Michael Chait

Mike Chait brings nearly two decades of experience in high-stakes litigation, offering clients strategic, business-focused legal guidance across a wide range of industries. Known for his creative problem-solving and deep industry insight, Mike represents clients in complex disputes in both state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution forums. In addition to his litigation practice, Mike advises on regulatory compliance, transactional matters, and a broad range of commercial issues.

Mike began his legal career at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp in Los Angeles, where he handled sophisticated commercial and intellectual property matters. He later became managing partner at Montgomery Scarp & Chait in Seattle, where he led a diverse litigation practice that included transportation liability, catastrophic injury defense, employment disputes, and business litigation. His clients span industries such as entertainment, rail, high tech, and retail—reflecting his commitment to understanding each client’s business and delivering legal solutions aligned with their strategic goals.

Mike lives on Vashon Island with his three daughters. When not in the office, you can find Mike in the kitchen fermenting something, growing things to ferment, or cheering on his old team, the UW Crew.

• J.D., University of Southern California Law School
• B.A., University of Washington, cum laude

• BNSF Railway Company v. Thomas Clark.  Represented railroad to address a medical examiner’s attempt to use statutory procedure to avoid disclosure of key materials; obtained writ of mandate on summary judgment, preventing medical examiner’s use of the procedure, which was affirmed by the Washington Supreme Court.
• Chumbley, et al. v. Snohomish County.  Represented property owner alleging violations relating to permitting of adjacent property’s water treatment system in landslide zone; obtained ruling from Court of Appeals holding that Land Use Petition was timely and County was not preempted from enforcing land disturbing activities and critical areas ordinances.
• Bartz v. Burlington N. Santa Fe, LLC.  Represented railroad in wrongful death action; obtained dismissal on the pleadings, with the Court of Appeals affirming, as an issue of first impression, that statutory immunity applied to injuries to trespasser occurring upon a railroad bridge or trestle.
• Rossich v. BNSF Railway Company.  Represented railroad in claims by former employee of retaliation in violation of Federal Railroad Safety Act, alleging termination for reporting an injury; obtained defense verdict after three week jury trial in United States District Court.
• Global Direct Components, LLC  v. Lippert Components, Inc.  Represented RV component manufacturer in lawsuit alleging misappropriation of trade secrets; obtained defense verdict following three week jury trial.

• Best Lawyers in America^®, Commercial Litigation, 2025
• ACLU of Southern California – First Amendment Award
• Public Counsel – Pro Bono Award

• Mid-year check in on employment compliance, Puget Sound Business Journal, 2024
• A Second Bite at The Apple: State Law Wrongful Discharge Claims, NARTC Special Litigation Conference, presenter, 2018
• Social Media & Privacy: Building Your Online Presence and Protecting Your Digital Assets, California Club, panelist and moderator, 2014
• Michael Chait, Susan Ross, and Sarah Taylor Wirtz, Tips for Conducting an Internal Investigation, MS&K Corporate Alert, 2014
• Michael Chait and Susan Kohn Ross, Cybersecurity Update – How Are You Impacted?, MS&K Corporate Alert, 2014
• Michael Chait, Steps to Protect the Identity of Your Secret Source, Lexology, 2013

• Trustee of the Board, Washington Trial Defense Lawyers
• Chair, Court Rules Committee, Washington Trial Defense Lawyers
• Chair, Court Rules and Procedures Committee, Washington State Bar Association
• Member, National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel
• Member, Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington
• Jury Diversity Task Force, Washington State Minority and Justice Commission
• Member, Phi Beta Kappa

• Washington
• California
• 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, Central District of California
• United States District Court, Northern District of California
• United States District Court, Southern District of California