David Strout
Partner
Education
- Bachelor of Arts, Colby College, 1967
- Juris Doctor, Seattle University, cum laude, 1979
Representative Cases
Professional Malpractice Litigation
In one particular case, David prosecuted a legal malpractice claim against his client’s former attorney and defended a coverage dispute with his client’s insurer. David negotiated a seven-figure settlement with the insurer, which included a partial assignment of the proceeds of the legal malpractice claim and the insurer’s covenant to fund the malpractice litigation. Next, he negotiated a settlement with the negligent attorney’s insurer, who then retained David to prosecute its subrogated interest and its insured’s third party legal malpractice claims against substitute counsel. Finally, David negotiated a settlement with the substitute counsel and prevailed in litigation coverage with the substitute counsel’s carrier when it denied coverage. Total recoveries exceeded $2 million.
Personal Injury Litigation
David represented a minor and his mother in litigation against a franchisor when the minor contracted E. Coli after consuming food at one of the franchise outlets. The case involved complex medical issues including the franchisor’s legal responsibility for exacerbating a preexisting medical condition. David negotiated a seven-figure settlement of both claims.
Construction Litigation
David represented a developer of a luxury high-rise, mixed-use condominium project in defending claims brought by the homeowners association and prosecuting claims against the project’s architect and certain subcontractors, resulting in a seven-figure settlement of all claims.
Commercial Litigation
David represented an inventor in litigation with his former employer concerning ownership of technology the inventor created. The employer had agreed to pay a seven-figure bonus to the inventor in exchange for an assignment of the inventor’s rights in the technology, but repudiated, attempting to gain ownership of the technology through litigation. A settlement was negotiated in which the inventor retained exclusive rights to the technology, which he has since patented.
Professional Activities
- Law Clerk to Judge Jack E. Tanner, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 1979-1981
- King County Bar Association Judicial Screening Committee, Co-Chair
- Member, Washington State Bar Association
- Member, King County Bar Association
- Member, Washington State Association for Justice
Honors
- Martindale Hubble AV-rated
- Lead Articles Editor, Seattle University Law Review, 1978–1979
- Author, “Unlawful Securities Transactions and Scienter: An Emasculating Requirement,” 1 Seattle University Law Review 366, 1978
Presentations
- Washington State Bar Association: Trial Skills Training Course
- Washington State Bar Association: Motion Practice Skills Training Course
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy: Northwest Regional Program
- Washington State Trial Lawyers Association: You Be The Judge