Corr Cronin is a firm of respected trial lawyers
Corr Cronin handles all aspects of civil litigation, for clients of all sizes (from individuals and regional companies to Fortune 500 corporations), in an array of business-related practice areas. We represent clients in high-stakes litigation throughout the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon, Alaska, Idaho) and beyond. We are large enough to handle complex cases of any size, but small enough to remain nimble and efficient. In-house counsel recognize our ability to resolve thorny legal problems, negotiate fantastic settlements and try cases to victory. What others say about us sums it up: “This outstanding group combines cost-effective and highly responsive boutique service with the experience and expertise of a team of veteran trial attorneys. Sources say, lawyer-for-lawyer, Corr Cronin is arguably the finest firm in town.”
Representative Clients
- CenturyLink
- CH2M Hill
- Chrysler
- Deloitte & Touche
- Edwards Lifesciences
- GE Health Care
- Hearst Corporation
- Hewlett-Packard
- Homestreet Bank
- King County Superior Court Judges
- Lennar Corporation
- Medtronic, Inc.
- Omeros
- Primerica Life Insurance
- Raytheon
- Southwest Airlines Co.
- Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
- State Farm Insurance Co.
- Techtronic Industries
- T-Mobile
- Transaction Network Srvs
Practice Areas and Representative Cases
Aviation Law
Practice Lead: Steve Fogg
We handle all types of litigation in the specialized context of the aviation industry, including products liability, personal injury, contract, labor and employment claims.
KAL Litigation – Defense of major airline operator against multifarious claims brought in connection with DC-10 crash at Anchorage International Airport. Claims in excess of $20 million; multi-week jury trial (on cargo claims) resulting in defense verdict.
Alaska Airlines vs. Brad Carey – Pursued claims against an alleged frequent flyer mileage broker. The defendant responded with a counterclaim alleging antitrust and state law violations. After nearly two years of active litigation, a federal judge granted Alaska Airlines summary judgment, dismissed the defendant’s counterclaims and granted a permanent injunction in favor of Alaska Airlines. The judge also awarded Mr. Fogg’s client $125,000 in attorney’s fees.
Southern Air vs. Zurcher – Represented Southern Air, Inc. in a five-day trial in federal court. The company was accused of firing an employee who had expressed safety concerns.
Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Our Blockchain and Cryptocurrency litigation lawyers provide a broad array of custom-tailored legal solutions for resolving disputes and addressing government action involving participants in the blockchain market, including FinTech startups and service providers, digital token issuers, and their owners, executives, and investors.
Although Blockchain and Cryptocurrency Litigation is an emerging practice, our dedicated lawyers have been involved in highly complex blockchain, cryptocurrency, and digital token disputes. We are experienced in assisting businesses, consumers, and professionals in pursuing and responding to allegations of fraud; resolving securities, corporate governance, partnership and shareholder disputes; advising clients on matters related to technology, trade secrets, crypto and digital assets, privacy, defamation, and unfair competition; and navigating matters involving government entities and complex torts. As this practice is moving at a rapid pace, our attorneys are constantly keeping abreast of the latest changes in this developing legal field.
Because of our deep familiarity with the laws and regulations affecting digital asset issuance and trading, we are well-positioned to assist clients confronted with a subpoena, investigation, or enforcement action by government agencies such as the SEC, DFI, CFTC and FinCEN.
Corr Cronin is also proud to be a sponsor of Washington Technology Industry Association and the Cascadia Blockchain Council.
Representative Cases:
Representing various individuals and companies in SEC, DFI, or other government investigations and civil proceedings.
Representing individuals accused of violating securities laws in connection with the sale of digital assets.
Representing investors seeking damages for securities laws violations for funds invested in fraudulent or unregistered cryptocurrency schemes.
Representing and/or advising investors in matters concerning stolen or lost funds held in crypto wallets.
Representing a FinTech company regarding claims of misappropriation and tortious interference.
Representing and/or advising investors in matters against trading platforms.
Advising founders on issues relating to structure, governance, securities, and intellectual property laws relating to DAOs and NFT platforms.
Representing various individuals and companies in SEC investigations and civil proceedings.
Represented an investor against a John Doe third-party that had stolen money from his crypto-wallet.
Representing the CEO of a blockchain company regarding trade secrets, retaliation, and whistleblowing claims.
