Zachary E. Davison
- Seattle
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Zach is a leading trial lawyer with a consistent winning record in federal and state courts across the country.
Zachary E. Davison focuses his practice on real estate, corporate governance, and securities disputes. His recent client victories include winning all claims in a post-merger contract dispute following a multi-day arbitration, obtaining summary judgment restoring possession of a client's commercial property, securing complete dismissal of claims against an individual in a real estate holding company derivative dispute, and favorably resolving a condemnation action following a multi-week bench trial.
In real estate matters, Zach prosecutes and defends against contract, tort, and statutory claims, including expedited claims brought under Washington state's unlawful detainer statute, on behalf of clients with varying property and leasehold interests. He is a business-minded counsel to investors, commercial tenants, and landlords, as well as lenders and financial institutions, protecting real estate interests and crafting tailored litigation strategies.
In corporate governance and securities matters, Zach represents companies, their officers, and their directors in shareholder class actions, derivative lawsuits, M&A litigation, and dissolution and receivership proceedings. He has represented multiple clients defending claims under the Washington State Securities Act, some of which involved the purchase and sale of cryptocurrencies and other alternative investments. His work spans prelawsuit investigations, dispositive motion practice, complex discovery campaigns, trials, appeals, and post-judgment enforcement.
Zach's prior experience as an accountant informs his litigation practice, helping him resolve client matters involving complex accounting, securities, and other financial issues.
Areas of focus
Industries
Services
Education & Credentials
Education
- New York Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, Executive Editor, New York Law School Law Review, 2014
- Western Washington University, B.A., Accounting, 2009
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Washington
-
Alaska
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- Dorsey & Whitney LLP, Seattle, WA, Summer Associate, 2013; Associate, 2014-2017
- Judicial Extern for the Hon. Paul Crotty, United States District Court, Southern District of New York, New York, NY, 2012
- Judicial Intern for the Honorable Barbara Kapnick, New York Supreme Court Commercial Division, New York, NY, 2012
Clerkships
- Hon. Thomas Zilly, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Professional Recognition
Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch for Commercial Litigation Law, 2022-2026; Litigation - Securities, 2026
Impact
Professional Leadership
- WSBA New Lawyers Committee, Member, 2017-present; Chair-Elect, 2021-present
- King County Bar Association New Lawyers Division, Board Trustee
- Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, Local Rules Committee, Member
- World Affairs Council, Fellow, 2018-2019
Community Involvement
- College Success Foundation, Mentor, 2015-2017
- Kids In Need of Defense (KIND), Volunteer Attorney, 2014-2017
Professional Experience
Real Estate Litigation
Global Investment Firm
King County Superior Court
Lead trial counsel defending global investment firm in condemnation proceedings. Obtained favorable settlement following public use and necessity hearing.
National Property Management Firm
Pierce County Superior Court
Lead counsel defending national property management firm and its principals against breach of fiduciary duty and related statutory claims. Won motion to compel mandatory arbitration and stay of court proceedings.
Commercial Real Estate Developer
King County Superior Court
Co-lead trial counsel defending real estate developer in condemnation proceedings. Obtained favorable settlement following multi-week bench trial.
LLC Operating Agreement Dispute
Confidential Arbitration—Seattle
Lead counsel representing investor in dispute with manager of multi-million dollar commercial real estate portfolio. Obtained favorable buyout settlement.
Real Estate Owner
Confidential Arbitration—Seattle
Lead counsel in zoning dispute over real estate development project. Obtained complete victory following multi-day arbitration hearing and post-hearing motion practice.
David Beail v. Thomas Dwyer, Norma Fine, et al.
Snohomish County Superior Court
Lead counsel for an investor in complex, multi-party dispute among members of real estate holding company alleging breaches of contract and fiduciary duties. Won dispositive motion followed by favorable settlement at mediation.
GVD Commercial Properties, Inc. v. Red Lion Hotels Corporation
Spokane County Superior Court
Co-lead counsel for national hotel chain in lease dispute. Obtained favorable settlement in mediation.
