Benchmark Litigation

Washington

Review

Dispute resolution
Corr Cronin

Seattle boutique Corr Cronin prides itself on a courtroom-ready approach to dispute resolution, and peers have taken notice. “There are some great litigators in Seattle,” diplomatically explains one local peer before emphasizing, “but if you want trial-tested SWAT team triage litigation, I would direct you to Corr Cronin.”
     Steven Fogg, a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, is one of the firm’s most often-referenced partners. “Steve Fogg was our local co-counsel in a recent case,” confirms a partner at a celebrated New York litigation boutique. “He was fantastic as local counsel and was essential as part of the trial team. Plus, we built a relationship so we’re now sending him work and he’s sending us, so we think very highly of him and his team, including Emily Harris, who is brilliant and has great presence.” Another declares, ““Steve Fogg and Todd Williams are both great trial lawyers—definitely among the best when it comes to commercial defense work locally.” Fogg has developed a sub-specialty in aircraft litigation, which was on full demonstration in a recent case in which, as co-counsel, he secured a significant jury verdict against Boeing in litigation alleging the aerospace behemoth stole substantial trade secrets from aircraft startup Zunum Aero related to the development of electric and hybrid-electric aircrafts. The jury awarded Zunum damages of $81.3 million for trade secret misappropriation, $67.08 million for breach of contract, and another $11.56 million for tortious interference. 

Summit Law Group

The Seattle-based Summit Law Group is a compact and flexible boutique firm 
with a steady stream of diverse work. Known for its bench of “next-generation” 
litigators, this is a relatively youthful group compared to other similar practices. A 
peer says, “They are all recovering from large firms, and now have the freedom 
to not have to deal with someone telling them ‘You can’t charge that rate to take 
on some interesting work.’ They have a lot of autonomy, without hierarchical turf 
wars. They don’t carry anybody’s bags.” Fellow litigators who have served as co- 
counsel say, “Summit law Group is a tremendous litigation firm in Washington. 
They are trial and litigation specialists who know the Washington courts better 
than anyone.” 
 
Alex Baehr is one of the firm’s prominent litigators who leans on his in-house 
counsel experience. His emphasis is in two key areas: business litigation and 
employment law. “Baehr is a tremendous trial lawyer and litigation strategist,” 
notes a peer. Baehr represented OL Reign, a professional Seattle women’s 
soccer team, in a discrimination case filed by one of its junior players. In another 
case, Baehr is the lead attorney in a class action against Microsoft. It alleges that 
code on the healthcare provider Kaiser Permanente’s website has taken patient 
medical information and used it for the financial benefit of Microsoft. 
 
Shannon Phillips is a labor and employment-focused practitioner. She defends 
employers and individuals against claims of discrimination, harassment, wrongful 
discharge, retaliation, and failure to accommodate a religion or a disability. 
Phillips represented the Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue in a lawsuit filed 
by eight firefighters who refused the Covid vaccine on religious grounds. The 
firefighters are seeking back pay dating to when they were placed on unpaid 
leave. The case is now on appeal. 
 
Jessica Goldman is a commercial litigator with a special interest in the First 
Amendment and the Public Records Act. She often represents media 
organizations, newspapers, and broadcasters in First Amendment and other 
constitutional litigation. Goldman has defended public entities sued for violation 
of the Public Records Act. She represents the Washington State Legislature in a 
case challenging the legislative privilege of lawmakers to withhold documents, 
emails, and text on legislative matters when considering possible litigation. She 
won a summary judgment in a challenge under the Public Records Act. The case 
is on appeal.