Amanda G. Butler

Shareholder

Amanda is a Shareholder and member of the Board of Directors of Keating, Bucklin & McCormack, Inc., P.S. Her practice involves all aspects of municipal, outdoor recreation and school defense litigation, including employment, law enforcement/civil rights, premises liability, personal injury, and land use. Representative clients include cities, counties, school districts and ski areas throughout Washington State. Amanda also conducts workplace investigations regarding employment matters.

Amanda successfully represents her clients in Washington State Superior Courts, the United States District Courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington, the Ninth Circuit, and the United States Supreme Court.

Prior to joining Keating Bucklin & McCormack, Amanda served as a law clerk for the Complex Litigation Division of the Washington State Attorney General's Office. She graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law and obtained her undergraduate degree from the University of Washington.

Representative Cases

Amanda Butler and Ruth Nielsen obtained a defense verdict on behalf of Crystal Mountain. The plaintiff claimed she was negligently denied a download. She claimed that as a result of that denial, she had to ski a slope where she ultimately fell, suffering a tibial plateau fracture. The jury found Crystal Mountain was not negligent.
Obtained summary judgment for the Port of Seattle in case involving claims that officers violated the Eighth Amendment by failing to administer medical aid while Plaintiff was in custody.
Obtained summary judgment dismissal for the University of Washington in negligence action in which a speaker fell on an individual attending an event at Kane Hall
Defense result for City of Issaquah in crosswalk fatality. Plaintiff husband and wife sued the City for the death of their 4-year old son. Jury voted for defense verdict for city and began to deliberate damages against driver, when case settled.
Obtained summary judgment dismissal for the City of Leavenworth in a case involving First Amendment challenges to the City's sign, design, and theme codes. The Court granted summary judgment to the City on all claims, and denied summary judgment to Plaintiffs on their claims.
Obtained summary judgment dismissal for the City of Bainbridge Island in a multi-million dollar land use case involving claims under 42 U.S.C. - 1983 brought by nine waterfront property owners. The Ninth Circuit upheld the trial court's dismissal, and the United States Supreme Court denied Appellants' Petition for Certiorari.
Obtained summary judgment dismissal for the Port of Seattle in a case involving claims that officers violated the Eighth Amendment by failing to administer medical aid while Plaintiff was in custody.
Obtained defense verdict for the University of Washington in a Title IX case.
Obtained defense verdict for the University of Washington in an employment discrimination case.
Obtained defense verdict for the University of Washington in a Family Medical Leave Act case.
Obtained summary judgment dismissal for the City of Shoreline in a lawsuit involving the constitutionality of an adult entertainment ordinance.
Obtained summary judgment dismissal for the City of Puyallup in a lawsuit involving claims of negligent investigation and supervision on the part of the police department.
Obtained summary judgment dismissal for the City of Lake Stevens in a lawsuit involving claims of false arrest and use of excessive force.
Obtained summary judgment dismissal for the City of Tukwila in a lawsuit involving law enforcement and civil rights.

Inquest Practice

Successful representation of 6 Kent Police Department officers in shooting of armed subject high on methamphetamine.

Presentations

Three Part Presentation: (1) “Employee or Independent Contractor? A Discussion of U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division’s Administrator’s Interpretation No. 2015-1”; (2) “Joint Employment: A Discussion of U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division’s Administrator’s Interpretation No. 2016-1” and (3) “Social Media in the Workplace: Social Media in the Employment Context: Hiring, First Amendment Implications and Privacy Issues,” Washington Public Risk Management Association (PRIMA) Meeting
"Spaghetti on the Wall Approach, What Does and Doesn't Stick" (Monell and Individual Liability under 42 U.S.C. - 1983 & State Law Torts), Police Liability Seminar, Lorman Educational Services
"Qualified Immunity: The Unclearly Established Meaning of 'Clearly Established,'" Police Liability Seminar, Lorman Educational Services
Chaired/organized Young Lawyer’s Clinic for Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
"Police Risk Management," presented at the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, Wenatchee, Washington
"Employment Legal Update," presented for the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association
"Old Roads, New Lawsuits: How to Identify Road Design Liability Issues," presented for the Association of Washington Cities
"Employment Law Update," presented for the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association
"Risk Management Panel," presented for the Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association
"NSAA Fall Workshop," presented for the National Ski Areas Association

Education, Recognition, and Honors

In 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2017, Amanda was named a “Rising Star” by Washington Super Lawyers Magazine. Less than 2.5% of Washington lawyers are selected for this honor.
In 2010, Amanda was recognized as the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Associate of the Year.
Bachelor of Arts, University of Washington
Juris Doctor, Seattle University School of Law (cum laude)

Licensed:

State of Washington - 2008

Admitted:

All Washington Courts (Federal and State)
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
United States Supreme Court

Professional and Community Activities

Washington State Bar Association
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association - Government Liability Chair
Association of Ski Defense Attorneys
Council of School Attorneys (COSA)