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When business owners find themselves running into bumps in the road they turn to guys like Christopher Thayer. Litigation and trial practice is a big part of Chris’s background. This experience has sharpened his view of business and helps him spot potential trouble areas. He tries to coach business owners to be conscious of the fact that a company is a separate entity from their personal identity: “You have to be aware of which hat you are wearing at the table and that you are doing business as the company, not as an individual, to avoid or at least minimize potential personal liabilities.”

“Regardless of the type of business you’re in, it is not uncommon to run into problems you hadn’t anticipated. Let’s face it, sometimes even people who used to see things the same way, or thought they did, end up in a dispute. In those situations, the legal system gets to be the referee and it is important to have an advocate on your side. I work hard to earn my clients’ trust and try to take as much of the sting out of the process as possible.”

BUSINESS DISPUTE AND COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

Chris has extensive experience helping clients with a wide range of business disputes and commercial litigation. His approach in handling these disputes is solution-oriented, with the goal of obtaining the best possible result for the respective client. “Each lawsuit or dispute is unique, and I pride myself in providing fresh creative approaches to helping my clients solve their problems.” For some cases, this may mean that litigation all the way through trial is the only option, where in other situations a negotiated settlement may be the most advisable. By representing his client’s interests effectively, with fastidious attention to detail and the law, he can often help reach reasonable compromises that allow the parties to achieve their goals and contain litigation costs.
Chris has a robust commercial collection practice, where he helps businesses and individuals collect on loans, accounts, promissory notes and other debts. For more information about his commercial collection practice, please go to:

SEATTLE PERSONAL INJURY

Chris went into law because it challenged him intellectually and helping people solve problems keeps him passionate about his work. In the personal injury arena, he finds his clients are often recovering from a life-changing event. “This has a huge impact, often for the rest of their lives, and I can do something about it. Often, I can help them get closure through an apology or even by changing policies at a hospital. This is often just as important as a financial settlement.”
Chris helps clients who have been injured in serious accidents or in cases of malpractice. This involves working with clients to understand how the accident or malpractice affected their lives and then working hard to seek a fair resolution of their claims from the at-fault parties or insurance companies through settlement or trial. More information about Chris’ personal injury and wrongful death practice areas can be found here:

RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE LAW

Transactions, Boundary Disputes, Easements, Adverse Possession Chris is very familiar with the complex legal issues involving real estate transactions and disputes. He has extensive experience in real estate law and we can assist homeowners, contractors, developers, and investors in all aspects of real estate transactions, including:

  • commercial and residential leasing
  • purchase and sale agreement transactions
  • easements and boundary line agreements
  • construction agreements
  • real estate secured transactions
  • boundary and easement disputes and litigation
  • foreclosures
  • adverse possession
  • neighbor disputes

Should your real estate issue involve litigation, Chris will work with you to find the most effective and efficient solution. He favors a practical approach and will help you prioritize matters and managing resources to achieve your goals.

  • JD, Lewis and Clark Northwestern, School of Law, Portland, 2008
  • BA, University of Washington, 1993
  • State of Washington
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Washington
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Washington State Association for Justice
  • King County Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee
  • Snohomish County Bar Association
  • Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association

CASELAW UPDATE: Court Addresses “Known and Obvious” Dangers in Premises Liability (Posted Friday, April 22, 2022)

CASELAW UPDATE: Court of Appeals Clarifies “Spoilation” of Evidence Doctrine (Posted Friday, January 21, 2022)

CASELAW UPDATE: Adverse Possession of Public Land (Posted Friday, November 19, 2021)

CASELAW UPDATE: School Potentially Liable for Death of Student Occurring Office Campus (Posted Friday, June 6, 2020)

CASELAW UPDATE: Seattle Landlord-Tenant Law (Posted Friday, May 22, 2020)

  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Washington State Association for Justice
  • King County Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee
  • Snohomish County Bar Association
  • Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Associatio