Defense Attorneys for Retail and Hospitality Businesses in Washington and Oregon
Williams Kastner represents retail, hospitality, food service, and other consumer-facing businesses throughout Washington and Oregon. We work closely with in-house counsel, risk management teams, and national coordinating counsel to defend claims and litigation arising from day-to-day operations.
Our attorneys are frequently asked to handle high-exposure matters, recurring claims, and cases with the potential to affect broader litigation strategy or operational risk. When early resolution makes sense, we pursue it. When it does not, we are prepared to take cases through trial.
How We Support In-House Legal Teams
Retail and hospitality businesses operate in a high-volume, public-facing environment where even routine incidents can result in significant claims. We understand the pressures in-house legal teams face and take a practical, collaborative approach to defense. Our work often includes:
- Defending claims in Washington and Oregon state and federal courts
- Evaluating exposure early and advising on strategy
- Managing repeat claims and venue-specific issues
- Working seamlessly with national counsel and insurers
- Providing guidance that reflects how businesses actually operate
Our goal is to control risk and cost while allowing clients to stay focused on their operations.
Common Claims We Defend
Williams Kastner attorneys regularly defend retail and hospitality clients in matters involving:
- Slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall incidents
- Premises liability and maintenance-related claims
- Negligent security and third-party criminal acts
- Detention, shoplifting, and loss prevention incidents
- Customer and vendor personal injury claims
- Employment-related tort claims arising from on-site incidents
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The following matters illustrate our experience defending retail and hospitality businesses in Washington and Oregon courts:
Keystone RV Fee Award Litigation
Client: Keystone RV
Date: April 2024
Venue: Washington State Court
Williams Kastner secured an award of approximately $400,000 in restitutionary attorney fees based on opposing counsel’s bad-faith conduct following two years of contentious litigation. Prior to the fee award, Williams Kastner’s discovery efforts resulted in the disqualification of opposing counsel, triggered disciplinary proceedings before the Washington State Bar Association, and achieved dismissal of all substantive claims against Keystone RV.
Starling v. Walmart Inc., C21-1156 RSM
Client: Walmart Inc.
Date: May 2023
Venue: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Williams Kastner defended Walmart in a racial discrimination and false imprisonment action alleging profiling and wrongful detention of two African-American minors. The court granted summary judgment in favor of the defense on the discrimination claim. The remaining negligence and false imprisonment claims proceeded to trial, where the jury awarded plaintiffs $5,000 on a per se issue. The outcome was favorable for the defense given the minimal award and typical exposure in similar cases.
Moritz v. Walmart, 3:22-cv-5595-TLF
Client: Walmart Inc.
Date: July 2023
Venue: U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Williams Kastner obtained summary judgment in a premises liability action arising from an alleged slip-and-fall. The court ruled that the plaintiff failed to present sufficient evidence of an unreasonably dangerous condition to support a negligence claim. The plaintiff did not appeal.
Strout v. Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. et al., 84883-6-I
Client: Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Date: September 2022
Venue: Washington State Superior Court and Court of Appeals, Division One
Williams Kastner secured a defense verdict following a three-week jury trial in a premises liability case in which the plaintiff sought $50 million in damages. The Washington State Court of Appeals, Division One, affirmed the defense verdict on appeal.
Prater v. Walmart, 18-2-04601-34
Client: Walmart Inc.
Date: Mid-to-late 2020
Venue: Thurston County Superior Court
Williams Kastner obtained a defense verdict in one of Washington State’s first COVID-era jury trials. The plaintiff, a 20-year-old injured while shoplifting, sought a multi-million-dollar recovery. The jury returned a verdict in favor of the defense.
Bohms v. ConAgra Foods, 14-2-0188-3
Client: ConAgra Foods
Date: July 2014
Venue: Benton County Superior Court
Williams Kastner defended ConAgra Foods in a premises liability action brought by a truck driver who slipped and fell at a processing plant, sustaining multiple serious and permanent injuries. Williams Kastner persuaded plaintiff’s counsel to submit the matter to binding arbitration and secured a complete defense award with no damages, resulting in dismissal of the lawsuit.
Hembree v. Potelco, Inc., 11-2-24472-5
Client: Potelco, Inc.
Date: July 18, 2011
Venue: King County Superior Court
Williams Kastner defended Potelco in a personal injury action arising from an altercation near a jobsite. The plaintiff alleged serious physical injuries, lost wages, and emotional distress. Williams Kastner obtained dismissal of the lawsuit on summary judgment.
Rivas v. ConAgra Foods, Inc., 11-2-50772-9
Client: ConAgra Foods, Inc.
Date: July 25, 2011
Venue: Franklin County Superior Court
Williams Kastner defended ConAgra Foods in a premises liability case involving a slip-and-fall at a potato processing plant. The plaintiff sought damages for multiple physical injuries, wage loss, and permanent partial disability. Williams Kastner obtained dismissal of the lawsuit on summary judgment.
Reliford v. U.S. Bancorp, 09-2-00801-3
Client: U.S. Bancorp
Date: September 22, 2009
Venue: Island County Superior Court
Williams Kastner defended U.S. Bank in a premises liability action involving an alleged slip on ice and snow in a bank parking lot. The plaintiff sought more than $100,000 in damages for medical expenses, lost wages, and permanent injuries. Williams Kastner obtained dismissal of the lawsuit on summary judgment.