Represented an investor with claims against major trading platforms for lost funds relating to a transfer of cryptocurrency.
Represented a FinTech company regarding claims of misappropriation and tortious interference associated with termination.
Advising DAO founders on issues relating to structure, governance, and securities of the DAO.
Represented multiple investors seeking damages for securities law violations in the offering of crypto-related investments.
Represented an investor in connection with a government investigation into a cryptocurrency start up.
Represented individuals accused of violating securities laws in connection with the sale of cryptocurrency.
Business Litigation
Practice Lead: Mike Moore
Our business litigation practice is as broad as the businesses we represent and includes dealer disputes, breach of contract, unfair competition, interference with business, trade secret misappropriation, and LLC and partnership disputes.
VC Sellers v. CH2M Hill – Represented CH2M Hill in a multi-million dollar dispute arising from the acquisition of VECO International by CH2M Hill. The dispute was settled in 2013 and the settlement terms are confidential.
Amazon.com v. Expedia, Inc. – Represented Amazon.com in a lawsuit filed against Expedia, Inc. for breach of contract for recovery of in excess of $12,000,000. Expedia asserted counterclaims. The case was settled shortly before trial and settlement terms are confidential.
HK Wireless v. T-Mobile – Successfully defended T-Mobile against multi-million dollar claim asserted by former dealer, winning the case outright on summary judgment.
The Hearst Corporation & Seattle Post-Intelligencer v. The Seattle Times – The Hearst Corporation retained Corr Cronin to sue The Seattle Times to block an attempt by The Seattle Times to dissolve a 20-year old joint newspaper operating arrangement (“JOA”) between The Seattle Times and Hearst. The Seattle Times claimed that it incurred three consecutive years of financial losses under the JOA, allowing it to terminate joint publication of the two newspapers. After four years of litigation, the case settled. The Seattle Times agreed to pay Hearst $24 million and continue the JOA for at least nine more years.
Fluor Corporation v. AT&T Wireless – Corr Cronin and Perkins Coie represented AT&T Wireless in a multi-million dollar claim asserted by Fluor Corporation against AT&T Wireless arising out of a contract between AT&T Wireless and Fluor Corporation for the construction of cell tower and cell tower service centers across the country. The case was ultimately settled. The settlement terms are confidential.
Class Action/Mass Tort
Practice Lead: Emily Harris
Class action and mass torts can be bet-the-company litigation. We have broad experience handling class actions. We are among the few, elite firms that have obtained tried class actions to a favorable defense jury verdict.
Kaseburg v. King County – currently defending against 85 plaintiffs challenging ownership of former railroad corridors valued at over $100 million. Secured dismissal of claims for quiet title and a declaratory judgment regarding ownership of the corridor and obtained judgments quieting title in King County.
Daniels / McGinnis v. T-Mobile – Successfully defended T-Mobile against a proposed national class actions alleging inadequate disclosure of roaming fees, securing dismissal of the majority of the claims alleged on summary judgment.
Class Action Jury Trial – Defense verdict in four-week jury trial defending a national transportation company against multi-million dollar claims that its independent contractor drivers were employees.
Employment Law
Practice Lead: Kevin Baumgardner
Employment litigation is one of our core strengths, including a superior practice defending against whistle-blower, independent contractor misclassification, sexual harassment, discrimination and wrongful termination claims.
Tamosaitis v. Bechtel National, Inc. – Successful defense of federal administrative and state court proceedings relating to “whistleblower” allegations against Hanford contractor. All claims either dismissed voluntarily or by a judge on summary judgment, with contested dismissal affirmed by Washington Court of Appeals.
Kirby v. Allergan – Successful defense of claim alleging violation of the ADA. Defense verdict.
Smith v. Alaska Airlines – Obtained summary judgment in favor of the airline for whistle-blower claims by ex-airline employees.
Insurance Coverage Litigation
Practice Lead: Mike Moore
We handle insurance coverage issues, including bad faith litigation, from initial assessment to jury verdict.
T-Mobile v. Zurich – Successfully prosecuted multi-million dollar claim for insurance coverage on behalf T-Mobile.
F.C. Bloxom v. Fireman’s Fund – Tried coverage and bad faith claims against Fireman’s Fund to verdict, securing a jury verdict on all counts, and one of the first ever findings of bad faith against an insurer under Washington’s Insurance Fair Conduct Act.
