Jury Awards $20.9 Million to Washington Worker Diagnosed with Mesothelioma after Asbestos Exposure at “Tacoma Aroma” Mill
A King County jury has awarded $20.9 million to Scot McLeod, a former abatement worker who developed mesothelioma after being exposed to asbestos at industrial worksites across the Pacific Northwest beginning in 1989. Mr. McLeod is represented by attorneys Kaitlin Cherf, Colin Mieling and Craig Sims of Schroeter Goldmark & Bender (SGB).
Attorneys from Schroeter Goldmark & Bender and Forum Law Group secured a record-setting verdict in late January against the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) for failing to respond to a child abuse hotline call. A Multnomah County jury awarded more than $29 million to the child after concluding that the agency’s inaction led to devastating and permanent injuries when he was just two years old.
SGB attorney Kaitlin Cherf was recently featured in Law360 discussing a landmark Washington Supreme Court ruling that allows families to move forward with civil claims against Amazon over the promotion and sale of high-concentration sodium nitrite used in youth suicides.
SGB attorney Elizabeth Hanley recently wrote an op-ed, published by The Seattle Times, in opposition SB 6239 which would create unnecessary obstacles for survivors of sexual abuse to access justice in Washington state.
SGB’s Elizabeth Hanley and co-counsel, Tamara Holder of Tamara Holder Law, were featured on the front page of The Seattle Times for their representation of women harmed by Tri-Cities OB-GYN, Dr. Mulholland.
Recreational injury cases often come with complex factual and legal challenges. Grit, determination, and creative lawyering are needed to drive successful case outcomes.
Schroeter Goldmark & Bender attorneys Becky Roe and Elizabeth Hanley are urging lawmakers to reject SB 6239 and instead adopt a survivor-centered version of the bill designed specifically for historical abuse claims against the state.
With the Washington State Legislature back in session, SGB attorney Elizabeth Hanley returned to the Capitol on Friday to testify in support of HB 1496 – legislation that would remove financial barriers preventing patients from accessing their own medical records.
In an interview with Washington State Bar News, 2025 LBAW President Zaida Rivera and 2026 LBAW President Sergio A. Garcidueñas-Sease share the institutional history of LBAW, along with its mission, mentorship opportunities, exciting accomplishments, and more.
Schroeter Goldmark & Bender attorney Carson Phillips-Spotts recently joined the board of The Judicial Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to the judiciary and diversifying Washington State’s bench.