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Litigation
GSK attorneys have extensive litigation experience over the last 20 years in both federal courts and the courts of Washington, Oregon, California, Montana, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. Most recently, John Groen and Brian Lewallen partnered with Jon Ferguson Law Group PLLC in a seven-week jury trial on behalf of Westmark Development Corp. against the City of Burien. The City had illegally delayed Westmark's proposal to build a 176-unit apartment project within Burien city limits. The jury awarded damages of $10,710,000.
GSK associate Diana Kirchheim represents Matt and Pamela Erickson, who sought to erect a flag pole for the flying of the American flag on their property in the City of Leavenworth. After inquiring with the City, they were told that the flag pole would be offensive to some, but no regulation prohibited their plans. Less than a month later, the City adopted an ordinance designed to prohibit the Ericksons' flag pole. GSK represents the Ericksons in a suit challenging the City's restriction on free speech.
GSK defended Brent and Mary Katherine Nicholson in the federal government's attempt to impose a $100,000 fine for violation of the federal Clean Water Act when they built a bulkhead to protect their Whatcom County waterfront home. After hearing the testimony of those involved in the project and the numerous expert witnesses, Judge Leighton in Tacoma ruled that the only appropriate fine was $1500, a significant victory for GSK clients.
GSK fully understands that the needs of many clients do not involve multi-week jury trials. Consequently, GSK knows how to provide representation while in litigation to posture cases for the most cost-effective approach to arriving at valuable conclusions for their clients.
