Professional Biography
Image of V.L. Woolston

V. L. Woolston Partner

  • Seattle

    D +1.206.359.8514

    F +1.206.359.9000

    Seattle

    1201 Third Avenue, Suite 4900

    Seattle, WA 98101-3099

    +1.206.359.8514

    VWoolston@perkinscoie.com

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Overview

Experience

Product Liability: Aviation/Aerospace

Boeing 727 Crash at Morealia, Mexico

Defense of The Boeing Company in multiple actions arising out of a Mexicana Airlines Boeing 727 crash in Morealia, Mexico.

Boeing 747 Crash at Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Defense of The Boeing Company in action arising out of an El Al Airlines Boeing 747 crash in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Boeing 747 In-Flight Emergency

U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
Defense of The Boeing Company in actions arising out of a United Airlines Boeing 747 in-flight emergency over the Pacific Ocean. Three jury trials to verdict in USDC for Northern District of California.

Honeywell International Inc.: Cessna Conquest II Crash at Palm Beach, FL

Defense of turbine engine manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in action arising out of a Cessna Conquest crash in Palm Beach, FL.

Honeywell International Inc.: Fairchild 300 Crash at Blountville, TN

Defense of turbine engine manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in action arising out of a Fairchild 300 crash in Blountville, TN, involving Winston Cup Champion Alan Kulwicki. Defense verdict following three-week jury trial.

Honeywell International Inc.: Lear 35 Crash at Mina, SD

Defense of turbine engine manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in action arising out of a Lear 35 crash in Mina, SD, involving PGA professional Payne Stewart.

Honeywell International Inc.: MU-2 Crash at Carolina, Puerto Rico

Defense of turbine engine manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in multiple actions arising out of a MU2 crash in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

Honeywell International Inc.: MU-2 Crash at Centennial, CO

Defense of turbine engine manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in action arising out of a MU2 crash in Centennial, CO.

Honeywell International Inc.: MU-2 Crash at Columbia, SC

Defense of turbine engine manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in action arising out of a MU2 crash in Columbia, SC.

Honeywell International Inc.: MU-2 Crash at Rock, KS

Defense of turbine engine manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in action arising out of a MU2 crash in Rock, KS.

Honeywell International Inc.: Twin Otter Crash at Sullivan County, MO

Defense of fuel control manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in action arising out of a Twin Otter crash in Sullivan County, MO.

Honeywell International Inc.: AS-350D Crash on Catalina Island, CA

Defense of turbine engine manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in multiple actions arising out of helicopter crash on Catalina Island, CA.

Honeywell International Inc.: AS-350D Crash near Bernick Lake, Saskatchewan

Defense of turbine engine manufacturer Honeywell International Inc. in litigation in Ontario, CN, Phoenix, AZ, and Charleston, SC arising out of helicopter crash in remote lake in northern Saskatchewan.

MD-80 Crash at Machiques, Venezuela

Defense of The Boeing Company in multiple actions in France and the United States arising out of a West Caribbean MD-80 crash in Machiques, Venezuela, including two 11th Circuit appeals.

V-22 Osprey Crash at Quantico, VA

Representation of The Boeing Company in military inquiry into the causes of a V-22 Osprey crash in Quantico, VA.

Product Liability

Johnson v. Recreational Equipment Inc (REI)

Defense of retail seller of carbon fiber bicycle in action brought under Washington Product Liability Act (WPLA) 159 Wash. App. 939 (2011).

AMVAC Chemical Corporation

State Supreme Court of Washington
Defense of manufacturer in pesticide poisoning litigation, through oral argument in Washington Supreme Court. 7 P.3d 795 (Wash. 2000)

Barbanti v. W.R. Grace

Defense of consumer protection/product liability class action involving vermiculite insulation products. Preliminary injunction denied.

Bradford v. McDonnell Douglas Corporation

King County Superior Court (Washington)
Defense of The Boeing Company and McDonnell Douglas Corporation in litigation involving alleged neurotoxin exposure associated with the cabin air supply on Alaska Airlines MD-80 aircraft. Defense verdict received following 11-week jury trial.

Delta Airlines

Defense of Delta Airlines in “sick building” litigation.

Strom v. Boeing Company

Defense of The Boeing Company in toxic tort class action litigation involving non-ionizing radiation.

Troy Corporation

Defense of Troy Corporation in statewide class action involving additives used in paints and coatings.

Consumer Protection

Baker Hughes Inc.: Skinner v. ARCO

Superior Court of Washington, Pierce County
Defense of petroleum additive manufacturer Baker Hughes, Inc. in 10,000-customer class action alleging defective high sulphur diesel fuel oil.

Davis v. American General Financial Services

Defense of consumer lending claims in statewide class action challenging the collection of reconveyance fees in real estate-related loans.

Davis v. Homecomings Financial

Defense of Homecomings Financial in statewide class action challenging the collection of payoff statement expedite fees.

First Nationwide Mortgage Corporation

Defense of First Nationwide Mortgage Corporation in putative class action challenging the collection of yield spread premiums.

JP Morgan Chase

Defense of JP Morgan Chase in claims alleging consumer protection and TILA violations.

Leonard, et al. v. Nintendo of America Inc.

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Defense of Nintendo in putative nationwide class action alleging consumer protection, products liability, and breach of warranty violations.

Novastar

Defense of Novastar in putative class action alleging consumer protection violations.

Sovereign Bank

Defense of Sovereign Bank in putative class action alleging violation of usury laws.

Litigation

Ou Kullasadu Invest v. Kask

Representation of Estonian creditor Ou Kullasadu Invest in action to enforce foreign judgment.

News

Insights

RELATED INFORMATION

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Washington
  • U.S. Supreme Court
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Education

  • Duke University School of Law, J.D., with distinction, 1979
  • Amherst College, B.A., summa cum laude, 1976