Trial Attorney
Nathan P. Roberts
Trial Attorney
Nathan P. Roberts
Nate Roberts is a trial lawyer who represents real, everyday people as they work to hold corporations and government accountable. His primary focus is on the litigation and trial of complex personal injury and wrongful death claims. Over the course of his career, he has successfully tried a wide variety of major cases in both state and federal court, resulting in seven-figure and eight-figure verdicts and settlements in the Superior Courts of King, Pierce, Snohomish, Thurston, Clark, and Spokane Counties, as well as U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. His cases have often garnered public attention, resulting in changes in training, policy, design, and legislation, with the goal of preventing future injuries and deaths.
When away from the office, Nate enjoys running, wakeboarding, sailing, camping, and tailgating Husky football games. Go Dawgs! He lives in Gig Harbor with his wife, Carly, daughter, Abigail, son, David, and the family’s chocolate Labrador Retriever, Enza.
Education
- Seattle University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, May 2008
- Law Clerk Extern to Hon. Ronald B. Leighton, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, and by designation at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, 2008
- University of Washington, B.A., Business Administration, cum laude, June 2004
Awards & Recognition
- Super Lawyers TOP 100 Honoree, Super Lawyers Magazine (2022)
- "Lawyer of the Year 2023," Best Lawyers in America (2023)
- Top 40 Under 40 - South Sound Business Magazine (2022)
- Recipient, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Award for Exceptional Pro Bono Clinic Service (2013)
- Super Lawyers "Rising Star" (2012)
- Recipient, Washington State Association for Justice New Lawyer Award (2012)
Representative Cases & Results
- Hensley v. MultiCare Health System, 2019 WL 8359210 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $28 million settlement, following 3½ week jury trial, for man who suffered spinal cord injury during spinal fusion surgery
- Woodring-Thueson v. University of Washington, 2018 WL 3476610 (Wash.Super.) - $25.3 million medical malpractice jury verdict for woman who experienced delay in diagnosis of basilar artery occlusion after being admitted to Harborview Medical Center
- Smith v. Confidential Hospitals, 2020 WL 5666091 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $20.1 million settlement for stroke patient who suffered a series of “watershed strokes” caused by relative hypotension
- Foster v. North Kitsap Fire & Rescue, 2017 WL 2600580 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $9.5 million jury verdict for widow and family of 48-year-old man killed in motorcycle collision with fire truck
- Binschus et al. v. State of Washington et al., 186 Wn.2d 573, 380 P.3d 468 (2016) - helped obtain $9 million settlement for victims of shooting rampage in claims against Department of Corrections for negligent supervision of perpetrator; dismissal of ancillary claims affirmed 5-4 on appeal
- Stahl v. State of Washington, Dep’t of Corrections, 2015 WL 3603747 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $8 million jury verdict for adult daughter of inmate who died of positional asphyxia after corrections staff failed to properly respond to an episode of diabetic hypoglycemia
- Dowe v. Community Psychiatric Clinic, 2009 WL 4668682 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $5.5 million psychiatric malpractice settlement for woman who was stabbed and blinded by improperly treated patient
- Meline v. State, DSHS, et al., 2017 WL 3496663 (Wash.Super.) - $2.9 million jury verdict against State and $2.5 million settlement from confidential provider ($5.4 million total recovery) for family of man who was murdered by schizophrenic son following discharge from state-run psychiatric hospital
- Bloedow v. King County, 2011 WL 3366533 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $4.5 million settlement for woman who suffered traumatic brain injury as a result of bus-pedestrian collision;
- Toney v. State of Washington & Maxim Healthcare, 2012 WL 1207174 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $4.25 million settlement for inmate who suffered anoxic brain injury in suicide attempt caused by untreated psychiatric disorder
- Hayward v. MultiCare Health System, Inc., et al., 2010 WL 5691874 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $4.1 million settlement for family of 29-year-old mother of three who died following post-thyroidectomy hematoma
- Client v. United States of America, 2011 WL 7305917 (W.D.Wash.) - $3.9 million verdict, under Federal Tort Claims Act, for 20-year-old man who lost use of his dominant right hand following failure to diagnose compartment syndrome
- N.L.B. v. Confidential Defendants One & Two, 2015 WL 3603752 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $3.1 million settlement for rape and kidnapping victim in legal malpractice claims after former attorneys failed to file her lawsuit within the applicable statute of limitations
