Joseph (Joe) E. Bringman
With 40 years of experience in state and federal trial and appellate courts, Joe skillfully defends clients in a range of corporate litigation matters.
Joe Bringman is well-versed in the defense of securities and corporate governance litigation, including shareholder class actions under federal and state securities laws, shareholder derivative actions against directors for breach of fiduciary duty, and shareholder challenges to corporate mergers and acquisitions. Joe has also prosecuted and defended claims of dissenting shareholders to recover "fair value" for their shares following a merger, pursued claims for coverage under insurance policies, defended against claims for attorney and accountant malpractice, defended corporations against qui tam fraud claims, and represented lenders in judicial and nonjudicial foreclosure actions. In addition, Joe has regularly updated the litigation forms database for the Seattle and Bellevue offices since 1992 and has spent many years as a member of the firm’s Paralegal Review Committee.
Joe has devoted substantial time to pro bono matters on behalf of prisoners, a population with historically limited access to counsel. His cases have addressed the rights of inmates to live in smoke-free cellblocks, to receive and send mail free of unconstitutional censorship and other restrictions, and to receive constitutionally required medical care. He has also represented inmates and former inmates seeking either clemency (sentence reduction) or full pardons.
Joe is a long-time active member of the King County Bar Association, for which he formerly served as president. Joe was also a member of the steering committee for 2012's successful King County Proposition 1, which provided the resources to fund construction of the new Children and Family Justice Center that replaced King County's dilapidated Juvenile Court facility. Since July 2014, Joe has been a trustee of the King County Law Library.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Stanford Law School, J.D., Managing Editor, Stanford Journal of International Law, 1983
- Yale University, B.A., Political Science, magna cum laude, 1980
Bar and Court Admissions
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Washington
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New York
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- University of Washington School of Law, Acting Assistant Professor, 1983 - 1985
Professional Recognition
Elected as a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, 2012
King County Bar Association "President's Award," Recipient, 2006
Listed in Washington Law and Politics Magazine, “Washington's Super Lawyers,” 2000
Listed in Who’s Who in American Law, 1996-present
Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
(AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)
Impact
Professional Leadership
- King County Bar Association
President, 2011-2012
First Vice President, 2010-2011
Second Vice President, 2009-2010
Trustee, 2004 - 2006
Secretary/Trustee, 2003 - 2004
Chair, Fair Campaign Practices Guidelines Revisions Task Force, 2004-2005, 2007-2008
Chair, King County District Court Redistricting Task Force, 2006
Chair, Equal Rights for Same-Sex Couples Task Force, 2005
Member, Strategic Planning Task Force, 2016-2017
Member, Lawyer Referral Service Task Force, 2010
Committee Chair: Nominations Committee (2013); Audit Committee (2005-2006); Continuing Legal Education Committee (2003-2004); Fair Campaign Practices Committee (1997-1999, 2006-2008); Young Lawyers' Division Election Committee (1986)
Committee Member: Audit Committee (2004-2006); Awards Committee (2009-2010); Bar Bulletin Committee (2003-2011); CLE Advisory Committee (2008-2011); Fair Campaign Practices Committee (1995-2001, 2006-2008, 2014-present); Judiciary and Litigation Committee (1995-2003, 2012-present); Judicial Conferencing Committee (2000-2002, 2013-2014); Judicial Candidate Evaluation Committee (1993-1996, 2010-2011, 2012-present); Judicial Officer Survey Committee (2013-present); Literacy Committee (1994-1995); Membership Committee (2003-2009, 2010-2011, 2012-present); Professionalism Committee (approx. 1995-1996).
Author, "Federal Civil Trial Practice" chapter of Washington Lawyers' Practice Manual (2002, 2003, 2010 and 2011 revisions)
- American Bar Association, Litigation Section, 1985-present
- Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, Local Rules Committee, 2007-2011, 2016-present
- King County Law Library, Trustee, 2014-present
- Perkins Coie Fellowship Board, Director, 1990-1997
Community Involvement
- Youth Emergency Services (YES) for Children and Families - King County Prop 1, Steering Committee, Member, 2012
- Yale Alumni Schools Committee, 1981-present
- Yale College Class Agent, 2011-present
- Coordinator of Lectors, St. Catherine of Siena Church, 2003-present
- Volunteer, King County Democrats, 1983-1985
Professional Experience
Securities & Corporate Governance Litigation
Anselmo v. Foster, Pepper & Riviera PLLC
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended law firm in shareholder derivative suit.
Bair v. Immunex Corporation, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended company and its directors in securities fraud class action.
