Friedman Rubin PLLP

5 Best Lawyers awards

Awarded Practice Areas

Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs

Biography

Colleen Durkin Peterson represents victims injured through negligent health care and nursing homes whose actions result in devastating—and sometimes grave—losses. Most of her clients face a lifetime of permanent injury, pain, suffering, and expense. Their worlds, and their family’s lives, have been turned upside down through no fault of their own. Many have to relearn basic activities of daily living or need full-time assistance.

While Colleen can’t turn back the clock on injury, she works diligently and methodically to achieve justice for her clients, whether the injury is paralysis caused by a failure before, during, or after surgery; severe or permanent damage from a birthing error or untimely C-section; a life-altering disability from a mishandled stroke case; or the result of a failure to timely diagnose and treat an evolving condition.

Colleen’s commitment to practicing in medical malpractice is a testament to her empathy for the injured. She embodies the PCVA philosophy of fighting for justice, improving lives, and bettering communities. An aggressive advocate, she applies her skills, experience, and know-how to navigate complex legal and medical issues on behalf of her clients.

Colleen approaches each case with a determination to learn complex medicine, work closely with medical experts, and push the defense to realize the value of the patient’s claim. In mediation, Colleen is a proven skilled negotiator. She has successfully negotiated dozens of complex medical malpractice and nursing home lawsuits to pre-trial resolutions that met or exceeded her clients’ expectations. Colleen values communication and gives her clients as much information as possible throughout the litigation so they can make informed decisions.

Friedman Rubin PLLP

5 Best Lawyers awards

Overview

  • Gonzaga University, J.D., graduated 2012
  • Loyola University Chicago, B.A. Business Administration/Sport Management, graduated 2007

  • Washington, Washington State Bar Association

  • Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ) - President
  • WSAJ - Board Member
  • WSAJ Amicus Foundation - Board Member
  • WSAJ Legislative Section - Vice President (2019-2022)
  • WSAJ Diversity and Inclusion Task Force - Chair
  • Gonzaga Law School Board of Advisors to the Dean - Member
  • Gonzaga Law Board for Center of Civil and Human Rights - Member
  • King County Bar Association - Member
  • Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington - Member
  • Washington, Washington State Bar Association
  • Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ) - President
  • WSAJ - Board Member
  • WSAJ Amicus Foundation - Board Member
  • WSAJ Legislative Section - Vice President (2019-2022)
  • WSAJ Diversity and Inclusion Task Force - Chair
  • Gonzaga Law School Board of Advisors to the Dean - Member
  • Gonzaga Law Board for Center of Civil and Human Rights - Member
  • King County Bar Association - Member
  • Federal Bar Association, Western District of Washington - Member
  • Gonzaga University, J.D., graduated 2012
  • Loyola University Chicago, B.A. Business Administration/Sport Management, graduated 2007

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Plaintiffs
  • Medical Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs
Awards:
  • Selected to Thomson Reuters Washington Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2017 – 2023

  • Avvo Rating: 10.0 out of 10.0

  • Washington State Association for Justice, New Lawyer “Ready to Soar” Award, 2016

Case History

Cases
  • $165M Monsanto Verdict
$165 million verdict against chemical conglomerate Monsanto spinoff company Pharmacia LLC on behalf of a group of former Sky Valley Education Center employees.
  • $72M Monsanto Verdict
$72 million verdict in PCB exposure case against Monsanto on behalf of two clients exposed to PCBs at Sky Valley Education Center

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