Overview

Aric Jarrett has a broad range of trial and appellate experience in complex commercial, class action, and real estate litigation, as well as trust, estate, and fiduciary disputes. He represents clients in all phases of litigation, including trials and appeals, in state and federal courts as well as in arbitration. His commercial litigation experience includes a range of business and commercial disputes concerning contracts, control of companies and partnerships, property damage, receiverships, product liability, trade secrets, unfair competition, antitrust, and various business torts. His real estate litigation experience includes disputes concerning purchase-and-sale agreements, easements and boundary disputes, quiet title actions, leasing, landlord-tenant disputes and unlawful detainer actions, and title insurance.

Education

Seattle University School of Law, J.D., 2007, magna cum laude; Staff member, Law Review; Vice Chair and Executive Committee member, Moot Court; Order of Barristers; Representative, Student Bar Association; Dean's List

Whitman College, B.A., 2002; Captain, MVP, and Most Inspirational, Swim Team; Academic Distinction

Admissions

Washington

United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington

United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Experience

Commercial Litigation

  • Representation of zoo and its principals in a lawsuit filed by animal rights activist group asserting violations of the Endangered Species Act and public nuisance claims.
  • Representation of manufacturer of truck accessories in action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition.
  • Representation of restaurateur, wine importer and retailer, and bakery in dispute alleging breach of partnership agreement, breach of fiduciary duties, and asserting various business torts.
  • Representation of EB-5 Regional Center in action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and unfair competition.
  • Obtained reversal of adverse judgment entered in breach of contract action. (Cambridge Decision Science v. Markman, Docket No. 74774-6-I (Wash. Ct. App. 2017).)
  • Representation of major agribusiness company in multi-district litigation (MDL) involving multiple class actions alleging negligence and other torts arising out of the alleged release of genetically modified crops. (In re Monsanto Company Genetically-Engineered Wheat Litig., MDL No. 2473 (D. Kan.).)
  • Secured preliminary injunction against environmental activist group prohibiting trespass, nuisance, and interference maritime navigation; successfully defended preliminary injunction on appeal. (Shell Oil Co. v. Greenpeace, Inc., (D. Alaska, 9th Cir).)
  • Representation of multinational corporation and subsidiary in putative class action involving claim that defendants breached employment contracts. Class certification vacated. (Lee v. ITT Corp., 534 F. App’x 626 (9th Cir. 2013). Second class certification order affirmed, petition for certiorari pending (662 F. App’x 535 (9th Cir. 2016); pet. for cert. filed (U.S. March 17, 2017) (No. 16-1128).)
  • Secured favorable settlement for consumer electronics manufacturer in antitrust action brought by Washington Attorney General.
  • Representation of plaintiff in litigation concerning ownership and management of a limited liability company. (Dempsey v. Avenatti, No. 13-2-29955-1 SEA (Wash. Super. Ct.).)
  • Secured favorable verdict in partnership and estate dispute concerning one of the oldest vineyards in Napa Valley, California.
  • Served as appellate counsel for residential mortgage company following adverse trial court judgment. (Collings v. City First Mortg. Servs., LLC, 177 Wn. App. 908, 317 P.3d 1047 (2013); 175 Wn. App. 589, 308 P.3d 692 (2013).)
  • Representation of plaintiff in lawsuit alleging fraudulent transfer, tortious interference, and successor liability.
  • Obtained favorable arbitration award in action alleging breach of partnership agreement and breach of fiduciary duty. (Worman v. Green, No. 10-2-28261-1 SEA, 2010 WL 8747592 (Wash. Super. Ct. October 4, 2010).)
  • Secured arbitration award for $1.3 million in damages, plus attorneys’ fees and costs, in an action concerning breach of power generation contract. (Energy Northwest v. Grays Harbor Energy, Nos. 09-2-39834-8, 7515811508, 2009 WL 8629707 (Wash. Super. Ct. August 18, 2009).)
  • Representation of major paper manufacturer in construction defect case concerning pulp and paper mill.
  • Secured dismissal of action alleging misappropriation of trade secrets and tortious interference with contract and obtained an award of attorneys’ fees and costs. (VP Gables, LLC v. The Cobalt Group, Inc., 709 F. Supp. 2d 1357 (S.D. Fla. 2010), 597 F. Supp. 2d 1326 (S.D. Fla. 2009).)

