Northwest Education Law Blog : Northwest Education Lawyer & Attorney : Williams Kastner Law Firm : Tacoma, Seattle, Portland

The Northwest Education Law Blog is authored by Todd Sorensen, Randy Aliment, Samantha Noonan, Rachel Robinson, and Michael White, members of the Education Law Practice Team at Williams Kastner.

Todd R. Sorensen's legal practice focuses on education, labor & employment, and commercial litigation. He has extensive experience representing local, national, and international corporations, as well as public entities, in a wide range of disputes, including: breach of contract, trade name infringement, tortious interference, employment discrimination, employee non-compete and non-solicitation provisions, and issues of Constitutional law. See Todd's full bio here.


Practice Areas

• Education Law
• Labor & Employment
• Litigation - Commercial

Professional Associations

• Education Law Association
• Washington State Bar Association

Education

• University of Minnesota Law School, JD, cum laude, 2004
• St. Olaf College, Northfield, MN, BA, summa cum laude, 2000

Admitted

• Washington State
• United States District Court, Western District of Washington
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Randy Aliment’s practice emphasizes commercial law advice, business litigation and higher education law.  He has represented clients in numerous state and federal courts and administrative bodies in several states and Canada.  He has negotiated agreements on behalf of clients involved in commercial transactions in Europe, the Middle East and China.  Mr. Aliment collaborates extensively with the firm's Chinese affiliate, Duan & Duan, working in their offices in Shanghai, Beijing and Hong Kong in his representation of US and Chinese entities in various transactions, agreements and joint ventures.  His experience includes national coordinating counsel in mass tort litigation, securities fraud litigation and contract negotiations on behalf of sports figures. Mr. Aliment joined the firm in 1980 and served as its Chairman from 1994-1996. See Randy's full bio here.


Practice Areas

• Education Law
• Litigation - Commercial
• International
• Law, Legislative & Government Affairs

Professional Associations

• Washington State Bar Association
• International Law Section
  
  • Executive Committee, 2008-current  
• American Bar Association
  •  Fellow, American Bar Foundation
  • Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice Section
    • Vice-Chair, 2009-current
    • Council, 2004-current
    • Financial Officer, 2008-2009
    • Steering Committee, TIPS Leadership-Diversity Initiative, 2005-current
  • Rule of Law Initiative Advisory Board, Asia Division, 2009-current   
• UIA International Association of Lawyers headquartered in Paris, France
  • One of four delegates from the American Bar Association to the UIA Council, 2008-current
  • Secretary/Treasurer, U.S.A. National Committee
• Trade Development Alliance of Greater Seattle
  • Board of Directors, 2009-current
• Federal Bar Association
• City University
  • Chairman, Board of Governors, 2007-current
  • Board of Governors, 2006-current
  • General Counsel, 2000-06
• Washington China Relations Council
• Council on Law in Higher Education
• Junior Achievement of Washington
  • Board Member, 2004-07
• University of Puget Sound Alumni Association
  • Board of Directors, 1989-91
• Fairwood Golf & Country Club
  • President, 1997-98
  • Board of Trustees, 1996-99

Education

• Seattle University School of Law, JD, summa cum laude, graduated second in class, 1980
  • Moot Court Board
  • Order of Barristers
  • West Publishing Co. Award for Academic Excellence
• University of Puget Sound, BA, with honors, 1977

Admitted

• Washington State
• United States District Court, Western District of Washington
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
• Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
• Pro Hac Vice admissions in several states

Samantha Noonan is an Associate in the Seattle office of Williams Kastner.  Her practice focuses on business litigation and education law.  Prior to her law career, Ms. Noonan served as an officer in the United States Navy aboard a guided missile destroyer and deployed to the Middle East in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. See Samantha's full bio here.


 

Practice Areas

• Education Law
• Litigation - General
• International

Education

• Seattle University Law School, Seattle, WA, J.D., cum laude, 2009
  • Seattle University Law Review, Associate Editor
  • Seattle University Women’s Law Caucus, President
• Cornell University, Ithaca, NY,  B.S., Hotel Administration, 2003

Admitted

• Washington State
• United States District Court, Western District of Washington

Rachel Robinson is an Associate in the Portland office.  Her practice focuses on general litigation and education law. See Rachel's full bio here.

Practice Areas

• Education Law
• Litigation - General

Professional Associations

• Multnomah Bar Association

Education

• Willamette University College of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2008
• University of Oregon,  B.S., Business Administration, 2004

Admitted

• Oregon

Michael I. White's legal practice focuses on education law and commercial litigation. Before returning to Williams Kastner, Michael was an associate at Ballard Spahr Andrews & Ingersoll, where his practice included intellectual property litigation, consumer financial services, and professional malpractice defense. Michael is also experienced in cases involving product liability, construction defects, and personal injury. See Michael's full bio here.
 

Practice Areas

• Education Law
• Litigation - Commercial

Professional Associations

• Education Law Association
• Washington State Bar Association
• Pennsylvania Bar Association

Education

• Duke University School of Law, J.D., 2004
• Duke University School of Law, LL.M. International and Comparative Law, 2004
• Dartmouth College, A.B., 2000

Admitted

• Washington State
• Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
• United States District Court, Western District of Washington
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania