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Mary Crego Peterson

Mary Crego Peterson

Attorney

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Professional Overview

Mary’s practice focuses on commercial litigation and appellate advocacy, including employment, contract, construction defect and real property disputes. Her practice includes complex employment matters, ranging from scientific misconduct, to internal reviews and proceedings, to executive-level separations. She also represents companies and public entities in high-profile cases, including police shootings, trade secret and intellectual property protection, and product liability. Mary also has experience in public records disclosure cases, working for both public and private clients. She has represented clients at all stages of the litigation process, from discovery and dispute resolution through trial and on appeal. Mary has represented clients in federal district courts and superior courts in various counties throughout the state. She has also advocated successfully for clients before the Washington Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court. Mary is licensed to practice in Washington and Idaho.

Representative Matters

  • Successfully defended alliance between public health care entities. Public Hospital District No. 1 of King County v. University of Washington, 183 Wn.App. 34, review denied, 337 P.3d 326 (2014).
  • Successfully represented the University of Washington in class action employment disputes. Storti v. University of Washington, 181 Wn.2d 28 (2014); Nye v. University of Washington, 163 Wn.App. 875 (2011).
  • Successfully defended administrative procedures claim raising from scientific misconduct investigation. Aprikyan v. Emmert, et al., 2011 WL 4908038 (Wash. App. Div. I), review denied, 173 Wn.2d 1024 (2012).
  • Successfully defended police officers and city following lawful shooting by officers facing an imminent threat during burglary investigation. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed summary judgment dismissal of constitutional claims, Section 1984 claims, Monell claims, and state law negligence claims. Willard v. City of Everett, 2016 WL 791657 (9th Cir,. 2016).
  • Second chair trial counsel in the defense of the University of Washington in the lawsuit brought by its former head football coach, Rick Neuheisel, after he was fired by the University. Following a six-week jury trial, this case was resolved favorably for our client.
  • Represented prevailing party Cascade Natural Gas Corporation in superior court, Washington Court of Appeals and Washington Supreme Court in Willman v. Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission, 154 Wn.2d 801 (2005). This case dealt with complex issues involving property rights, utility regulation, taxation and tribal law.
  • Represented local bank in federal trademark infringement lawsuit, resulting in dismissal of case against our client.
  • Represented prevailing party Alaska Airlines in employment dispute in Winn v. Alaska Airlines, Inc., 2004 WL 2153858 (Wash. App. Div. I).

Articles and Presentations

  • Author, "One Crime, Many Convicted: Dissociative Identity Disorder and the Use of Expert Testimony in State v. Greene," Washington Law Review (2001)

Professional and Civic Involvement

  • National Association of College and University Attorneys
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Idaho State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • YWCA - GenRising Committee

Honors / Awards / Prior Experience

  • Repeatedly recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® in the fields of Commercial Litigation and Employment Law - Management, most recently for 2024.
  • Recognized as Rising Star by Washington Super Lawyers.
  • American College of Trial Lawyers Medal for Excellence in Advocacy, 2001.

Education

  • J.D., University of Washington School of Law, with honors, 2001
      Order of the Coif
      Order of the Barristers
      Extern to The Honorable Margaret M. McKeown,
      Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 2001
      Managing Editor, Washington Law Review, 2000 - 2001
      Moot Court Honor Board Executive Board, 1999 - 2001
    • B.A., University of Alaska Anchorage, magna cum laude, 1997
        Journalism Student of the Year, 1997

      Personal

      I spend most of my leisure time with my husband and two children. I enjoy boating, traveling, Little League baseball, and watching the Seahawks and the Mariners.

      Bar/Court Admissions

      • U.S. Supreme Court

      • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal District

      • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

      • U.S. Court of Federal Claims

      • U.S. District Court for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington

      • U.S. District and Bankruptcy Court for the District of Idaho

      • Washington State Supreme Court

      • Idaho State Supreme Court