Peter Vial

A consummate trial lawyer and legal counselor with over 30 years of experience, Mr. Vial's practice emphasizes commercial litigation, counseling, arbitration and mediation, principally in complex civil law matters but also in criminal grand jury and business crime matters.

He has represented both plaintiffs and defendants in state, federal and N.A.S.D. securities law cases, and in federal and state anti-trust cases involving forest products, fisheries, pharmaceuticals, insurance and bonding. Mr. Vial has represented parties in successful class actions involving consumer protection, employment law and other issues, and has represented law firms and lawyers in partnership disputes as well as professional responsibility and malpractice cases. He frequently appears in temporary restraining order and injunction hearings, representing individuals and companies seeking or opposing emergency injunctive relief. He is also hired by litigation counsel or asked by area courts to mediate lawsuits or other disputes. Mr. Vial's clients range from individuals to small businesses to multi-national companies.

Mr. Vial received his B.A., with honors, in 1971 from the University of Maryland where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Beta Phi and Omicron Delta Kappa. He received his law degree from the University of Virginia in 1974, where he served on the editorial board of the Virginia Law Review. He was a partner in the firm of Culp Dwyer Guterson & Grader from 1980 until it ceased practice in 1995, and then became a founding member of McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren. He served as the first chair of the new firm's executive committee.

Mr. Vial has served as chairperson of the executive committee of the Washington State Bar Association's litigation section, and has also held committee chairs and trusteeships in the county bar association. He often addresses professional education seminars, and participates on the faculty in NITA clinics. He is a member of the American, Washington State and King County bar associations.