Practice Areas: Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in Washington since: 1997
Education: University of Houston Law Center
Languages Spoken: English, Vietnamese
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2016 - 2024 Details
Edward K. Le has represented clients throughout Washington for over 24 years. Occasionally, he is associated in to serve as lead trial counsel here in Washington and local attorneys in other states. His focus is on serious and catastrophic personal injury, including traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputations, and disfigurement from car accidents, wrongful death, dog bites, construction accidents, dangerous premises, and defective products. Mr. Le is also board-certified in civil trial law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy.
Mr. Le has received an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell. He is a member of both the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He is recognized by the National Trial Lawyers Association as one of the top 100 attorneys in Washington. He holds a perfect 10.0 "Superb" rating from his peers through Avvo.
Mr. Le has conducted dozens of trials and arbitrated over 100 cases. He is a frequent speaker for the Washington State Bar, Washington State Association of Justice, and American Association of Justice on topics relating to trial advocacy, ethics, discovery, evidentiary issues. He is occasionally retained as an expert witness on the subject of ethics and fees. He has also served as a neutral arbitrator on dozens of cases and occasionally retained as a trial consultant by other attorneys preparing their case for trial.
*AV®, BV®, AV Preeminent® and BV Distinguished® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings fall into two categories – legal ability and general practice standards.
+ The Supreme Court of Washington does not recognize certification of specialties in the practice of law and board certification is not a requirement to practice law in the state of Washington.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - General: PlaintiffFocus areas
Brain Injury, Construction Accident, Motor Vehicle Accidents, Personal Injury - Plaintiff, Premises Liability - Plaintiff, Slip and Fall, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
First Admitted: 1995, Texas
Professional Webpage: http://www.edwardkle.com/edward-le/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- National Brain Injury Trial Laywer Member
- Washington State Association of Justice - CLE Committe , 2019
- Eagle member of Washington State Trial Lawyers Association from 2005- 2019
- Southern District Court of Texas
- Member of American Bar Association
- Washington State Bar
- Member of the Brain Injury Section, National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers
- Washington State Association for Justice, CLE committee, 2018
- National Trial Lawyers Association
- U.S. Supreme Court
- Eagle Member of Washington Association for Justice from 2010 to present
- Northern District Court of Texas
- Member of American Association of Justice, 2009-2013
- Texas [inactive]
- Member of Brain Injury Association of Washington
- Washington State Association for Justice Board of Governors, 2018
- Washington State Bar Association
- Washington Association for Justice Development Committee Member, 2015
- Fifth US Circuit Court of Appeals
- Member of American Trial Lawyers Association from 1997-2009
- Western District Court of Washington
- Member of King County Bar Association
- Washington Association for Justice Board of Governors, 2017
- Member of the Vietnamese Bar Association
- National Brain Injury Trial Lawyers Association
- Ninth US Circuit of Appeals
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- $1,600,000 Recovery for Woman who sustained Mild Traumatic Brain Injury from trucking crash., 2019
- $232,000 arbitration verdict for man with soft tissue neck injuries , 2019
- $650,000 recovery for man with mild traumatic brain injury, 2019
- $500,000 policy limits recovery for woman with broken ankle, torn hip, and PTSD, 2019
- $1,300,000 Settlement for Woman with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Lumbar Disc Herniation, 2019
- $1,025,000 Settlement for Woman with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, 2019
- $1,009,083 verdict against an insurance company for a woman with thoracic outlet syndrome and whose insurance company never offered more than $25,000 to resolve her claim., 2013
- $1,500,000 Recovery for Man with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Lumbar Injury, 2019
- $276,000 jury trial verdict for a woman who sustained a lumbar disc herniation following an automobile collision where the insurance company offered $17,000 before suit and $100,000 policy limits the day before trial
- $925.000 combined recovery for woman who sustained neck, lower back, and mild head injury leading to cervical fusion, lumbar discectomy, and ongoing psychological treatment
- $800,000 recovery for a man who sustained a recurrent disc herniation leading to a repeat lumbar spine surgery, where the insurance company last offered $210,000 two months before trial.
