Eric J. Weiss
- Lead Partner, Seattle Commercial Litigation
Eric is a litigator and trial lawyer who represents companies nationwide in class-action, consumer, and commercial disputes.
In 2022, Law360 recognized Eric J. Weiss as one of the nation's top lawyers under 40 years old in class-action litigation.
Clients turn to Eric for their most pressing and high-profile legal disputes, including those involving federal and state consumer-protection laws, dark patterns, mass arbitration, terms of service and arbitration provisions, unfair or deceptive acts or practices, false advertising, breach of contract, privacy and data security, antitrust, trade secrets, and government investigations.
A former federal judicial law clerk, Eric is the lead partner for Commercial Litigation in Perkins Coie's Seattle office—its largest office worldwide. He serves as the co-chair of the Washington State Bar Association's Section on Antitrust, Consumer Protection, and Unfair Business Practices. Eric represents a wide range of clients, from Fortune 500 companies (such as Amazon, Boeing, Costco, and Starbucks) to industry leaders (such as Nintendo of America and PACCAR) to ascending startups (such as Wyze Labs). In 2021, the Puget Sound Business Journal honored Eric with its 40 Under 40 Award, which recognizes dynamic leaders in the business community.
Clients enlist Eric for his efficiency, strategy, and candor. He helps them avoid or resolve their disputes through favorable negotiated settlement or presentation at trial. Eric's courtroom and deposition skills have been widely praised, and he has been described by instructors of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy as having "the most natural trial talent" among his peers. Jurors and judges have lauded Eric's "incredible trial work" and "extraordinary presence" in the courtroom.
Eric approaches legal writing as a craft requiring clarity and precision, and he is well known for his ability to make complex issues easily understandable for judges and juries. Clients, judges, and collaborators have praised his written analysis and legal briefs as "they best [they've] seen," resulting in "superb" work product with which clients are "proud to have [their] name and organization associated."
After graduating first in his class and summa cum laude from the University of Wisconsin Law School—where he also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Wisconsin Law Review and as a clinical associate on the Wisconsin Innocence Project—Eric clerked for the Honorable Ronald M. Gould of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and later for the Honorable John C. Coughenour of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington.
Before practicing law, Eric was a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, where he held a Top Secret security clearance from age 19. During his military service, Eric deployed to Pakistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and received several military honors, including Basic Military Training Honor Graduate, Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal (2x), Air Force Achievement Medal (2x), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, and for contributions leading to the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Eric also earned two associate degrees from the Community College of the Air Force, in Information Systems Technology and Education & Training Management.
For 20 years, Eric volunteered as a counselor and legal instructor for a youth leadership and citizenship program.
Areas of focus
Industries
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- University of Wisconsin Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, Editor-in-Chief, Wisconsin Law ReviewClinical Associate, Wisconsin Innocence Project, 2008
- University of Wisconsin, B.A., Political Science, with distinction, 2005
- Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), A.A.S., Education & Training Management, 2005
- Community College of the Air Force (CCAF), A.A.S., Information Systems Technology, 2005
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
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Wisconsin
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Illinois
Related Employment
- King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Trial Fellow, 2016
- Godfrey & Kahn, S.C., Milwaukee, WI, Litigation Associate, 2008-2009
- Wisconsin Innocence Project, Frank J. Remington Center, Madison, WI, Summer Associate; Extern, 2006-2007
- 115th Fighter Wing; 440th Airlift Wing, U.S. Air Force, Madison; Milwaukee, WI, Education & Training Manager; Command Post Controller; Staff Sergeant, 2001-2007
Clerkships
- Hon. John C. Coughenour, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- Hon. Ronald M. Gould, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Professional Recognition
Law360 “Rising Star,” Class Action, 2022
Puget Sound Business Journal “40 Under 40” Award, which recognizes the business community's most dynamic leaders under 40 years old, 2021
Impact
Professional Leadership
- Washington State Bar Association Section of Antitrust, Consumer Protection, and Unfair Business Practices, Co-chair