Battley v. Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KMPG) Peat Marwick, LLP
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Defended KPMG in action brought by bankruptcy trustee of public company for failed audit.
Boeing Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended company and officers in securities fraud class action. 40 F. Supp. 2d 1160 (W.D. Wash. 1998)
Cardiac Science Inc. Merger Litigation (I)
Court of Chancery of Delaware
Defended company and its directors in class action challenging merger between Quinton Cardiology Systems Inc. and Cardiac Science.
Cardiac Science Inc. Merger Litigation (II)
Court of Chancery of Delaware
Snohomish County Superior Court (Washington)
Defended company and its directors in class action challenging tender offer by Opto of Cardiac Science Inc.
Comscore Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Represented Rentrak Corporation and its directors in shareholder class action challenging disclosures concerning merger transaction with comScore, Inc.
Digital Systems International Inc. Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended company and officers in securities fraud class action.
Eagleview Corp. v. Pikover
Snohomish County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented dissenting shareholder through trial to determine fair value of company's stock.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) v. Prudential-Bache Securities Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented FDIC in prosecution of claims against securities firm for violation of federal commodities laws and breach of fiduciary duties.
First Financial Northwest Proxy Litigation
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented client in proxy litigation.
Grassmueck v. Ogden Murphy Wallace, PLLC
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended law firm against claims of professional negligence arising from alleged securities fraud.
Hipcricket Securities Litigation
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Defended Hipcricket and its directors in shareholder litigation arising from sale of company.
Immunex Corporation Securities Litigation (I)
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended Immunex and its directors in securities fraud class action.
Jammies International Inc. and C.R.A. Realty Corporation v. Nowinski and Bristol-Meyers Company
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Defended officer against Section 16(b) insider trading claims. 700 F. Supp. 189 (S.D.N.Y. 1988)
Kokas v. Azuray
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Defended law firm in shareholder derivative suit.
M/A-COM Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. Merger Litigation
Superior Court of California, Orange County
Delaware Court of Chancery
Represented M/A-Com Technology Solutions Holdings, Inc. in litigation arising from its acquisition of Mindspeed Technologies, Inc.
Martech USA Inc. Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Defended KPMG in securities fraud class action.
Merix Corporation Derivative Litigation
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Defended Merix directors in derivative action.
Merix Corporation Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
U.S. Supreme Court
Defended Merix and its directors in securities fraud class action. No. CV04-826 MO. 2005 WL 2244072 (D. Or. Sept. 15, 2005); slip op. (D. Or. Sept. 29, 2006), rev'd, 275 Fed. App'x. 599 (9th Cir. 2008), cert. denied, 555 U.S. 1085 (2008)
Metawave Communications Corporation Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended CEO and CFO in securities fraud class action. 298 F.Supp. 2d 1056 (W.D. Wash. 2003); 629 F.Supp. 2d 1207 (W.D. Wash. 2009)
Outerwall Inc.
Superior Court of California, County of Los Angeles
Defended company in connection with purchase of the securities of another company.
Planar Systems, Inc. Securities Litigation
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Defended company and its directors in shareholder class action challenging merger transaction.
Rentrak Corporation Merger Litigation
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Defended company and its directors in shareholder class action challenging merger transaction.
Sound Infiniti Inc. ex rel. Pisheyar v. Snyder, et al.
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Washington State Court of Appeals
Washington State Supreme Court
Defended company and shareholders in derivative litigation arising from reverse stock split transaction and related shareholder appraisal rights litigation. 169 Wn.2d 199, 237 P.3d 241 (2010)
Teekay Corporation Securities Litigation
U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut (transferred to U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington)
Defended company and its CEO and CFO in securities fraud class action.
TriQuint Corporation Merger Litigation
Circuit Court of Oregon, Multnomah County
Oregon Supreme Court
Represented TriQuint (now Qorvo, Inc.) and its directors in litigation arising from merger with RF Micro Devices, Inc. 358 Or. 413, 364 P.3d 328 (2015).
Veterinary Pet Insurance Company v. General Fire & Casualty Company (GF&C), et al.
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Defended GF&C in securities litigation regarding purchase of shares.
Zillow, Inc. Securities and Derivative Litigation
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended company and its officers and directors in securities fraud class action and related derivative litigation.
Insurance Coverage
Branning et ux., et al. v. CNA Insurance Companies, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented Federal Savings and Loan Insurance Corporation (FSLIC) in action against insurance carrier to establish coverage under director and officer liability policy. Declaratory judgment. 721 F. Supp. 1180 (W.D. Wash. 1989)
Crosby, et al. v. St. Paul Fire & Marine Insurance Company
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented FDIC in action against insurance carrier to establish coverage under director and officer liability policy.