Todd Shipyards v. IRI – Litigated claims against several insurers for damages incurred by Todd Shipyards as a result of the 2001 Seattle Nisqua.
Intellectual Property
Practice Lead: Steve Fogg
We represent individuals and businesses in all aspects of intellectual property litigation, including patent, copyright, trademark, trade dress and misappropriation claims.
Fluke vs. Milwaukee Tool – Defended Milwaukee Tool in a lawsuit alleging trade secret misappropriation and breach of an alleged non-competition agreement. After a one-week evidentiary hearing and a successful interlocutory appeal, the entire case was dismissed on summary judgment with an award of attorney’s fees to Mr. Fogg’s client.
Modern Dog Design vs. Target – Defended Target Corporation, Walt Disney Company, and Jaya Apparel in closely-watched copyright infringement case stemming from images depicted on children’s shirts. After obtaining orders that forced Plaintiff to abandon its claim for indirect profits to a single copyrightable work, Mr. Fogg negotiated a favorable settlement on the eve of the trial.
Northwest Home Designing, Inc. v. Benjamin Ryan Communities, LLC, – Represented regional home builder against accusations of copyright infringement; won groundbreaking finding of non-infringement on lead claim at summary judgment.
Personal Injury
Practice Lead: Kevin Baumgardner
We handle personal injury and wrongful death claims, for both defendants and plaintiffs, in individual and mass actions.
Oso Landslide – currently representing numerous families in wrongful death claims against Snohomish County, State of Washington, and Grandy Lake Forest Associates arising from the March 22, 2014 Oso, Washington Landslide. Obtained spoliation sanction order against State that included adverse inference jury instruction and sanctions award of $1.2 million. With co-counsel, obtained $60 million settlement from the State of Washington and Grandy Lake Forest Associates.
In re Hanford Downwinder Litigation – Appointed defense liaison counsel in consolidated, 4000 plaintiff toxic exposure case. Co-counsel in two successful bellwether jury trials. Negotiated dismissal of Westinghouse Electric Co.
Anderson v. Cedar Grove Composting – Co-lead counsel for a putative class action involving twenty-two named plaintiffs and potentially hundreds of other neighbors suing the state’s largest compost facility for personal injuries and property damages. Class certification was denied and the case later settled for the cost of defense going forward.
In re: Asbestos Litigation – Represented a diverse group of defendants in Washington State asbestos cases. Obtained numerous summary judgments and negotiated favorable settlements.
Products Liability
Practice Lead: Emily Harris
Our products liability practice includes all aspects of design defect, manufacturing defect, warranty and failure to warn claims.
Bojang v. Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc. – Represented manufacturer of food processor in products liability action brought by consumer; successfully argued motion for partial summary judgment and obtained favorable settlement on the eve of trial.
Burke v. Jefferson Healthcare et al. – Served as lead trial counsel for an international medical device manufacturer over the course of a seven-week trial in Kitsap County, Washington. The firm’s client was dismissed on a motion for directed verdict at the close of evidence. The plaintiffs went on to recover in excess of $23 million against the remaining defendant.
Godfrey v. Ste. Michelle Wine Estates & Saint Gobain Containers – Successfully defended bottle manufacturer and winery against products liability claims in which Plaintiff sought more than $900,000 in damages. After a four week bench trial in Pierce County Superior Court, obtained a defense verdict for her clients.
North Slope Borough v. U.S. Filter, Inc., et al. – Represented U.S. Filter, Inc. in a twenty million dollar action filed by the North Slope Borough in Barrow, Alaska against U.S. Filter, Inc. and Hydropro, Inc. The complaint alleged numerous claims arising from the alleged failure of water filtration systems installed at five native villages on the North Slope of Alaska. After obtaining a summary judgment dismissing the Borough’s claims under the Alaska Unfair Trade Practices Act, U.S. Filter settled the remaining claims shortly before trial. The settlement terms are confidential.
Aiello v. FKI – Obtained dismissal of plaintiff’s market-share alternate strict liability claim and grant of summary judgment on plaintiff’s alternate liability negligence claim resulting in dismissal of all claims against all defendants in products liability case brought against multiple load binder manufacturers.
