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Ellie Perka Photo

Ellie

Ellie Perka
Shareholder
Seattle
D 206.223.7070
perkae@lanepowell.com

Ellie Perka is a problem solver and skilled litigator who helps clients navigate complicated contracting issues, claims, and disputes.   

Her extensive experience includes resolution of multimillion-dollar complex disputes on many of the Pacific Northwest’s most notable construction projects including the SR 99 Tunnel / “Big Bertha” project, the Seattle Seawall, the Washington State Convention Center expansion, and the largest ever high-rise hotel in the region. She understands construction contracts — how to draft them and how to effectively and efficiently resolve disputes related to them.

In addition to her construction practice, she has litigated contentious business and employment matters in both Washington state and federal court. She has represented clients in settlement negotiations, mediations, arbitrations, and trials throughout the U.S., and has argued cases in Washington, Oregon, Texas, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Court of Federal Claims in Washington, D.C.

Clients describe Ellie as a tough but thoughtful advocate — clients have said of Ellie, “I have never felt more seen and protected as the owner of a small woman-owned business than I did when Ellie was at [our] side. She is relentlessly brilliant at what she does”. Ellie’s high-profile work has attracted national media attention including coverage in the Washington Post, CNN, Bloomberg, and Reuters.

Ellie is also a strong advocate for women's and children's rights, including women's advancement in the construction industry. She serves on the Board of Construction for Change and frequently represents women and minority-owned DBE/MBE/WBE firms.

Professional Experience

Ahlers Cressman & Sleight (2013-2021)

Danielson Harrigan Leyh & Tollefson (2007-2013)

Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II, Law Clerk to the Honorable Joel M. Penoyar (2005-2007)
 

Community Involvement

Construction for Change, Board of Directors (2020-Present)

King County Bar Association

  • Washington Women Lawyers, Board Member (2008)
  • Construction and Litigation Sections, Member (2013-Present)

American Bar Association, Forum on Construction Law (2018-Present)

National Association of Women in Construction, Member (2013-Present)

Design Build Institute of America, Member (2017-Present)

William L. Dwyer Inn of Court, Barrister Member

MAMA Seattle

  • Board of Directors
  • Sponsorship Chair

 

Thought Leadership

  • December 22, 2022News
    Perka Joins American Arbitration Association’s Roster of Arbitrators
    Awards & Honors
  • September 29, 2022Event / CLE
    Experts: Heroes or Villains?
    American Bar Association | Memphis, Tennessee
  • August 18, 2022News

    The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Recognizes 90 Lane Powell Attorneys

    Awards & Honors
  • July 14, 2022News

    Forty-four Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2022

    Awards & Honors
  • June 10, 2022Event / CLE
    Construction Law Section Annual Seminar
    Washington State Bar Association | Virtual
  • September 3, 2021Publication
    In Rare Construction Law Ruling, Washington Supreme Court Affirms $9 Million Jury Verdict and Provides Guidance on the ‘Spearin Doctrine’
    Construction Legal Update
  • June 11, 2021Publication
    Washington State Convention Center’s Massive Addition 'Topping Out'
    Lane Powell Live | Podcast
  • January 25, 2021News
    Perka Joins Commercial Litigation and Construction Teams
    Firm Announcement
  • August 2018Event / CLE
    Integrated Project Delivery Overview
    The Seminar Group Annual Washington Construction Law Seminar | Seattle
  • May 2018Event / CLE
    Contract Termination
    The Seminar Group Bidding Public Works and Construction Contracts Seminar | Seattle
  • November 2017-2019Event / CLE
    Employment Law Principals and Updates
    National Association of Electrical Contractors, Superintendents Course | University of Washington, Seattle
  • September 2017Event / CLE
    Employment Updates in the Construction Setting: Hot Topics and Emerging Issues
    The Seminar Group Annual Washington Construction Law Seminar | Seattle
  • 2017Publication
    Alternative Delivery Systems
    Washington State Bar Association Construction Law Deskbook
  • 2017Publication
    Damages
    Washington State Bar Association Construction Law Deskbook
  • May 2015Event / CLE
    M/W/DBE Certification Overview and Updates
    Washington State Bar Association Construction Law Section Annual Seminar | Seattle
  • November 2015-2017Publication
    Employment Law Basics
    National Electrical Contractors Association
  • December 2014Event / CLE
    Proposed Changes to the Disadvantaged Enterprise Program in Washington State
    National Association of Women in Construction | Seattle
  • September 2014Event / CLE
    The Pros and Cons of SDI Policies
    The Seminar Group | Seattle
  • September 2014Event / CLE
    The Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program in Washington State
    National Association of Women in Construction | Seattle
  • February 2014Event / CLE
    WSDOT’s Drastic Move to Exclude Women-Owned Businesses from DBE Program
    National Association of Women in Construction Puget Sound Chapter | Seattle & Tacoma, Washington
  • 2014Publication
    Construction Law
    King County Bar Washington Lawyers Practice Manual
  • October 2013Event / CLE
    Contracts for General Contractors
    Department of Labor & Industries | Spokane, Washington
  • October 2013Event / CLE
    Contracting on Public Projects
    Department of Labor & Industries | Spokane, Washington
  • September 2013Event / CLE
    Expert Witness Skills Workshop
    American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
  • Awards_2023 Best Lawyers America
  • Lane Powell Live Podcast
  • Washington Super Lawyers 2022

Practices & Industries

  • Commercial Litigation
  • Construction
  • Government Law

Education

  • Seattle University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 2005
  • University of Washington, B.A., Honors Geography Program, 1999

Admissions

  • Washington
  • Oregon
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Civilian Board of Contract Appeals
  • U.S. Court of Claims

Honors

The Best Lawyers in America©, Construction Litigation (2021); Construction (2023)

America's Top 100 High Stakes Litigators® for Washington (2020)

“Washington Rising Star,” Thomson Reuters, Construction Litigation (2014-2015)

"Washington Super Lawyer, "Thomson Reuters, Construction Litigation (2022)

Before proceeding, please note:  If you are not a current client of Lane Powell PC, please do not include any information in this email that you or someone else considers to be confidential or secret in nature.  Prior to the establishment of a lawyer-client relationship, unsolicited emails from non-clients containing confidential or secret information cannot be protected from disclosure.

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