Gentra Capital Corporation v. Reliance Insurance Company
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented insured in action to establish coverage under employee dishonesty policy.
Longview Fibre Company v. Hartford Fire Insurance Company
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented Longview Fibre Company in insurance coverage litigation arising from underlying losses from securities transactions in company 401(k) plan.
Oberto Sausage Company v. Certain Underwriters at Lloyd's of London
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented insured in action to establish coverage for recall-related costs under food contamination policy.
Olemara Peters Insurance Claim
Represented insured in establishing coverage for fire loss at storage facility under homeowners’ policy.
Sellen Construction Company Claim
Represented insured in establishing right to insurance coverage under employee dishonesty policy and professional liability policy.
Large National Bank Insurance Claim
Represented bank in connection with fire insurance claim related to trust property.
Appellate
American Federal Savings and Loan Ass'n v. FSLIC
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented FSLIC in appeal by failed savings and loan association challenging powers of FSLIC as federal receiver to determine claims against association through administrative processes. 811 F.2d 1209 (9th Cir. 1987).
Boulder Fruit Express & Hager Organic Farm Sales, et al. v. Transportation Factoring Inc.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented factoring company in appeal of claims by produce growers under Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act. 251 F.3d 1268 (9th Cir. 2001)
CHG Creditors Committee v. FSLIC
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented FSLIC in appeal from order declining to dismiss claims against FSLIC filed in bankruptcy court proceedings. 811 F.2d 1209 (9th Cir. 1987).
First American Savings Bank v. Westside Federal Savings and Loan Ass'n
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented FSLIC in appeal by failed savings and loan association challenging powers of FSLIC as federal receiver to determine claims against association through administrative processes. 811 F.2d 1209 (9th Cir. 1987).
In re Estate of Ginsberg
State Court of Appeals of Washington
Represented victims of investment fraud in action against estate of perpetrator of fraud. 2006 WL 3775847 (Washington Court of Appeals, 2006)
Kelly v. SIDEMCO Inc., et al.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Obtained affirmance of summary judgment on fraud claims in favor of seller of rare coins. 1988 WL 72906 (9th Cir. July 1, 1988), modified, 1989 WL 1698 (9th Cir. Jan. 10, 1989).
Matsushita Electric Corporation of America v. Salopek
State Court of Appeals of Washington
Represented seller of electronic equipment in pursuing claims against buyer's guarantor. 57 Wn. App. 242, 787 P.2d 963 (1990).
Modern Supply Company v. FSLIC
State Court of Appeals of Washington
Obtained dismissal, on appeal, of creditor's claims against FSLIC receiver in favor of FSLIC receiver's administrative claims process. 50 Wn. App. 194, 748 P.2d 251 (1987)
Prison Legal News, et al. v. Cook
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Submitted amicus brief on First Amendment issues related to Oregon Department of Corrections refusal to deliver mail sent to inmates at "bulk" rates. 238 F.3d 1145 (9th Cir. 2001).
Prison Legal News v. Lehman, et al.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Submitted amicus brief on First Amendment issue related to Washington Department of Corrections refusal to deliver prisoner mail. 397 F.3d 692 (9th Cir. 2005)
Prison Legal News v. McDonough, et al.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
Submitted amicus brief on First Amendment issues related to Florida Department of Corrections refusal to deliver inmate mail and allow inmates to receive nominal payment for publications. 200 Fed. Appx. 873 (11th Cir. 2006).
Rembold v. Gibraltar Savings and Loan Association, et al.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented FSLIC in appeal by failed savings and loan association challenging powers of FSLIC as federal receiver to determine claims against association through administrative processes. 811 F.2d 1209 (9th Cir. 1987).
Sparling, et al. v. Hoffman Construction Company Inc.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Obtained affirmance on behalf of general contractor of order dismissing fraud and Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization (RICO) claims asserted by subcontractor and its shareholder. 864 F.2d 635 (9th Cir. 1988).
United States ex rel. Eitel v. Port of Bremerton, et al.
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented Port of Bremerton against claims under federal False Claims Act. 1997 WL 812246 (9th Cir. Dec. 24, 1997).
Litigation
Associates Dealer Group Inc. v. Gregoire
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Defended insurance company against Consumer Protection Act claims brought by Washington Attorney General.
Banc One Management and Consulting Corporation v. Sodorff
Represented lender in nonjudicial foreclosure and related receivership proceedings.
