Our Team
Christopher L. Thayer
Managing MemberDirect | 206-805-1494
E-mail | CThayer@PivotalLawGroup.com
Solving Business Problems
When business owners find themselves running into bumps in the road they turn to guys like Christopher Thayer. Litigation and trial practice is a big part of Chris’s background. This experience has sharpened his view of business and helps him spot potential trouble areas. He tries to coach business owners to be conscious of the fact that a company is a separate entity from their personal identity: “You have to be aware of which hat you are wearing at the table and that you are doing business as the company, not as an individual, to avoid or at least minimize potential personal liabilities.”
“Regardless of the type of business you’re in, it is not uncommon to run into problems you hadn’t anticipated. Let’s face it, sometimes even people who used to see things the same way, or thought they did, end up in a dispute. In those situations the legal system gets to be the referee and it is important to have an advocate on your side. I work hard to earn my clients’ trust and try to take as much of the sting out of the process as possible.”
Business Dispute and Commercial Litigation
Chris has extensive experience helping clients with a wide range of business disputes and commercial litigation. His approach in handling these disputes is solution-oriented, with the goal of obtaining the best possible result for the respective client. “Each lawsuit or dispute is unique, and I pride myself in providing fresh creative approaches to helping my clients solve their problems.” For some cases, this may mean that litigation all the way through trial is the only option, where in other situations a negotiated settlement may be the most advisable. By representing his client’s interests effectively, with fastidious attention to detail and the law, he can often help reach reasonable compromises that allow the parties to achieve their goals and contain litigation costs.
Chris has a robust commercial collection practice, where he helps businesses and individuals collect on loans, accounts, promissory notes and other debts. For more information about his commercial collection practice, please go to:
Seattle Personal Injury, Malpractice and Insurance
Chris went into law because it challenged him intellectually and helping people solve problems keeps him passionate about his work. In the personal injury arena, he finds his clients are often recovering from a life-changing event. “This has a huge impact, often for the rest of their lives, and I can do something about it. Often I can help them get closure through an apology or even by changing policies at a hospital. This is often just as important as a financial settlement.”
Chris helps clients who have been injured in serious accidents or in cases of medical malpractice. This involves working with clients to understand how the accident or malpractice affected their lives and then working hard to seek a fair resolution of their claims from the at-fault parties or insurance companies through settlement or trial. More information about Chris’ personal injury, medical malpractice and wrongful death practice areas can be found here:
- Seattle Personal Injury Attorney
- Seattle Wrongful Death Attorney
- Seattle Medical Malpractice Attorney
Strong Local Connections
Chris grew up in Edmonds, Washington, and is proud of his deep roots in the community and the ongoing ties he develops with his clients. “I like to develop a relationship with my clients so they not only appreciate the services, but also like and value me as a person. I think that develops a sense of trust when they know I’m a hard worker looking out for their interests, not just going through one more project on my desk.”
Chris has been an officer and legal advisor to his UW fraternity, Kappa Sigma, and helped oversee a $500,000 effort to remodel the chapter house. Chris is also an amateur photographer who always has his digital camera at the ready to get that perfect shot. To see his photos, visit his online gallery.
Chris has a 10/10 rating with the online rating system Avvo.com.
Practice Areas
- Business Law
- Litigation
- Real Estate
- Personal Injury
- Medical Malpractice
- Wrongful Death
Professional Affiliations
Admitted to practice:
- State of Washington
- US District Court, Eastern and Western Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
Memberships:
- Washington State Bar Association
- Washington State Association for Justice
- King County Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee
- Snohomish County Bar Association
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
Education:
- University of Washington, BA, 1990
- Lewis & Clark Northwestern School of Law, Portland, JD, 1993
