Joseph Derrig

Joseph Derrig

Direct: 206.462.6729
Email: jpd@pattersonbuchanan.com
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Associate

Admitted to Practice in Washington

Practice Area

Mr. Derrig's practice focuses on civil litigation and the representation of both public and private entities. Since joining Patterson Buchanan, his work has focused on commercial general liability insurance defense, employment litigation, and education law. He litigates cases involving claims brought under the Washington Law Against Discrimination, Title VII, ADA, ADEA, as well as wrongful termination, civil rights, breach of contract, negligence, and premises liability claims.

Before joining Patterson Buchanan, Mr. Derrig was a law clerk for two years at the Department of Justice (“DOJ”) working through the United States Attorney’s Office (“USAO”). While a law clerk, he worked on criminal prosecutions, affirmative civil enforcement, and civil defense. On the criminal side, Mr. Derrig made regular appearances in federal court, and managed a yearly case load of approximately 150 class A, B, and C misdemeanors. He has also drafted numerous appellate briefs and argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. On the civil side, Mr. Derrig drafted various motions for summary judgment, participated in mediations, and in settlement negotiations. These civil matters included defending the United States against claims of employment discrimination, medical malpractice, premises liability, general negligence, and various other torts. He also participated in the recovery of millions of tax payer dollars through suits brought by the DOJ under the False Claims Act and Anti-kickback Act.

Mr. Derrig is also a veteran who served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. While in the military, he served as a survival, evasion, resistance, and escape specialist and was an airborne parachutist. He had the honor of working with those that were at high risk for capture and showed them how to survive any situation so that they could return with honor.   

Education

  • Gonzaga University School of Law, Juris Doctorate, 2011
    • Magna cum laude
    • Associate Editor, Gonzaga Law Review
    • CALI Award for future excellence received in:
      • Legal Research & Writing I
      • Legal Research & Writing II
      • Evidence
      • Education Law
    • Labor and Employment Trial Team
    • Moot Court Honors Council
    • Legal Extern: The Honorable Judge Jerome J. Leveque
    • Law Clerk:  United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Washington

 Professional Memberships

  • Washington State Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • King County Bar Association
  • America Bar Association
  • Education Law Association

 Representative Work

  • United States v. Ivars (9th Cir. 2011) – The case involved issues of Miranda, the Fourth Amendment, and the sufficiency of a search warrant. Mr. Derrig drafted the brief and argued the matter on behalf of the United States in the Ninth Circuit. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the judgment on behalf of the United States.
  • Meling v. United States (E.D. Wash. 2011) – This case involved a premises liability claim against the United States’ Post Office under the Federal Tort Claims Act. Mr. Derrig drafted the motion for summary judgment. The district court granted the motion.
  • J.C.M. v. United States (E.D. Wash. 2011) – Mr. Derrig participated in the mediation of $20 million medical malpractice claim alongside Assistant United States’ Attorney Rolf Tangvald. Mediation resulted in favorable settlement for the United States. 
  • United States v. Meza-Lara (9th Cir. 2011) – This case involved the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act. Mr. Derrig drafted the brief and the Ninth Circuit affirmed.
  • United States v. Kinney (9th Cir. 2011) - This case involved a sentencing appeal. Mr. Derrig drafted the brief and the Ninth Circuit affirmed the defendant’s sentence.
  • United States v. Yarbrough (9th Cir. 2010) – This case involved a sentencing appeal. Mr. Derrig drafted the brief and the Ninth Circuit affirmed the defendant’s sentence.
  • United States v. Lawrence (9th Cir. 2010) – The case involved the Armed Career Criminal Act and confrontation clause of the Sixth Amendment. Mr. Derrig drafted the brief and Ninth Circuit affirmed in a published opinion in favor of the United States’ position. 
  • United States v. Meyers (9th Cir. 2010) – This case involved the defendant’s motion for an adjustment of restitution. Mr. Derrig drafted a motion for summary affirmance and the Ninth Circuit granted the United States’ motion.
  • United States v. Swanson (9th Cir. 2010) - This case involved a sentencing appeal. Mr. Derrig drafted the brief. The Ninth Circuit affirmed the defendant’s sentence.

Presentations