Bartlett v. Day; Softli v. Day
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented members of the Board of Governors of business school in actions alleging educational malpractice, breach of contract and misrepresentation.
Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) v. Washington Public Power Supply System (WPPSS)
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented investor-owned utility in WPPSS cost-sharing litigation. 956 F.2d 1497 (9th Cir. 1992)
Broaddus v. Vaughn
Circuit Court of Indiana, Washington County
Defended Burlington Northern Inc. against claims for intentional interference with contract.
California Mortgage Loan Portfolio IV Limited Partnership v. Selig
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented lender in judicial foreclosure.
Center for Design of Industrial Schedules Inc. v. Krug Life Sciences Inc.
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented plaintiff in action to enforce nondisclosure and noncompetition agreement.
Comerica Bank-California v. Trillium Corporation
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Real Property Litigation - Defended borrower in writ of attachment proceedings and related judicial foreclosure action
Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group v. State of Washington, Office of Financial Management
Superior Court of Washington, Thurston County
Represented unsuccessful bidder in protest and appeal of contract award.
Dwango Co. Ltd. v. SV Networks, et. al.; JMS Partners v. Dwango Co. Ltd.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented Dwango, the operator of niconico.jp, a video-sharing website, in two related lawsuits adverse to the former president of Dwango's former U.S. subsidiary. The lawsuits, ultimately settled, involved allegations of fraud, breach of contract, and related tort claims.
FDIC v. Crosby, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented FDIC in action against officers and directors of Lynnwood Savings & Loan Association.
FDIC v. Whitmore, et al.
U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
Represented FDIC in action against officers and directors of Alaska State Bank.
FSLIC v. Gray
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented FSLIC in action against officers and directors of Home Savings & Loan Association of Burien, WA.
Goode v. Trillium Corporation
Superior Court of Washington, Whatcom County
Defended company against claims that it assumed obligations under affiliated company's promissory note.
Kerr and Wynalda v. the Boeing Company
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defended claims under False Claims Act.
Lein v. Preston, Gates & Ellis LLP
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Defended claims of attorney malpractice.
Odmark v. Westside Bancorp Inc.; Baer v. Abel, et al.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented FSLIC in action against officers and directors of Westside Federal Savings & Loan Association. 636 F. Supp. 552 (W.D. Wash. 1986), 648 F. Supp. 69 (W.D. Wash. 1986); 649 F. Supp. 25 (W.D. Wash. 1986)
Resolution Trust Corporation v. Blume
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented RTC in action against officers and directors of Family Savings & Loan Association.
Rice v. Algemene Bank Nederland (ABN) Amsterdamsche Bank and Rotterdamsche (AMRO) Bank, N.V.
Defended, in an arbitration, an employer against claims for commissions and severance pay.
Seattle Baseball, L.P. v. Gaylord Broadcasting Company
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented television broadcaster in dispute over compliance with best efforts clause.
Selig v. DSS Direct Connect, LLC
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Defended employer against claims for commissions and other compensation.
South Naknek Seafoods v. MRT Associates
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Defended Japanese trading company against claims for breach of contract and conversion by alleged agent.
SunAmerica Inc. v. Eaglepointe Apartments Limited Partnership
Superior Court of Washington, Spokane County
Defended borrower in judicial foreclosure action.
Thompson Printing Corporation v. Wittco Systems Inc.
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Defended equipment distributor against third-party claim alleging sale of defective product.
TMT Bear Creek Shopping Center Inc. v. TMFS Inc.
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Defended tenant in unlawful detainer action.
U.S. Bank of Washington v. Richardson
King County Superior Court (Washington)
Represented lender in recovery of claims against loan guarantors.
U.S. WEST Real Estate Inc. v. BHI-Dover XI
Superior Court of Washington, Clark County
Real Property Litigation - Represented lender in judicial foreclosure.
United States ex rel. Trice and Carbaugh v. Westinghouse Hanford Company
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Defended claims against Boeing subsidiary under False Claims Act. 2000 WL 34024248 (E.D. Wash. Mar. 1, 2000)
United States v. Bering Trader Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented seafood catching and processing entities against claims under federal loan guarantees and on counterclaims for breach of contract.
Wackenhut Corporation Bid Protest
Represented unsuccessful bidder in protest of award of transit security contract.
Pro Bono
Clemency Petition
Successfully represented pro bono client in his bid to obtain clemency. Drafted clemency petition and presented petition at hearing before the Washington Clemency and Pardons Board. Obtained unanimous vote by Board and currently awaiting the Governor’s decision.