Areas of Practice

Jackson & Nicholson focuses on the defense of lawsuits involving a wide variety of liability theories advanced against government and private defendants, including:

Administrative Law
Civil Rights & Employment
Employment
Health Care
Highway Liability
Law Enforcement & Corrections
Public Records
School Liability

Administrative Law

  • Negligent licensing claims
  • Negligent inspection and investigation claims
  • Claims for failure to enact and enforce laws
  • Claims that government environmental or land use regulation were wrongful or violated the Constitution
  • Business loss and interference with contract and employment claims

Civil Rights

  • Claims by patients and inmates for deliberate indifference in their care or treatment
  • Claims by public employees for discrimination, retaliation, or violations of constitutional rights
  • Due process and other constitutional claims by beneficiaries of public programs
  • False arrest, pursuit, excessive force and other claims against law enforcement claims

All of the partners have substantial experience defending civil rights claims in state and federal court. A focus of our practice has been raising qualified immunity and legal defenses in support of dismissal of civil rights cases on motion or appeal.

Employment

  • Wrongful termination claims
  • Claims for race, sex, age, and disability discrimination and harassment
  • Failure to accommodate claims
  • Whistleblower claims
  • Claims for violation of speech rights
  • Retaliation claims
  • Claims for intentional injury by the employer or fellow employees

The partners have represented employers in every kind of employment lawsuit, through summary judgment motions, jury trials and appeals.

Health Care

Jackson & Nicholson represents health care agencies and professionals in various administrative and judicial proceedings regarding Certificates of Need, licensure and credentialing, and government bid protests.

Highway Liability

Jackson & Nicholson, P.S. defends municipalities and public entities against claims of negligent design, construction, and maintenance of highways, streets, and roads. We have handled and successfully resolved claims involving negligence theories asserting failure to improve road infrastructure, inadequate warning signage, and insufficient drainage. Our attorneys have also handled road accident claims involving natural weather conditions, such those resulting from snow and ice or fallen trees during severe wind events. We understand the specialized defenses that may be available to public entities in this context, and we know which engineering and accident reconstruction experts should be retained to successfully defend these claims. We are also experienced in protecting against disclosure or discovery of privileged highway safety data under federal law.

Law Enforcement and Corrections

  • False arrest, false imprisonment, and excessive force claims
  • Claims for crimes caused by released offenders
  • Claims for failure to protect or prevent crimes
  • Claims for vehicle pursuits
  • Claims for physical and medical injuries to prisoners

Mr. Jackson’s long experience as a felony prosecutor provides him with an excellent background for defense of these claims. During his tenure with the Attorney General’s Office he handled large lawsuits for deaths and injuries caused by offenders released from state prisons and under post-release supervision.

Public Records

Jackson & Nicholson, P.S. represents municipalities and other public entities in litigation brought under Public Records Act, Washington’s law giving the public the right of access to records that are created, used, or maintained by the government. Because our attorneys have practiced in the public sector throughout their careers, they are well-versed in the requirements for responding to requests under the Act, the applicability of its exemptions, and the interplay of requests under the Act with discovery in pending or anticipated litigation. We also provide advice and assistance to public entities as they respond to requests under the Act in order to help them avoid the many pitfalls that could result in exposure to liability for penalties and a requestor’s attorneys’ fees.

School Liability Claims

  • Certificated Teacher and Administrator discharge and non-renewal claims pursuant to RCW 28A.405
  • Unlawful Employment Practices claims pursuant to RCW 41.59 and RCW 41.56
  • Grievance Arbitration claims pursuant to Collective Bargaining Agreements
  • Employment Discrimination claims pursuant to RCW 49.60 and Federal Statutes, including ADA, Title VII, and Section 1983

Mr. Jackson, as a former certificated public school teacher, brings professional insight and perspective to the defense of these claims.

>> Connect With Your Attorney