- $250,000 settlement for a man who sustained a hand injury following an automobile collision
- $850,000 jury verdict for man with mild chosed head injury. Last offer by the defense was $250,000 before trial, 2017
- $650,000 recovery for a woman who sustained a cervical herniated disc from a trucking collision and underwent a spinal fusion surgery
- $1,000,000 recovery for a man with a crushed foot injury and fractured tibia.
- $1,000,000 recovery for a man who fell from a ladder at a construction site and suffered a broken wrist, necessitating several surgeries, and a mild traumatic brain injury, 2018
- $450,000 settlement for a woman who sustained a cervical disc herniation resulting in fusion surgery following a commercial trucking collision with a negligent driver
- $750,000 recovery for a man who fractured his knees in a stairway fall
- $3,750,000 malpractice settlement for a woman with severe vascular injuries resulting from failure to timely treat by the hospital., 2011
- $386,000 recovery for a woman who developed a frozen shoulder and sustained mild cognitive difficulties following three consecutive collisions
- $500,000 recovery for a man who fell down the stairs, sustaining a serious knee injury.
- $1,100,000 recovery against a bar for a brain injured man involved in an auto accident with an intoxicated patron who was over-served alcohol.
- $300,000 settlement for a woman who developed complex regional pain syndrome following a bicycle/automobile parking lot collision
- $600,000 recovery for woman who sustain rotator cuff shoulder and facet joint injuries requiring rotator cuff repair and a neurotomy.
- $925,000 jury trial verdict for a woman who sustained a closed head injury with mild cognitive deficits and lumbar disc herniation where the insurance company offered $100,000 before trial.
- $270,000 settlement for a man who sustained a back injury leading to disc surgery following an automobile collision with a courier company
- $350,000 uninsured motorist recovery for 65 year old man who sustained disc herniation from a car wreck, leading to a two level endoscopic discectomy.
- $670,000 recovery for estate of crime victims of a gangland style shootings against a local bar for negligent security
- $1,200,000 million dollar recovery for a man with mild traumatic brain injury and cervical spine injury
- $1,300,000 combined recovery for a woman, involved in two separate trucking crashes, who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury, wrist injury, and a neck injury that led to a cervical fusion, 2018
- $487,500 settlement for a man who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury from a commercial trucking collision with a major commercial trucking company
- $450,000 dollar recovery for a man with a closed head injury but recovered 18 months later.
- $322,250 settlement for woman who developed thoracic outlet syndrome after a low speed accident. Insurance company had $100,000 insurance limits but offered no more than $20,000 for years. It entered into a substantial excess settlement 2 weeks before trial, 2018
- $425,000 recovery for a woman who sustained a shoulder injury after falling on the bowling lane during her slide
- $550,000 settlement for a man who sustained a neck injury requiring a cervical fusion after a truck-car accident.
- $1,500,000 recovery for a man who sustained multiple fractures from a fall.
- $300,000 settlement for a man who sustained a shoulder/rotator cuff injury following an automobile collision.
- $1,003,275 arbitration verdict for a young woman who sustained head trauma in successive motor vehicle collision leading to post-concussive syndrome with chronic sequelae
- $975,000 settlement for the estate of a 73-year-old woman, with pre-existing end-stage liver disease, who died in an automobile collision. settlement for the estate of a 73-year-old woman, with pre-existing end-stage liver disease, who died in an automobile collision.
- $269,500 jury trial verdict for a woman who sustained back injuries and lumbar disc herniation following a very minor impact and low speed automobile collision. The insurance company did not offer any money before suit and $10,000 two weeks before trial
- $750,000 policy limits recovery for a minor passenger who sustain moderate to severe head injuries after being broadsided by a truck, resulting in a rollover and ejectiong from the car.
- $783,000 jury trial verdict for a cafeteria worker who sustained a mild head injury and vestibular disorder where the insurance company offered $100,000 before trial
- $500,000 recovery for a man who slipped on an industrial conveyor belt leading to moderately severe knee cartilage injury.
