Geoffrey D. Swindler

BACKGROUND Becky specializes in biotechnology and pharmaceutical patents. She works closely with companies in these industries to develop strategic patent protection for their technologies. She helps her clients minimize their patent infringement risks, and facilitates smooth IP-related business transactions. Her expertise includes managing patent portfolios for a variety of technologies such as immunotherapeutics, proteins, nucleic acid isolation and analysis, pharmaceutical compositions, di...

Professional Experience Scott’s practice is focused on helping clients make fully-informed decisions regarding the purchase, development and remediation of contaminated property. He advises clients about the risks they may face as past, present, or future owners or operators of such property, guides them through the complexities of cleanup laws and regulations, and makes sure that parties responsible for the contamination assume their fair share of liability. Scott also assists clients ...

Austin Rainwater is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation. Austin, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Austin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Char Eberhardt, a partner in the firm's Labor & Employment practice, focuses on public and private sector labor relations, and class action litigation. He provides counseling on administrative proceedings, grievance arbitration and wage-and-hour issues. He has extensive experience representing clients, such as The Boeing Company, in high-stakes arbitration matters, including subcontractor arbitration disputes. He also handles a wide range of public sector labor matters, including teacher ...

Attorney Elizabeth Michelson has practiced Family Law in Snohomish County since 1980 and is currently of counsel at family law firm McKinley Irvin. She focuses her practice on complex divorce and custody cases and has been recognized within the legal profession and in the community for her exceptional ability in the practice of family law. She is a longtime Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and was named Family Law "Lawyer of the Year" in 2017 for the Seattle Metro ...

Craig Gilbert counsels clients in a broad range of business transactions, including business formations, joint ventures, mergers and acquisitions, and private equity and debt financings. Craig also counsels clients in real estate and property development transactions, as well as retail and commercial leasing transactions. He does commercial leasing for clients, including retail, office, industrial and ground leasing, financing, and construction and design.

Dean A. Messmer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law, Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law and Real Estate Law. Dean A., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dean A. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Harold Malkin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Litigation and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Harold, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Harold is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Chad has extensive experience handling complex commercial disputes, and advises on environmental matters both foreign and domestic. Chad has tried cases in state and federal courts, and before international tribunals. He joined Summit Law Group from Kirkland & Ellis LLP in Chicago.

Bob Giles is the firm’s managing partner. Bob manages more than 900 attorneys in 19 different offices. He chairs the Management Committee, serves on the Executive Committee, and is involved with numerous other committees within the firm. Bob began at Perkins Coie in 1974. He focused his practice in the areas of partnerships, tax planning, real estate syndications and general corporate practice until 1986, when he became the firm’s managing partner.