- Brown v. State, Dept. of Corrections, 198 Wn. App. 1, 392 P.3d 1081 (2016) - obtained $3 million settlement for parents of boy killed by improperly supervised felon after arguing “discovery rule” and obtaining summary dismissal of statute of limitations defense on appeal
- Jane Doe & Doe Family v. Schmidt & USAA, 2014 WL 5844039 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $3 million settlement for woman who suffered multiple fractures and moderate traumatic brain injury following vehicle-on-bicycle collision
- M.E. & J.E. v. State, DSHS, 2017 WL 1900358 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $2.65 million settlement for girls who were molested by mother’s boyfriend after DSHS failed to properly investigate prior referrals
- Fisher v. United States of America, 2010 WL 3894561; 2010 WL 3835188 (W.D. Wash.) - $1.9 million verdict (2nd chair) for widow and adult children of man who was killed in automobile collision caused by federal employee
- Pluard v. University of Washington, 2015 WL 10015318 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $1,575,000 medical malpractice jury verdict for 52-year-old construction worker in medical malpractice action involving delayed diagnosis of left (non-dominant) forearm compartment syndrome following on-the-job fall and polytrauma
- Jang v. United States of America, 2012 WL 750516 (W.D.Wash.) - obtained $1.5 million settlement, under Federal Tort Claims Act, for 82-year-old Korean immigrant injured by delay in diagnosis and treatment of spinal epidural hematoma
- Washburn v. City of Federal Way, 178 Wn.2d 732, 310 P.3d 1275 (2013) - $1.1 million jury verdict (2nd chair) and total award of $2 million via settlement on remand for family and estate of domestic violence victim who was killed after police failed to enforce protective order
- Ostling v. City of Bainbridge Island et al., 872 F.Supp.2d 1117 (W.D.Wash. 2012) - obtained $1 million jury verdict on claims of inadequate training, plus award of attorneys’ fees and costs, for family of mentally-ill man who was shot and killed by police during routine welfare check
- L.S. v. Tacoma School District, 2014 WL 4373825 (W.D.Wash.) - obtained $750,000 settlement for female special education student who brought Title IX claims following sexual assault by fellow student
- Hillstrom v. Pierce County et al., 2015 WL 6951013 (W.D.Wash.) - obtained $750,000 settlement, plus promise by Sheriff to provide additional training, following use of excessive force
- Price v. Suman Transport, 2015 WL 10015327 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $750,000 (estate-only) settlement for family of 25-year-old barista who was killed when her vehicle struck a deer on the freeway, became disabled, and was subsequently struck by a commercial vehicle
- Maldonado v. State, Dep’t of Corrections, 2016 WL 1551022 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $650,000 employment discrimination settlement for former DOC Community Corrections officer who brought racial discrimination, hostile work environment, and constructive discharge claims
- Christensen v. Foss Waterway Marina, 2008 WL 5759032 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $630,000 premises liability settlement for man injured in fall from poorly maintained marina gangway
- Fogle v. Korum Automotive Group, 2014 WL 8515759 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $575,000 settlement for woman who suffered fractured hip after being struck by a car in defendant dealership’s parking lot
- Adams v. Sanchez, 2011 WL 1750831 (Wash.Super.) - obtained $500,000 premises liability settlement for contractor who was injured in residential deck collapse
Publications & Presentations
- Divide and Conquer with Adcox – Maximizing Global Recoveries Against Multiple Defendants, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association “Tort Law II” Seminar, Fircrest, WA (October 22, 2010)
- Medical Malpractice Case Law Update, Washington State Association for Justice Annual Winter CLE Conference, Seattle, WA (December 8, 2011)
- Insurance Fair Conduct Act Litigation Techniques: Make Them Pay, Washington State Association for Justice 34th Annual Insurance Law Seminar, Spokane, WA & Tacoma, WA (January 26-27, 2012)
- Roberts, N., Reflections on Appeal: A look back at 2011’s appellate victories and losses for victims of medical negligence, Trial News (January 2012)
- Roberts, N., Taking on the United States of America under the Federal Tort Claims Act, Trial News (May 2012)
- Roberts, N., Ignorance Isn’t Bliss – A Message to Law Enforcement, Trial News (November 2012)
- Common Malpractice Pitfalls: Auto Accident, Government, Medical Malpractice & Other Personal Injury Cases, Washington State Association for Justice New Member Series, Seattle, WA (January 8, 2013)
- Emcee, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association “Judicial Skit Night” Ethics CLE, Tacoma, WA (December 5, 2013)
- Trends in Government Liability in Washington, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association Annual Year End “Potpourri” CLE, Tacoma, WA (December 7, 2013)