- $1,035,000 Arbitration Verdict for woman with mild traumatic brain injury. Last combined offer from 3 defendants was $400,000, 2018
- $550,870 recovery for a man who sustained musculoskeletal injuries from a rear end collision, forcing him to pursue a different line of work
- $675,000 recovery for a woman who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury
- $800,000 combined policy limits recovery from the third party tortfeasor and the UIM carrier for a bicyclist who was struck by a vehicle resulting in two broken ribs, broken wrist, and a concussion, 2018
- $425,000 verdict or a woman who sustained neck injuries resulting following a rear end collision
- $2,500,000 recovery for an injured worker at a construction site who sustained a broken spine, lacerated spleen, a closed head injury, and broken hip.
- $2,200,000 recovery for a man who sustained a mild to moderate brain injury from a truck collision, who had to change career due to cognitive deficits in visuo-spatial, short term memory, and executive functions., 2009
- $376,000 jury trial verdict for a man who sustained a vestibular/equilibrium disorder and chronic soft tissue neck injury following back to back collision where the insurance company offered $15,000 before tria
- $800,000 recovery for pedestrian struck by a negligent driver while jogging on the side of the road. Initial offer was $20,000 from insurance company.
Videos:
- Slideshare presentation and guide for attorneys and general public about the most common myths and false assumptions about traumatic brain injury and the true facts about post-concussive syndrome. , 10 Common Myths & Misconceptions About Traumatic Brain Injury, Attorneys, Trial Lawyers, General Public, 2015
- Slideshare presentation to help public on knowing how to answer difficult deposition or cross-examination questions., Answering Difficult Deposition or Cross-Examination Questions, Attorneys, Trial Lawyers, General Public, 2019
- Slideshare presentation on how to analyze whether a slip and fall case is viable. Slip, Trip, and Fall cases are difficult legal cases for any attorneys to take. This presentation discusses factors to know whether there is a viable and winning slip and fall case., How to Know Whether You Have a Winning Slip and Fall Case, Attorneys, Trial Lawyers, General Public, 2019
- Slideshare presentaiton to general public on understanding the factors that juries utilizes to evaluate their personal injury case., How Juries Evaluate Personal Injury Case, Attorneys, Trial Lawyers, General Public, 2019
- Slideshare Presentation on how to collect and enforce excess verdicts, How to Make Insurers Pay a Verdict Beyond Their Coverage, General Public, 2015
- Slideshare presentation addressing the extent of misuse of the MMPI by lawyers, insurance companies, disability specialists, and employers. , Abuse and Misuse of the MMPI in Traumatic Brain Injury Litigation, Doctors, Lawyers, 2016
- Slideshare presentation on how to handle and identify the winning stairway fall case., Litigating and handling the stairway fall case, Lawyers, 2018
- Slideshare presentation on tips and advice for lawyers handling trucking crash and collision cases., Trucking crash cases - Handling Trucking Cases, Lawyers, 2017
- Slideshow Presentation on 10 Common Myths About Traumatic Brain Injury, 10 Common Myths About Traumatic Brain Injury, 2015
- Slideshow Presentation on common ethical issues that arises during settlement negotiation and mediation., Ethical Issues and Considerations in Settlement Negotiation and Mediation, Lawyers, 2018
- Slideshare presentation on creating compelling and persuasive demonstrative evidence to use at trial. , Using Demonstrative Evidence At Trial, Lawyers, 2016
- Slideshare presentation on handling slip and fall cases, How to know if you have a winning slip and fall case, Lawyers, 2018
- Slideshow Presentation on how to to Instantly Become A Better Negotiator, 10 Steps to Instantly Become A Better Negotiator, General Public, 2015
- Slideshare presentation on how to look for and incorporate the use of medical literature relating to Mild Traumatic Brain Injury to become a better advocate clients. , How to Find and Use the Medical Literature in a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Case, Lawyers, Doctors, 2017
- Slideshare presentation on how to evaluate and handle the premise injury cases, such as slip and falls, trip and falls, stairway fall, construction fall, sidewalk fall, parking lot fall, grocery store fall, and restaurant fall., Evaluating & Handling Premise Liability and Injury Cases, Lawyers, 2018
