Paul J. Triesch

REPRESENTATIVE JURY VERDICTS

Non-Profit Corporations

Defense verdict. Christina McPherson v. Sno-King Ice Sports, King County Cause No. 22-2-03742-3 (wrongful discharge in violation of public policy; intentional interference with business expectancy; breach of contract; negligent infliction of emotional distress).

Colleges and Universities

Defense verdict. Dallas Barnes v. Washington State University, Franklin County Cause No. 10-2-50560-4 (race discrimination, retaliation).

Defense verdict. Meredith Campbell v. Eastern Washington University, Spokane County Cause No. 03-2-01113-9 (wrongful discharge, sexual harassment, retaliation).

Defense verdict. Gagandeep Brar v. Lake Washington Technical College/Daw, King County Cause No. 01-2-02984-9 (negligent misrepresentation, race discrimination, negligence).

Defense verdict. Carmen Romualdo v. Highline Community College, King County Cause No. 14-2-07342-9 (national origin discrimination, retaliation).

Defense verdict. Kelly Smith v. Bates Technical College/Mohler/Thorpe/Cofchin/Emond, Pierce County Cause No. 94-2-05451-7 (civil rights violations, wrongful termination).

Defense verdict. Lynn Goodwin v. Bates Technical College, Pierce County Cause No. 04-2-06021-0 (wrongful termination, age discrimination, retaliation, hostile work environment).

Defense verdict. Gary Murrell v. Grays Harbor College/Manspeaker/Mitchell/Reisman, USDC WD WA No. 3:00v05525 (retaliation, hostile work environment, Title VII).

Defense verdict. Cliff Smith v. Community Colleges of Spokane, Spokane County Cause No. 03-2-08012-2 (race discrimination, retaliation, wrongful discharge).

Plaintiff’s verdict, 50% contributory negligence. W.F. Anderson Construction, Inc. v Centralia College/Hayes, Lewis County Cause No. 94-2-00530-6 (negligence).

Defense verdict (two plaintiffs); Plaintiff’s verdict (one plaintiff). $100,000 on $1,000,000 request to jury. Anna Mitson, Johan Curtiss, Christina Stevenson v. Washington State University, Benton County Cause No. 11-2-02187-1 (hostile work environment, retaliation).

Washington State Patrol

Defense verdict. Thomas Waterman v. Washington State Patrol, Snohomish County Cause No. 04-2-09517-2 (negligence, vehicular pursuit; death).

Defense verdict. Jason John v. Washington State Patrol/Rogers, USDC No. 2:13-CV-0081-JPD (civil rights, excessive force; shooting).

Defense verdict. Jaime Sanchez-Ramirez v. Washington State Patrol/Brito/Tomaras/Prouty/Betts, Skagit County Cause No. 08-2-02229-6 (civil rights, excessive force; orthopedic/neurologic injury).

Defense verdict. Cynthia Redmon v. Washington State Patrol/Scott, Spokane County Cause No. 91-2-02509-1 (civil rights, excessive force; orthopedic/neurologic injury).

Defense verdict. Catherine Enright v. Washington State Patrol, Pierce County Cause No. 92-2-1-213-2 (negligence; orthopedic/soft-tissue injury).

Defense verdict. James McCoy v. Washington State Patrol, Spokane County Cause No. 90-2-04988-9 (negligence; traumatic brain injury/orthopedic injury).

Plaintiff’s verdict. $5,500,000. Hailey French v. Whatcom County/Washington State Patrol, Skagit County Cause No. 08-2-0035-8 (negligence; orthopedic injury). Settled on appeal for $2,292,000.

Plaintiff’s verdict. Admitted liability. $18,000 on $289,000-800,000 request to jury. James Eastman v. Washington State Patrol, Clallam County Cause No. 06-2-00951-0 (negligence).

Plaintiff’s verdict. $193,853 on $2,900,000 request to jury. Gary Cook v. Washington State Patrol, King County Cause No. 00-2-32460-0 (failure to accommodate disability, retaliation).

Washington State Department of Corrections

Defense verdict. Barbara Bell v. Department of Corrections, Spokane County Cause No. 97-2-07894-1 (negligent supervision of offender; rape and sexual assault).

Defense verdict. Jayne Morse v. Department of Corrections/Ryder/Root/Dahlbeck, Snohomish County Cause No. 03-2-06009-5 (wrongful termination).

Defense verdict. Jimmy Fletcher v. Department of Corrections, Snohomish County Cause No. 11-2-07928-5 (race discrimination, hostile work environment, retaliation).

Defense verdict. Tera Cullum/Madeline Speredowich v. Department of Corrections, Snohomish County Cause No. 11-2-08185-9 (hostile work environment, sexual harassment, retaliation).

Plaintiff’s verdict. Admitted liability. $162,000 on $800,000 request to jury. Marygrace Peterman v. Department of Corrections/Buck, Snohomish County Cause No. 07-2-06102-7 (wrongful termination, hostile work environment, disability discrimination/failure to accommodate).

