Catherine C. Clark
Top rated Appellate attorney in Seattle, Washington
Law Office of Catherine C. Clark, PLLC
Practice Areas: Appellate, Real Estate; view more
Licensed in Washington since: 1991
Education: Gonzaga University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2011 - 2012, 2014 - 2024 
Selected to Rising Stars: 2002 Call today:
206-590-2633
Virtual Appointments Law Office of Catherine C. Clark, PLLC
110 Prefontaine Place SouthSuite 304
Seattle, WA 98104 Visit website
Details
The founder of the law firm The Law Office of Catherine C. Clark, PLLC, in Seattle, Washington, Catherine (Cat) C. Clark focuses her practice primarily on real property use and ownership, commercial litigation and general appeals. Providing representation to clients throughout the state, she has served as lead counsel in several high-profile cases at both the trial and appellate levels.
Ms. Clark also has experience in personal injury, wrongful death and other types of civil litigation, and uses her training in mediation and arbitration to settle matters out-of-court. Admitted to practice in Washington state, she is also licensed to practice before the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.
Majoring in history and political science, Ms. Clark attended the University of Washington and was a member of the varsity swimming team as a scholarship athlete, school record holder (relay) and four year letterwinner before receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985. She then pursued her legal education at Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane and was awarded her Juris Doctor in 1991. While in law school, she was a member of the Gonzaga Law Review and the school's Moot Court Honors Council.
After graduation, Ms. Clark served a year's clerkship with a judge at the Washington Supreme Court. Her background also includes being a real estate claims counsel for a leading title insurance company, and she spent considerable time with other law firms before opening her own in 2006. She has received an AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell and is rated “Excellent” on Avvo. She has active affiliations with several professional legal associations such as the American Bar Association, the Washington State Association for Justice, the King County Bar Association and the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association.
A frequent speaker at seminars on legal matters, Ms. Clark was awarded the Washington State Bar Association’s Best of 2006 Continuing Legal Education Award. She actively involves in various pro bono activities and community services for which she has received various recognitions including a Pro Bono Public Service Commendation by the Washington State Bar Association. Ms. Clark is also a long time volunteer with the University of Washington Athletic Department both mentoring (and employing) student athletes like she once was.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. 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 ethical standards.
Practice areas
Appellate, Real Estate: BusinessFocus areas
Appeals
- 70% Appellate
- 30% Real Estate: Business
First Admitted: 1991, Washington
Professional Webpage: https://www.loccc.com/attorney/clark-catherine-c/
Bar/Professional Activity:
- Washington Appellate Lawyers Association, 2014
- Washington State Bar Association, Real Property Deskbook Editorial Board, 2022-2023 and Chapter Author: Easements & Licenses and Insuring Interests in Real Property. Anticipated publication date 2023.
- Washington State Bar Association
- Washington
- Washington State Association for Justice
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Washington State Bar Association, Litigation, Real Property Sections, admitted November 1991
- King County Superior Court Arbitrator, 1999 - Present
- Washington Minority Bar Association Collaboration Project, Chair 2011-12
- King County Bar Association
- United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- YLD Programs Committee, King County Bar Association, 1993 - 1995
- Washington State Association for Justice EAGLE Member
- Washington State Association for Justice, Public Affairs Committee, 2014
- American Bar Association
- United States District Court for the Western District of Washington
- Judicial Appreciation Dinner Committee, King County Bar Association, 1994 - 1995
- Gonzaga University School of Law, Board of Advisors, September 2010 to Present
Representative Clients:
- Harting v. Int'l Auto & Bazaar, 2023 Wash. App. LEXIS 2071 Division One Court of Appeals Docket No. 85035-1-I (November 6, 2023) (successful defense on appeal of default judgment which the defendant attempted to vacate years after the order of default was entered), 2023
- Haberly et al v. Beacon Hill International Ministries, Skagit County Superior Court. Successful defense at trial against claim of neighbors of a golf course seeking to establish an equitable servitude in the land based on the oral representations of a prior owner of the property., 2024
- Wilmington Savings Fund v. Hopkins, King County Superior Court. Successful defense at trial against action to reform 16 year old deed of trust brought by fourth assignee of the document., 2023
- Sherlock v. New Hope Recovery LLC, 2023 Wash. App. LEXIS 1585, Division Three Court of Appeals Docket No. 39166-3-III (August 17, 2023) (successful appeal reinstating plaintiff’s case in a personal injury suit against a rehabilitation clinic where the plaintiff fell and was injured in an icy parking lot when attempting to access the clinic), 2023
- Perez v. Steever, Division One of the Court of Appeals Docket No. 83916-1-I (April 3, 2023) (successful appeal reinstating cyclist client’s personal injury suit against motorist who was travelling on the shoulder of the roadway and struck her)., 2023
- Barlow v. WSU, Washington Supreme Court Cause No. 1010451 (Oral argument occurred February 23, 2023) (submission of amicus curia brief on behalf of the Gonzaga University School of Law Women’s Law Caucus, the Seattle University School of Law Womxn’s Law Caucus and the University of Washington Women’s Law caucus asking the court to apply the doctrine of the emerging adult to civil cases and finding that a duty was owed by WSU to Plaintiff Barlow who was raped during her first month of school)., 2023
- Davey v. Gibson, Division One of the Court of Appeals Docket No. No. 83099-6-I, 2022 Wash. App. LEXIS 2256 (Nov. 28, 2022) (successful appeal of trial court’s ruling on attorneys fees)., 2022
- Little v. Rosauers Supermarkets, Inc., 24 Wn. App. 2d 898, 521 P.3d 298 (2022) (successful appeal reinstating clients personal injury suit against Rosauers which plaintiff fell and was injured in an icy parking lot) (published decision)., 2022
- In re Pers. Restraint of Eddie D. Arnold, 190 Wn.2d 136, 410 P.3d 1133 (2018) (Ms. Clark was part of a team of lawyers which filed an amicus curiae brief on behalf of the Washington Appellate Lawyers Association regarding the doctrine of stare decisis in Washington State)., 2018
- Selene RMOF II REO Acquisitions II, LLC v. Ward, 189 Wn.2d 72, 399 P.3d 1118 (2017) (Ms. Clark filed an amicus curiae brief on the issue of what constitutes color of title under Washington’s unlawful detainer statutes)., 2017
- Kelley v. Tonda, 198 Wn. App. 303, 393 P.3d 824 (2017) (successful reversal of summary judgment on the meaning of 100 year old documents relating to a right of way)., 2017
- McKinley v. Ching-Chih Ma, No. 71102-4-I, 2015 Wash. App. LEXIS 240 (Ct. App. Feb. 9, 2015) (Successful appeal of judgment against client for alleged waste to neighbor’s property)., 2015
- Mt. Si Constr., Inc. v. Uhrich, No. 70568-7-I, 2014 Wash. App. LEXIS 2086 (Ct. App. Aug. 25, 2014) (Successful appeal of dismissal of personal injury claim by worker who fell over 17 feet from the top of a home. Trial court dismissed his case. Court of Appeals reinstated it on the basis that an employer has a non-delegable duty to ensure the safety of its workers)., 2014
- James Gorman IV v. City of Woodinville, 175 Wn.2d 68, 283 P.2d 1082 (2012) affirming Gorman v. City of Woodinville, 160 Wn. App. 759, 249 P.3d 1040 (2011) (Successful appeal through the Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court and reinstatement of case of property owner’s claim of adverse possession to property conveyed to public entity. City claimed voluntary conveyance of property to it terminated adverse possession claim, a case of first impression nationally.), 2011
- Freeman v. Gregoire, 171 Wn.2d 316, 256 P.2d 264 (2011) (Ms. Clark filed an amicus curiae brief in this contest over Sound Transit’s use of the I-90 bridge for light rail)., 2011
- Beriault v. King, No. 61636-6-I, 2009 Wash. App. LEXIS 303 (Ct. App. Feb. 9, 2009) (Successful defense of trial court order invalidating deed of trust based on inaccurate legal description; client awarded attorneys fees by trial court and appellate court)., 2009
- In re Currin, No. 50557-2-I, 2003 Wn. App. LEXIS 644 (Ct. App. Apr. 21, 2003) (Successful defense of restraining order against neighbor preventing trespass and summary judgment quieting title against neighbor’s claims of adverse possession)., 2003
