Megan is a litigator who represents clients in disputes involving employment matters, business contracts, insurance coverage, director and officer liability, corporate fraud and negligence, and environmental damage claims.
Representative Cases
- Kitsap Physicians Services v. Mark Adams: Defended chairman of board of directors against claim for $2.5 million in damages for alleged breaches of fiduciary duties and fraud; obtained dismissal on summary judgment
- Armada West v. N.A. Properties: Defended real estate investor against multi-million dollar claim for tortious interference; obtained dismissal on summary judgment
- Horizon Air Industries v. St. Paul Insurance: Represented airline in suit against two insurers for breach of the duty to defend and indemnify; forced withdrawal of insurers’ motions for summary judgment and reached confidential settlement before discovery
- Union Station Associates v. Puget Sound Energy: Defended public utility against claims for more than $7 million in damages for environmental contamination allegedly caused by utility’s corporate predecessor; obtained dismissal of federal claims on summary judgment and reached confidential settlement on single state claim
- Fonseca v. Secor International: Defended environmental consulting firm against sexual harassment, retaliation and negligent supervision claims; obtained dismissal on summary judgment
- Vierstra v. Idaho Power Co.: Defended public utility against dairy farmer’s claim for $40 million in damages for alleged negligence and fraud relating to stray voltage; second-chaired three-month jury trial in Idaho state court.
Background
Megan previously practiced with a prominent Seattle law firm. Before beginning law practice, she worked for the International Law Commission in Geneva, Switzerland. During law school, she interned with the Rural Development Institute, a Seattle-based organization devoted to land reform in developing countries, and with the National Wildlife Federation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Megan was also a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Michigan and the University of Washington Jackson School of International Studies. Before law school, Megan spent three years in Nagano, Japan, teaching high school students through the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program. She has traveled extensively throughout Asia and spent several months as a volunteer with the Sisters of Charity in Guatemala and El Salvador.
Education
- J.D., cum laude, University of Michigan Law School
- B.A., cum laude, Fairfield University
Admitted to Practice
- Washington
- Oregon
- U.S. District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Memberships/Activities
- Chair, Future of the Law Institute
- Founder, Lotus Circle, a nonprofit advocacy group for women and girls
- Board member and Past Chair, Global Networking Committee, Center for Women & Democracy
- Former Board member, University of Washington Women’s Center, and Member, Human Trafficking Taskforce
- Former Vice-Chair, Dispute Resolution Center of King County Board of Trustees,
- Past Vice President, Professional Development, Washington Women Lawyers State Board of Trustees
- Board member and committee co-chair, King County Bar Foundation
- Past Chair, King County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division (chair 2005-2006, vice-chair 2004-2005, secretary 2003-2004)
- Mentor, Future of the Law Institute
- Former chair, Riddell Williams’ Women Lawyers Group; former chair, Riddell Williams’ Summer Associate Program
- Former member, Washington State Bar Association Rules of Professional Conduct Committee
- Member, American Bar Association
- Member, King County Bar Association
- Delta Society certified Pet Partner Team member
Publications/Presentations
- Chapter author for the Legal Ethics Deskbook, published by the Washington State Bar Association
Recognitions
Named as a Rising Star® by Washington Law & Politics magazine 2003-2008
