Posts in pretrial
The incredible beauty of a blue sky insurance letter

he first time I experienced a “blue sky” letter was in 2003.  My friend Bill Bailey, a PI lawyer who I taught law school with, needed a miracle.  His client, a young girl, had been the back seat passenger in a car that was speared by another.  The girl sustained massive head and facial injuries from the direct hit.  The driver had low policy limits. 

Bill sent me the case because he was at his wits end and wanted me to “think outside of the box.”  I decided to sue the school for allowing the girl to be driven by a friend’s mother without written permission.  It was a slim case.  But sometimes cases get better. 

Read More
Seattle employs age old propaganda tactic against Gas Works Park victims

The City fired its opening salvo in the Gas Works Park nuisance lawsuit filed after the death of 15 y.o. Matthies Johnson.  This is how the City’s Answer begins:

“The City admits that some trespassers at Gas Works Park who have climbed or attempted to climb the appurtenances to the fenced-in towers have been injured and died in falls.”

The City does not refer to Matthies Johnson or the other 14 young people as humans with names and ages, families and friends.  It classifies them as negative disembodied entities.  Law breakers.  Bad people.  Trespassers.

Read More
What it's like to represent 50 BLM peaceful protesters against the City of Seattle

Today am covering the deposition of JR - a protester whose hand was struck by a blast ball munition thrown by the SPD. As he was trying to leave the protest zone. While this deposition is going, Shannon and Kristin are doing final edits to the massive summary judgment oppositions that are due today - motions brought by the City to dismiss two other protesters’ claims.

Read More
Mediation No

In furtherance of our study of mediation technique and the prettiness of our craft, see below.

From: Mediator
Sent: Thursday, July 28, 2022 2:09 PM
To: Karen Koehler <karenk@stritmatter.com>
Subject: Re: Mediation of A v. B 6/1/2022, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Hi Karen,

I spoke with R.L. on another matter and he advised that Allstate has re-evaluated after the mediation and is ready to re-engage in negotiations.

Read More