Tara N. Gillespie

Attorney | Seattle | 206.223.7082 | gillespiet@lanepowell.com

Areas of Practice

Tara Gillespie has an active litigation practice which focuses on business and commercial litigation ranging from financial services, bankruptcy and business disputes to class actions and representation of long term care providers. Prior to joining Lane Powell, Tara was an associate with Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC., where her practice included defending class actions, managed care organizations, personal injury and bankruptcy and business disputes. Tara also has significant experience in the areas of health care transactional law, including mergers and acquisitions, certificates of need, licensure and certification.

Professional Experience

• Associate, Baker, Donelson, Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC (Nashville, TN) (2001-2006)
• Hospital Corpsman (Medic), United States Navy (1990-1994)

Admitted to Practice

• Washington
• Tennessee
• U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
• U.S District Court, Western District of Washington
• United States District Court, Middle District of Tennessee

Academics

• Vanderbilt University Law School (J.D., Dean’s List, 2001)
• Southern Illinois University (B.A., with high honors, 1998)

Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships

• Bankruptcy and Creditors’ Rights
• Class Action Defense
• Litigation
• Long Term Care and Seniors Housing Client Service Team

Publications

• Sixth Circuit Editor, The Business Suit, Defense Research Institute, Winter 2007
• Sixth Circuit Editor, The Business Suit, Defense Research Institute, Winter 2006
• Sixth Circuit Editor, The Business Suit, Defense Research Institute, Spring 2006
• Sixth Circuit Editor, The Business Suit, Defense Research Institute, Winter 2005
• Sixth Circuit Editor, The Business Suit, Defense Research Institute, Spring 2005

Representative Matters and Clients

• Daniel Sherwood, et al. v. Microsoft Corporation, et al. Member of legal defense team for the Microsoft Corporation in complex antitrust class action. Action settled favorably for Microsoft after five years of discovery and motions.
• Prosecuted over 50 cases to partial completion prior to settlement in mass action against defendants for possession and use of equipment purchased to steal DirecTV satellite services in violation of 18 U.S.C § 2512. All actions resulted in favorable settlement for the client.
• Tie Down, Inc. v. Oliver Technologies, Inc. Won transfer of venue in patent infringement suit based on the indispensability of the patent owners. Under similar circumstances, most jurisdictions have declined to transfer venue.
• Served as co-counsel for nonprofit organization in highly contested probate dispute with the Washington Department of Revenue. Judgment in excess of $1 million.
• Served as counsel for Sonic Drive-In fast food franchises, through its insurer Gallagher Bassett Insurance Company, defending personal injury claims, including premises liability issues.
• Served as defense counsel for the Proctor and Gamble Corporation defending products liability actions.

Professional and Community Activities

• Washington State Bar Association
  • Appointed by Board of Governors to the Editorial Advisory Board Committee (term from October 2008-September 2009)
• Recipient, WSBA Pro Bono Public Service Commendation (2008)
• Loren Miller Bar Association
• Member and former chairperson, American Bar Association’s Public Education Committee
• Defense Research Institute Commercial Litigation Committee
• Member, Turnaround Management Association
• Member of the board of directors and legal counsel for Building Families and Communities, Inc. (BFC); assisted BFC with drafting and filing a public charter school application with the local board of education; represented BFC before the local school board
• Pro bono legal counsel for the Washington Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program for children in parental rights termination proceedings
• Pro bono co-counsel, capital post-conviction appeal