- In re Lynnwood to Condemn, 118 Wn. App. 674, 77 P.3d 378 (2003) (Successfully argued in a challenge to public use and necessity in an eminent domain action that the project must be considered as a whole and not be limited to the single property named in the suit)., 2003
- Sattler v. Northwest Tissue Center, 110 Wn. App. 689, 42 P.3d 440 (2002) (Reversal of trial court dismissal on summary judgment – case involves the Uniform Anatomical Gifts Act)., 2002
- Gaylord v. Snohomish Cty., No. 46663-1-I, 2001 Wash. App. LEXIS 2599 (Ct. App. Nov. 26, 2001) (Successful defense against attorneys fee claim by Snohomish County under Land Use Petition Act)., 2001
- Faulkner v. Racquetwood Village Condominium Association, et al., 106 Wn. App. 483, 23 P.3d 1135 (June 4, 2001), review denied (December 2001) (Successful defense of condominium unit owner against claim by crime victim and homeowners association for damages from a crime which originated in common area of condominium)., 2000
- Neckas v. Holt, No. 41979-0-I, 1999 Wn. App. LEXIS 1134 (Ct. App. June 21, 1999) (Successful defense of appeal from trial court award to client – case involved adverse possession claim by neighbor)., 1999
Special Licenses/Certifications:
- Ms. Clark completed the "Mediating the Litigated Case" seminar offered by Pepperdine University School of Law., 2017
- Certified Instructor, Real Estate Law/Real Estate Finance/Real Estate Closing Practices/Property Management & Leasing/Legal Aspects/Ethics & Standards of Practice, No. I2051, Expired August 21, 2013, Washington State Department of Licensing, 2013
Pro bono/Community Service:
- Gonzaga Law School Board of Advisors, 2009 to present. Ms. Clark has served on the Gonzaga Law School Board of Advisors beginning in 2009 and remains in service to the school in this role., 2023
- 1861 NIL Foundation, a Washington non-profit. In 2022, Ms. Clark, along with other former student athletes from the University of Washington, formed the 1861 NIL Foundation. 1861 takes an an educational approach to the name, image and likeness opportunities presented to current student athletes. It provides athletic camps for minors which are taught by current Husky Student Athletes. It also provides mentoring and guidance to current Husky Student Athletes to help them navigate a successful career after their athletic career comes to its end., 2023
- University of Washington “Mighty are the Women” Alumni Steering Committee, June 2022 – June 2023, (celebrating 50 years of Title IX)., 2023
- Gonzaga University School of Law, Center for Civil & Human Rights Board Member, 2019 to present, 2023
- King County Superior Court Arbitrator, 1999-2019. Ms. Clark served as an arbitrator with the King County Superior Court in its mandatory arbitration program., 2019
- Rotary Boys & Girls Club, Board Member, 2016 to 2018, 2016
- King County Bar Association Future of the Law Program. In 2011, 2013 and 2014, Ms. Clark served as a sponsoring employer for the FLI Program. This program provided internship opportunities for high school students from under-represented populations in the law., 2014
- University of Washington Big “W” Club, Steward, December 2007 to October 2010, Steward of Student Athlete Relations, December 2007 to Fall 2009; Secretary, June 2005 to November 2007, Board Member, June 2002 to October 2010, Co-Creator of then Student Athlete Mentoring Program, 2010
- King County Bar Association, FLI Program, 2011 to 2014, 2010
- National Football League Youth Impact Program, Sponsor, 2010-2013, 2010
- Husky Swimming Foundation, 2010-2013. Ms. Clark served as a board member and president during this time., 2009
- University of Washington Women's Center, Board Member and Human Trafficking Task Force, July 2009 to September 2011, 2009
- University of Washington Tyee Board of Advisors Athlete Alumni Advancement subcommittee, June 2007 to December 2008, 2007
- University of Washington Pre-Title IX Dinner Committee, January 2006 to April 2007. This event celebrated female athletes at the University of Washington who competed prior to the adoption of Title IX., 2007
- University of Washington Alumni Advisory Committee for Head Swimming Coach Search, August-September 2006 , 2006
- University of Washington Big W Club, Steward, December 2007 to October 2010, 2006
- University of Washington Pre-Title 9 Dinner Committee, January 2006 - April 2007, 2005
- University of Washington Athletic Department Hall of Fame Selection Committee, 2004
Honors/Awards:
- Best Lawyers of America, www.bestlawyers.com, 2023
