Contact Stu Cassel

Before proceeding, please note: If you are not a current client of Keating, Bucklin & McCormack, Inc., P.S., please do not include any information in this e-mail that you or someone else considers to be confidential. Keating, Bucklin & McCormack, Inc., P.S. has no duty to keep confidential any of the information you provide via email or otherwise unless you are a client of the firm. You message will not be considered a request for legal advice or hiring a lawyer, and no attorney-client relationship with Keating, Bucklin & McCormack, Inc., P.S. or any lawyer at Keating, Bucklin & McCormack, Inc., P.S. will be established, unlessKeating, Bucklin & McCormack, Inc., P.S. agrees to such a relationship as reflected in an engagement letter or other written agreement.


 

 

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 has worked on a variety of cases involving civil rights, municipal liability, personal injury, premises liability, employment, and road design. He has worked on multiple jury trials and civil arbitration hearings. Stu has also written and argued various motions at the trial court level (state and federal) ranging from motions to compel, motions to dismiss, and motions for summary judgment. Stu 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.

Profile picture

Representative Cases

  • 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, 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 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, 2023-2025
  • 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

“Having worked with countless lawyers throughout my career, I can say that Richard Jolley is without doubt the most intelligent, ethical, resourceful, skilled and professional attorney I have ever had the privilege to work with.”

Jonathan Ventura, Arlington, WA