Paul J. Dayton Phone Number: (206) 515-2227 E-Mail Address:pdayton@scblaw.com VCard:
Practice Areas Business Litigation Practice Description Mr. Dayton's practice involves analysis and litigation of business disputes. With more than twenty years of experience in a wide range of challenging and, in some instances, precedent setting cases, he advises clients of their rights and responsibilities and litigates to protect their interests.
He is admitted to practice before the Washington Supreme Court, United States Supreme Court, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and United States District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington.
Mr. Dayton has been named a "Superlawyer" by Washington Law & Politics magazine.
Professional Associations & Publications Co-author, "CERCLA and Transboundary Contamination in the Columbia River," published in Natural Resources & Environment, Volume 21, Number 1, Summer 2006, for the ABA Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources.
Co-author "The State of Regulatory Takings in Washington: Reconsideration of the State's Takings Formula under Lingle v. Chevron U.S.A., Inc.," WSBA Environmental and Land Use Law Newsletter (May 2007).
Paul regularly speaks at Washington Bar Association and national legal education programs. Recent Presentations include: (1) ALI-ABA International Environmental Litigation, Washington, D.C., April, 2005; (2) Washington Bar Association, Summary Judgment: Narrowing the Issues or Disposing of the Case, Seattle, Washington, April, 2006; (3) Washington Bar Association, Dealing with Confidentiality Concerns: Sealed Court Records in Civil Cases, Seattle, Washington, October, 2006.Civic Activities Former Chair, Seattle Ethics & Elections Commission.
Recipient of multiple awards for success in obtaining a court order vacating conviction of death row inmate.Education J.D., University of California at Los Angeles, 1982
B.A., cum laude, Claremont McKenna College, 1979
Departmental Honors in Political Science
Representative Work Unfair Competition and Fraud Claims Paul has represented local, regional and national firms in investigations and litigation regarding unfair business practices, including claimed violations of the Consumer Protection Act, Franchise Investment Protection Act, securities laws, antitrust laws, Lanham Act, fraudulent conveyance statutes and the state and federal racketeering statutes.
Noncompetition, Non-Solicitation and Trade Secret Claims Paul has represented many firms and individuals involved in litigation over solicitation of customers and employees and use of trade secrets and other confidential information. He has successfully resolved disputes in many industries. Examples include hospitality, insurance brokerage, real estate brokerage, electrical contracting, temporary employment services and pharmaceuticals.
Enterprise Control and Executive Employment Problems Paul advises executives and employers regarding separation issues, including severance packages, noncompetition and non-disclosure agreements and intellectual property protection. He also advises clients on enterprise control issues.
Failed and Troubled Ventures When joint ventures fail or deals fall apart, Paul has advised clients on their rights and responsibilities. These situations are often resolved through negotiation, but when agreement cannot be reached, Paul has gained injunctive relief or other prompt judicial intervention to protect clients' interests.
Complex Litigation The firm's clients encounter complex litigation issues and Paul has handled a wide variety of interesting questions. These range from antitrust investigations to novel questions of jurisdiction and international law raised by cross-boundary pollution.Recent Precedent Setting Cases Paul is lead counsel on Pakootas, et al. v. Teck Cominco, a case in which the Ninth Circuit has ruled that United States environmental law applies to cross-boundary pollution by a Canadian smelter.
Paul was lead counsel for Emerald City Pizza LLC in Weston v. Emerald City Pizza, LLC, a Washington Court of Appeals case that reversed a class certification order and explained the standards applicable to class certification in wage and hour litigation.
