Contact Stu Cassel

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Stu Cassel

Associate

Stu Cassel is an 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 has worked on a variety of cases involving civil rights defense, municipal liability defense, premises liability, employment defense, product liability, medical malpractice, construction accident/defect, and professional liability defense. He has experience with jury trials, summary judgment hearings, arbitration hearings, mediations, drafting and researching motions, and managing a large caseload with attention to detail. Stu lives in Ballard and enjoys biking, cooking, baking, reading, gaming, exercising, and travelling.

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Representative Cases

  • 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 as second chair in trial for First Amendment, municipal liability, and malicious prosecution 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 CR 12(b)(6) 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. He has successfully obtained defense verdicts, dismissal at summary judgment and the pleading stage, 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 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, 2023-2024
  • 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

“Andy and his firm did a great job representing me in a complicated business dispute. He really took care of us and got a great result.”

Gordon S., Seattle, WA