James P. Savitt

Jim specializes in the trial and creative resolution of substantial disputes for a diverse client base, including Fortune 500 companies and major e-commerce firms.  While much of his practice has focused on intellectual property, corporate, and commercial matters, Jim believes that knowing how to win a case – developing and executing a strategy to prevail by motion if possible and by trial if not – is the most important skill of a lawyer handling complex litigation.

Before joining Fennemore, Jim was a co-founder of Savitt Bruce & Willey LLP, a highly regarded litigation boutique in Seattle, and previously was a partner in Perkins Coie.  Jim began his career with Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison in New York City before finding his way to the Great Northwest.  He is a graduate, magna cum laude, of the Georgetown University Law Center.

Outside of the office, Jim served as the Chairperson of the Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority (which owns and operates Seattle’s famed Pike Place Market) and is a past President of the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington.

• J.D., magna cum laude, Georgetown University Law Center
• B.A., Cornell University

• Bank One v. Westar Financial Services. Defended breach of contract and lender liability claims relating to multi-billion dollar auto lease securitization portfolios, and prosecuted counterclaims for securities fraud and breach of contract; obtained preliminary injunction, obtained dismissal of all claims against bank by summary judgment, and then obtained favorable settlement on counterclaims.
• Alliance Packaging v. Altivity Packaging, et al. Prosecuted patent infringement claims relating to retail product packaging; prevailed at Markman hearing, defeated defendant’s summary judgment motions and prevailed on motions for partial summary judgment and motions dismissing counterclaims, and then obtained favorable settlement.
• Straitshot Communications v. Telekenex, Inc., et al. Prosecuted corporation’s claims for trade secret misappropriation, tortious interference, Consumer Protection Act violations, and breach of employment agreements and of duty of loyalty; obtained $6.5 million judgment at jury trial.
• Amazon v. Expedia. Defended claims and prosecuted counterclaims for breach of linking and co-branding agreement between national e-commerce giants; defeated motions for summary judgment, developed counterclaims, and then obtained favorable settlement.
• Stilwell Value Partners v. First Financial Northwest, et al. Defended claims against inspector of elections alleging improprieties in corporate election following proxy fight; obtained summary judgment dismissing key elements of claims, and then dismissal of all claims with prejudice as part of favorable settlement involving no concessions from client.
• Investigations regarding Washington Mutual Bank. Represented former Washington Mutual officers in regard to investigations by FDIC, United States Attorney, and United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations regarding failure of Washington Mutual Bank, including testimony before United States Senate subcommittee.
• Moomjy v. HQ Sustainable Maritime Inc., et al. Defended class action against public offering underwriters alleging claims under sections 11 and 12 of Securities Act; brought motion to dismiss and then obtained favorable settlement dismissing all claims against clients without any payment on claims.
• Weld v. Dawson, et al. Defended claims for breach of fiduciary duty, minority shareholder oppression, and violations of Blue Sky laws against senior corporate officer; obtained dismissal of all claims against client on motion to dismiss.
• Garrett v. Swedish Health Services, et al. Defended group of physicians against claims for breach of fiduciary duty and contractual obligations arising out of joint venture; obtained dismissal of all claims against client by summary judgment and also favorable settlement from co-defendant on affirmative claims.
• Titus v. Bank One. Defended claims for misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty and violation of Consumer Protection Act arising from interest rate swap financing transaction; obtained dismissal of all claims and recovery of attorneys’ fees by summary judgment.
• Seelig v. Seelig. Defended claims and prosecuted counterclaims involving allocation of assets and profits from long-term real estate partnerships; obtained summary judgment prevailing on all claims relating to division of assets and profits, and then negotiated settlement to wind up partnerships and distribute monies accordingly to end litigation.
• Skinner v. May. Prosecuted claims to enforce right to convey real property obtained as part of settlement agreement; obtained summary judgment on all claims for full damages claimed plus prejudgment interest.

• Co-Author, “Statutes of Limitation: Washington, Practical Law,” Thomson Reuters, January 7, 2021
• Presenter, “Finessing the Fine Print: Agreements to Arbitrate and Covenants not to Compete,” Washington Association of Corporate Counsel, 2014
• Presenter, “Covering Your Bases: Practical Tips to Deal with and Avoid Litigation,” Washington Association of Corporate Counsel, 2013
• Chair and Presenter, “Annual Federal Practice CLE,” Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, 2005-2007
• Contributing Author, “Litigating Year 2000 Cases,” West Group, 1999
• Speaker at Continuing Legal Education seminars

• Selected to Best Lawyers in America, 2014-2023
• Ranked in Chambers USA Guide to Leading Lawyers, 2013-2023
• Selected to Washington Super Lawyers, 2003-2023
• Selected to Washington Super Lawyers Top 100 List, 2007, 2010-2023
• Litigation Counsel of America (LCA), Fellow
• American Bar Foundation, Life Fellow
• Named “Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America for Bet-the-Company-Litigation in Seattle, 2021
• Named one of “Washington’s Most Amazing Attorneys,” Washington CEO magazine, 2006
• Selected to Washington Rising Stars, 2000
• AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell (5.0 out of possible 5.0 peer review rating)
• 10.0 Rating from Avvo.com

• Chairperson, Pike Place Market Preservation & Development Authority, 2009-2013
  • Councilmember (Mayoral appointee), 2006-2018
• President, Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, 2011-12
• Member, Board of Directors, Delta Society, Inc., 1991-1997, 2001-2007
• Member, Board of Trustees, Washington Biotechnology Foundation, 1997-2005
• President of the Board, Tribes Project, Inc., 1999-2001
• Member, Leadership Tomorrow, 1996-1997
• Member, Section of Litigation, American Bar Association, 1999-present
• Member, Diversity Law Institute
• Member, Trial Law Institute

• Washington
• United States Supreme Court
• United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• United States District Court, Western District of Washington
• United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
• United States District Court, Southern District of New York
• United States Court of Federal Claims