Robert J. Henry

Of Counsel

Practice Emphasis

Contract litigation, lease disputes, boundary and title claims, probate and estate litigation

Mr. Henry’s practice encompasses a wide range of commercial litigation cases, in state and federal courts, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Representative clients include individuals, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies.

Education

Bachelor of Arts (Russian Studies), cum laude, 1970, Yale College
Juris Doctor, 1975, Duke University
Member, Editorial Board of the Duke Law Journal

Representative Cases

Rowling Investments v. Liao (2020) – Defended seller of real property accused of breach of warranty deed and bad faith failure to defend. Claims were dismissed on summary judgment, including full award of attorney fees.
In re Tandem, A Wine and Cheese Bar (2018-2020) – Represented commercial landlord successfully in state court and bankruptcy court, including summary judgment dismissal of tenant’s claim of self-help wrongful eviction.
Estate of Dr. Curtis Carlson (2014-2019) – Bob represented the Personal Representative of an Estate in probate and TEDRA litigation lasting over five years. After several successful summary judgment motions, a settlement was reached which funded the Estate.
Anchorage Shopping Center v. Carr-Gottstein Foods Co., In Arbitration (2015) – Represented national grocery chain in half-million dollar dispute with landlord regarding CAM charges and capital improvements. Very successful outcome and award of attorney fees.
Brown v. Price, King County Superior Court (2014) – Represented property owner in recovering possession from holder of option to purchase. Successful outcome at trial included substantial award of attorney fees.
Siew v. Doces, In Arbitration (2014) – Bob represented a tenant-in-common seeking refund of substantial advances made to the jointly-owned property. He obtained an arbitration award finding liability for the advances, leading to a favorable settlement before the damage phase of the arbitration.
Anas Property LLC v. City of Kirkland, King County Superior Court (2013) – Bob represented the owners of a shopping center in a suit against a municipality for an improper tax lien against the shopping center for unpaid gambling taxes owed by a tenant. Summary judgment was granted removing the lien from the shopping center, which led to favorable settlement of the slander of title claim.
Shanafelt v. Beyond Wine & Cheese LLC, King County Superior Court (2012) – Bob defended a small company and its owner against claims for “deferred wages,” exemplary damages and attorney fees, and obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims against owner of the company. Following a five-day jury trial in December 2013, the jury found that defendant owed plaintiff no wages.
Conley Property Resources LLC v. James A Godfrey, et al., King County Superior Court (2011) – Bob defended one 50% owner in dissolution of a business against suit by the other owner and achieved dismissal with prejudice of entire lawsuit for failure to state a claim, leading to successful resolution of dispute through mediation.

Publications

The Case of the Golden Apple, Washington State Bar News, July and August 2009
Residential & Commercial Evictions in Washington, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2009, 2010, National Business Institute
Real Estate Remedies Workshop, 2002, 2003, Law Seminars International
Washington Landlord-Tenant Law, 2003, 2004, 2006, Lorman Seminars

Presentations

Residential & Commercial Evictions in Washington, National Business Institute, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
Real Estate Remedies Workshop, Law Seminars International, 2002, 2003
Washington Landlord-Tenant Law, Lorman Seminars, 2003, 2004, 2006