminars for carriers and outside attorneys. Wrote primer on Washington law.Litigated primarily in the areas of professional liability defense, catastrophic personal injury/wrongful death and construction defect. Also defended sex torts, premises liability, class actions, dram shop, products liability and “bad faith” insurance matters. Case resolutions include:2023: Summary judgment dismissal of Portland law firm granted in federal court (malpractice defense)2022: Summary judgment dismissal of owner's claim against contractor including five-figure sanctions award2022: Obtained order imputing income of 20x that claimed by collections defendant2022: Negotiated dismissal of claim against foreclosure trustee, including plaintiff's public recitation that dismissal was based solely on recognized lack of merit of its claims rather than any payment by trustee2021: Reversed multi-million-dollar default judgment against retailer that had not answered lawsuit (premises liability)2021: Summary judgment dismissal of malpractice claim against law firm that advised employer to terminate plaintiff2018: Settlement of class action against attorney while simultaneously settling malpractice claim against him by his client, co-defendant debt collector; early resolution resulted in satisfied client and sufficient funds to pay class2015: Summary judgment dismissal by federal court of factoring company's garnishment of international technology contractor 2014: Published appellate decision affirming summary judgment dismissal (premises liability in elevator)2014: Appellate decision affirming summary judgment dismissal of landowner (personal injury)2014: Appellate decision absolving organizer of charity running race for injury on wet grass (personal injury, affirming summary judgment) Show less

Seattle, Washington

Defended personal injury, property damage, police negligence and other cases. Provided policy advice to City departments regarding ADA accommodations, sidewalk maintenance and stormwater system inspections. 2009: Defense verdict in solo arbitration (alleged stormwater drain defect; residential flooding)2009: Published appellate decision (sidewalk trip-and-fall, reversing summary judgment against City)2008: Defense verdict in solo jury trial (alleged traffic signage defect;… Show more Defended personal injury, property damage, police negligence and other cases. Provided policy advice to City departments regarding ADA accommodations, sidewalk maintenance and stormwater system inspections. 2009: Defense verdict in solo arbitration (alleged stormwater drain defect; residential flooding)2009: Published appellate decision (sidewalk trip-and-fall, reversing summary judgment against City)2008: Defense verdict in solo jury trial (alleged traffic signage defect; brain injury) Show less

Seattle, Washington

Conducted commercial, construction and employment litigation. Presented and published advice to employers on complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Seattle, Washington

Assisted in complex environmental-insurance cases. Led products-liability defense and arbitrations.

Seattle, Washington

Performed discovery, research and motion writing in commercial litigation and products liability departments. Negotiated difficult resolution of psychologist malpractice claim.

Seattle, Washington

Performed legal research and motion writing in commercial litigation department, before and after judicial clerkship.

Yakima, Washington

Assisted in researching and writing of orders, trials, and consideration of bench motions. Civil cases involved patent, condemnation, civil rights, employment and environmental law. Reviewed and recommended responses to prisoner petitions. Drafted presentation to Ninth Circuit judges surveying pro se cases and recommending rule changes.

J.D., Law, Top Third Of Class

Activities and Societies: During my first year of law school I wrote an article on franchises that I presented at a summer convention. I.

B.A., Honors English & Philosophy, Cum Laude; Class Honors

Activities and Societies: I won multiple writing awards in poetry and short fiction. I was a founding member of UM’s Ballroom Dance Club.