Sherilyn Peterson
Sherilyn represents clients in trial and appellate litigation, particularly product liability and complex litigation, in federal and state courts across the nation. Sherilyn also has a strong interest in serving the bar's pro bono needs.
Sherilyn Peterson's representation of death row inmates challenging Washington State's execution protocol forced the state to change its method of execution and earned her recognition as the first civil litigator to receive the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' President's Award.
Service to the Legal Community
In addition to her extensive pro bono work, Sherilyn is an arbitrator for King County's Mandatory Arbitration Program. She has also served as an instructor for The National Institute of Trial Advocacy.
Areas of focus
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law, J.D., cum laude, Order of the Coif, Editorial Board, Northwestern University Law Review, 1980
- Northwestern University, B.A., with highest distinction, Phi Beta Kappa, 1977
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Washington
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Clerkships
- Hon. Wilbur Pell, Jr., U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Professional Recognition
Awarded the President's Award by the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2009
Professional Experience
Litigation
Numerous Lawsuits Involving Asbestos Deaths and Injuries
State Court of California, Washington State Superior Court
Represented corporate defendants in product liability suits arising out of asbestos exposure.
Aerospace Int'l Leases Inc. and Aerospace Distributors Inc. v. Cargo 360 Inc.
State Superior Court of Washington
Represented aerospace companies in complex commercial breach of contract and business tort litigation.
Woodling v. Garrett Corporation (and related cases arising out of airplane crash)
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Represented aviation repair facility in wrongful death lawsuits arising out of crash of corporate jet.
Flood v. Proler Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented company in personal injury product liability action.
Hudson v. FAA
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Represented The Boeing Company in appeal of Federal Aviation Administration's issuance of airplane type certificate.
Friedman v. Mitsubishi, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Represented defendant engine manufacturer in wrongful death product liability suit.
Henderson v. The Garrett Corporation, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky
Represented defendant engine manufacturer in product liability suit.
Primex Aerospace Arbitration
Represented client in litigation involving breach of contract and contested intellectual property rights.
Martin v. Martin
State Superior Court of Washington
Represented real estate developer in trial involving business ownership and asset tracing.
Dwight v. The Boeing Company
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Represented The Boeing Company in product liability personal injury suit.
Stenson v. Vail
State Supreme Court of Washington, State Superior Court of Washington, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, U.S. Supreme Court
Represented death row inmate challenging legality of State’s lethal injection protocol.
US WEST Communications v. Washington Utilities & Transportation Commission
State Supreme Court of Washington, State Superior Court of Washington
Represented telephone company in rate case appeal involving landmark utility commission rulings.
Puget Sound Energy Inc. v. Utility Partners, L.C.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented private utility in dispute over breach of software development agreement.
In re Puget Sound Power & Light Company
Represented private utility before Federal Energy Regulatory Commission involving dispute with SeaTac airport.
Transmission Access Policy Study Group v. FERC
U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit
Represented private utility in appeal involving landmark Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's rules opening utilities' transmission lines to competitors.
Puget Sound Energy Inc v. Bonneville Power Administration
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. Court of Federal Claims
Represented private utility challenging federal agency’s policy for allocation of electrical power.
Insurance Coverage Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Represented company in litigation defending against insurance coverage for fatal automobile crash.
Numerous Lawsuits Regarding Implementation of Telecommunications Laws
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented telecommunications carrier.