Patricia A. Eakes Download V-Card peakes@yarmuth.com (206) 516-3835

Patty Eakes’ practice focuses on white-collar criminal defense and complex civil litigation, including employment related cases and investigations. Prior to joining the firm, Patty spent 17 years in the King County Prosecutor’s Office, as a Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions. Patty directed the investigation and prosecution of numerous high profile homicide cases and other violent crimes.  In 2001 she was selected to prosecute Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer. As a member of the Labor and Employment Section, Patty advised county agencies on a wide variety of employment related issues including requests for accommodation, discipline and termination decisions, and other employee misconduct allegations. In addition she represented King County in both State and Federal Court in employment lawsuits.

Patty has extensive trial experience. She has had more than 100 civil and criminal jury trials in state and federal courts, and has mediated and arbitrated claims involving a wide variety of employment issues, including failure to accommodate, discrimination based on race, gender, disability and pregnancy, sexual harassment, retaliation, wrongful discharge and wage and hour claims.  She also regularly defends clients in grand jury investigations and criminal prosecutions of all kinds.

Patty’s recent clients and matters have included representation of:

• Internationally-renowned celebrity in grand jury investigation into allegations of kidnapping and fraud, and in related civil personal injury lawsuit.  After three-year investigation, government declined to prosecute.  Plaintiff later dismissed the civil lawsuit.
• President of native-owned cigarette distribution company on federal cigarette tax evasion and perjury charges.  After jury trial government dismissed all charges.
• International construction company in federal court against a high level manager’s claim that he was misclassified as an exempt employee and entitled to receive overtime pay.  Case was dismissed on summary judgment.
• King County Sheriff’s Office in a wrongful termination, discrimination and retaliation claim by a former police recruit. Case settled on favorable terms after interlocutory review was granted by the Court of Appeals.
• Large construction company in a federal investigation alleging fraudulent billing practices.
• Public and private companies in investigations of alleged employee theft, misconduct, sexual harassment, discrimination, conflict of interests and ethics violations.
• Construction industry employer in claims by employees that they did not receive appropriate overtime wages.
• Special Ethics Counsel to the Seattle School District

In 2004, Patty was awarded “Lawyer of the Year” by the King County Bar Association.  She has been named a “SuperLawyer” in Washington Law & Politics Magazine.