BCLP Expands Seattle Presence, Announces Combination with Harrigan Leyh Farmer & Thomsen

Less than a year after launching its Seattle office, international law firm BCLP announced today that it has combined with Seattle firm Harrigan Leyh Farmer & Thomsen (HLFT). The combination triples BCLP’s growing presence in Seattle, adding more than a dozen high-profile trial lawyers to the firm’s deepening bench in the Pacific Northwest.

Responding to clients’ needs in the region, which has grown into a significant litigation hub, BCLP opened its Seattle office last April. The firm’s first office in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a major center for the technology and life sciences industries, with numerous Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the metro area. The combination with HLFT provides the resources and talent to handle the growth in class actions and mass torts, which is a major priority for BCLP’s clients around the globe.

“The addition of these dynamic trial lawyers complements our existing team and builds on our momentum in the region by expanding the important work we’ve been doing there,” said BCLP CEO Steve Baumer. “This is a collaboration of strategic experience, shared culture and a passion for providing the highest-quality legal work and building long-term relationships with clients.”

Since its formation nearly 40 years ago, HLFT has handled some of the most significant litigation in the Pacific Northwest. From helping stop the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks from relocating to Los Angeles to successfully handling a $2 billion, first-of-its kind patent case between two of the world’s largest technology companies, the firm’s reputation has been built by successfully navigating complex and cutting-edge matters. Some of the firm’s recent victories include representing an industry-leading technology company in defeating a $27 million misappropriation claim, securing a $25 million judgment for King County in a product liability action arising from defective piping, and successfully defending clients against class certification in actions seeking hundreds of millions of dollars.

“BCLP’s impressive global reach and track record of litigation successes in the U.S. and globally provides a full-service platform with new resources and capabilities for our clients,” said Partner Tim Leyh. “Culturally, we felt a strong connection with BCLP. Their lawyers share our commitment to excellent legal work and client service, and we knew that this was a good fit for us and for our clients.”

“There is a tremendous opportunity for all of us to grow together with our clients as we handle some of the highest-stakes matters in the region,” said Lee Marshall, BCLP Global Department Leader – Litigation & Investigations.

“The collective experience between BCLP and HLFT trial lawyers around notable cases and successful verdicts will be another strong catalyst for the Seattle office’s growth and development,” added Jennifer Campbell, Seattle Co-Office Managing Partner for BCLP.

About the New Partners and Counsel:

Timothy G. Leyh: Tim is a seasoned trial lawyer representing individuals, businesses, and state and local governments in complex civil litigation matters. He is a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers, individually ranked by Chambers and Partners, and consistently named a Top 10 and Top 100 lawyer by Super Lawyers. Tim’s practice spans a wide range of areas, including mass tort claims; class actions; claims involving the funding and operation of public utilities; claims involving the authority of public agencies; inverse condemnation and public nuisance claims; trademark and copyright matters; business torts; breach of contract; environmental claims; and white-collar criminal defense. With a remarkable track record, Tim has recovered more than $200 million in defense and indemnity payments for his clients. In addition to his trial advocacy, Tim has argued multiple times before the Washington State Supreme Court, as well as state and federal appellate courts across the U.S. 

Tyler L. Farmer: Tyler will serve as Co-Office Managing Partner in Seattle for BCLP. Tyler’s practice is multifaceted, centering around civil litigation, corporate disputes & internal investigations, and tech & IP litigation. Tyler’s work has been noted by Chambers USA, Best Lawyers in America (Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property, Appellate), Benchmark Litigation and Super Lawyers (repeatedly ranked among the Top 100).​ He is a trusted adviser for technology companies, real estate investors and entrepreneurs, often defending against individual lawsuits and putative class action claims and serving as lead counsel in state and federal courts nationwide. Tyler has represented clients in Federal Trade Commission matters and responses to investigations and compulsory process by several state attorneys general. In addition to his litigation work, he has also presented internal investigations findings before regulatory bodies like the Securities and Exchange Commission and the FTC.

Randall T. Thomsen: Randall has practiced for nearly 30 years and has a well-deserved reputation as a creative litigator, handling complex cases in state and federal courts. He has been selected annually as a Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics Magazine since 2012. He has litigated cases on a wide variety of topics, for both plaintiffs and defendants, including business and shareholder disputes, class actions, lawsuits against governmental entities, breach of contract cases, claims involving real property, and tort claims, including claims for wrongful death and mass casualty. In his most recent trial, he obtained a jury verdict after a six-week trial of a complex product liability claim that resulted in a judgment in excess of $25 million. He previously served on the Washington State Bar Association’s Judicial Review Committee and was a member of the Lewis Powell Chapter of the Inns of the Court.

Bill Beaver: Bill’s practice encompasses a broad spectrum of areas, from advising companies on employment and business affairs to navigating multistate commercial disputes and major environmental cleanup efforts. Notably, Bill guides clients through cases involving environmental contamination, having led the federal court litigation against ASARCO for cleanup stemming from its Tacoma smelter. He was also entrusted by the owners of the Olympic Pipe Line Co. (BP and Shell) to oversee all criminal, civil and administrative matters following the June 10, 1999, pipeline explosion in Bellingham, Washington. Bill recently was retained by OceanGate, Inc. and its board of directors to assist them in dealing with the myriad legal issues stemming from the tragic loss of the Titan submersible in June 2023. Bill’s acumen extends to representing clients before various federal and state administrative agencies, including the NTSB, FTC, SEC, FERC, DOT and the Washington UTC. 

Michelle Buhler: Michelle’s practice focuses on maritime and insurance law. She has a broad range of experience in both areas, successfully handling matters involving complex contract disputes (e.g., charter parties, vessel construction and repair contracts), insurance coverage, significant cargo losses, seaman and longshoreman personal injuries, vessel collisions, marine professionals E&O liability, and maritime employer wage and hour liability disputes. Michelle is highly regarded by clients for her analytical abilities and practical approach to litigation.

Shane P. Cramer: Shane is an experienced litigator and advocate. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation and is regularly recognized as a Washington “Super Lawyer.” Shane’s practice focuses on defending municipalities and companies against class actions and in other complex matters. He also regularly defends companies against claims brought by employees, and in enforcing and defending trade secret and non-compete claims. Shane regularly practices in both state and federal court and has argued multiple cases before Washington State Court of Appeals and the Ninth Circuit. 

Charles S. Jordan: Chip is a maritime and aviation trial lawyer with a broad spectrum of experience within these fields. An accomplished sailor in his own right, his practice includes personal injury, cargo and hull damage, and insurance coverage issues. Chip regularly advises vessel and aircraft owners, underwriters, ports, government agencies and international commissions.

Ariel A. Martinez: Ariel’s practice spans the breadth of civil litigation, from temporary restraining orders through jury trials and appeals. She has litigated a wide variety of substantial business disputes as both plaintiffs’ and defense counsel, including breach of contract, real property, product liability, consumer protection and employment claims. In Ariel’s work for the state of Washington and other municipalities, she provides valuable outside counsel on environmental and toxic tort claims, constitutional litigation and class action matters. Her extensive local experience includes practicing before the federal district courts in the Western District of Washington, King County Superior Court and the Washington appellate courts, including the Washington Supreme Court.