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Howard R. Morrill

Partner
hmorrill@gth-law.com
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Phone: 206.676.7513
 Fax: 206.676.7575

One Union Square
600 University, Suite 2100
Seattle, Washington 98101

Primary Areas of Practice

Commercial litigation and dispute resolution,  franchise and distribution law.

Education

J.D./M.B.A.,, University of Washington, 1987

B.A., History, Business Administration, University of Washington, 1982

Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice

Washington State Courts
U.S. District Court -- Western District of Washington
U.S. Court of Appeals -- Ninth Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals -- Sixth Circuit

Professional & Bar Association Memberships

Washington State Bar Association

American Bar Association Forum on Franchising
Member, Forum on Franchising

Professional History

  • Joined firm in 2007
  • Bundy & Morrill, Inc., P.S., Seattle, WA, 1990-2007
  • Bundy, Meyer & Home, Bellevue, WA, 1987-1990

Representative Cases/Transactions

  • Represented a Pierce County, franchised store owner against his franchisor after the franchisor began using the same images, marks and distinctive features it licensed to the franchise owners in a store the franchisor itself owned nearby.  Client claimed business losses from competition by his franchisor and commenced arbitration alleging violations of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act and the parties' franchise agreement.  Client awarded $219,000 at arbitration.


  • Represented Pierce County owner of multiple service franchises sold to him by unlicensed subfranchisor who made unlawful and misleading earnings claims in connection with the sale.  Client awarded cash and debt relief in excess of $225,000 after arbitration.


  • Represented King County franchise owner of convenience store whose franchisor attempted to terminate his franchises based on alleged improper handling of money orders.  Brought lawsuit for unlawful franchise termination and obtained temporary restraining order in King County Superior Court, preventing termination of the franchises. Case was ultimately settled favorably.


  • Represented King County business seller upon his buyer's default in payments, the seller having also been denied contract rights to inspect collateral and obtain other information regarding the buyer.  Investigation revealed untrue and/or materially incomplete information had been provided to seller.  Brought action in King County Superior Court against buyer and its principals which produced judgment after two weeks of trial that substantially vindicated seller's position.  The matter was favorably settled on appeal.


  • Represented multi-state, franchise owner group in arbitration against Lewis County franchisor of underground, water location business.  Franchise opportunity had been sold on the basis of specific claims regarding the equipment used in the business and supplied by the franchisor.  Obtained ruling that the franchisor's claims violated the anti-fraud provision of the Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act and obtained arbitration award of more than $480,000.

     

Community Activities

  • Roosevelt High School Jazz Boosters
  • Volunteer basketball coach, Seattle Parks Department
    • Laurelhurst Community Center (2002-2008)
    • Meadowbrook Community Center (2005-2008)

Honors, Publications & Presentations

  • Presenter, Washington and Oregon CLE Forum, Franchise Law/Accidental Franchising (May 2007)
  • Editor, franchise law section of the WASHINGTON LAWYERS PRACTICE MANUAL  (2004- present)
  • Author, The Unintentional Franchise, WASHINGTON STATE BAR NEWS (March 2003)
  • Presenter, Franchising in Washington: the 1991 Amendments, CLE (March, 1992)
  • Guest on radio and television re: franchise law and issues
  • AV Rated by Martindale Hubbell