GREG HARRIS
Ater Wynne LLP
Two Union Square
Suite 5450
Seattle, WA 98101
Phone: (206) 206-623-4711
Fax: (206) 467-8406
eMail: grh@aterwynne.com
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Areas of Concentration
- Construction
- Contract Disputes
- Accounting or Engineering Disputes
- Construction Defects
- Real Estate
- Insurance Coverage
- Environmental
- Partnerships
- Professional Fees
Experience and Law Practice
Beginning in 1971, I tried more than a hundred cases over 10 years in California ranging from securities fraud to products liability, fire, and roof collapse and land subsidence. I also participated as a judge pro tem in Orange County's "Settlement Week" program which began in the late seventies and inspired Judge Warren Knight to start JAMS. Since coming to Seattle in 1981 I have tried or arbitrated (as an advocate) a similar number of cases, primarily construction related, but including 2 patent cases, real estate and partnership disputes and even a plaintiff's medical malpractice suit. My trial practice has continued to involve cases in California and encompassed the entire Pacific Northwest, including several cases in Alaska.
I am formally trained in ADR through comprehensive and continuing education courses from the American Arbitration Association as well as classes in specific ADR subjects through the University of Washington and commercial vendors. I often speak on ADR topics at CLE presentations.
Over the last 25 years an increasing part of my practice has involved acting as a neutral. I have mediated and arbitrated several hundred cases involving a wide range of complexity and dollar exposure from neighbor/boundary lines to remodeling and new homes to major civil, commercial and industrial projects. I have served as a project neutral on numerous small and large construction projects. I have worked with law partners in helping to effectively dissolve their firm relationships. I have also been appointed as a special master and discovery master, consulted by counsel for independent "second opinions" in both construction and business disputes and for review and advice on means to make ADR presentations more effective. In addition to trial and ADR practice, I have represented parties on a number of large projects with an emphasis on claims avoidance. More specific information about recent engagements is set forth below
Education, Admissions, Work History and Memberships
- A.B. (Economics), University of California, Berkeley (1967)
- J.D. Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco (1971) - Law Review Editor
- Admitted in California, 1971 (active); and Washington, 1981; Ninth Circuit, 1972; Federal Circuit, 1994, US Claims Court, 1990; and numerous U.S. District Courts.
- Associate and partner in Newport Beach, CA firm - Johnson, Harris & Peterson - 1971 to 81; partner in Seattle firm -- Barokas & Martin - 1981-91; partner and principal in Seattle and Portland firm - Ater Wynne LLP - 1991 to present.
- Charter member of the Dispute Review Board Foundation, AAA Large and Complex Case Neutral Panel, ABA and state bar committees dealing with ADR and Construction
Recent Representative Arbitrations
I acted as sole arbitrator or panel member on disputes that involved seven figure claims between the prime contractor and a tunnel boring machine supplier concerning performance warranties and difficulties of operation; between the general contractor and stucco supplier about cracking, product replacement and water intrusion in a large multifamily project; between the general contractor and owner of an extremely high end condominium project concerning numerous leaks, level of finish and system operation disputes: between a city and the golf course contractor concerning delayed completion and issues with the plans; and between a municipality and the prime contractor about numerous construction and design issues with a cogeneration plant. I have acted as sole arbiter in numerous disputes involving five to six figure claims about delays, fit and finish of custom houses, as well as ceiling tiles at SeaTac airport, painting quality at Madigan Hospital, metal deck grating on the Hood Canal bridge and engineering services on the 520 expansion.
Recent Representative Mediations
I have recently mediated several substantial claims surrounding the design, construction and operation of a cogeneration plant on the Kenai peninsula, serious disputes over a ferry refurbishment project that threatened the principal industry in an Alaskan city, coverage and defense obligations under an E&O policy insuring a financial institution; adjoining property owner's claims of failing subjacent support. Numerous contract disputes involving design, construction, engineering services, partnerships, distribution, IP licensing, real estate sales, commissions and professional services.
Claims Avoidance and Project Neutral
I have represented owners of major capital projects in claims avoidance and completion issues in the construction of a 50 MW coal fired power plant in Healy, Alaska; a $200 million public/private expansion of the Washington State Convention and Trade Center; and a $400 million dollar ultra high grade silicon plant in Butte, Montana. I was selected by the University of Washington to chair 3 member dispute review boards dealing with construction of the Henry Art Gallery and the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Engineering buildings. I have acted as the sole project neutral on a number of smaller construction projects, both public and private.
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