John K. Butler

Professional Experience

John’s widely-varied practice experience gives him the tools necessary to not only handle a wide array of complex cases, but also to provide his clients with the services they need to identify the issues they face, come up with an effective plan to resolve them, and successfully achieve the goals they set together. John’s success as a lawyer shines through the passion he exhibits in his professional practice and through his excellence in client relations.

John was born in Minnesota. Before joining Preg O'Donnell & Gillett in 2001, John practiced as an associate with Eisenhower & Carlson, PLLC.

Education

In 1993, John graduated summa cum laude, All College Honors, with Distinction in Government, from St. John’s University, earning a Bachelor's Degree in French and Government.

In 1998, he graduated cum laude from the University of Minnesota School of Law.

Admitted to Practice

• Washington State Courts (WSBA #28528)
• United States District Courts in Washington state

Professional & Community Activities

• John is a member of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association, the Construction Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, and past member of the American Bar Association.
• He has also previously served on the WDTL's ad hoc Rules Committee, providing input on proposed amendments to local and state court civil rules.
• John is currently serving on the Legal Committee of the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties.

Publications & Presentations

• Panelist and Co-Presenter, “Building Trust: Ethical Considerations in Construction Defect Defense,” CLM 2024 Construction Conference, September 19, 2024.
• Panelist and  Co-Presenter, “Defenses and Key Statutes,”  The Seminar Group’s Condominiums, HOA’s and the Future of Construction Defects, Seattle, WA, December 17, 2019.
• Co-Presenter, “Construction Dispute Damages,” The Seminar Group’s  Preventing or Minimizing Future Construction Defect Litigation, Seattle, WA, December 11, 2018.
• Co-Presenter, “Advanced Negotiation Strategies,” CLM Alliance’s Second Annual Washington Insurance Symposium, October 18, 2016.
• Co-Author, “Decoding Eastlake v. Hess: A Case Study in Applying an Alternative Measure of Damages,” Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association’s Defense News, Summer edition 2016.
• Co-Presenter, “What’s New in L&I and Construction Work Site Injury Claims,” WDTL’s seminar Annual Construction Law Update, Seattle, WA, February 21, 2014
• Co-Presenter, “Appellate Court and Legislative Update,” WDTL’s seminar Annual Construction Law Update, Seattle, WA, February 26, 2013.
• Presenter, “Case Intake and Pre-Suit Investigation” and “Initial Filing and Discovery, Experts and Evidence,” National Business Institute’s seminar Auto Injury Litigation From Start to Finish, Seattle, WA, October 19, 2012.
• Presenter, “Taking  Medicare’s Interests Into Consideration: Mandatory Insurer Reporting,” National Business Institute’s seminar Medicare Set-Asides in Personal Injury Litigation, Seattle, WA, August 26, 2011.
• Presenter, “Anatomy of a Defect: What It Is and the Rules That Apply,” National Business Institute's seminar Construction Defect Litigation: From A to Z, Seattle, WA, November 19, 2010.
• Presenter, "Paying the Piper: Developments in Construction Defect Damages," WDTL’s seminar Annual Update on Construction Law, Seattle, WA, February 26, 2009.
• Participant in National Institute of Trial Advocacy’s Northwest Regional Trial Skills Program, 2008.
• Co-author, "Washington State Construction Defect Law Summary," Preg O’Donnell & Gillett PLLC Law Summary Series, 2007.
• Presenter, "The Law of Expert Testimony," and "Getting Scientific and Expert Testimony Admitted Into Evidence," National Business Institute's seminar How to Get Evidence and Expert Testimony Admitted Into Court, Seattle, WA, December 13, 2006.