Plaintiff’s verdict. $202,500 on $1,500,000 request to jury. Robert Emerick v. Department of Corrections, King County Cause No. 06-2-29898-5 (negligence; orthopedic injury).

Department of Transportation

Defense verdict. Brenda Jones v. Department of Transportation/Clemenson, Spokane County Cause No. 91-2-00484-1 (negligence; soft-tissue/orthopedic injury).

Defense verdict. John Arambul v. Department of Transportation, Clark County Cause No. 93-2-03934-8 (negligence; soft-tissue/orthopedic injury).

Department of Social and Health Services

Defense verdict. Lynette Hynden v. Department of Social and Health Services, King County Cause No. 08-2-28937-1 (hostile work environment, sexual harassment, retaliation).

Plaintiff’s verdict. $114,750 on $492,000-$500,000 request to jury. Robert and Darla Johnson v. Department of Social and Health Services, Spokane County Cause No. 91-2-03128-7 (negligence).

Department of Labor and Industries

Plaintiff’s verdict. Admitted liability. $87,500 on $860,000 request to jury. Trimble v. Department of Labor and Industries/Fernald, Spokane County Cause No. 92-2-02109-3 (negligence; injury).

Plaintiff’s verdict. Admitted liability. $490,000 on $3,397,168-$6,131,865 request to jury. David Anderson v. Department of Labor and Industries, Spokane County Cause No. 94-2-05012-0 (negligence; traumatic brain injury).

Defense verdict. Sherril Erb v. Department of Labor and Industries, Pierce County Cause No. 86-2-01488-3 (industrial insurance; workplace injury).

Department of Health/Pharmacy Board

Plaintiff’s verdict. $2,760,000. Patrick Murphy v. Pharmacy Board/Williams/Wene/Morrison, Snohomish County Cause No. 99-2-03816-7 (civil rights, slander, wrongful prosecution). Plaintiff’s verdict reversed and vacated on appeal.

REPRESENTATIVE APPELLATE DECISIONS

School Districts

Thomas v. Bethel School District, 26 Wn. App.2d 1025 (2023) (hostile work environment sexual harassment), affirming summary judgment dismissal for the District.

Wilcox v. Tumwater School District, 26 Wn. App.2d 1051 (2023) (age and disability discrimination and retaliation, age and disability hostile work environment harassment, constructive discharge, wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, breach of contract, negligent supervision and retention), affirming in part and reversing in part summary judgment dismissal for the District and allowing only disability discrimination/retaliation.

Counties

Washington Election Integrity Coalition United v. Schumacher and Lincoln County, No. 38884-1-III (October 5, 2023) (election contest; violation of the Washington Public Records Act), affirming summary dismissal and award of attorney fees and costs to Defendants.

Colleges and Universities

Kelly Smith v. Bates Technical College, 139 Wn.2d 793, 991 P.2d 1135 (2000) (wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, violation of First Amendment rights), affirming in part and reversing in part summary judgment for the college. Tried to a defense jury verdict on remand.

Meredith Campbell v. Eastern Washington University, 129 Wn. App. 10, 118 P.3d 888 (2005) (sexual harassment, retaliation, constructive discharge), affirming in part and reversing in part summary judgment for the university. Tried to a defense jury verdict on remand.

Dominic Rockey v. Washington State University, 196 Wn. App. 1025 (2016) (unpublished) (negligence, student-on-student assault), affirming summary judgment for the university.

Sean Perryman v. Bellevue College, 192 Wn. App. 1030 (2016) (unpublished) (negligence; student-on-student injury), affirming summary judgment for the college.  

Donnell Johnson v. Western Washington University, 145 Wn. App. 1027 (2008) (unpublished) (failure to accommodate disability, wrongful discharge, discrimination), affirming summary judgment for the university.

Dallas Barnes v. Washington State University, 182 Wn. App. 1053 (2002) (unpublished) (race discrimination and retaliation), affirming defense jury verdict for the university.

Ellen Lawson v. Lower Columbia College, 95 Wn. App. 1030 (1999) (unpublished) (tenure denial, sexual harassment, retaliation, civil rights), affirming summary judgment for the college.

Gagandeep Brar v. Lake Washington Technical College, 123 Wn. App. 1030 (2004) (unpublished) (race and national origin discrimination), affirming summary judgment for the college.

Harold Morris v. Hall, et al., 104 Wn. App. 1037 (20010 (unpublished) (tortious interference; outrage; professor-on-student sexual harassment), affirming summary judgment for the college.

Craig Mason v. Columbia Basin College, 150 Wn. App. 1016 (2009) (unpublished) (breach of contract), affirming summary judgment for the college.

B & G Entertainment, LLC v. Washington State University, 159 Wn. App. 1016 (2011) (unpublished) (misappropriation of trade secrets, breach of contract), affirming summary judgment for the university.

Carolyn Moir v. Seattle Central College, 2019 WL 5381952 (No. 78362-9-I) (unpublished) (hostile work environment sexual harassment), affirming summary judgment for college.