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Board Certified in Civil Trial Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2015
Honors/Awards:
- Selected among top 100 lawyers in Washington State., Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2019
- Selected as one of the top 100 lawyers in Washington State by Super Lawyers., Top 100: 2019 Washington Super Lawyers, Super Lawyers, 2019
- Given highest ratings for competence and ethics by Martindale Hubbell, AV Rated - Martindale Hubbell, Martindale Hubbell, 2019
- Selected by National Trial Lawyers Association among top 100 lawyers in Washington State., Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2019
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2012
- Selected by National Trial Lawyers Association among top 100 lawyers in Washington State., Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2015
- Litigator's Award Nominee, Trial Lawyers Board of Regents, 2015
- Rue Ratings – Best Attorney of America
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2016
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2018
- Lifetime Member of Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- AVVO Client Choice Award - Brain Injury Lawyer, 2013
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2014
- AV - Preeminent, Martindale Hubbell, 2015
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2014
- AV-Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell – Highest rating possible for legal ability and ethical standards
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2016
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2017
- Martindale Hubbell - Client Champion [Platinum], 2018
- Lifetime Member of Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Board Certified in Civil Trial Law, National Board of Trial Advocacy, 2015
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2013
- AV - Preeminent Rating, Martindale Hubbell, 2014
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2013
- Litigators Award by the Trial Lawyers Board of Regent, 2014
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, National Trial Lawyers Association, 2017
- AV Preeminent Rating, Martindale Hubbell, 2016
- AVVO 10.0 "Superb" Rating
- Top 100 Lawyers - Washington State, American Society of Legal Advocates, 2015
Educational Background:
- Gretchen Whitney High School [Cerritos, California], 1986
- UCLA: Bachelors of Art [double major], 1991
White Papers:
- PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR HANDLING A DRAM SHOP CASE, Plaintiff Personal Injury Attorneys, 2017
- Published article on Martindale.com on how to collect and enforce excess verdicts against insurers., Setting the Stage to Make the Insurers Pay the Excess Verdicts, Attorneys, 2015
- HOW TO EFFECTIVELY CREATE AND USE PERSUASIVE DEMONSTRATIVE EVIDENCE AT TRIAL, Plaintiff Personal Injury Attorneys, 2016
- Strategy paper on how to use the defense experts in litigation to prove the plaintiff's expert., Using the Defense Experts to Help Prove Damages, Attorneys, 2015
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Served as the Chair of the Annual Seminar on Traumatic Brain Injury put on by the Washington State Assocaition of Justice. Also served as speaker on the topic of maximizing recovery for clients who sustain mild traumatic brain injury., Chair & Speaker, Maximizing Recovery in the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Case, Washington State Association of Justice, Attorneys, Trial Lawyers, Brain Injury Lawyers, Brain Injury Attorneys, Medical Doctors,, 2019
- Speaker and lectuter at the TBI litigation group seminar at AAJ's Annual Convention., Speaker and Author, Strategic Approach to Maximize Recovery in the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Case, American Association of Justice, Attorneys, Trial Lawyers, Brain Injury Lawyers, Brain Injury Attorneys, 2020
- Article written for Trial News journal on case excerpt relating to an injured undocumented worker whose lawsuit was initially dismissed by the trial court based on the workers compensation immunity doctrine but which was later reversed by the Court of Appeals in a decision that help create new laws for migrant workers. After the case was sent back to the trial court, significant litigation ensued that ultimately led to a substantial recovery for the injured worker., Author, Justice At Last for an Undocumented Worker, Trial News, Attorneys, Trial Lawyers, 2019
