Erik Laiho
Direct: 206.462.6713
Email: eml@pattersonbuchanan.com
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Associate
Admitted to practice in Washington
Practice Area
As an associate at Patterson Buchanan, Mr. Laiho has experience working on complex litigation cases for both private and public entities involving employment discrimination, school law, breach of contract, negligent infliction of emotional distress, tort liability, breach of fiduciary duty, catastrophic personal injury, negligent hiring, and negligent supervision.
After graduating from the University of Washington, Mr. Laiho worked as a document clerk in the Seattle litigation firm Lee Smart before the founding partners of Patterson Buchanan departed the firm. Mr. Laiho worked at Patterson Buchanan as a summer associate.
As a certified law clerk during his third year of law school, Mr. Laiho interned at the Linn County prosecutor’s office where he conducted arraignments, juvenile fact-finding hearings and first-chaired a misdemeanor jury trial.
During his second year of law school, Mr. Laiho worked as a law clerk in the Government Services and Education Section of the Oregon Department of Justice, General Counsel Division. At the Oregon Department of Justice, he helped draft briefs in defense of government agencies and provided assistance to agencies with legal questions. The issues addressed included challenges under the National Environmental Policy Act, contract interpretation, procedures for administrative hearings, and Constitutional questions surrounding the First and Fifth Amendments.
Education
- University of Oregon School of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2009
- Class Representative and Vice Chairperson of the Pro Bono Executive Board
- Graduated in the top 20% of his class
- University of Washington, Bachelor of Arts, Political Science, cum laude, 2005
- College of Arts and Sciences Honors Program
- Was 1 of 15 students selected to graduate with Honors in Political Science
Professional Memberships
- Washington State Bar Association