Ten Karr Tuttle Campbell Attorneys Recognized as “Best Lawyers in America”

Karr Tuttle Campbell is proud to announce that ten of our attorneys, Walter Maas III, Diana Carey, Mark Johnsen, Richard Omata, Kathy Feldman, Ronald Friedman, Chris Brown, James Treadwell, James Austin and James Irby were named to the 2017 list of Best Lawyers in America©.

Walter Maas is recognized as a “Best Lawyer” in four fields this year: Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Business Organizations (Including LLCs and Partnerships), Corporate Law and Tax Law. Mr. Maas was previously named the 2016 Seattle “Lawyer of the Year” for Business Organizations, including LLCs and Partnerships. Chair of the firm’s Business and Finance department, Mr. Maas’ practice focuses on corporate law and finance; mergers and acquisitions; joint ventures and strategic alliances; and the formation and capitalization of venture capital, buy out, real estate and other investment funds.

In addition to being recognized as a “Best Lawyer” in Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law, Diana Carey was named the 2017 Seattle “Lawyer of the Year” in this practice area. Ms. Carey held the Seattle “Lawyer of the Year” in the same practice area for 2015. Only a single lawyer in each practice area and community is honored with this designation in a given year. She is Chair of the firm’s Creditors’ Rights and Insolvency practice group and focuses primarily on bankruptcy and receivership.

Mark Johnsen was selected for his litigation work for defendants in personal injury cases. He is primarily a litigator, representing public entities, businesses and individuals in a wide variety of cases in both state and federal courts. His practice emphasizes personal injury, land use, environmental, and appellate litigation.

Richard Omata was selected for his work on behalf of Management in two areas: Employment Law and Labor Law. He was also recognized for his litigation work in the area of Labor and Employment. Mr. Omata is Chair of the Labor and Employment department and represents public and private employers in employment and labor related cases before city, state and federal agencies. Mr. Omata also spent time early in his career working as part of the National Labor Relations Board.

Kathy Feldman was selected for her work in Labor Law representing management. She has been recognized as a “Best Lawyer” every year since 2012. Ms. Feldman counsels employers on a wide range of employment matters, from drafting personnel handbooks to investigating personnel complaints. She also has extensive experience handling litigation in all types of employment related claims.

Ronald Friedman was recognized as a “Best Lawyer” for his work in White Collar Criminal Defense. He focuses his practice on white collar criminal defense, pharmaceutical and FDA compliance, complex litigation, and professional license defense. Mr. Friedman joined Karr Tuttle Campbell in September 2015. Prior to entering private practice, he served as a Seattle federal prosecutor for 22 years with the United States Department of Justice. He is also known for developing multiple highly successful and national recognized law enforcement programs, such as Operation Stolen Valor focusing on armed forces fraud, and Operation Midnight Express focusing on drug diversion.

Chris Brown was named a “Best Lawyer” this year for his work in Tax Law. He focuses his legal practice on tax law; counseling businesses on various tax aspects of the Washington State Excise Tax, mergers and acquisitions, closely held businesses, and debt and equity instruments. In addition to his tax practice, Mr. Brown serves as general counsel to a number of businesses, providing guidance in corporate law matters. He also has extensive experience in drafting and negotiating LLC and partnership agreements and advising clients in complex voting and economic arrangements.

James Treadwell, a longstanding member and former chair of our Estate Planning and Administration department, is recognized for his work in Trusts and Estates Law. He focuses his practice primarily in the areas of estate planning and trust and estate administration, and also helps clients with asset protection, complex estates and dispute resolution arising in estate administration.

James Austin is recognized for his work in two areas: Banking and Finance Law and Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law. In his practice, Mr. Austin represents both established and emerging companies in a wide variety of matters, including formation, transactional dealings, acquisitions, dispositions and dissolution.

James Irby is recognized for his exceptional work in two areas: Banking and Finance Law and Real Estate Law. Mr. Irby is a longstanding leader in Karr Tuttle Campbell’s Real Estate and Banking practice areas, and has extensive experience with various types of commercial law.

Best Lawyers in America© awards have been around since 1981. Award recipients are chosen entirely based on peer review. To learn more about Best Lawyers® methodology, visit their website.