Professional Liability
Practice Lead: Steve Fogg
We defend law firms, accounting firms and other professionals against professional liability claims, including malpractice, administrative hearings, and ethics complaints.
VersusLaw, Inc. v. Stoel Rives, et al. – Represent a law firm and individual attorney defendants against claims of legal malpractice arising from a failed licensing relationship and underlying arbitration proceeding. Corr Cronin obtained a summary judgment for all defendants dismissing the plaintiff’s $12 million claim, but the Court of Appeals reversed and remanded for trial. The matter was subsequently settled and settlement terms are confidential.
Calvert vs. Berg et al. – Trial counsel for a respected accounting firm accused of negligently conducting an audit of a company that went bankrupt due to a Ponzi scheme. The lawsuit features more than six hundred plaintiffs and alleges in excess of $150 million dollars in damages.
Real Estate & Environmental Litigation
Practice Lead: Emily Harris
Our real estate and environmental practices include condemnation, easement, property boundary, and ownership disputes, landowner duties, toxic tort and exposure cases.
Good v. Fluor Hanford Co., et al. – As counsel for Fluor, negotiated complex settlement of claims by eleven Hanford workers claiming exposure to “toxic soup” in explosion in plutonium processing facility.
Sound Transit v. Jacobsen et al, including CenturyLink – Represent telecommunications company in condemnation action brought Sound Transit.
Northwest Enviro v. Paccar – Successfully tried a ten-day construction arbitration involving a contaminated Superfund site and “hot spot” soils.
Ruckman v. Mayview Forest LLC – Handled partition action seeking partition by sale of a 40 acre property.
Securities Litigation
Practice Lead: Steve Fogg
We handle all aspects of securities litigation, from government investigation to trial.
Somerset Communications Group LLC vs. Wall To Wall Advertising et al. – Mr. Fogg was trial counsel for defendants in a securities fraud case tried in federal court in Seattle in January 2016. After a four day trial, the case settled during jury deliberations for a small fraction of the demand made immediately prior to trial.
SEC vs. Dargey et al. – Mr. Fogg represented a large number of Chinese investors in real estate projects that are the subject of a SEC fraud case. In October 2014, Mr. Fogg won an order from federal judge releasing $5.5 million of his clients’ funds prior to the appointment of a receiver.
Metropolitan Mortgage Securities Litigation (E.D. Wa., D. Ore, Wa. And Ore. State courts) – Mr. Fogg represented the former CEO and Chairman of the company in putative class actions asserting fraud claims, as well as defended the client in parallel investigations conducted by a number of state and federal authorities, including the SEC.
White Collar/Investigations
Practice Lead: Steve Fogg
We represent individuals and companies involved in government investigations and enforcement actions, including responding to subpoenas and government investigative demands. We also conduct internal investigations of alleged misconduct including whistleblower complaints and claims of fraud.
SEC Investigation – Mr. Fogg was retained to represent the executives of an emerging business with operations around the country in an ongoing SEC investigation.
United States vs. Frank Colacurccio, Jr. – Mr. Fogg was retained as trial counsel for Mr. Colacurccio in a criminal RICO case brought by the United States Attorney for the Western District of Washington.
In re Public Company – Mr. Fogg represented a public company in parallel criminal and civil investigations, as well as serving as trial counsel for the company in a related securities class action.
The Corr Cronin Story
Corr Cronin was founded over 20 years ago by the top litigators at Bogle & Gates, then the largest law firm in Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Our core values focus on providing the most cost-effective service to our clients to solve their legal problems.
We have treated our clients’ problems as our own from the day the firm opened in 1999. We were a success from the start based on that approach and we continue to live by it over twenty years later. As a result, Corr Cronin has established itself as one of the premier litigation firms in the Pacific Northwest, regularly taking on and defeating nationally recognized firms in high-stakes litigation.
Trial practice is our cornerstone. We prepare our cases for trial from day one, believing that being ready to win at trial is the best way to bring a case to a successful outcome – whether that means early settlement, obtaining critical evidence in discovery, successful motion practice, or taking your case to a jury.
Our attorneys have decades’ worth of experience trying cases. We know how to win at trial, and we know how to leverage our willingness to try cases into a successful outcome before trial. We also know that collaborating with our clients to understand their business and needs is critical to success. In short, we know what it takes to win.
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