Jonah Harrison

Jonah Harrison

Attorney

About Jonah

Jonah represents businesses and individuals in a range of complex commercial and employment disputes. Jonah’s employment litigation practice involves non-compete agreements, trade secrets, wrongful discharge/discrimination, wage and hour claims and other matters. His commercial litigation practice involves representation of both plaintiffs and defendants in contract disputes, business torts, intellectual property and securities matters. His clients include individuals, small and large businesses in a range of industries, and early-stage technology companies.

Jonah strongly believes that most disputed employment and commercial matters can and should be resolved through creative, negotiated resolutions or motion practice. But Jonah is one of an increasingly rare cohort of litigators: a small firm attorney with a big firm background who has successfully tried cases to verdict in both federal and state court. When negotiations or motion practice cannot resolve an issue, he tirelessly and aggressively works for his clients at trial or arbitration and believes advocacy in the courtroom is one of the most rewarding and enjoyable aspects of the profession.

Outside of his professional life, Jonah enjoys cheering for his two kids at soccer and baseball games and skiing or climbing with them in our country’s amazing wild places. A rock-climbing guide before his legal career, Jonah is still an active climber and has climbed throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, Asia and Europe.

More about Jonah

Education
  • University of Chicago Law School (J.D., 2003)
  • University of Wisconsin (B.A., 1996)

Community
  • William L. Dwyer Inn of Court
  • President of the Board of Directors of Access Fund, a nationwide advocacy organization involved in promoting public policy, stewardship and conservation, grassroots activism, education and land acquisition for climbing activities.
  • Represents various non-profit organizations and individuals pro bono in matters involving employment, liability and governance.
Experience
  • Impact Law Group PLLC, 2009-2018
  • Stokes Lawrence, 2007-2009
  • Preston Gates & Ellis LLP (now K&L Gates), 2003-2007

Awards & Recognition
  • Consistently selected for Washington Law & Politics, Super Lawyer, most recently 2023

Languages
  • Fluent in Spanish

Representative Matters

  • Obtained $4.5 million judgment and $287,000 award of attorneys’ fees and costs against multiple corporate defendants and individual for securities act violations, breaches of fiduciary duty, fraud and violations of the Washington Consumer Protection Act.
  • Prevailed on behalf of defendants after 9-day federal trial of complex commercial dispute regarding breach of contract and fraudulent transfer claims; decision upheld on appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • After bench trial in King County Superior Court on trial de novo of arbitrated matter, obtained dismissal of plaintiff’s claims as well as cross-claims of corporate codefendant, along with awards of attorneys’ fees against both parties in dispute regarding alleged breaches of contract.
  • Secured injunctive relief restoring corporation to possession of its business after unlawful occupation and takeover by former employees and competitors; obtained summary judgment on affirmative claims as well as dismissal of defendants’ counterclaims and an award of attorneys’ fees.
  • Negotiated purchase of the Lower Town Wall in Index, Washington, one of the most popular and significant rock climbing areas in the Pacific Northwest, to save the site from granite quarrying operations and preserve it for public recreation.
  • Obtained summary dismissal of former employee’s claims for alleged wrongful termination, wage withholding and equitable indemnification. Obtained judgment against former employee on behalf of employer, including award of all attorneys’ fees and costs.
  • In Western District of Washington, on behalf of regional hospital network, obtained summary judgement dismissing all claims of former employee for alleged discrimination and failure to accommodate under Title VII, ADA and WLAD.
  • Prevailed at trial on behalf of defendant in commercial dispute and prevailed at subsequent appeal to Division I Court of Appeals upholding disputed evidentiary rulings of trial court.