Kaitlin’s interest in representing people with asbestos-related disease began when she was in middle school and high school working summers at plaintiffs’ asbestos firms in Colorado and Virginia. She wanted to attend law school after seeing the national impact of asbestos use throughout history and the difference it made to people harmed by asbestos when they were able to hold companies accountable for their role in causing preventable harm. Kaitlin began representing asbestos victims in 2013, after graduating magna cum laude from Seattle University Law School.
With Kaitlin’s representation and tenacity in the courtroom, mesothelioma victims have received record jury awards. This includes the largest verdict in Oregon history for an asbestos-related disease contracted from occupational exposure. She also secured the largest verdict in Washington state history for a case involving take-home asbestos exposure.
Kaitlin’s work experience extends beyond trial. In one significant case, after the judge reduced a jury award post-trial, Kaitlin worked to affirm the original verdict on appeal and secured reinstatement of the jury’s award. For Kaitlin, compensating victims and supporting their families is as important as holding companies responsible for their actions.
Prior to her career in asbestos litigation, Kaitlin worked with the Honorable Stephen J. Dwyer at the Washington Court of Appeals in Seattle. During law school Kaitlin was a Rule 9 legal intern in the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office in Everett. Outside of work, Kaitlin enjoys being in the mountains – hiking, mountain biking, or skiing.
- $8.75 Million verdict for 66-year-old mesothelioma victim exposed through construction work involving use of joint compound. Largest verdict in Oregon state history for an asbestos-related disease contracted from occupational exposure.
- $3.5 Million verdict for 80-year-old mesothelioma victim exposed to asbestos through laundering her husband’s work clothes when he worked at a refinery. Largest in Washington state history for a case involving “take-home” asbestos exposure
- Affirmance on appeal of jury verdict and reinstatement of the jury’s award after the trial judge had reduced the jury’s award by $1 Million post-trial.
- Washington State Bar Association
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- Seattle University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2012
- University of Washington, B.A., cum laude, 2008
- Washington State Association for Justice, EAGLE member
- American Association for Justice
- King County Bar Association
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
- Selected to Washington Rising Stars by Super Lawyers® (2019-2021)
Publication
- “Civility in Motions Practice,” WSBA-CLE, Motion Practice Tips: Making Your Best Case (September 2019)
- “Take-Home Asbestos Exposure through Laundering Contaminated Clothing Causes Mesothelioma Decades Later,” Trial News, Washington State Trial Lawyers (2015)
My husband was diagnosed with mesothelioma and we reached out to Kaitlin to represent us, we are so grateful we did. Kaitlin not only knows everything about asbestos law, but she was the most caring attorney we've dealt with. This was a difficult time for us, but Kaitlin made us feel we could leave it up to her.
Betty