Schroeter Goldmark & Bender

Schroeter Goldmark & Bender We help people every day.

*Asbestos & Product Liability*Traumatic Brain Injury”Birth Injury*Employment*Medical Malpractice*Nursing Home Abuse*Personal Injury*Sexual Abuse & Assault

06/23/2026

Decades after retiring from his 40-year career at a paper mill, Kevan Holdsworth was diagnosed with mesothelioma. While Mr. Holdsworth was battling his terminal diagnosis, he and his wife, Sherrie, pursued justice with SGB.

After a four-week trial, the jury reached its decision in less than a day. The company that supplied asbestos-containing dryer felts to the mill was found negligent, and the Holdsworths received a record-breaking $16.67 million verdict – the largest asbestos verdict in King County history at the time.

Hear more from Sherrie about their experience working with SGB at the link in the comments.

What goes into a record-setting $20.9 million asbestos verdict? In this month’s edition of Washington State Association ...
06/16/2026

What goes into a record-setting $20.9 million asbestos verdict? In this month’s edition of Washington State Association for Justice's Trial News, SGB attorneys Kaitlin Cherf and Colin Mieling dive into the strategy behind their recent King County Superior Court jury verdict.

The article details the theories of liability the trial team explored, the process of discovery and building their case, along with hurdles they faced and lessons learned.

Check out the full article at the link in the comments.

Congratulations to SGB’s Elizabeth Hanley on her new role as an American Association for Justice Governor for the Washin...
06/08/2026

Congratulations to SGB’s Elizabeth Hanley on her new role as an American Association for Justice Governor for the Washington State Association for Justice.

Elizabeth brings a strong foundation of state and national leadership to her role, where she will represent Washington's trial lawyers on a national stage, helping shape AAJ's policies and direction.

We're so proud of Elizabeth’s dedication to shaping the policies that protect civil justice for everyone and look forward to supporting this important work.

Read more about her role at the link in the comments.

SGB attorneys Andy Boes and Julie Kline recently filed a lawsuit against the Washington State Department of Corrections ...
06/05/2026

SGB attorneys Andy Boes and Julie Kline recently filed a lawsuit against the Washington State Department of Corrections (DOC) and American Behavioral Health Systems (ABHS) on behalf of Washington resident Bryson Butler.

According to the complaint, DOC and ABHS subjected participants in a residential substance use treatment program to repeated anti-gay comments, homophobic slurs, false and stigmatizing statements about HIV-positive individuals, and religious materials condemning same-sex relationships.

If you or someone you know received treatment at an ABHS facility or as part of a court-ordered program and experienced harassment, anti-gay slurs, anti-LGBTQ+ instruction, or religious coercion, we want to hear from you.

Learn more about the lawsuit at the link in the comments.

Patients are taught to trust their providers. That trust can make it harder for patients to recognize when they’re a vic...
05/18/2026

Patients are taught to trust their providers. That trust can make it harder for patients to recognize when they’re a victim of sexual misconduct, report it, and seek help. And when they do come forward, the path forward isn’t always straightforward.

SGB’s Ben Gauen examines the complexities of litigating sexual misconduct in the patient-provider relationship in the May edition of Washington State Association for Justice Trial News.

Ben’s article covers what attorneys need to know at intake, how to navigate pleading strategy and insurance coverage exclusions, and why institutional liability, including claims under the Washington Law Against Discrimination, should be part of every case evaluation.

Read the full article at the link in the comments.

Our client Scot McLeod spent the early part of his career cleaning up hazardous job sites, protecting others from the da...
05/04/2026

Our client Scot McLeod spent the early part of his career cleaning up hazardous job sites, protecting others from the dangers of asbestos. Late last week, a King County jury awarded him $20.9 million following a terminal mesothelioma diagnosis caused not by his own direct work, but by the negligence of the very sites he was hired to clean up.

Scot's diagnosis was not the result of his direct abatement activities. He followed proper protocols during his six-year tenure, beginning in 1989. It was the result of negligence.

Simpson Tacoma Kraft Company — the mill long known as the source of the "aroma of Tacoma" — had allowed asbestos-containing materials outside of containment areas to become damaged, deteriorated, and friable, contaminating the broader environment where Scot and others worked every day.

After a 3-week trial, the jury returned a $20.9 million verdict in his favor, recognizing the harm caused by a company that failed to maintain a safe environment for the workers on its premises.

We were honored to stand beside Scot and his family throughout this fight. Colin Mieling, Kaitlin Cherf, Craig Sims, and our incredible support staff were all instrumental in obtaining justice and this outcome for the McLeod family.

Read more about the verdict at the link in comments.

As women continue to speak out against Tri-Cities OB-GYN Dr. Mark Mulholland, recent reporting from ProPublica and KUOW ...
04/28/2026

As women continue to speak out against Tri-Cities OB-GYN Dr. Mark Mulholland, recent reporting from ProPublica and KUOW highlights survivor stories and examines the Washington Medical Commission’s response to decades of complaints.

The investigation found that complaints went unaddressed for years, allowing Dr. Mulholland to continue practicing.

SGB’s Elizabeth Hanley and colleagues represent over 100 patients who suffered abuse by Dr. Mulholland.

We commend the survivors who have courageously come forward. If you or someone you know may have been abused by Dr. Mulholland, please reach out to SGB today to learn more about your rights.

Read the full article here: https://www.propublica.org/article/mark-mulholland-washington-sexual-misconduct-allegations

SGB’s team of experienced civil attorneys knows the ins and outs of the criminal justice system and works collaborativel...
04/23/2026

SGB’s team of experienced civil attorneys knows the ins and outs of the criminal justice system and works collaboratively with prosecutors while advocating for our clients’ best interests.

It’s National Crime Victims’ Rights Week. But our commitment to survivors doesn't end when the week does. If you or someone you love has been impacted by crime, SGB is here — now and always.

Learn more about crime victims’ rights in Washington: https://sgb-law.com/news/5-reasons-crime-victims-should-have-a-civil-attorney

SGB attorneys Sergio Garcidueñas-Sease and Colin Mieling recently joined a Judicial Institute panel as leaders of their ...
04/10/2026

SGB attorneys Sergio Garcidueñas-Sease and Colin Mieling recently joined a Judicial Institute panel as leaders of their respective Judicial Evaluations Committees (JEC) – Sergio representing Latina/o Bar Association of Washington and Colin representing the King County Bar Association.

Alongside representatives from several minority bar associations, they helped inform judicial candidates about JEC processes and provided feedback through mock interviews.

We're proud to support Sergio and Colin’s efforts to strengthen the bench!

A Multnomah County jury issued a record $29 million verdict against the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) for it...
03/31/2026

A Multnomah County jury issued a record $29 million verdict against the Oregon Department of Human Services (DHS) for its failure to respond to a child abuse hotline call, which ultimately led to catastrophic harm to a then two-year-old child, causing a severe traumatic brain injury and quadriplegia.

SGB attorneys Becky Roe and Chen-Chen Jiang, along with co-counsel Scott Kocher of Forum Law Group, represented the child, who now cannot walk, speak, or use his arms and requires a feeding tube for nourishment.

The verdict includes $12.5 million to cover the child’s lifelong medical needs, and sends a clear message about the importance of accountability when institutions fail to protect vulnerable children.

Read more about the verdict here: https://sgb-law.com/news/multnomah-county-jury-issues-record-29-million-verdict-against-oregon-dhs-for-cps-failure

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