- Spearker and author of paper on topic of evaluating premise liability cases and identifying causation., Speaker and Author, Evaluating the Premise Liability Case and Identifying Causation, American Association of Justice, Attorneys, Trial Lawyers, 2018
- Chair of annual seminar on Ethics put on by the Washington State Bar Association., Chair, Ethics in Civil Litigation, Washington State Bar Association, Attorneys, 2019
- Speaker and Author, Practical Strategies for Handling a Dram Shop Case, Washington State Association for Justice, Trial Lawyers, 2015
- Co-Chairperson and Speaker, The Legal Team: Battle Ready, Washington State Association for Justice, Plaintiff's Attorneys, 2016
- Speaker and Author, Reptile on the Road, Washington State Association of Justice, Trial Lawyers, 2012
- Lecturer and Write, Using Rules of the Road, Trial Lawyers, 2011
- Lecturer and Writer, Using the Defense Expert to Prove Damages, Washington State Association for Justice, Trial Lawyers, 2009
- Speaker, Representing Minority Clients After 9/11, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyers, 2006
- Speaker, Why You Should Be a Plaintiff's Lawyer, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyers, 2006
- Speaker at Trial Lawyers Convention, Representing People of Diverse Background, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyers, 2006
- Speaker and Author, Use and Misuse of the MMPI, Washington State Association for Justice, 2015
- Speaker and Author, Setting the Stage to Make the Insurers Pay the Excess Verdicts, Washington State Association of Justice, Trial Lawyers, 2014
- Speaker and Author, Motions and Arbitration Practice in King County, Washington State Association for Justice, Trial Lawyers, 2015
- Speaker, Effective Use of Demonstrative Evidence in a Traumatic Brain Injury Case, Washington State Association for Justice, 2015
- Speakar and Presenter, Recognizing the Traumatic Brain Injury Case, Washington State Association for Justice, Attorneys, 2016
- Nationally broadcast seminar speaker on topics relating to finding, using, and working with experts on a host of premise liability cases including slip and falls, construction cases, inadequate security, stairway falls, and worksites., Speaker, Effectively Using Experts in the Premise Liability Case, American Association of Justice, Washington Association of Justice, 2017
- Nationally broadcast seminar speaker on garden variety topics relating to litigating trucking crashes and collisions. , Speaker, Trucking Crash Cases – Gaining Knowledge and Pursuing Justice, Consumer Attorneys of California, Washington Associaton of Justice, Atlantic Provinces Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Smith, 2017
- Lecturer at annual seminar for medical and legal professionals who treat and represent patients with traumatic brain injury. The topic is where to find medical literature to effectively guide patients and represent them in legal proceedings, Speaker, Using Medical Literature in the Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Case, Brain Injury Association of Washington, Attorneys & Physicians, 2016
- Rountable speaking presentation and presentation to group of trial attorneys on how to address common defenses and issues in mild traumatic brain injury cases, Speaker, Tackling Common Issues and Problems In the Traumatic Brain Injury Case, Washington State Association of Justice, Trial Attorneys, 2016
- Speaker to group of local trial attorneys with less than 5 years of experience on topics and issues relating to developing evidentiary proof of damages in the personal injury case., Speaker, Working Up Damages in the Personal Injury Case – WASJ Getting Started Series, Washington Association for Justice, 2017
- Serve as Chair to all day ethics seminar brought by the WSBA. Seminar focused on ethics issues that may arise in litigation and provides opportunities for interaction to problem-solve case studies and real-life ethics issues that lawyers may face., Chair, Ethics in Civil Litigation, Washington State Bar Association, Lawyers, 2018
- Speaker and presenter relating to ethical issues in settlement negotiations and mediation., Speaker, Ethical Issues and Considerations in Settlement Negotiation and Mediation, Washington State Bar Association, Lawyers, 2018
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum - Lifetime member., 2012
- Selected as one of the top 100 lawyers in Washington State by Super Lawyers Journal., 2019
- Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum - Lifetime Member, 2012
Industry Groups:
- Brain Injury Lawyers
- Insurance Bad Faith
- Maritime Attorney
- Trial Lawyers
Selections
9 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2016 - 2024
