LITIGATION REAL ESTATE TECH LAW BUSINESS

Avi Lipman, a trial attorney at McNaul Ebel, represents plaintiffs and defendants in commercial litigation, professional malpractice, insurance, criminal defense, employment, environmental, and business disputes. Mr. Lipman spent five years as a criminal defense attorney, during which he tried numerous cases before juries in Washington, D.C., and Seattle before transitioning to McNaul Ebel’s litigation division. Since joining the firm, he has appeared regularly in various proceedings, including jury trials, arbitrations, and motions hearings.

After law school, Mr. Lipman taught trial advocacy and practiced in the Criminal Justice Clinic at the Georgetown University Law Center, where he also received a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in trial advocacy. From 2006 to 2008, he represented clients in King County Superior Court as a trial attorney at The Defender Association. Mr. Lipman joined McNaul Ebel as an associate in 2008. He was named a "Rising Star" by Washington Law & Politics magazine for 2010 and 2011.

Representative Cases

• Defense of Fortune 100 insurance company in coverage dispute. Defeated claims in federal court with motion for summary judgment. Negotiated favorable settlement to resolve appeal.
• Defense of multinational manufacturer against putative national and regional class actions for alleged product liability. Defeated class case in federal court with motions to dismiss, returning case to state court.
• Defense of securities broker in arbitration against former employer for numerous claims related to broker’s transition to a new firm. Defeated former employer’s motion for permanent injunction.
• Defense of local environmental consultant in litigation related to the cleanup of contaminated commercial site in Seattle. Negotiated favorable settlement to resolve case.
• Defense of client charged with first-degree murder in complex case involving DNA and ballistics evidence. Through extensive litigation and negotiation, persuaded the state of Washington to dismiss the entire case before trial.
• Defense of local law firm in an action for professional malpractice. Jury trial resulted in hung jury split in client's favor.  Negotiated favorable settlement to resolve case. 
• Represent plaintiff in jury trial of complex medical malpractice action against surgeon on behalf of Seattle-area couple.

Awards and Activities

• Lecturer (part-time) at University of Washington School of Law (Trial Advocacy)
• Faculty member for National Institute for Trial Advocacy: Building Trial Skills (Northwest Region) 2009; 2010
• Root-Tilden Scholar at New York University School of Law
• E. Barrett Prettyman Fellow at Georgetown University Law Center
• Member of Board of Directors of The Defender Association (King County)
• Former member of the Advisory Group (Board of Directors) of the Cardozo Society of Washington State
• Served on panel for Continuing Legal Education: The Insanity Defense: Ethical Implications and Community Impact
• Coached competitive trial advocacy team at University of Washington School of Law
• After Hurricane Katrina, served as a consultant to the Juvenile Justice Project of Louisiana, a nonprofit advocating for the protection and rights of indigent youth in the criminal justice system

Prior to law school, Mr. Lipman completed two years of public service with Teach for America in Oakland, California. He has worked and studied in East Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. In his spare time, Mr. Lipman enjoys hiking, snowboarding, soccer, yoga, and carpentry.