- AV Rating, LexisNexis/ Martindale-Hubble, 2012 to present, AV Rating, LexisNexis/Martindale-Hubble, 2023
- Washington Super Lawyers, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, Superlawyer Designation, Superlawyers, 2022
- Awarded the Best of CLE Award for presentation on The Law of Adjoining Properties, Best of CLE, Washington State Bar Association, 2006
- Pro Bono Public Service Commendation, Pro Bono Award, Washington State Bar Association, 2005
- Rising Star in Washington Law, Rising Star, Washington Law & Politics Magazine, 2001
- WSTLA Law Student Public Service Award given for my work as a founding member of the Gonzaga Law School Public Interest Law Project, Law Student Public Service Award, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association n/k/a Washington State Association for Justice, 1991
Educational Background:
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, Major: History & Political Science, Honors: PacWest All Conference Academic Award, Four Year Varsity Letter & Athletic Scholarship – Swimming, 1985
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- Washington State Bar Association, Real Property Deskbook Editorial Board, 2022 and Chapter Author: Easements & Licenses and Insuring Interests in Real Property. Anticipated publication date 2023., Chapter Author & Editorial Board Member, WSBA Real Property Deskbook, Washington State Bar Association, 2023
- Together with recent University of Washington graduates and football team members Mr. Alex Cook and Mr. Jaxson Kirkland, Ms. Clark presented to the Academy the 1861 NIL Foundation model of taking an educational and charitable approach to name, image and likeness., Speaker, Pacific NW Academy of Legal Studies in Business (PNALSB), Annual Conference April 2023: Diversity & Disruption, Seattle University School of Law, 2023
- Together with University of Washington Graduate Mr. William Dissly, currently of of the Seattle Seahawks, Ms. Clark made a presentation to then current UW students and student athletes on leadership principles and networking with people in your age range and far beyond it., Speaker, Leadership, Networking & the Value of Multi-Generational Friendships, University of Washington Foster Leadership Academy, 2022
- Ms. Clark gave a one hour presentation in the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic to assist practitioners on things to consider when presenting arguments and trials online. A revolution in the law at the time as before the pandemic, such presentations to a court of law were not permitted., Speaker, How to Put Your Best Foot Forward for Online Presentations, Washington State Association for Justice, 2020
- Chapter Author: What Every Practitioner Should Know to Properly Preserve the Appellate Record, Chapter Author, WSAJ Auto Deskbook, Washington State Association for Justice, 2018
- Editorial Board Member for the 2013-2014 updates, Editorial Board Member, WSBA Real Property Deskbook, Washington State Bar Association, 2013
- Editorial Board Member & Chapter Author: Insuring Interests in Real Property, Chapter Author & Editorial Board Member, WSBA Real Property Deskbook, Washington State Bar Association, 2008
- Speaker on Real Estate for the Non-Real Estate Practitioner, Speaker, KCBA Real Estate for the Non-Real Estate Practitioner, King County Bar Association, 1999
- Contributing Author: Correction or Withdrawal of a Bid: A State Law Survey, Contributing Author, 1998 Construction Law Update, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1998
- Author: Video Trial Transcripts: A Review of Washington’s Current System, 26 Gonz. L. Rev. 585 (1991)., Author, Gonzaga Law Review, Gonzaga University School of Law, Law Review, 1991
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- In 2009, 2010 and 2011, Ms. Clark participated in the Seattle to Portland bike ride (STP). She accomplished this "double century" ride each year in one day., 2009
- Ms. Clark served as a clerk for the Honorable Robert F. Brachtenbach (ret.) of the Washington Supreme Court from August 1991 to August 1992., 1991
- Ms. Clark was a Division One Athlete at the University of Washington participating on the swimming team. While there she was awarded academic honors, 4 varsity letters and an athletic scholarship. She was also a NCAA qualifier and school record holder (medley relay). , 1985
Office location for Catherine C. Clark
110 Prefontaine Place South
Suite 304
Seattle, WA 98104
Phone: 206-590-2633
Selections
13 Years Super Lawyers
1 Year Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers: 2011 - 2012, 2014 - 2024
- Rising Stars: 2002
