RICHARD C. YARMUTH
email:
yarmuth@yarmuth.com
phone: (206) 516-3870
Richard’s practice consists primarily of complex commercial litigation, dispute resolution, contract negotiation, municipal law projects and public utility project development. He has represented clients in a wide variety of litigation and business matters, including antitrust cases, securities litigation, contract actions, real estate transactions, public project negotiations, fraud claims and shareholder and partnership disputes.
Richard first practiced law in New York at the Wall Street firm of Chadbourne Parke, and then for two years as a lawyer for the Navaho Indian Tribe (Tuba City, Arizona). In 1972, Richard joined the Seattle firm of Culp, Dwyer, Guterson & Grader, where he remained until September 1995, when he and Scott Wilsdon formed what is now Yarmuth Wilsdon Calfo.
Richard has litigated major cases — involving a broad range of subjects — in various state and federal courts. His activities include:
• Motion Picture Association of America. Representing the motion picture industry (Warner Bros., Paramount, Dreamworks, Columbia, Sony and other major film companies) as litigation counsel in contract, distribution, copyright and antitrust matters since 1973.
• Securities Litigation. Was chief trial counsel for the Washington Public Power Supply System (“WPPSS”) in protracted litigation involving the termination of two nuclear power plants and the enforceability of $2.5 billion in bonds; defended Michael Milken and other Drexel principals in cases brought by the Washington State Investment Board; representing Wedbush Morgan Securities, Inc. in bondholder litigation under the Washington State Securities Act.
• Antitrust. Has litigated antitrust suits, both as counsel for plaintiffs and defendants, involving the motion picture industry, timber industry (including a successful 6-month trial in federal court), cattle industry, mint industry and others.
• General Litigation. Cases include the defense of fraud claims in the sale of Kentucky Derby winner Real Quiet; defense of charitable foundation in challenge to testamentary capacity of major donor; representation of King County in litigation against the Seattle Mariners, to prevent then owner George Argyros from moving the team from Seattle; defense of several Seattle law firms as their counsel in cases where they were sued; representation of Weyerhauser Real Estate Company in several protracted lawsuits involving its development at Snoqualmie Ridge.
• Projects. Represents the City of Seattle, Snohomish County and other local governments in contracts and litigation involving water and solid waste issues (including negotiating Seattle’s $700 million long-haul waste disposal contract with Waste Management, Inc.); represented Ted Turner and Turner Broadcasting as counsel for the Goodwill Games, 1986, Moscow and 1990, Seattle.
Richard is a graduate of Columbia University Law School (J.D. 1969). He received his undergraduate degree Phi Beta Kappa, magna cum laude, from Colgate University, and attended the London School of Economics.
Richard has been a member of the Board of the YMCA Institute for Youth Service and Leadership; Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Northwest Architectural League (ARCADE); Chairman of the Advisory Board of City Year/Seattle-King County; Councilmember, Pike Place Market Public Development Authority; Technical Advisory Committee, Seattle Information Highway Project; and served as the Mayor's representative to the Sarkowsky Commission (Major League Baseball in Seattle).
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