Overview

Vanessa Power is an experienced trial attorney who represents businesses in high-stakes commercial litigation, focusing on contract claims, class actions, intellectual property disputes, enforcement actions, and consumer protection claims. She has successfully represented clients in state and federal courts, arbitration, and regulatory proceedings, securing favorable outcomes at both trial and appellate levels.

Vanessa regularly advises clients in a wide range of industries, including technology, manufacturing, and retail, helping them mitigate risk, navigate complex regulatory frameworks, and resolve litigation efficiently.

As a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, Vanessa helps set and implement the firm’s strategic goals. She previously served as managing partner of the Seattle office. Vanessa is recognized by Chambers USA as one of “America’s Leading Lawyers for Business” (Washington) and has been consistently listed in The Best Lawyers in America® and Washington Super Lawyers®.

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

United States District Courts for W.D. Washington, E.D. Washington, Dist. Oregon, and N.D. Illinois

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

Supreme Court of the United States

Experience

Class Actions

  • Secured favorable settlement for retail fitness equipment company in class action alleging violations of state-based price advertising regulations.
  • Successfully secured favorable defense ruling before Washington Supreme Court in class action over use of automated cameras in school speed zones.
  • Served as lead counsel for automated traffic safety camera company defending putative class actions in state and federal courts in Washington and California.
  • Represented auto insurer in class action lawsuit alleging consumer fraud based on no-fault insurance practices in Minnesota.

Commercial Litigation

  • Secured summary dismissal of case involving assignment and setoff claims under the Uniform Commercial Code.
  • As lead trial counsel in a vendor contract dispute in W.D. Washington, secured a defense verdict and damages judgment following a jury trial.
  • Defended jury trial against aerospace manufacturing company as lead counsel in a supply contract dispute.
  • In conjunction with a competitor’s bid protest, successfully defended company in litigation over disclosure of records under the Washington Public Records Act.
  • Secured dismissal of claims for violation of Driver Privacy Protection Act and right to privacy in C.D. California.
  • Lead trial counsel in estate dispute in Washington, resulting in favorable judgment and removal of personal representative for fraud and breach of fiduciary duties.
  • 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.
  • Obtained defense judgment following bench trial in W.D. Washington in case involving employment discrimination claims.
  • Defended e-commerce company at trial and on appeal in commercial dispute over termination of strategic alliance agreement.
  • Secured defense judgment in appeal under Land Use Petition Act in Washington.

Intellectual Property Litigation

  • As lead counsel, successfully defended against trademark infringement and Lanham Act false advertising claims.
  • As lead counsel, secured summary judgment dismissal of claims involving copyright and trademark infringement, and as co-counsel, secured defense verdict at jury trial on patent infringement claim.
  • Successfully invalidated patent on inter-partes review before USPTO and defended against patent infringement claims in W.D. Washington.
  • Successfully prosecuted claim for trademark infringement to judgment in S.D. New York.
  • Secured summary judgment in case involving publicity and privacy rights, and alleged violation of the Communications Decency Act. Judgment affirmed on appeal to the Eleventh Circuit.

Election Law/Constitutional Law Litigation

  • Secured permanent injunction for grocery stores precluding solicitation of customers for initiative petitions on private property.
  • Obtained reversal of trial court decision and secured a favorable Washington Supreme Court opinion invalidating a local initiative measure and confirming the scope of pre-election review of initiative petition measures in Washington.
  • Secured declaratory ruling that an initiative measure exceeded the scope of local initiative power under Washington law.
  • 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.
  • Successfully prosecuted arbitration on behalf of tower developer in easement dispute with adjacent property owner, avoiding project delays and increased construction costs.
  • On behalf of e-commerce company, secured favorable decisions in arbitrations involving vendor contract disputes and alleged counterfeiting.
  • Secured favorable settlement following arbitration involving fixed price contract for construction of hydrogen manufacturing facility.

Public Interest Litigation

  • Following a bench trial, secured a permanent injunction against enforcement of an Alaska statute.
  • Secured a permanent injunction in W.D. Washington to protect against disclosure of personal identifying information in response to Public Records Act request.
  • Representation of amici curiae in Dist. Montana case involving sentencing error based on rape myths.
  • Represented plaintiff in dispute over reproductive health benefits for military personnel and families.
  • Represented amici curiae in case involving recognition of civil right of same-gender couples to marry in Washington.

Insights

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 (2014–2024)

Recognition

  • 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 one of Puget Sound Business Journal’s “Power 100,” 2019
  • Named one of Puget Sound’s “40 Under 40” by Puget Sound Business Journal, 2009

Affiliations

Professional

  • King County Bar Foundation, Trustee and President
  • Federal Bar Association for the Western District of Washington, 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, former Board Member
  • American Marshall Memorial, Fellow, 2009
  • Leadership Tomorrow, Class of 2009
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