James Diehl
Associate
- Practice Areas | Litigation & Trial Practice
- Email | jdiehl@mcnaul.com
- Phone | (206) 389-9380
Biography
James Diehl is a member of the Litigation and Trial Practice. His practice focuses primarily on complex commercial litigation. James has experience representing individuals and companies in all aspects of commercial litigation in both state and federal courts. James’ litigation, trial, appellate, and counseling experience includes disputes involving corporate governance, securities, fiduciary duty issues, government investigations, contract issues, and intellectual property.
Prior to joining McNaul Ebel in 2019, James practiced in Hawaii with the law firm Bays Lung Rose & Holma, where he focused primarily on construction defect and commercial litigation. James attended law school at the William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Education
William S. Richardson School of Law, University of Hawaii at Manoa (JD, 2016)
Humboldt State University (BS, 2011)
Bar Admissions
Washington State, 2019 Hawaii, 2016
Court Admissions
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
US Court of Federal Claims
US District Court for the Western District of Washington
US District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
US District Court for the District of Hawaii
Representative Cases & Matters
- Defended a technology start-up in a breach of contract dispute with a major health care organization and obtained a unanimous defense verdict and multimillion-dollar counterclaim award.
- Defended registered importer before the Department of Justice relating to claims for violations of the False Claims Act and obtained favorable settlement.
- Represented registered investment advisor during simultaneous investigations by the Department of Justice, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Commodity Futures Trading Commission relating to digital asset transactions, resulting in no agency action.
- Obtained monetary award after arbitration against a seller of crypto-tokens for violations of the Securities Act of Washington.
- Represented power plant on claims for breach of lumber harvesting contract and obtained an arbitration award prevailing on all counts.
- Represented member of a closely held limited liability company on claims for wrongful dissociation and conversion. Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement before trial.
- Represented student and parents in federal lawsuit against prominent boarding school based on claims of sexual abuse by a school employee. Obtained favorable settlement before trial.
- Represented member-owners of a power plant on claims against co-owner for blocking monetization of investment tax credits. Obtained an arbitration award dissociating co-owner.
Awards
Selected by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star” (2025)
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch™ in America for his work in Commercial Litigation; Litigation – Securities (2025)
Featured Article
Congratulations to MENH Attorneys Named in the 2026 Edition of Best Lawyers®
McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren PLLC is proud to share that 15 attorneys have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America® and Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America.
-
Litigation & Trial Practice Robert M. Sulkin
