Areas of Practice
Jake Downs focuses his practice on employment and business litigation. He represents many national and northwest companies in both state and federal court, as well as in private arbitration. Recently, he obtained unanimous jury verdicts in his clients' favor in two separate commercial business suits tried in Washington State Superior Court involving breaches of contract, trade secrets and tortious interference.
Jake combines his trial counsel experience with his leadership skills as a former captain in the United States Army during which time he deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, Macedonia and Kosovo. He is a recipient of the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Media, Army Commendation Medal, Ranger Tab and Combat Infantryman's Badge.
Professional Experience
· Associate Attorney, Williams Kastner PLLC
· Judicial Extern, Honorable Thomas S. Zilly, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
· Captain, United States Army
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
· Business Crisis Management and Emergency Remedies
· Financial Institutions
· Director and Officer Liability
· Education
· Insurance
· Labor and Employment
· Litigation
Publications
· "Are We Adequately Protecting Our Business' Valuable Information From Improper Disclosure by Current and Former Employees?" Puget Sound Business Journal Litigation and ADR Q&A Column Titled "Ask the Legal Professionals," March 2011
· "Privacy of the Workplace Drug Testing Procedures and Results," The Joan Fullam Irick Privacy Project: Phase III, International Association of Defense Counsel, 2007
Speaking Engagements
· "Cloudy With a Chance of Litigation: Best Practices for Handling Workplace Technology, Privacy and Trade Secret Issues in the Cloud," Lane Powell's 29th Annual Labor and Employment Law Seminar, Seattle, September 20, 2011
· "Trial Skills, Techniques and Strategies for the Young Lawyer: Effective Opening and Closing Arguments," American Bar Association's Young Lawyer's Division National Conference, May 13, 2011
· "The Effective Litigator: Ethics, Experts & E-Discovery: Deposing and Cross-Examining Experts," December 2008
Professional and Community Activities
· American Bar Association
- Vice Chair, Young Lawyers Division, Labor and Employment Committee
- Liaison, Young Lawyers Division to Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section (Council)
· Washington Bar Association
· King County Bar Association
· Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
· Defense Research Institute
· Veterans of Foreign Wars
News
01.11.2011, Lane Powell Client Receives Defense Decision in Sexual Discrimination Case
09.09.2010, Downs Joins Lane Powell's Labor and Employment Practice Group
Events
09.20.2011, 29th Annual Labor and Employment Seminar (Seattle)
05.13.2011, Downs to Speak at ABA Young Lawyer's Division National Conference (Las Vegas)