News

January 2023

In Mediation, Let Vulnerability Be Your Sword and Honesty Your Shield

January 23rd, 2023|

The language of litigation is conflict. “Complaint,” “Answer,” and “Affirmative defenses.” We prosecute a claim. We defend a client. We argue, and argue, and argue. So, it is not surprising that after months or years of fighting, it is often difficult to set aside our differences and find common ground to sign a declaration of peace.

The question I’ve asked myself over the years is whether that really is the best approach to litigation. And even if the battle analogy is appropriate to the reality, does the same hold true for mediation when you come together with your opponent and, working with a third-party neutral, try to agree on a solution? I think not...

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Preg, O’Donnell & Gillett Names Daniel Rankin as Partner to the Firm

January 2nd, 2023|

The partners of Preg, O’Donnell & Gillett are pleased to announce that Dan Rankin has been named partner to the firm.

Dan was recently recognized by SuperLawyers as a Rising Star. He specializes in Construction and Commercial defense litigation, as well as appellate work. Dan looks forward to continuing to expand the firm’s work on complex and commercial disputes and appeals.

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December 2022

Do You Trust Your Mediator? If Not, Get a New Mediator

December 9th, 2022|

As important and elusive as trust may be between the parties in a mediation, it is even more important that it exist between the parties and the mediator. Because without trust, there is little chance a party will be willing to compromise their hard fought and well defended position.

To ensure that trust, what should you look for when considering a possible mediator? A short list should include the following: (1) a genuine interest in helping your client; (2) a positive demeanor; (3) integrity with the process; (4) and demonstrated competence. So let’s talk about each of these in the context of mediation...

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Announcing our new practice area: Third-party neutral Mediation

December 9th, 2022|

We are happy to announce that we have launched a new Practice Area focused on Mediation. Our experience in alternative dispute resolution, coupled with ever increasing industry demand, has helped position us to offer mediation services as a third-party neutral.

“Our approach is reflective of our deep commitment to impartiality, respect and successful outcomes for both parties,” said Managing Partner Eric Gillett.

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November 2022

A Three-Legged Stool — Balancing Strategies for Mediation: The ABC’s For Successful Mediations

November 1st, 2022|

by Eric Gillett, from the King County Bar Association’s BAR Bulletin

When I began my litigation practice more than 35 years ago, mediation of tort claims was in its infancy. And because I began my practice in Anchorage, Alaska, it was almost embryonic. Private mediators did not yet exist. Instead, we brought our disputes before the judge who was assigned to try the case. I recall more than a few instances where the judge advised one party or the other that if they did not get “on board” with settlement, they should remember that the same judge would be ruling on their pre-trial motions and the evidence during trial. That felt like a threat, probably was, and sometimes it worked...

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October 2022

In remembrance: William Fitzharris

October 3rd, 2022|

Bill Fitzharris (William Edward Fitzharris, Jr.), known to his friends as “Fitz,” was a skilled attorney and trusted mentor to younger colleagues in the Preg O'Donnell & Gillett office. His kind heart and soft manner helped many times to give attorneys a better perspective on an otherwise stressful legal conundrum. He acted as an arbitrator of legal disputes between lawyers and clients. He also had the role as the firm’s ethics attorney, a position he held until his death.

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Getting to Maybe, or Being Willing to be Willing During Mediation

October 1st, 2022|

by Eric Gillett, from the King County Bar Association’s BAR Bulletin

We are now well past the two-year anniversary when civil litigation turned upside down. Our courts came to a standstill. Pending trials were immediately continued and those underway were either quickly concluded or stopped midstream and held in abeyance for several months while our judges attempted to find a way to move forward, however awkwardly.

Mediations, like trials, which had been conducted in person almost exclusively, were shot into a virtual world almost overnight without much to guide us. Thankfully, at the same time the world seemed to close its doors, technology opened a new one, Zoom...

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January 2022

Preg O’Donnell is excited to announce new hires in both Seattle and Portland

January 26th, 2022|

Please help us in welcoming two new hires, Naomi Ahsan in Seattle and Evan Aronson in Portland to the Preg O’Donnell & Gillett family.

Naomi went to law school in Washington D.C., where she interned at the United States Supreme Court and worked as a summer associate in the Commercial Litigation Branch of the U.S. […]

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Preg O’Donnell’s first summary judgment win of 2022 based on the statute of limitations!

January 21st, 2022|

Lori O’Tool and Michael Slater, Jr. successfully obtained the complete dismissal of claims brought against their client on summary judgment. Our client, one of the largest producers of concrete, aggregates, and asphalt in the Northwest was sued in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington as a result of personal injuries sustained […]

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December 2021

Another Summary Judgment win for team POG

December 30th, 2021|

Attorneys Bennett Hansen and Dan Rankin obtained a summary judgment dismissal of all claims against their client (a homeowners association) in a high-value personal injury lawsuit in King County Superior Court. Plaintiffs sought $6 million in compensation for personal injuries sustained while trying to escape a condominium fire for which the cause was undeterminable. […]

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