Real Property and Real Estate Litigation

  • Obtained two favorable awards after multi-day arbitration hearings on behalf of tenant in dispute with landlord related to the surrender of an aerospace-parts industrial manufacturing facility.
  • Secured summary judgment granting specific performance on behalf of purchaser of commercial real estate and ordering seller to convey property. Case subsequently resolved in client’s favor.
  • Representation of port district in dispute with neighbors concerning two gantry cranes and associated easements.
  • Representation of port district in dispute with developer and its contractor regarding the injection of grout into sewer line.
  • Obtained favorable settlement, including payment of all earnest money, on behalf of seller of commercial real estate when purchaser refused to close the purchase-and-sale transaction.
  • Secured summary judgment determining client’s property was not encumbered by covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&R’s) of neighboring homeowner’s association and awarding client attorneys’ fees and costs.

Trust, Estate, and Fiduciary Litigation

  • Representation of administrator of estate in numerous creditors’ claims and disputes concerning real property, water rights, commercial torts, and security interests.
  • Successfully represented estate in connection with dispute alleging fraud and elder abuse.
  • Obtained dismissal of putative heir’s challenge to decedent’s will.

Representative Work and Published Opinions

  • Pamela J. Bridgen v. Windermere Real Estate Co., 9 Wn. App. 2d 1003, 2019 WL 2273506 (2019)
  • Cambridge Decision Science v. Markman, Docket No. 74774-6-I (Wash. Ct. App. 2017)
  • State of Washington v. LG Electronics, 186 Wn.2d 169, 375 P.3d 1035 (2016)
  • Lee v. ITT Corp., 662 F. App'x 535, 537 (9th Cir. 2016)
  • State of Washington v. LG Electronics, 185 Wn. App. 394 (2015)
  • Collings v. City First Mortg. Servs., LLC, 177 Wn. App. 908, 317 P.3d 1047 (2013)
  • Collings v. City First Mortg. Servs., LLC, 175 Wn. App. 589, 308 P.3d 692 (2013)
  • Lee v. ITT Corp., 534 F. App’x 626 (9th Cir. 2013)
  • Iron Partners, LLC v. Maritime Admin., No. 3:08–cv–05217, 2010 WL 2871144 (W.D. Wash. July 22, 2010)
  • VP Gables, LLC v. The Cobalt Group, Inc., 709 F. Supp. 2d 1357 (S.D. Fla. 2010)
  • VP Gables, LLC v. The Cobalt Group, Inc., 597 F. Supp. 2d 1326 (S.D. Fla. 2009)

Insights

Insights & Presentations

  • Co-author, various chapters, Washington Civil Procedure Deskbook, 3d ed., 2014
  • Presenter, “Getting Paid for Work or Materials Provided on Real Property Projects: An Overview of Lien Rights and a Case Study,” Stoel Rives LLP Straight Talk Series, September 2014

Recognition

  • Included in The Best Lawyers in America® (Commercial Litigation), 2024–present
  • Named a Rising Star (Business Litigation), Washington Law & Politics, 2010
  • Pro Bono Service Award, Stoel Rives, 2011

Affiliations

Professional

  • Stoel Rives Seattle office Coaching and Mentoring Committee, Chair, 2020–present
  • Stoel Rives Firm-wide Coaching and Mentoring Committee, Member, 2020–present
  • Stoel Rives Seattle office Recruiting Committee, former Chair and Member
  • King County Bar Association, Member
  • American Bar Association, Member

Civic

  • Aqua Club, Inc., Board of Directors, Corporate Secretary and Member, 2018–present
  • TeamChild, Executive Committee and Board of Directors, former President and Member
  • Penguin Ski Club, former Member and Membership Committee
  • Whitman College, Class Representative, 2009–present
  • Benaroya Research Institute, former Diabetes Research Volunteer
  • Sports & Diabetes Group Northwest, Member, 2012–present
  • King County Bar Association Housing Justice Project, former Volunteer
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