Ms. Beck is admitted to practice in all Washington State courts, the Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, and the Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals.
DUI/DWI
Plaintiff Kim Koenig, a Seattle attorney, alleged that a Bainbridge Island police officer falsely arrested, sexually assaulted and strangled her during the course of a traffic stop. Another Bainbridge Island officer initiated the traffic stop to investigate her husband, well-known Seattle civil rights attorney John Muenster, for DUI. When Plaintiff attempted to intervene to provide her husband legal advice, she was arrested for obstructing. Following a two week jury trial in federal court, the jury returned a defense verdict vindicating the city and the named police officer.
Wrongful Death
Ponce v. the Mountaineers – Wrongful death of a minor child, $10 Million dollar demand at trial, 3 week jury trial in King County, Seattle – defense verdict.
Traffic Violations
Summary judgment dismissal of federal civil rights lawsuit where Plaintiff alleged he was improperly stopped for a traffic violation, falsely arrested, falsely imprisoned, and that his vehicle was improperly seized.
Sex Crimes
Private Workplace Investigator: Defended claims of improper investigation made by Western State Hospital risk manager who was fired after client's investigation into years of his alleged sexual assault and abuse of female employees. Case dismissed on summary judgment. Successfully sued business insurance broker for failure to obtain proper insurance coverage.
Theft
Assault
Beltran-Serrano v. City of Tacoma, 193 Wn.2d 537, 540, 442 P.3d 608, 609 (2019) (holding that the fact that an officer’s conduct may constitute assault and battery does not preclude a negligence claim premised on her alleged failure to use ordinary care to avoid unreasonably escalating the encounter to the use of deadly force);
Homicide
Cathy Harper v. Washington State Department of Corrections, 192 Wn.2d 328, 429 P.3d 1071 (2018) (negligent supervision of offender; homicide), affirming summary judgment for the Department of Corrections.
Prior to joining Keating Bucklin & McCormack in 2010, Brian served at the Federal Bureau of Investigation for three years, earning an exceptional service award from FBI Director Robert Mueller. Brian interned for the Honorable Judge Eric Aarseth in Anchorage and externed for the United States Attorney's Office in Seattle. While in law school, Brian earned four CALI awards in Constitutional Law, Evidence, Aviation Accident Law, and Business Law. When not at work, Brian enjoys playing video games, snowboarding, and jogging.
Dismissal on Summary Judgment of civil rights, defamation, and wrongful termination claims by police officer against City and Assistant Police Chiefs involved in investigation and proposed discipline for misconduct in Federal Court (2021).
Employment Discrimination
Brian Augenthaler and Andy Cooley obtained a defense verdict on behalf of Harborview Hospital following a three week employment discrimination jury trial in King County Superior Court. The employee claimed he was discharged for filing a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and on the basis of his race. Andy and Brian presented Harborview's defense to the jury, and the jury returned a verdict in favor of Harborview Hospital. The claim of race discrimination was dismissed on the morning before closing arguments based on a Harborview motion for judgment as a matter of law.
Employment Litigation
At KBM, we know the most effective litigation strategy is to never get sued in the first place. When it comes to public employment, litigation can often be avoided through proper training and sound policy. Our Employment Litigation Team has extensive experience providing practical, proactive training and risk management solutions to address the full range of issues facing public sector employers, private employers, and human resources professionals including recruiting, hiring, and training; performance management and promotions; disciplinary procedures; internal policy development; disability accommodation; and investigation of workplace complaints.
Sexual Harassment
Ms. Freeman is a Shareholder at Keating, Bucklin & McCormack, Inc. P.S. Ms. Freeman defends and advises government agencies and employers on police liability and employment/personnel matters,including discipline, termination, disability accommodation, and allegations of discrimination, sexual harassment, criminal acts of employees, work place safety, and negligent hiring/supervision. She has defended police departments,officers, supervisors, and employers in state and federal trial and appellate courts. Ms. Freeman also conducts workplace investigations regarding employment matters.
Cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2004, and joined KBM immediately upon passing the bar. Since 2004, Jeremy's practice has focused exclusively on the defense of public entities and their employees in all aspects of civil litigation at the federal and state levels, including law enforcement civil rights (excessive force, false arrest, etc.), general civil rights, land use, road design and maintenance, employment, premises liability, and general tort issues. He has been named a rising star in civil rights litigation by Washington law & Politics Magazine for three years running.
Construction Litigation
Tegman v. Accident & Medical Investigations, Inc.: The Re-Modification of Modified Joint and Several Liability by Judicial Fiat, 29 Seattle U. L. Rev. 729, 741 n. 86 (2005-2006); H Dagan, JJ White, Governments, Citizens, and Injurious Industries, 75 N.Y.U. L. Rev. 354, 384 n. 116 (2000); Carol Sue Janes, Washington Health Law Manual — Third Edition (2011), Chapter 8, Section 8.5.5, at 8-42; 2 Comparative Negligence Manual Ch. 68 (3d ed); and, 3 Bruner & O'Connor Construction Law §§ 10:118, and, 10:128.
Real Estate Transactions
Land Use and Zoning
Jeremy has successfully litigated land-use lawsuits involving a variety of issues, including permits, sewer/water issues, storm water retention, zoning, flooding, and various federal land-use issues including Equal Protection and First Amendment claims.
Kim has been with Keating, Bucklin & McCormack, Inc., P.S., since 2001, after working as a law clerk at the firm while still in law school. Her practice includes assisting public entities in responding to Public Records Act requests, as well as handling land use matters, civil rights litigation, and personal injury defense. Kim has defended governmental entities in a number of cases that have gone to trial, including earning a complete defense verdict, along with Andy Cooley and Stew Estes, in what is believed to be the largest civil rights class action case to go to verdict is U.S. history. Over 160 plaintiffs sought damages of over $30 million, plus punitive damages, and compensatory damages for the hundreds of class members as well. The jury rejected all claims.
Medical Malpractice
Stu has worked on a variety of cases involving civil rights defense, municipal liability defense, premises liability, employment defense, product liability, medical malpractice, construction accident/defect, and professional liability defense. He has experience with jury trials, summary judgment hearings, arbitration hearings, mediations, drafting and researching motions, and managing a large caseload with attention to detail. Stu lives in Ballard and enjoys biking, cooking, baking, reading, gaming, exercising, and travelling.
Auto Accidents
Disability Discrimination
Dismissal and successful Div. I appeal of $3 million claim against City by officer claiming disability discrimination relating to psychological condition