Erik R. Lied
Representative Cases

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• CTGR v. Strategic Wealth Management, Inc.  Defended investment advisor client in litigation and arbitration involving securities and related claims of $57,000,000.  Obtained dismissal of all claims and an award of approximately $1.5 million of attorney fees and costs against plaintiff after four-week American Arbitration Association commercial arbitration before 3-person panel.

• Bedrossian, et al. v. Stipek.  Successfully tried plaintiffs’ securities case in King County Superior Court, and obtained judgment on all claims, including damages for negligent infliction of emotional distress.

• Confederation of International Real Estate v. Kelsey.  Represented defendants in San Juan County Superior Court trial involving partnership dispute and prevailed on all claims, including award of attorney fees and costs against plaintiff.
  
  
• Bad Faith Insurance Litigation.  Represented investment advisor client in claims against its insurer for wrongful denial of coverage, breach of its duty to defend, and bad faith.  Prevailed on claims after three-week American Arbitration Association commercial arbitration before 3-person panel, and recovered full benefits of coverage and an award of attorney fees and costs against insurance company defendant.

• The Bank of California v. Landscaping, Inc., et al.  Successfully defended the lender in a two-week collection and lender liability trial in Snohomish County Superior Court.
  
  
• Olympic Pipe Line Company, Bellingham Pipeline Explosion.  Selected to serve as chief legal advisor, or outside general counsel, to advise the board and coordinate and oversee full spectrum of legal services following catastrophic pipeline explosion involving deaths and substantial economic damages.

• Special Outside Counsel.  Retained by board of directors of publicly traded company to serve as special outside counsel to perform investigation and report back to the CEO and the Chair of the Audit Committee regarding allegations of wrongdoing by senior management.
  
  
• Wrubel v. Golar Metals.  Defended Gibbs & Cox, Inc. in wrongful death case in King County Superior Court arising from explosion of equipment on a ship.  Obtained dismissal of all claims on summary judgment, and award of Rule 11 sanctions against plaintiff’s counsel.

• Whitney, et al. v. National Grape Cooperative Association, Inc.  Defended agricultural cooperative in case filed in federal court in Eastern Washington against claims asserted by terminated grower/member.  Obtained dismissal of all claims in the trial court, and the Ninth Circuit affirmed the dismissal and awarded attorney fees and costs based on a frivolous appeal.
  
  
• Old Cola Drinkers of America v. The Coca-Cola Company.  Successfully defended Coca-Cola in lawsuit filed in federal court in Seattle by consumer group following switch to the new Coca-Cola.  Obtained dismissal of all claims.
  
  
• Washington Water Power Co. v. Graybar Electric.  Represented A.B. Chance Company and Graybar Electric Company in federal court in Eastern Washington regarding claims brought by a utility against the manufacturer and distributor of electrical equipment.  Novel legal issues relating to recoverability of economic loss under the Washington Product Liability Act taken to Washington State Supreme Court (see WWP v. Graybar Electric Co., 112 Wn.2d 847, 774 P.2d 1199 (1989)).
  
  
• Binde, et al. v. Stryker Boat, et al.  Defended Brunswick Corporation and Stryker Boat in federal court trial in Seattle, arising from the death of the driver and personal injuries of three passengers in an accident on Lake Washington involving a “cigarette” type of boat.  Claims included breach of express and implied warranties, strict product liability, failure to warn, and punitive damages. Case settled during trial.
  
  
• Exxon Valdez Litigation.  Represented Exxon in the state court case in Anchorage involving land damage claims by native corporations resulting from the Exxon Valdez incident.
  
  
• Industrial Leasing v. Meridian Leasing.  Represented Industrial Leasing in a commercial dispute filed in federal court in Seattle.  After prevailing on cross-motions for summary judgment relating to key issues in dispute, recovered $1,725,000 in settlement.
  
  
• Globe Machine Manufacturing Company, et al. v. Mobil Oil Corporation, et al. Obtained summary judgment dismissal of $4 million claims against Olympic Pipe Line Company in contamination case filed in Pierce County Superior Court.
  
  
• Petroleum Pipeline Litigation.  Defended a petroleum products pipeline company against 100+ claims of property damage and personal injury arising from a leak of petroleum products under a residential community.
  
  
• Benton County PUD v. A.B. Chance Co.  Defended economic loss and RICO claims by utility against manufacturer and distributor of electrical equipment in federal court in Eastern Washington.