J. Richard Creatura
PartnerDownload VCard Print This Profile
Phone: 253.620.6464
Fax: 253.620.6565
Wells Fargo Plaza, 1201 Pacific Avenue, Suite 2100
Tacoma, Washington 98402
Primary Areas of Practice
Civil Trial work. Business disputes, personal injury, discrimination, class actions.Education
J.D., University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, 1978
Graduated with honors
Awarded the Corpus Juris Secundum Award for "Most Significant Academic Achievement."
Served on the Board of Editors of the Pacific Law Journal and was a member of the National Mock Trial Advocacy Team when it placed third in the United States.
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
Washington State CourtsCalifornia State Courts
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Professional & Bar Association Memberships
American Board of Trial Advocates
Robert J. Bryan Inns of Court
Emeritus Member
Ninth Circuit Advisory Board
WSTLA Eagle Member
Washington Board of Bar Examiners
Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association
9th Circuit Advisory Committee on Rules
Former Member
Western Washington Federal Bar Association
Former Trustee
Professional History
- Served as a law clerk to the Honorable Anthony M. Kennedy at the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Kennedy is now a Justice of the United States Supreme Court
- Assistant Professor at Willamette College of Law (1978-79)
- Joined the firm in 1979
- Became a Partner in 1982
- Chair of the Practice Committee
- Former Chair of the Board
- Frequent Member of the Board of Directors
- Former Chair of the Commercial Litigation Section of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
- Lawyer Representative to the 9th Circuit
- Member of the 9th Circuit Advisory Board, which consists of 12 lawyers selected by the Chief Judge for "outstanding contributions to the 9th Circuit
Representative Cases/Transactions
- Represents Health Care Professionals in litigation against Regence and Premera and won a Washington Supreme Court decision invalidating illegal arbitration provisions in health care contracts. Kruger v. Regence BlueShield, 157 Wn. 2d 290 (2006)
- Represented the City of Tacoma in a $6 billion claim brought by the Skokomish Indian Tribe for alleged treaty violations arising out of the construction of the Cushman Dam Project. The case was successfully dismissed against the City. The dismissal was upheld by an en banc panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. 401 F.3d 979 (9th Cir. 2005)
- Recently prevailed on a $1.5 million verdict on behalf of three women deputy prosecutors suing Thurston County for sexual discrimination and retaliation
- Obtained a $12.6 million jury verdict against a German chainsaw manufacturing company for unfair practices and intentional interference with contract
- Co-lead counsel representing three developmentally disabled men in a case against the State of Washington, proving that the State negligently allowed the plaintiffs to suffer sexual and physical abuse in an adult family home. The jury returned a record verdict of $17.8 million. Mr. Creatura successfully argued against the appeal by the State of Washington, which was dismissed because the State had failed to file its notice of appeal on time. 102 Wn. App. 687 (2000)
Community Activities
- Trustee of the Fox Island United Church of Christ.
- Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training - 4 marathons and 2 cycling events
Honors, Publications & Presentations
- AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell
- Designated as one of Washington's Winningest Lawyers by WASHINGTON LAW in October of 1991
- Selected as a Super Lawyer by WASHINGTON LAW AND POLITICS since 2001