Corr Cronin LLP
Practice focus: Commercial litigation, securities, trade secrets, products
Boutique litigation firm consistently ranked among the best litigators in the country.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Commercial dispute in Seattle? Pick a firm that tries cases.
Top 10 Business Litigation Lawyers in Seattle
Seattle commercial litigation runs through King County Superior Court, the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, and the King County Mandatory Arbitration program for cases under $100K. Tech-heavy Seattle generates trade-secret, software-license, and IP disputes regularly. The right firm has the trial bench AND the appellate bench.
These 10 Seattle firms have proven trial track records in business litigation, breach of contract, fiduciary duty, partnership disputes, and trade secrets.
How we picked these 10: We reviewed published verdicts and settlements, peer rankings (Best Lawyers, Super Lawyers, Chambers and Partners, Avvo), client review patterns, and bar association recognition. Firms that appeared consistently across independent sources made the list. We do not accept payment for placement, and we do not write sponsored reviews. More on our methodology →
McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren PLLC
Practice focus: Commercial, employment, real estate, securities, products
Market-leading reputation. Decades of trial and arbitration experience throughout PNW.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Carney Badley Spellman, PS
Practice focus: Business litigation, M&A, real estate
Seattle full-service business and litigation firm.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Keller Rohrback LLP
Practice focus: Commercial, class action, securities, complex
Nationally recognized leaders in litigation. Multi-office practice.
- Fee structure
- Hourly / Contingency
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Davis Wright Tremaine
Practice focus: Commercial litigation, technology, media
Seattle-based AmLaw 200 firm with deep commercial litigation bench.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Perkins Coie LLP
Practice focus: Commercial defense, technology, securities
Seattle-headquartered AmLaw 100 firm with major commercial litigation practice.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
K&L Gates LLP
Practice focus: Commercial defense, complex litigation
Seattle-headquartered AmLaw 100 firm.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Stoel Rives LLP
Practice focus: Commercial litigation, energy
PNW BigLaw firm with strong commercial trial bench.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Foster Garvey PC
Practice focus: Commercial litigation, employment defense
Multi-state firm with deep Seattle commercial bench.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Seattle Litigation Group
Practice focus: Commercial litigation, contract disputes
Seattle litigation boutique with focused commercial practice.
- Fee structure
- Hourly
- Free consultation
- Initial $
Not sure which firm is right for you?
Tell us about your situation and we'll match you with vetted business litigation attorneys in Seattle. Free, confidential, no obligation.
Request Free Consultation →What to expect from a Seattle business litigation matter
TRO/injunction: 14 days. Trial schedule: 12-18 months in King County Superior Court / 18-30 months federal. Appeals: 6-18 months.
What does a business litigation lawyer in Seattle cost?
Hourly: $450-$1,200. Major BigLaw partners: $1,000-$1,500/hr. Flat/blended/contingency available for some matters.
Red flags to watch for when picking a business litigation lawyer in Seattle
The legal directory you find on Google has thousands of Seattle business litigation firms. Most are competent. A few are problematic. The patterns to avoid:
Guaranteed outcomes. No ethical attorney can guarantee a result. If a firm promises a specific recovery, dismissal, or visa approval, walk away.
The disappearing partner. You meet a senior partner at intake, then never speak to them again. The case is handled by an unsupervised junior or a paralegal. Ask in writing who will be your day-to-day attorney.
Pressure to sign immediately. Reputable firms give you the retainer in writing, time to read it, and the option to take it home. High-pressure intake is almost always a sign of a volume mill, not a craftsperson's practice.
No verifiable track record. The firm should be able to point to verdicts, settlements, peer rankings, or bar association recognition. "We've helped thousands of clients" is marketing copy. Specific numbers, named cases, and third-party rankings are evidence.
Vague fee terms. "Don't worry about cost" is a red flag. Every legitimate Seattle lawyer will give you a written engagement letter with the fee structure, what's covered, what triggers extra charges, and what happens if you fire them.
10 questions to ask in your free consultation
Most Seattle firms on this list offer a free initial consultation. Use it. Bring a list of questions and write down the answers. Compare across at least two firms before you sign.
- Who, specifically, will handle my case day-to-day? Get a name. Get an email.
- How many cases like mine have you handled in the last three years? You want a number, not a brochure line.
- What is your fee, and what does it cover? Get the answer in writing before you sign.
- What case expenses am I responsible for, and when? Out-of-pocket costs surprise people. Ask now.
- What is the realistic range of outcomes for a case like mine? A good lawyer will give you a range. A bad one will promise the high end.
- How long will it take? Honest estimate, with the assumptions stated.
- Who else might be involved? Experts? Co-counsel? Larger cases routinely involve outside experts. Know who's on the team.
- How and how often will I hear from you? Email-only? Calls? Monthly updates? Set the expectation now.
- What happens if I want to change lawyers later? Rules allow it; the fee is sorted between firms. Make sure you understand the mechanics.
- What's the worst-case outcome for my case? A lawyer who refuses to discuss downside risk is selling you something.
What's specific about a business litigation case in Seattle
Seattle is its own market. The procedure, the courts, and the strategy are city- and state-specific in ways that matter to your outcome.
Local courthouses matter. King County Superior Court at the King County Courthouse and the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington have judges, calendars, and procedures that shape how cases move. A firm that knows the local courthouse has an advantage.
Filing deadlines are strict. Notice of Claim windows for cases against the City or County, Statute of Limitations periods, and pre-suit certification requirements vary by case type and are unforgiving. A missed deadline often means a lost case — full stop.
Local procedure rules matter. Each court has its own forms, motion practice, and judge preferences. The right Seattle firm will know not just the law, but the unwritten rules of the courthouse you'll be in.
Local plaintiffs/defendants do well in front of local juries. Verdict patterns vary by venue, and a trial-capable firm uses venue strategically.
Frequently asked questions
King County Mandatory Arbitration?
Cases under $100K go to mandatory arbitration. Faster, cheaper than trial.
Recovering attorneys' fees?
Yes for stipulated contracts and statutory cases. Generally NOT under common-law American Rule.
Trade secret enforcement?
Defend Trade Secrets Act (federal) + Washington Trade Secrets Act. Strong injunctive remedies.
Discovery in WA state court?
Similar to federal. Specific deadlines and case schedules.
Should I mediate?
Most Seattle judges require mediation before trial. Many cases settle there.
Related reading
One last thing. Choosing a lawyer is personal. Read the reviews. Call two or three firms before you sign. Ask each one: How many cases like mine have you taken to verdict in the last three years? The answer tells you everything. — The LawFirmSquare team