Donald Samuelson v. Community College Dist. No. 2 (Grays Harbor College), 75 Wn. App. 340, 877 P.2d 734 (1994) (statute of limitations, negligence), affirming summary judgment for the State Board for Community College Education.

Washington State Patrol

David Hyytinen v. City of Bremerton and Washington State Patrol, 185 Wn. App. 1015 (2014) (unpublished) (breach of contract, fraud, unjust enrichment, negligence, violation of due process), affirming summary judgment for the Washington State Patrol.

Department of Corrections

Cathy Harper v. Washington State Department of Corrections, 192 Wn.2d 328, 429 P.3d 1071 (2018) (negligent supervision of offender; homicide), affirming summary judgment for the Department of Corrections.

Barbara Bell v. Washington State Department of Corrections, 147 Wn.2d 166, 52 P.3d 503 (2002) (negligent supervision of offender; sexual assault, rape), affirming defense jury verdict for the Department of Corrections.

Jayne Morse v. Washington State Department of Corrections, 129 Wn. App. 1015 (2005) (unpublished) (retaliatory discharge, wrongful termination in violation of public policy), reversing summary judgment for the Department of Corrections. Tried to a defense jury verdict on remand.

Jimmy Fletcher v. Washington State Department of Corrections, 193 Wn. App. 1041 (2016) (unpublished) (race discrimination, retaliation, negligence), plaintiff appealing CR 11 sanctions awarded to Department of Corrections following defense jury verdict.

Sandra Harris v. Washington State Department of Corrections, 137 Wn. App. 1058 (2007) (unpublished) (disability discrimination, gender discrimination, retaliation, outrage), reversing and dismissing jury verdict on disability discrimination and outrage claims and affirming summary judgment for the Department of Corrections on discrimination claims.

Department of Transportation

Robert Hill v. Washington State Department of Transportation, 76 Wn. App. 631, 887 P.2d 476 (1995) (Jones Act, continuing tort doctrine, constructive discharge), affirming summary judgment for the Department of Transportation.

Brenda Jones v. Washington State Department of Transportation, 86 Wn. App. 1109 (1997) (unpublished) (negligence), affirming defense jury verdict for the Department of Transportation.

Department of Labor and Industries

Department of Labor and Industries v. Overnite Transportation, 67 Wn. App. 24, 834 P.2d 638 (1992) (Motor Carrier Act, overtime wage claim), affirming in part and reversing in part summary judgment for the Department of Labor and Industries and awarding double damages.

Washington State Board of Pharmacy

Patrick Murphy v. Washington State Board of Pharmacy, 115 Wn. App. 297, 62 P.3d 533 (2003) (negligent disclosure, civil conspiracy), reversing and vacating plaintiff’s verdict against the Board of Pharmacy.

Presenter, Motions for Summary Judgment, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, 2022 Spring Civil Training, April 29, 2022.

Presenter, Motions for Summary Judgment, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, 2022 Summer Civil Training, June 24, 2022.

Presenter, Opinion and Expert Testimony, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, June 26, 2020.

Presenter, Civil Litigation Strategies, Washington Association of Prosecuting Attorneys, June 26, 2020.

Presenter, Use of Experts, AGO CLE, June 21, 2018.

Presenter, Trial Themes, AGO CLE, June 29, 2016.

Presenter, Voir Dire, AGO CLE, June 29, 2016.

Presenter, Tort Liability and Risk Management, AGO CLE, February 19, 2014.

Presenter, Deposition Practice, Liquor Control Board In-Service Training, 2014.

Presenter, Conducting Direct Examination, AGO CLE, October 28, 2010.

Presenter, Impeachment and Past Recollection Recorded, AGO CLE, February 4, 2010.

Presenter, Using Plaintiff’s Deposition for Impeachment, AGO CLE, 2008.

Presenter, Trial Practice, AGO Legal Assistant University, November 2007.

Presenter, Persuading the Decision-maker, AGO CLE, March 28, 2007.

Presenter, Shaping the Case, AGO CLE, March 28, 2007.

Presenter, AGO Basic Litigation Skills Training: 1992, 1995 and 1996.

Presenter, Jury Trial Practice, AGO CLE, November 17, 1992.

Education:

Gonzaga University Law School – J.D. 1987; Associate Editor, Gonzaga Law Review

Washington State University – B.S. Zoology, B.A. Humanities, cum laude 1984               

Publications:

Note, Tank v. State Farm, 23:205 Gonz. L. Rev. 1987/88

Note, Stenberg v. Pacific Power and Light, Co., 21:809 Gonz. L. Rev. 1985/86

Licensed:

State of Washington – 1987

Admitted:

All Washington courts (Federal and State)

United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Washington State Bar Association (October 1987), Bar Number 17445

Arbitrator, King County Superior Court, 1997 – present

Volunteer attorney, King County Housing Justice Project, June 2016 to June 2019