Contact Stu Cassel

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Stu Cassel

Senior Associate

Stu Cassel is a Senior Associate with Keating, Bucklin & McCormack. Prior to joining the firm, he worked for two other civil litigation firms in Seattle, was a public defender in Whatcom and Spokane Counties, and served as a judicial clerk in Division III of the Washington State Court of Appeals for the Honorable Judges Rebecca L. Pennell and Robert E. Lawrence-Berrey, Jr.

Stu represents a variety of clients ranging from cities and counties across Washington State, law enforcement officers, the State of Washington, corporate clients, ski resorts, and licensed professionals (e.g., doctors, chiropractors, etc.). He has worked on a variety of cases involving civil rights, municipal liability, personal injury, premises liability, employment, road design, and professional disciplinary hearings. Stu has worked on multiple jury trials and civil arbitration hearings and has obtained a defense verdict in several cases. Stu has also written and argued motions to dismiss and motions for summary judgment resulting in dismissal of cases before trial. He has also worked on multiple appellate cases in both state and federal court, as well as taken or defended fact, expert, and 30(b)(6) depositions. Stu lives in Ballard and enjoys biking, cooking, baking, reading, gaming, exercising, and travelling.

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Representative Cases

  • Burney v. Snohomish County 911 – Successful summary judgment motion on claim that 911 dispatcher failed to properly respond to a 911 call from an individual suffering from a mental health crisis, affirmed by Washington State Court of Appeals, Div. II.
  • Englund v. Bellevue School District – Successful motion to dismiss on religious discrimination claims brought against school district by former employee.
  • Tarp v. City of Tukwila – Defense verdict in favor of City in personal injury case based on jury finding that the City had recreational use immunity for managing golf practice nets.
  • Cheairs v. City of Seattle – Summary judgment dismissal of First and Fourth Amendment claims that officers responding to violent protest used retaliatory and excessive force affirmed by Ninth Circuit.  
  • Pellum v. City of Federal Way, et. al.,– Successful summary judgment motion in favor of City and police officer against federal civil rights and malicious prosecution claims.
  • Kertis v. Shell Oil Products US, et. al. – Dismissal on summary judgment of all claims against Shell in catastrophic injury case involving premises liability and road design issues.
  • Njenga v. City of Federal Way, et. al. – Successful summary judgment motion in favor of City and multiple police officers against claims for negligence, false arrest, civil conspiracy, and other state law claims.
  • Peterson v. City of Yakima, et. al.– Defense verdict in favor of City and its employees on First Amendment and municipal liability claims.
  • Palas v. City of Tacoma, et. al. – Successful summary judgment dismissal in favor of police officer in case involving negligence claims stemming from a vehicle pursuit.
  • Floyd v. City of Grand Coulee, et. al. –Dismissal of federal and state civil rights claims against City and several police officers affirmed by Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Tojek v. City of Blaine, et. al. – Successful motion to dismiss federal civil rights claims for false arrest, malicious prosecution, and municipal liability against City and multiple police officers.
  • Hicks v. Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office, et. al. – Dismissal on summary judgment of claim for negligent investigation against County Sheriff’s Office affirmed by Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II.

Stu represents cities, counties, agencies, and their employees (i.e. law enforcement, judicial officers, administrative) across Washington State on cases involving civil rights claims, road design issues, personal injury claims, or employment claims. He has successfully obtained defense verdicts, dismissal before trial, and prevailed on appeal in multiple cases. Stu also works with health care providers responding to inquiries or complaints from Department of Health and has experience with commercial arbitration hearings in Superior Court and before the American Arbitration Association.

Education, Recognition, and Honors

  • Miami University, B.A. Political Science & History (2011)
  • Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D. magna cum laude (2015)
  • Washington Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2023-2026
  • Admitted to Practice in:
    • Washington
    • Oregon
    • United States District Court for Eastern District of Washington
    • United States District Court for Western District of Washington
    • United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

Professional and Community Activities

  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Oregon State Bar Association
  • Federal Bar Association
  • Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
  • Defense Research Institute

“Steve Thorsrud of Keating, Bucklin and McCormack was my lawyer. He put me at ease, and he did a great job of representing me through trial.”

Clarence Tolliver, Seattle, WA