Ralph Palumbo

Attorney

About Ralph

Ralph’s practice includes a unique depth of experience in complex commercial litigation, environmental matters, and corporate and business law. He has tried cases in state and federal courts involving a broad spectrum of complex issues, including: antitrust and trade regulation; patent law and licensing; environmental law (hazardous and toxic substances, clean air, clean water, and natural resource damages); commercial disputes; trade secrets/non-competition/confidentiality issues; products liability; class-action litigation; fraud, misrepresentation and consumer protection act violations; employment agreements; and real property taxation.

Ralph takes pride in partnering with his clients, learning their business and strategizing with them on the best path for success for their legal matter. He thinks beyond legal confines and recognizes that many complicated and challenging issues have both legal implications and real-world practicalities. He works alongside his clients in meeting these challenges in the most efficient and cost-effective way. In short, Ralph creates long-lasting relationships with clients where he is the first person they call when an issue arises.

Outside of his professional life, Ralph loves skiing, running, boating, road biking, and spending time with his family, whether that be here in Seattle, Washington or Vail, Colorado.

Other Practice Areas: Class Action Litigation | Products Liability

More about Ralph

Education

University of Washington (B.A., magna cum laude, 1969)
Stanford University School of Law (J.D., cum laude 1972)
Stanford Law Review, Notes Editor

Community

Board of Directors and Vice Chair, Seattle Symphony Orchestra
Co-Chair, Benaroya Hall Capital Campaign, Seattle Symphony Orchestra
Board Member, University of Washington College of Arts & Sciences
Board Member, All Star Orchestra
Co-Chair, Seattle University School of Law, 35th Anniversary Committee.
President, Northwest Burn Foundation
Member, Senior Advisory Board, 1990 Goodwill Games
Pacific Northwest 2002 “Award of Excellence” for Outstanding Contributions to the Community

Speaking Engagements

Will Chevron Deference Survive? An Examination of the Viability of Chevron Deference, American Bar Association, Environmental & Energy, Mass Torts, and Products Liability Litigation Committee’s Joint CLE Seminar, Whister, British Columbia, January 26, 2018
Issues for Defense Counsel in Multi-District Litigation, Federal Bar Association CLE, November 29, 2016
Federal Court Limits Application of RCRA Citizen Suit Bar and Expands RCRA Definition of “Solid Waste.” Law Seminars International, Second Annual Legal and Technical Seminar on Hydrology and the Law, Seattle, August 2, 2015
Practical Tips – Jury Instructions, American College of Trial Lawyers Litigation Seminar at University of Washington School of Law, September 24-25, 2010
Practical Tips – Jury Instructions, American College of Trial Lawyers Litigation Seminar at University of Washington School of Law, September 24-25, 2010
Panelist: Live From the Moot Courtroom: Federal Superfund Preemption of State Claims – How Far Does It Go? American Bar Association 2009 Section of Litigation Annual Conference, Washington D.C., April 30, 2009
Overview of Stormwater Laws and Current Trends in Litigation, Current Issues in Stormwater Regulation, Seattle, November 21, 2008
Panel Discussion: Ethical Dilemmas Presented in Gordon Campbell’s Best Selling Novel, Missing Witness, Brigham Young University/ J. Reuben Law School Annual Ethics Program, Salt Lake City, August 27, 2008
Products Liability, Innovative Strategies for Litigating Class Actions, Seattle, May 8-9, 2008
Structuring and Negotiating Non-Traditional Pricing Fee Arrangements – American Conference Institute’s Corporate Counsel Forum on Reducing Legal Costs, Chicago, March 31-April 2, 2008
Innovative Strategies and Recent Developments in Product Liability Class Action Litigation – Litigating Class Action Suits, Los Angeles, November 12-13, 2007
High Profile Cases: Litigation Strategies from the Lawyers Who Tried Them, Washington State Bar Association, Seattle, October 16, 2007
Product Liability, International Gamer Technology Law, Seattle, October 4-5, 2007
Antitrust Compliance Programs, Seattle, July 17, 2007
Strategies for Early Merits Determinations in Class Actions, Innovative Strategies for Litigating Class Actions, Los Angeles, May 11-12, 2007
New Tools and Strategies for Today’s Law Department Reality, Law Department Consortium Seminar, Chicago, March 6, 2007
Business Essentials: Contracts and Negotiation, Washington State Bar Association, Seattle, October 27, 2006
Strategies for Early Merits Determinations in Class Actions, Innovative Strategies for Litigating Class Actions, Seattle, May 11-12, 2006
Getting out of the Contract, Contract Litigation From A-Z, Seattle, November. 2, 2005

