I set out to build a niche practice. I called it “Cross Border Law” in 1995.
Early in my career, I began representing Canadians who had been injured in the United States—often in Washington State. What started as a handful of cases became a steady focus, and eventually a deliberate practice, with several associates and paralegals, built around the complexities of cross-border injury litigation.
Those cases are different. They require an understanding not just of U.S. law, but of how it interacts with Canadian insurance benefits, and long-term care realities. They also tend to matter a great deal to the people involved.
That combination is what has kept me here.
Experience That Spans Both Sides of the Border
I am a dual American and Canadian lawyer. I’m also a dual American and Canadian citizen, living in both countries and understanding the attitudes and opinions which shape jurors’ decisions.
I’ve been a member of the Washington State Bar since 1990 and the Law Society of British Columbia since 1994. My work has taken me into courtrooms across Washington—both state and federal courts—handling serious injury, wrongful death and product liability claims.
Over the years, I’ve tried many cases, resolved others through negotiation, and worked alongside a wide range of experts—medical, engineering, and financial—to properly present the full impact of an injury to a jury.
Experience matters in these cases. But so does judgment—knowing when to push, when to step back, and how to structure a case so that it achieves the right outcome for the client.
A More Focused Practice
At this stage of my career, I’ve chosen to work differently.
I limit my practice to a small number of significant cases each year. That allows me to stay closely involved, to think strategically, and to work with a trusted team across both countries.
These cases often involve life-changing injuries. They deserve time, attention, and care. I don’t believe they can be handled well any other way.
How I See My Role
Clients come to me at difficult moments.
They are often dealing with injuries, uncertainty, and decisions that will affect them for years to come. My role is to bring clarity to a complicated situation and to guide the legal process in a way that supports their recovery—financially and otherwise.
That doesn’t always mean being aggressive for the sake of it. It means being deliberate, prepared, and steady when it matters most.
What Matters to Me
Over the years, I’ve stayed in touch with many of my former clients. Some have become friends. That tends to happen when people go through something difficult together and come out the other side.
The cases themselves matter. But the people involved matter more.
Education and Credentials
- Tulane University — B.A. (English)
- American University, Washington College of Law — Juris Doctor
- Legal training completed at the University of British Columbia, Allard School of Law
- Washington State Bar — since 1990
- Law Society of British Columbia — since 1994
Published Articles
Wrongful Death and Survival Actions in Washington State: Comparing Benefits from a Canadian Perspective, The Verdict, April 2005.
Extending American Products Liability Jurisprudence to Canadian Plaintiffs – Lessons from a Seven Year Battle, The Verdict, April 2004.
Outside the Office
My sport is mountain biking—I do it for fun and exercise, and a way to see the world. I also love live music of many genres.
If You’re Reaching Out
If you’re dealing with a serious cross-border injury situation and considering your options, I’m available to speak with you.
We’ll keep the conversation straightforward. If I can help, I will. If I can’t, I’ll try to point you in the right direction.
