Seattle
(206) 903-8858 P
(206) 903-8820 F

Evan L. Schwab

Partner

Mr. Schwab is a partner, head of the Seattle Trial Group and Co-chair of the Professional Malpractice group. Mr. Schwab's practice is focused upon complex commercial cases, securities litigation, class action litigation, and defense of legal and accounting firms. Mr. Schwab is licensed as a Certified Public Accountant in Washington State.

Representative Commercial Litigation

Kunkle v. Western Wireless: Defended Western Wireless and company officers against minority shareholder state securities law claims and claims of breach of fiduciary duty, common law fraud, lack of good faith and breach of contract following short form mergers and recapitalizations. Obtained summary judgment dismissing all counts on the eve of trial. Affirmed on appeal.
DP Aviation v. Smith Industries: Represented manufacturer’s representative against avionics manufacturer in five-day, federal court trial before Judge Zilly. Obtained judgment of almost $3 million. The Ninth Circuit affirmed most of the judgment.

Representative Professional Malpractice Litigation

Home Insurance v. Lane Powell: Defended law firm in 3-week jury trial in federal Court in Anchorage, Alaska, alleging failure to follow settlement instructions. Plaintiff’s verdict – settled on appeal.
Granada de Nueva Andelucia v. Langenbach, et al.: Defended Seattle law firm in 14-week jury trial alleging professional malpractice in connection with a failed securities registration statement filed with the SEC. Defense verdict based on lack of proximate cause.

Representative Securities Litigation

The Hackett Group v. Avista Corp. (E.D. Wash.): lead defense counsel for Avista in securities class action, alleging false statements in connection with forward energy trades that resulted in more than $125 million in losses. Resulted: dismissal of claims.
In re Avista Corporation Securities Litigation (E.D. Wash.): lead defense counsel for Avista in consolidated nationwide class action involving claims of violation of federal securities laws (different class period and different alleged violations than in Hackett case); favorably settled.

Admissions

Washington
Federal courts in Washington
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
United States Supreme Court

Honors

Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
Chambers USA "America's Leaders, Lawyers for Business", 2004-present
"Best Lawyers in America" (business litigation), 1993-present
Named a "Super Lawyer" by Washington Law & Politics, 2000-present

Education

University of Washington School of Law
J.D., 1963, with high Honors
First in Class
Order of the Coif
Comment Editor, Washington Law Review
University of Washington
B.A., Business Administration, 1961

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