Scott C. Wakefield has 40 years of experience as a trial lawyer in Washington State. His civil ligation practice focuses on insurance coverage and extra-contractual matters, product liability defense, personal injury defense, and commercial and construction-related disputes. But over the years Scott has handled cases for clients in a diverse range of industries, businesses and professions, including financial institutions, paint manufacturers, automotive product manufactures, construction materials suppliers, municipalities, and fine artists, to name a few.
Recently Scott was lead trial counsel for a product manufacturer defendant in the Ride the Ducks / Aurora Bridge Accident case which involved claims by over 80 international plaintiffs. Scott was in trial for over eight months between the time trial in the first case commenced in October 2018 (which involved the claims of over 40 individual plaintiffs) and when the last trial was completed in May 2019.
Scott has represented insurers in a variety of coverage and extra-contractual litigation for decades, including environmental coverage litigation and business interruption disputes.
EDUCATION AND BACKGROUND
Scott was born in Spokane, Washington, in 1954. He was admitted to practice in the State of Washington in 1980. He is also admitted to the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington the United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. His undergraduate and law school education follows:
Scott was a law clerk to the Honorable Ward Williams, Washington State Court of Appeals-Division I, from 1980-1982. He was affiliated with the Seattle law firm of Reed McClure from 1982 to 1995, first as an associate and then as a shareholder. He left Reed McClure in 1995 to form Todd & Wakefield. In 2015, Todd & Wakefield merged with Fallon & McKinley to become Fallon, McKinley & Wakefield. In 2019 Scott Wakefield and Daniel Kirkpatrick formed Wakefield & Kirkpatrick where Scott serves in a Counsel capacity.
MEMBER
PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Scott resides in Seattle and has three married daughters. In his spare time, Scott is an avid bicyclist, swimmer and walker. He has completed the Seattle to Portland ride (in one day) several times, as well as Ride Around Mt. Rainier in One Day (RAMROD) twice. Scott and his spouse have also finished three National Trails walks in Great Britain: The Cotswold Way (100 miles), the South Downs Way (90 miles) and the Coast to Coast Walk (200+ miles from St. Bees on the Irish Sea to Robinshood Bay on the North Sea in 2012).
Dan Kirkpatrick has been litigating since 2008. He obtained his J.D. in 2006 from the University of Washington School of Law. He then clerked at the Washington State Court of Appeals for the Honorable H. Joseph Coleman and the Honorable Linda Lau. As a civil litigator, Dan has worked on personal injury lawsuits, construction defect claims, insurance agent malpractice lawsuits, commercial disputes, and premises liability claims. He has written successful summary judgment motions.
With Scott Wakefield, Dan helped try a slip and fall case that resulted in a defense verdict and a declaratory judgment trial about an automobile policy that resulted in a favorable appellate ruling. With Dawna Campbell, in 2016, Dan helped try an auto accident case that resulted in a defense verdict. In August 2017, Dan obtained a defense verdict in a jury trial on an insurance agent negligence case. In August 2018, he again obtained a defense verdict in a jury trial on an insurance agent negligence case. In December 2019, he obtained a jury verdict in personal injury trial that was less than the pre-trial offer of judgment.
Dan serves as an arbitrator in King County’s mandatory arbitration program and as a settlement guardian ad litem.
EDUCATION
MEMBER
Noelle Symanski graduated in 2020 from the University of Washington School of Law. While earning her J.D., she externed for Justice Barbara Madsen at the Washington State Supreme Court. She spent two summers interning at the Seattle City Attorney’s Office in the Domestic Violence Unit. At the Seattle City Attorney’s Office, Noelle successfully tried an assault case as first-chair from voir dire to verdict.
At Wakefield & Kirkpatrick, Noelle has worked on personal injury lawsuits, insurance extra-contractual disputes, and commercial and construction-related disputes.
EDUCATION
MEMBER
PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Noelle, her husband, and her cat enjoy cooking, Dungeons & Dragons, and CrossFit. Noelle has volunteered with the Seattle Clemency Project & University of Washington’s Law, Societies, & Justice program and the CARA Family Detention Pro Bono Project.
Zach Parker graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2017. While at Seattle University he interned for the Honorable Judge Chun at King County Superior Court and Judge Zilly for the Western District of Washington. After graduation, he clerked for the Honorable Judge Sutton for Division II of the Washington State Court of Appeals. Prior to working at Wakefield Kirkpatrick, Zach worked in civil litigation litigating cases in federal and state court. He argued several TRO motions and summary judgment motions.
Since joining Wakefield Kirkpatrick, Zach has worked on a variety of cases. He works actively with his clients to find quick resolutions for the cases brought. Zach enjoys working closely with plaintiff and defense clients always with the goal of working for their best interest.
EDUCATION
MEMBER
PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Outside of work, Zach enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, running, working with his hands, and doing anything outside.
David Ringold graduated in 2020 from the University of Washington School of Law. While earning his J.D., he externed for Judge Stanley A. Bastian at the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, and worked at the Unemployment Law Project, a legal aid non-profit in downtown Seattle.
EDUCATION
MEMBER
PERSONAL AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
David previously owned and operated a restaurant in Seattle and enjoys cooking large meals for friends and family. He is an avid Seattle sports fan and enjoys reading, Dungeons & Dragons, and Magic: The Gathering.
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