- GuardianshipMr. Hennessey regularly represents clients in need of help resolving complex disputes, primarily through litigation. He also regularly represents clients in arbitration and mediation contexts in cases involving a broad assortment of substantive legal issues. His practice currently emphasizes commercial litigation, fiduciary and trust litigation (including representation of trustees, beneficiaries, will contests and guardianship issues), tort litigation, contract litigation, employment and environmental litigation.
- Wrongful DeathIn addition, we have represented many individuals who have suffered debilitating personal injuries sustained in car accidents or on premises with dangerous conditions, as well as representing families and estates in wrongful death matters.
- Fraud
- Business DisputesWe are passionate about protecting our clients’ business interests, which often directly relate to their livelihood. We have experience representing clients in a wide range of commercial and business disputes, including among partners, members withdrawing from professional companies, shareholder lawsuits, banking and securities matters, joint ventures and all types of contractual issues. We represent individual business owners, as well as large and small companies in all types of industries. We work to provide our clients with the highest quality legal services consistent with their long-term objectives.
- Intellectual Property
- Unfair CompetitionOur attorneys have litigated numerous high-stakes, multi-party tort cases in a variety of contexts. We are experienced in matters involving claims for tortuous interference, unfair competition, violations of consumer protection statutes and other competitive business torts. We increasingly litigate insurance coverage disputes on behalf of policyholders, including claims for negligence and alleged professional malpractice.
- AntitrustAdvising our clients on avoiding antitrust violations is a major component of our practice as general counsel and in related litigation matters. We represent and provide advice to a number of trade associations regarding antitrust compliance. We have defended and prosecuted claims involving anti-competitive acts, unlawful restraints on trade, and unfair and deceptive trade practices in a variety of industries, including but not limited to seafood processing, chemicals, telecommunications and technology.
- Wrongful Termination
- Employment Contract
- Employment LitigationWe provide general business counseling services, including for startup enterprises, small businesses and their principals. We act as outside general counsel to established companies and trade associations, and advise them on leasing, commercial contracts, and other employment issues. We also represent nonprofit associations and advise them on a variety of issues unique to their industry. Because of our trial experience we are uniquely positioned to provide preventative, proactive advice as well as independent analysis of potential problems.
- Construction Litigation
- Real Estate Transactions
- Personal Injury
- Medical Malpractice
- Auto Accidents
- Estate PlanningPrior to working at the predecessor firm of Smith & Leary, Mr. Hennessey served as a deputy prosecuting attorney for King County in the criminal division and worked in a civil litigation firm for two years emphasizing complex commercial and tort litigation. He has appeared in numerous state and federal courts in a variety of locations other than Washington, including Alaska, California, Oregon, Louisiana and Georgia. Mr. Hennessey has argued cases in the Washington State Court of Appeals and the Washington State Supreme Court. He currently is a member of the King County Bar Association, the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, the Washington State Bar Association, the American Bar Association (Member, Real Property, Trust & Estate Law and Antitrust Law Sections), and the Federal Bar Association (Western District of Washington). He was selected as a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America.
- WillsWe have handled a variety of complex will and trust litigation, including will contests, alleged mismanagement by trustees, fraudulent transfers, breaches of fiduciary duty, undue influence and diminished capacity. Our attorneys are able to work effectively with clients and other counsel in these types of matters, which, like many types of cases, may be emotionally charged and involve complicated fact patterns spanning lengthy periods of time.
- Probate