Rory’s passion is civil appeals in state and federal courts. He has been counsel of record in over 50 appeals. He has argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and in all three Divisions of the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington. He has filed amicus briefs in the Washington Supreme Court on behalf of national trade associations, insurance companies, and the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers.
Rory is proud to have represented many major American companies, including Volkswagen, Graco, Pep Boys, and Comcast. What distinguishes Rory from his peers is his unwavering commitment to serving and building strong relationships with his clients. He strives to be his clients’ ambassador of Kwan, so it’s no wonder that his favorite movie is Jerry Maguire.
Rory’s philosophy to service is the same for all his clients: deliver exceptional legal work to exceed his clients’ goals. Clients can always count on Rory to provide the highest quality legal services.
Rory is routinely hired to serve as error prevention/preservation counsel. In that role, he assists the trial team in preparing dispositive motions, motions in limine or objections to motions in limine, jury instructions and objections to jury instructions, and pocket briefs (among other things). Through his efforts as error-prevention counsel, he has helped his clients secure defense verdicts or favorable settlements. Rory’s deep understanding of appeals strengthens his service to clients in the trial court.
Before joining the firm, Rory clerked for the Honorable James R. Verellen at the Court of Appeals of the State of Washington, Division One, for two years. His clerkship gave him valuable insight into the judicial decision-making process. Rory uses that insight to assist his clients. And while in law school, Rory clerked for the Oregon Court of Appeals in the Appellate Commissioner’s Office.
Rory understands the importance of diligence. Before law school, he taught English in France for two years; sold merchandise at Nordstrom on the Las Vegas Strip; co-owned a painting business with his best friend in college; made breakfast at McDonald’s in high school; and delivered newspapers to his local community as an adolescent. He still incorporates the skills that he learned at each of these jobs into his legal practice.
Outside of the office, Rory enjoys working out, traveling abroad, and spending time with his beautiful wife, precocious young sons, family, and friends. Rory channels his love for basketball by playing in Spokane’s Hoopfest tournament—14 years and counting. And no matter the weather, Rory will be found on the links working on his short game.