F5 Inc. v. Fifth & Columbia Investors, LLC
King County Superior Court
Lead counsel representing national technology company in prosecuting claims arising out of a real estate profit sharing agreement. Obtained favorable settlement following close of discovery.
Marine Terminal Operator
Confidential Arbitration—Seattle
Co-lead trial counsel for global marine terminal operator in lease dispute. Obtained favorable settlement during first day of arbitration hearing.
Shareholder, Merger & Securities Litigation
Post-Merger Indemnification Dispute
Confidential Arbitration—Seattle
Lead trial counsel for seller representative in post-merger contract dispute. Obtained complete victory and dismissal of all claims against our client following arbitration hearing.
Cox & Harbaugh, Inc. Litigation
Pierce County Superior Court
Lead counsel for a shareholder in a family held corporation asserting breach of fiduciary and contract claims against a former director stemming from self-dealing and mismanagement of corporate assets. Obtained favorable settlement in mediation following targeted discovery campaign.
Founder of Biotech Startup
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented CEO and president of biotech startup in defense of class actions and derivative actions alleging violations of federal securities laws, including Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and Rule 10b-5 promulgated thereunder, as well as Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933.
Post-Merger Indemnification Dispute
King County Superior Court
Co-lead trial counsel for seller representative in post-reverse merger indemnification dispute. Won partial summary judgment and prosecuted claims through multiweek bench trial.
Founder and CEO of Tech Startup
King County Superior Court
Represented co-founder and CEO of tech startup in defense of lawsuit alleging violations of the Washington State Securities Act.
Creative Solutions, Inc. Litigation
King County Superior Court
Pierce County Superior Court
Defended corporate director against breach of fiduciary duty and related claims by purported shareholder. Obtained dismissal of all claims following dispositive motion practice.
Asset Sale Dispute*
Snohomish County Superior Court (Washington); Washington Court of Appeals, Div. I
Represented startup company and its principals in litigation arising from asset sale. Achieved favorable result on appeal resulting in voluntary dismissal of all claims.
Stock Market Manipulation*
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Defended investment management firm and its director in class action arising from alleged stock market manipulation. Successfully opposed class certification resulting in voluntary dismissal.
False Financial Statements Investigation*
Represented a publicly traded company in investigation arising from restatements and possible expense misclassifications.
Stock Market Manipulation Investigation*
Represented venture capital firm and its principal in investigation arising from alleged “pump and dump” scheme.
Asset Valuation*
Counseled investment adviser in examination by the OCIE.
*Prior firm experience
Business Litigation
National Moving Company
Arbitration—Seattle
Lead counsel defending moving company against contract and tort claims. Obtained favorable settlement following multi-day arbitration hearing.
Tupperware Brands Corporation v. Holland America Line N.V. and Seabourn Cruise Line Limited
King County Superior Court
Co-lead counsel in breach of contract dispute. Obtained favorable settlement following dispositive motion practice.
Ganz, Inc. v. SM Kids, LLC.
U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware
Represented plaintiff in breach of contract and trademark misappropriation. The court granted the client’s summary judgment and the request for a permanent injunction.
Verity Solutions Group, Inc. v. Verity, Inc.
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Prosecuted successful trademark and unfair competition action involving VERITY mark. Settled after discovery closed.
Cross-Border Contract Dispute*
U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Represented a foreign technology company in cross-border dispute. Obtained pre-discovery dismissal of all claims.
International Financing Dispute*
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Represented a foreign distributor seeking to enforce a foreign money judgment. Summary judgment affirmed on appeal.
International Financing Dispute*
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Represented foreign bank in cross-border dispute seeking to enforce a security guarantee.
Purchase Order Dispute*
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
Represented leading electronic manufacturing services company in dispute arising from the manufacture of technology products.
Lending Practices Dispute*
King County Superior Court (Washington); Washington Court of Appeals, Div. I
Obtained summary judgment dismissal of claims against financial institution. Affirmed on appeal.
*Prior firm experience
