Email

Direct Dial: 206-529-3005
Ph: 206-287-9900
Fx: 206-287-9902




Practice Areas:
Construction Law
Construction LitigationCommercial Litigation

Practice Description:
Mr. Betz’s practice emphasizes construction and real estate matters.  Over the past several years, he has represented individual homeowners, Homeowner Associations, developers, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers in matters arising out of the construction and sale of residential, commercial and mixed-use properties.  Mr. Betz has successfully represented clients in litigation, on appeal and through alternative dispute resolution.From 2003 through 2008, Mr. Betz has been named a “Rising Star” by Washington Law & Politics magazine.

Professional Associations & Presentations:
Washington State Bar Association
King County Bar Association (Construction Litigation Section)
Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
Defense Research Institute
U.S. District Court, Western & Eastern Districts of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Univ. of Michigan Alumni Club of Seattle, Board of Governors, 2000 – 2006; President, 2006 – presentCo-Presenter – The Seminar Group, Condominiums:  Opportunities and Pitfalls, 2006

Education:
J.D. cum laude, Seattle University, 1998
B.A., cum laude, University of Michigan, 1994

Representative Work:

• Defense of large manufacturer and supplier of EIFS in case brought by an insurance company who had previously settled the claims brought by a plaintiff Owners Association.
• Representation of major supplier of windows and sliding glass doors in a matter arising out of alleged leaking windows that caused systemic structural damage to a single family residence. Obtained complete summary judgment dismissal of the plaintiffs' claims for violations of the CPA, WPLA, breach of warranty, and violations of the UCC.
• Representation of a supplier of open cell foam product that the end user claimed was defective. Obtained summary judgment dismissal of claims against the client based on UCC defenses and for the plaintiff's failure to prove the client altered the product in such a way that would expose it to liability.
• Representation of developer of large condominium complex. Secured very favorable settlement with the plaintiff Owners Association with a significant recovery of the settlement amounts from the general contractor who constructed the project.
• Representation of general contractor who built one phase of two phase condominium complex. Prior settlement agreement entered into between the developer and the general contractor was deemed insufficient to protect the client from subsequent liability in a construction defect lawsuit. Successfully pared down the developer's claims based on certain provisions contained in the settlement agreement being ruled valid by the court and ultimately achieved a reasonable settlement on the eve of trial.
• Representation of subcontractor that performed dewatering operations for a public sewer project that allegedly caused cracking and damage to a home and office building of individual owners. In lawsuit fought by the plaintiffs against the City of Pacific and the subcontractor client, resolved plaintiffs' claims for a favorable number after developing a very solid diminution of value defense to plaintiffs' alleged scope and cost of repair.
• Representation of contractor in lien foreclosure action for unpaid amounts for work performed constructing a "Land-Home Package" which included preparation of the site, placement of the home, and all associated finish work.
• Representation of an architect in a fee claim against developer of commercial office and retail building and defense of counter claim by building owner against the designer architect for alleged design deficiencies.
• Representation of a Washington-based company conducting marine salvage of a Spanish galleon in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to ensure salvage operations maintained compliance with all federal and local laws and regulations.
• Representation of Homeowners Associations in suits brought against developers arising out of construction defects at both large and small condominium projects.
• Representation of owner of single-family residence against general contractor arising out of defective and incomplete work performed by the contractor on residential remodel project.