Earl P. Lasher, III  Of Counsel

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Practice Emphasis

Earl Lasher is the founder of Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson. He is an entrepreneur, a business and community leader, and an attorney who has dedicated his career to helping clients solve problems. Earl’s practice is concentrated on mediation and arbitration.

His legal distinctions include being a finalist for appointment to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and a Superior Court Judge Pro Tem, as an arbitrator and a mediator. Earl is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, and is listed in Who’s Who in American Law and The Best Lawyers in America. Locally, Earl was named a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics magazine.

In the academic circle, Earl has served as an adjunct professor at the University of Puget Sound Law School, where he taught litigation and negotiation techniques. 

A longtime entrepreneur, Earl is the owner of Ray’s Boathouse restaurant and Yarrow Bay Grill restaurant, and the founder and director of the federally chartered Commerce Bank.

He is also an avid sailor and was a member of the sailing team for the World Star Championships in 1975 and an Olympic Trials Finalist in 1972 and 1975.

Practice Areas

Education

  • Bachelor of Science (History, Economics), University of Oregon 
  • Juris Doctor, 1966, University of Washington

Representative Cases

As special counsel to the Port of Seattle, Earl was involved in port legal affairs, including the sale by the port of more than $14 million in real estate.

  • McCaw Dissolution 
    Earl co-led the counsel to the largest marital dissolution in the United States.
  • Obert v. Environmental Research
    Earl participated in this case, which set the standards regarding fiduciary duties that general partners owe limited partners, and represents the latest word on the dissolution and reorganization of limited partnerships.
  • Fenner v. Lindsey
    The outcome of this case set the precedent for standards relating to malicious prosecution.
  • Bovy v. Graham, Cohen & Wampold
    This was one of the first cases in the state on fiduciary duties owed partners. It is still the standard relating to fiduciary duties owed law partners in a firm.
  • Jeffers v. City of Seattle
    Earl worked on this negligence case that dealt with the negligent infliction of emotional distress and the right of privacy. His client won a substantial judgment against the City.
  • Olympic Prefabrication v. K. K. Larson
    In this construction litigation case, Earl won a substantial victory for his client, Olympic Prefabrication, in a job-bidding case.
  • Louden v. Wall
    In this Court of Appeals case dealing with the issue of adverse possession, Earl represented Wall and won protection of the client’s property rights after a three-year battle.

Bar Admissions

  • American Bar Association 
  • King County Bar Association 
  • Washington State Bar Association 

Professional & Civic

  • American Board of Trial Advocates 
  • Community Development Round Table, Member 
  • Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Former Foundation Board Member & Vice Chairman 
  • YMCA of Greater Seattle, Former Board Member 
  • Washington Athletic Club, Board Chairman, 1989-90 
  • Odyssey Maritime Museum, Board Chairman, 1988-2000 
  • Northwest Hospital Foundation and Friends of Youth, Board President, 1975 
  • Honored by Mayor of Seattle for community service and leadership in proclamation, March 21, 2000 
  • Greater Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Trustee 
  • King County Bar Association, Trustee
  • Whidby Island Center For The Arts, Board Chairman, 2008-2009