Drew Carson joins the firm as a Senior Litigator and Of Counsel. He is originally from Cleveland, Ohio and graduated from Oberlin College followed by receiving his law degree from Case Western Reserve University. Drew is a member of the Washington and Ohio state bars.
Drew relocated to Seattle after practicing for many years in Ohio as a partner with the firm formerly known as Goodman Weiss Miller. There he practiced complex commercial litigation representing public companies with a special emphasis in defending these clients and their Directors and Officers from securities fraud claims including before the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
Over the course of his career, he has tried over 50 cases before a jury and, including bench trials and hearings before neutrals, he has conducted over 150 full evidentiary hearings. Twice in his career he has been retained as special counsel by the state of Ohio’s Attorney General’s office to defend the state of Ohio in class actions. Prior to relocating to Seattle, he defended the state of Ohio in the largest class action ever prosecuted in the history of the state related to the state’s Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s group employer premium rating system. Previously in his career, he defended the state of Ohio and its former Governor and former US senator, George Voinovich, as special counsel in all litigation, including a class action, arising from a riot in 1993 at the state’s maximum-security prison in Lucasville, Ohio.
Drew is also highly experienced in Employment law and formerly led the City of Cleveland’s Department of Law’s Labor and Employment practice. Since relocating to Seattle, he has represented public employee Unions, been at the forefront of the emerging Cannabis law, and practiced insurance defense.
Drew’s personal interests include travel, and he is a Shakespeare fanatic.
Honors and Awards
CALI Award in Comparative Commercial Law
Highest Grade Legal Research & Writing 1 & 2
Best Appellate Brief AwardBest Oralist Award in Appellate Arguments
Joseph M. Livermore Service Award for the 2014-2015 Academic Year
Professional Licenses
Washington State Managing Real Estate Broker
Notable Cases
1501 1st Ave. N v. Branfman, Cai, et al.
Complex EB-5 and Dissenter’s Rights Litigation and Trial.
Jeff represented 23 minority shareholders from China and Japan in an 8-day trial against American Life, Inc., the nation’s largest EB-5 developer. This was a trial of first impression in Washington. In conjunction with co-counsel, Jeff took the case to verdict, winning over $21 million for his clients.
Leek v. Wang, McDuffie, et al.
Complex Corporate Litigation and Trial
Jeff represented one of the Defendants, a renowned cybersecurity expert and owner of a multinational cybersecurity company. Plaintiff claimed Breach of Contract, Breach of Partnership, Breach of Duty as Partners, Contract Implied in Law, Contract Implied in Fact, Willful Refusal to Pay Wages, Negligent Misrepresentation, Intentionally Misrepresentation, and a host of other claims. After a 4-day trial, the court dismissed all claims against Jeff’s client.
In. Re. Estate of Pinto
Complex Probate Litigation and Trial
A week-long trial where Jeff successfully represented one of the estate beneficiaries, securing a near $1 million total verdict for his client and the return of an invaluable family heirloom.
Vo v. Huynh
Complex Family and Business Litigation and Trial
A highly contentious divorce where Jeff represented the wife. The husband owned and operated a multi-million dollar telecommunication business, and throughout litigation, concealed and wasted vast amounts of community assets. Jeff moved the court to appoint a Receiver, who wound up the business. Jeff secured approximately $400,000 in sanctions against the husband prior to trial. The trial court awarded Jeff’s client all the assets and businesses concealed by the opposing party, in addition to attorney fees.
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