Ryan Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC
401 Union Street, Suite 1500
Seattle, WA 98101-2668
206.464.4224
Ryan Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC
401 Union Street, Suite 1500
Seattle, WA 98101-2668
206.464.4224

Ryan Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC
401 Union Street, Suite 1500
Seattle, WA 98101-2668
206.464.4224

Roger J. Kindley
Crafting the best solution for clients with decades of experience.

Roger is a trial lawyer.  Over four decades of practice, he has successfully handled a broad range of matters involving many types of real estate disputes, contract matters, intellectual property cases, product liability issues, employment cases and others. Roger has tried over 25 jury trials and over 30 non-jury cases to verdict. He has won both jury and non-jury cases and favorably used mediations to save clients’ money and achieve settlement.  He has handled international law arbitrations and arbitrations throughout the United States, and handled cases in Alaska, Idaho, Utah, California, New York and Michigan as well as cases in over a third of the counties in Washington.

Representative Cases
  • Philips Electronics North America Corporation, et al. v. BC Technical, Inc., United States District Court for the District of Utah. Roger led a team who represented a manufacturer/supplier of nuclear medicine equipment in this intellectual property case with claims of copyright and trademark infringement, trade secret misappropriation, predatory hiring and unfair competition. Experts had calculated damages to exceed seventy million dollars. Extensive discovery efforts, motion practice, and witness examination helped expose and persuasively present egregious acts of spoliation of electronic evidence and contempt of court. Dedicated work and advocacy obtained “terminating sanction” orders from the federal district court, which struck the defendant’s answer, dismissed its counterclaims, imposed monetary sanctions, and entered default judgment as to liability in favor of the clients.
  • Burlington Retail, LLC vs. United Farmers of Alberta Coop, Ltd., et al. A federal court jury awarded Roger’s client over $6.5 million in this complicated fraudulent transfer action arising out of the sale of a retailer tenant of Roger’s client. The jury awarded every penny requested and found liability on all legal theories presented.
  • In re Whidbey Island Farm, LLC. Roger’s clients were members of a closely held family limited liability company who resisted dissolving the company. Other members pursued a lawsuit in King County Superior court under the Washington statute for dissolution of an LLC. Multiple creative attempts to settle the case through mediation and other mechanisms failed and a multiple week trial was held. The judge ruled for Roger’s clients in all respects.
  • Philips Medical Systems (Cleveland), Inc. v. Hale, et al., United States District Court, District of Utah. This trade secret case involved liabilities of corporate officers and directors. After motions and limited discovery, a multiparty mediation resulted in a successful settlement and immediate payment for the client.
  • Rushent v. Pisco. This specific performance case of an option in a real property lease succeeded in getting the client the multimillion dollar property. The court also awarded additional damages and attorney’s fees and costs.
  • Trans Columbia Corporation and Century Homes. This arbitration between joint venturers of a development held in Los Angeles, California resulted in a favorable award of over $3.8 million.
  • Nikolaisen v. Simpson Timber Co. After a lengthy trial, a jury concluded that Roger’s client, the employer, had not violated any employment laws relating to the disability of the plaintiff and found for Roger’s client on all issues.
  • Austin v. Guance. Roger helped a real estate broker who had been denied his commission by handling a jury trial in a small Washington county resulting in the jury finding for the broker.
  • Spine Institute of Idaho v. Blue Cross of Idaho. This Boise, Idaho case resulted in Roger’s client obtaining a substantial settlement after extensive discovery and motions to allow punitive damages and for summary judgment. The case dealt with the tricky issues of medical credentialing and damages to doctors harmed by wrongful de-credentialing.
  • Ernst v. Sato. After prevailing at trial, Roger’s client Ernst also prevailed in the court of appeals which rendered the first decision in Washington in a reported opinion dealing with the commercial landlord tenant law and unreasonably withholding consent.
Professional & Community Activities
  • Member, Defense Research Institute
  • Former Trustee on Board of Children’s Home Society of Washington
Publications & Speaking Engagements
  • Speaker, “How To Avoid Litigation,” delivered to professionals in commercial real estate
  • Author, Chapter in Washington Civil Practice Deskbook
Honors & Awards
  • Member, Order of the Coif (law honorary society)
  • Listed in Best Lawyers in America®, Litigation
  • Named to Washington Super Lawyers® list (2011-present)
  • Martindale Hubbell AV® Preeminent 5.0 out of 5

Credentials

Education
  • University of Washington School of Law
    (J.D., with honors, 1981)
  • Huntington College
    (B.A., summa cum laude, 1978)
Admitted to Practice
  • Washington (1981)
  • Federal Courts in Washington and case admissions in Utah, Idaho, Michigan, California and New York

Hobbies & Interests

Roger and his wife love to travel. He’s seldom without a book nearby and claims the scariest thing possible is to be on a long flight and not have a “backup book.” Roger enjoys hiking, having climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro, the highest point in Africa, and Mt. Whitney, the highest point in the contiguous United States.

Roger loves his litigation practice. Since joining the firm in 1981, he has handled a broad range of disputes—everything from real estate, to product liability, to intellectual property. His passion for litigation is displayed in his enthusiasm for his work—whether arguing to a jury, persuading a judge or advocating before a panel of appellate judges.