Philip M. Guess

Sean C. Knowles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Securities. Sean C., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean C. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Valerie Hughes, a partner with the firm's Labor and Employment practice, has more than 25 years of experience in the areas of employment litigation, discrimination and harassment litigation, collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, and administrative proceedings. In addition to her representation of private employers, Val provides general counsel representation to Washington school districts, including state and federal court litigation and administrative hearings.

Based in Seattle, Susman Godfrey partner, Rachel Black, focuses her practice on high-stakes commercial litigation for plaintiffs and defendants, both at the trial and appellate levels. Ms. Black has tried and managed high profile, high stakes, and widely covered matters in state and federal courts across the country involving a variety of claims, including patent infringement, audit malpractice, financial fraud, unfair business practices, environmental remediation, breach of contract, and ant...

Rod’s practice focuses on labor and employment law and involves litigation, counseling, training, and negotiating. Rod has extensive experience defending both public- and private-sector employers in discrimination, wrongful discharge, and unpaid wage cases in state and federal courts. He has also represented public and private employers in union organizing campaigns, representation proceedings, unfair labor practice proceedings, and union discrimination matters before the Public Employm...

Mara Vinnedge is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management. Mara, who practices law in Bellevue, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mara is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Professional Experience As chair of the firm’s estate planning and probate group, Laura Hoexter’s practice focuses on wills, trusts and estates. She works with individuals to help them establish foundational documents, such as tax-saving wills and living trusts, financial and health care powers of attorney, and health care directives. She addresses complex issues that may arise, including non-citizen status, retirement benefit planning and life insurance arrangements. Laura has si...

Kasey D. Huebner is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Individuals, Insurance Law, Litigation - Insurance, Litigation - Labor and Employment and Litigation - Trusts and Estates. Kasey D., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kasey D. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Douglas F. Stewart is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation - Intellectual Property. Douglas F., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2016. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Douglas F. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Suzanne Kelly Michael is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Employment Law - Management and Litigation - Labor and Employment. Suzanne Kelly, 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 Suzanne Kelly is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

BACKGROUND Syed’s practice focuses on U.S. and international patent and trademark prosecution, enforcement, licensing and litigation matters. He received a B.Eng in Aerospace Engineering from Ryerson University and a M.Eng. in Aerospace Engineering from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where his graduate research focused on acoustic emissions monitoring of space shuttle external tanks. Syed earned his J.D. from Seattle University School of Law (2012), where he served as a judicial ...