Experience

Yarmuth LLP, 2015-2020
Summit Law Group, Founding Member, 1997-2015
Heller Ehrman White & McAuliffe, Litigation Partner (Seattle), 1985-1997
Lane Powell, Litigation Partner (Seattle), 1972-1985

Awards & Recognition

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
International Corporate Counsel Guide, “125 Best Litigation Lawyers in the United States.”
BTI Consulting Group: “Client Service All Star Team – Top 115 lawyers in America for Delivering Truly Outstanding and Superior Client Service.”
The International Who’s Who of Environmental Lawyers: “Pre-eminent Environmental Lawyers.”
Washington Law & Politics, “Top 100 Washington Super Lawyers.”
Washington Law & Politics, “Top 25 Trial Lawyers.”
Corporate Counsel Magazine. “Best Environmental Lawyers in America.”
The Best Lawyers in America, Environmental and Commercial Litigation
Chambers USA, “Top Litigation Lawyers.”
Chambers USA, “Top Environmental Lawyers.”
Chambers USA: “America's Leading Lawyers for Business.”
International Finance Magazine, “Leading Lawyer Award, 2012.”
Seattle Business Magazine, “Top Lawyers.”
U.S. News & World Reports, "Best Lawyers 2011-2012”
American Registry, "American's Most Honored Professionals."
The Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals
Continental Who's Who of National Business Leaders
Expert Guide to the World's Leading Litigation Lawyers

Representative Matters

Microsoft Corporation v. Motorola: Co-counsel in multiple patent and breach of contract actions.
BP Pipelines, et al v. State of Alaska, et al: Lead trial counsel for BP, ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, ChevronTexaco and Koch in trials involving the multi-billion dollar valuation of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.
Alakayak v. All Alaskan Seafoods: Lead counsel for largest seafood processor defendant in $1.2 billion antitrust class action. Successfully obtained unanimous jury verdict for defendants after four-month trial.
RealNetworks v. Microsoft: Co-counsel for plaintiff in antitrust action. Successfully settled for $760 million.
Caldera v. Microsoft: Co-lead trial counsel for plaintiff in billion dollar antitrust action. Successfully negotiated multi-hundred million dollar settlement.
KVC v. Regis, et al.: Lead trial counsel for one of two defendants. Obtained summary judgment dismissing plaintiff’s claims; obtained $20 million judgment for defendants at trial. After second trial on defendants’ Civil Rule 11 sanctions motion, obtained one of the largest sanction awards in the United States.
U.S. v. Trident Seafoods: Lead trial counsel to defendant in Clean Air Act enforcement case. Successfully obtained defense judgment at trial.

Antitrust Litigation: Ralph has handled significant antitrust litigation, including multi-district and class action litigation in the high technology, brewing, meat packing, agricultural and forest products industries. Ralph has also been trial counsel in cases involving dealer terminations and franchising, and he provides antitrust compliance advice to corporations and industry associations.
Products Liability Litigation: Ralph has been national trial counsel in products liability cases in the agricultural chemicals, electronics, heavy machinery and consumer products industries. Ralph also provides advice to clients on product liability compliance and litigation management programs.
Superfund Litigation: Ralph has been lead counsel to defendants in more than 40 State and federal Superfund actions throughout the United States. In that capacity he has litigated Superfund cases, managed remedial investigation, feasibility study and cleanup action negotiations with State and federal agencies on behalf of individual PRPs and PRP groups, and he has litigated allocation cases among PRPs.
RCRA/TSCA Litigation and Regulatory Actions: Ralph was lead trial counsel in the first RCRA "imminent and substantial endangerment" action, obtaining a defense verdict on behalf of his client. Since that time, Ralph has been lead trial counsel in more than 30 State and federal RCRA actions. In addition, Ralph provides advice to corporations on RCRA compliance, permitting, and regulatory actions.
Clean Water Act and Clean Air Actions: Ralph participated in litigating the first cases brought under the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts. Since that time, he has represented companies in more than 25 Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act enforcement cases; he has negotiated regulatory compliance issues with State and federal environmental agencies.
Natural Resource Damage Actions: Ralph led the team of experts representing Alyeska with respect to the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Since that time, he has been lead trial counsel to defendants in more than 15 natural resource damage actions, and he has advised corporations and industry trade associations with respect to strategic issues involving natural resource damages. Ralph applies his expertise in economic issues to both his antitrust practice and in understanding the complex economic issues involved in natural resource damage assessments.
Environmental Acquisitions and Management: Ralph has represented clients in connection with more than 50 real estate transaction and corporate acquisitions involving environmental issues. He is an expert on environmental compliance and management systems and he advises Fortune 500 companies on state-of-the art practices with respect to strategic environmental management. He also provides advice to industry associations and trade groups on environmental issues.