Ronald E. Beard

Shareholder | Seattle | 206.223.7726 | beardr@lanepowell.com

Areas of Practice

Ron Beard has an active commercial litigation practice with particular emphasis in banking, maritime and real estate. He has trial experience defending PPG Industries, Inc., Wells Fargo Bank, Maritime Overseas, Inc. and American Seafoods Company. Ron has represented several municipalities, including the Port of Anacortes, the Port of Port Orchard and the City of Gold Bar as both plaintiffs and defendants in contract disputes and civil rights violations. Ron is a former United States Coast Guard licensed chief engineer and has a broad mechanical background. Ron is Peer Review Rated “AV” in Martindale-Hubbell. He has also been named as a “Washington Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers magazine and Washington CEO Magazine ranked Ron a “Top Lawyer” in Banking.

Admitted to Practice

Washington
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Academics

University of Washington School of Law (J.D., 1993)
University of Washington (B.A., 1990)

Practice Group and Specialty Team Membership

Member, Lane Powell Board of Directors
Financial Institutions
Diversity Committee
Litigation
Mortgage and Consumer Finance
Real Estate

Representative Matters and Clients

Richards ex rel. Brown v. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., 239 P.3d 602 (Wn. App. Aug. 23, 2010). Affirming summary judgment dismissal and holding federal reverse mortgage program did not provide an express or implied right of action against lender.
Seattle-Tacoma Int’l Taxi Ass’n v. Port of Seattle, 2010 WL 2283621 (Wn. App. Jun. 7, 2010). Affirming denial of preliminary injunction to prevent the signing of concession contract.
Contos v. Wells Fargo Escrow Co. LLC, No. C08-0838 TSZ (Western District of Washington). Defended escrow company in class action alleging violation of Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. Class certification denied and case against Wells Fargo was voluntarily dismissed.
Cole v. Wells Fargo, N.A., No. C07-0916 RSL (Western District of Washington). Defended bank in national class action alleging breach of contract, Truth in Lending Act and Consumer Protection Act violations.
Davis v. Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, No. 04-210474-8 (Pierce County Superior Court, Washington). Defended bank against claims of consumer lending violations. (Affirmed on appeal 2007 WL2039077).
Heilig Trust v. First Interstate Bank, 93 Wn. App. 514, 969 P.2d 1082 (Reported decision, Washington Court of Appeals Division II). Represented financial institution against claims of uniform commercial code violation.
Salz vs. PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc., No. 95-CV-0093D (Western District of Washington). Represented product manufacturer against claim of defective product; counsel in seven day trial.

Awards and Honors

Peer Review Rated “AV” in Martindale-Hubbell
Named as a “Washington Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers magazine, Banking, 2008-2011
Named as a “Top Lawyer” in Washington CEO, Banking Law, 2008