Vanessa Soriano Power

Vanessa Power is an experienced trial attorney. Vanessa focuses her practice on business disputes, representing clients facing complex contract claims, class actions, intellectual property disputes, and government permitting and enforcement actions. Her practice crosses multiple industries, including technology, energy, health care, financial services, manufacturing, and retail services. As a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, Vanessa helps set and implement the firm’s strategic goals. She previously served for five years as managing partner of the Seattle office. Vanessa is named as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Washington) by Chambers USA.

Education

University of Washington School of Law, J.D., 2000

University of Washington Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs, M.P.A., 2000

University of Washington, B.A., 1993

Admissions

Washington

Oregon

Montana

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

United States Courts of Appeals for the Ninth, Eleventh, and Federal Circuits

Supreme Court of the United States 

Class Actions

• Williams v. City of Spokane (Wash. Supreme Court 2022)
  Successfully secured favorable rulings on appeal in class action over validity of school speed zones.
• Manikkam v. American Traffic Solutions (King County 2016)
  Secured dismissal of class action involving alleged statutory violations.
• Todd v. City of Auburn (W.D. Wash.; 9th Cir.)
  Successfully defended company before trial and appellate courts in statewide class action involving validity of automated traffic safety cameras and vendor contracts.
• Talbert v. City of Capitola (N.D. Cal. 2011)
  Secured dismissal of regional class action involving alleged statutory violations.

Commercial Litigation

• Diversified Lenders v. Amazon (W.D. Wash. 2018)
  Secured summary dismissal of case involving assignment and setoff claims under the Uniform Commercial Code.
• Beautyko USA Inc. v. Amazon (W.D. Wash. 2017)
  As lead trial counsel in a vendor contract dispute, secured a defense verdict and damages judgment following a jury trial.
• Joka v. Primus (King County 2015)
  As lead counsel in a jury trial, defended company in a supply contract dispute.
• Workday v. University of Washington (King County 2014)
  In conjunction with a competitor’s bid protest, successfully defended company in dispute over disclosure of records under the Public Records Act.
• Armstrong v. Allied Insurance (C.D. Cal. 2014)
  Successfully defended company in dismissal of claims for violation of Driver Privacy Protection Act and right to privacy.
• Estate of King (King County 2008)
  Lead trial counsel in estate dispute, resulting in favorable judgment and removal of personal representative for fraud and breach of fiduciary duties.
• Northwest Gas Ass’n v. Wash. Utilities & Transportation Commission
  (Wash. Court of Appeals 2007)
  Represented gas company at trial court and on appeal in securing injunction to prevent disclosure of gas pipeline information in response to Public Records Act request.
• Nettles v. Farmers Insurance Exchange (W.D. Wash. 2007)
  Secured dismissal following trial over employment discrimination claims.
• Toysrus.com v. Amazon (N.J. Sup. Ct.; N.J. App. Div. 2005)
  Defended Amazon before trial and on appeal in commercial dispute over strategic alliance agreement.
• Weyerhaeuser NBGO Litigation (King County 2004)
  Defended Weyerhaeuser at trial in land use action.

Intellectual Property Litigation

• Lasoff v. Amazon (W.D. Wash. 2017)
  Successfully defended against trademark infringement and Lanham Act false advertising claims.
• Milo & Gabby v. Amazon (W.D. Wash. 2015)
  Secured summary judgment dismissal of claims involving copyright and trademark infringement and defense verdict at trial on patent infringement claim.
• Direct Route v. OnOffline (W.D. Wash. 2012)
  Successful defense against patent infringement claims.
• Milagros v. Progress Vantage Limited (S.D.N.Y. 2011)
  Successfully prosecuted claim for trademark infringement to judgment.
• Almeida v. Amazon (11th Cir. 2006)
  Secured summary dismissal in case involving publicity and privacy rights.

Election Law/Constitutional Law Litigation

• Safeway and Albertson’s v. PCI Consultants (King County 2018)
  Secured a permanent injunction precluding solicitation of customers for initiative petitions on private property.
• Mukilteo Citizens for Simple Government v. City of Mukilteo (Wash. Supreme Court 2012)
  Obtained reversal of trial court decision and a favorable ruling on appeal, invalidating a local initiative measure and confirming the scope of pre-election review of initiative petition measures in Washington.
• American Traffic Solutions, Inc. v. City of Bellingham (Wash. Court of Appeals 2011)
  Secured ruling that an initiative measure exceeded the scope of local initiative power.
• Fred Meyer Stores v. Citizen Solutions, Inc. (King County 2008, 2011)
  Secured permanent, statewide injunction precluding solicitation of customers for initiative petitions on private property.

Arbitrations

• Obtained favorable rulings for real estate developer in a series of arbitrations involving contract disputes. (AAA 2020–2021)
• Successfully prosecuted arbitration on behalf of tower developer in easement dispute with adjacent property owner, avoiding project delays and increased construction costs. (AAA 2019–2020)
• Defended technology company in series of arbitrations involving vendor contract disputes and alleged counterfeiting, securing favorable rulings on contract enforcement. (AAA 2012–2016)
• Arbitration involving fixed price contract for construction of hydrogen manufacturing facility. (AAA 2009–2011)

Public Interest Litigation

• Jane & John Does v. Daleiden (W.D. Wash. 2022)
  Secured injunction to protect against disclosure of personal identifying information in response to Public Records Act request.
• Montana v. Rambold (Mont. Supreme Court 2014)
  Representation of amici curiae in case involving sentencing error based on rape myths.
• Jane Doe v. U.S. (9th Cir. 2005)
  Representation of plaintiff in dispute over reproductive health benefits for military personnel and families.
• Andersen v. Washington (Wash. Supreme Court 2005)
  Representation of amici curiae in case involving recognition of civil right of same-gender couples to marry.

Insights & Presentations

• "Washington Supreme Court Expands Scope of 'Unfair Practices' Under Consumer Protection Act to Include Allegations of Price Gouging" (co-author), Stoel Rives LLP, August 2024
• Washington Trial and Post-Trial Civil Procedure, co-editor with Judge John P. Erlick, LexisNexis Practice Guide (2014–2022)

• Selected as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Washington) by Chambers USA (Litigation: General Commercial), 2018–present
• Included in The Best Lawyers in America^® (Commercial Litigation), 2021–present
• Listed in Washington Super Lawyers^® (Business Litigation, Intellectual Property Litigation, Appellate), 2012–present
• Listed in Washington Super Lawyers^® in Top 50 Women Lawyers, 2017–2021
• Selected as a “Future Star” by Benchmark Litigation
• Selected as one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Power 100,” 2019
• Listed among Rising Stars (Business Litigation), Washington Super Lawyers^®, 2004–2011
• Stoel Rives LLP Andrew Guy Pro Bono Award, Recipient, 2016–2018, 2020–2022
• Named one of Puget Sound’s “40 Under 40” by Puget Sound Business Journal, 2009

Professional

• King County Bar Foundation, Trustee and President
• Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington, Fundraising Committee Chair (2021–present), former Trustee

Civic

• Crosscut Public Media, Secretary, former Board Member
• Legal Voice, President, former Board Member
• Washington Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest, Secretary, former Board Member
• World Affairs Council, Fellow, 2011–2012
• American Marshall Memorial, Fellow, 2009
• Leadership Tomorrow, Class of 2009