- Roberts, N. & Connelly, J., What Remains of the Public Duty Doctrine after Washburn v. City of Federal Way, Trial News (December 2013)
- Police Liability in Washington: Interplay Between State and Federal Law, National Business Institute CLE, Seattle, WA (February 7, 2014)
- E-Discovery in the Personal Injury Practice (WSAJ Panel Presentation), Seattle, WA (June 27, 2014)
- Roberts, N. & Price, A., When is Rape a Title IX Civil Rights Act Violation?, Trial News (July 2014)
- Opening Statements & Voir Dire in a Civil Trial (Panel Presentation), Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association CLE Seminar & 20th Annual Bar Association Convention, Cle Elum, WA (September 27, 2014)
- Roberts, N., Judicial Profiles: Meet the newest additions to the Pierce County Superior Court bench, Trial News (October 2014)
- Ethical Considerations for Personal Injury Attorneys, National Business Institute “Affordable Care Act” CLE, Seattle, WA (December 5, 2014)
- Roberts, N., Prosecuting Officer-Involved Asphyxia and Cardiac Arrest Cases, Trial News (March 2015)
- Feldman, L. & Roberts, N., Applying the Americans with Disabilities Act to Arrest Situations – Sheehan v. San Francisco, Trial News (March 2015)
- Getting Big Civil Rights Verdicts in Federal Court, WSAJ “Police Misconduct” CLE, Seattle, WA (May 6, 2015)
- Roberts, N., Anatomy of a Landmark Plaintiff’s Verdict, Trial News (July 2015)
- Motivating Jurors to Give, Trial Advocacy: Trends and Hot Topics CLE, Institut National de Jeunes Sourds de Paris, Paris, France (September 16, 2015)
- Seminar Co-Chair, TPCBA 7th Annual Tort Law Update CLE, Tacoma, WA (October 30, 2015)
- Roberts, N., Proving Medical Malpractice at an Academic Medical Center, Trial News (March 2016)
- Driscoll, M. & Roberts, N., Successfully Including Ancient Acts in a Hostile Work Environment Claim, Trial News (May 2016)
- Emphasizing Deterrence in Non-Punitive Damages Cases, 69th Annual Melvin M. Belli Society Seminar, Los Angeles, CA (July 21, 2016)
- Roberts, N., When is Denial of Medical Care a Constitutional Violation?, Trial News (May 2017)
- Roberts, N. & Fuller, E., Utilizing the “Discovery Rule” in Special Relationship Cases, Trial News (July 2017)
- Driscoll, M. & Roberts, N., Trial Strategy: Making Physical Evidence the Best Witness in Your Case, Trial News (July 2017)
- Inmate Right to Healthcare, Center for Justice Prison Litigation Seminar, Spokane, WA (November 2, 2017)
- Roberts, N., Washington State Association for Justice Civil Rights Deskbook (Editor-in-Chief) (2017 Ed.)
- When is Denial of Healthcare a Constitutional Violation, WSAJ Civil Rights CLE, Seattle, WA (November 16, 2017)
- Hruska, L. & Roberts, N., Collaborative Impact Litigation in School Civil Rights Cases, Trial News (April 2018)
- Recreational Claims and Defenses, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association’s 9th Annual Sports Law CLE, Tacoma, WA (June 1, 2018)
- Roberts, N. & Connelly, J., Misadventures in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Stroke, Trial News (September 2018)
- Medical Causation & Preexisting Conditions, WSAJ Winter Conference CLE, Seattle, WA (December 13, 2018)
- Roberts, N., The Nuts, Bolts, and Ethics of Wrongful Death Litigation, Trial News (June 2019)
- Government Liability Update, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association’s 11th Annual Tort Law CLE, Fife, WA (October 25, 2019)
- MedicoLegal Panel, WA-ACEP Emergency Medicine Leadership Summit, SeaTac, WA (November 12, 2019)
- Roberts, N. & Fuller, E., Unorthodox Cross-Examination Techniques, Trial News (March 2020)
- Courtroom Ethics—Maintaining Integrity In the Heat of Battle, WSAJ Winter Conference “Trial Skills” Virtual CLE (December 11, 2020)
- LeBank, M. & Roberts, N., Litigating Medical Negligence Cases in the Time of COVID-19 (January 2021)
Admissions
- Washington State Courts, WSBA No. 40457
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Community Involvement
- Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ) - Board of Governors (2015-present); Active EAGLE Member (2008-Present)
- Law Alumni Board, Seattle University School of Law - Board of Directors (2015 – Present)
- Gig Harbor United Methodist Church - Active Member (2017 – Present)
- Justice for All PAC - Board of Directors (2017 – Present)
- Tacoma Area Coalition of Individuals with Disabilities (TACID) - Board of Directors (2012 – 2017); Chairman of the Board (2013 – 2016)
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association (TPCBA) - Board of Trustees (2013); President, Young Lawyers Section (2013); Young Lawyers Section, Board of Trustees (2010 – 2014); Active Member (2008-Present)
- TPCBA Volunteer Legal Services - Pro Bono Legal Clinic Attorney (2011 – 2016)
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington - Ninth Circuit Lawyer Representative (2014 – 2016)
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Foundation - Board of Directors (2014 – 2016)
- Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington - Active Member (2014-Present)