Elijah M. Watkins
Experience
Elijah Watkins is an attorney in the Trial section of the firm's Litigation practice
group. His practice focuses on complex commercial litigation, including contract
disputes, product liability, antitrust, labor and employment, intellectual property
defense, and securities litigation, with a particular focus on outdoor industry
companies. Elijah has experience in both state and federal court litigation and
appeals, as well as alternative forms of dispute resolution. In addition to his
extensive client work, Elijah regularly provides pro bono counseling to domestic
violence victims, political asylees and endangered children.
Prior to joining Stoel Rives, Elijah was an associate in the Chicago office of Latham &
Watkins LLP (2009-2012), a summer associate at Latham & Watkins LLP (2008), and a
summer associate at Vedder Price P.C. (2007, 2008).
Representative Work

Defending Las Vegas surety in litigation involving a multi-million dollar housing
project on tribal lands.

Representing renowned Michigan golf course in federal litigation involving
trademark claims under the Lanham Act, including trademark infringement,
unfair competition, trademark dilution, cybersquatting, and various state law
claims.

Boise, ID
(208) 387-4275 direct
(208) 389-9040 fax
elijah.watkins@stoel.com
Education


Representing plaintiffs’ class action against the State of Idaho arising from
Obtained favorable result on behalf of international telematics corporation
during a week-long arbitration against its competitor for breach of contract
claims.

Student Body President
Negotiated on behalf of financial advisor defending against ERISA claims before
the Department of Labor.

Represented and advised crash pad bouldering company regarding liability
waivers and general risk assumptions between manufacturers and end-users in
Admissions

Idaho

Illinois

U.S. District Court for the District of
Idaho

Represented a Utah-based manufacturer during litigation in the Northern District
of Illinois involving millions of dollars in fitness equipment.
U.S. District Court for the Northern
District of Illinois
the rec tech space.

Brigham Young University-Idaho,
Organizational Communications, B.S.,
2006
various health care, security and constitutional violations.

University of Illinois College of Law,
J.D., 2009, magna cum laude
Defending Silicon Valley green tech building supplier against various state-based
defect and warranty claims.

Associate

U.S. District Court of Appeals for the
Seventh Circuit

Nez Perce Indian Reservation Tribal
Court
Elijah M. Watkins

Part of the litigation team that obtained full dismissal of all claims through summary judgment on behalf of an international
retailer faced with legal challenges to its Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Policy.

Second-chaired a three day federal bench trial involving alleged wrongful termination and secured full dismissal of all claims on
behalf of a national consumer satellite entertainment company.

Represented ski resort, condominium association, and management company during all-day mediation with commercial tenant
for remunerations with favorable results.

Part of the litigation team that obtained summary judgment for one of the largest regional hospitals in an antitrust suit brought
by a former physician.

Obtained favorable settlement on behalf of tactical outdoor clothing and equipment company regarding complex contract
disputes arising from defective products designed for first responders.

Part of the trial team which secured a stipulated dismissal with prejudice for a South American mobile phone network provider
in a multimillion-dollar action involving director and officer equity options.

Assisted in defending helicopter parts manufacturer in products liability suit arising from crash involving multiple manufactures
and cross-claimants nationwide.
Pro Bono Activities

Representing the guardian ad litem during custody proceedings for siblings suffering from physical abuse.

Represented death row inmate seeking testing of various pieces of crime scene evidence under the Utah Post-Conviction DNA
Testing Statute.

Represented the guardian ad litem during custody proceedings for infant twins testing positive for methamphetamines, resulting
in successful adoption.

Counseled numerous domestic violence victims, attended multiple emergency hearings, and secured several orders of protection
on behalf of the same.*

Secured the largest award of attorneys' fees to date in the Seventh Circuit on behalf of a political asylee from China under the
Equal Access to Justice Act.*

Achieved political asylum on behalf of a homosexual man from Colombia suffering abuse exclusively from his family members—a
case of near first impression in Illinois.*
*This work was performed prior to joining Stoel Rives LLP
Professional Honors and Activities

Recipient, Idaho Business Review's Accomplished Under 40, 2015

Member, American Inns of Court, 2014-present

Recipient, Stoel Rives LLP Pro Bono Recognition, 2014

Member, J. Reuben Clark Law Society, 2012-present
Elijah M. Watkins

Member, Idaho State Bar, Litigation Section, 2012-present

Treasurer, Kickstand Board of Directors, 2012-present

Recipient, Latham & Watkins LLP Pro Bono Challenge, 2010, 2011

Member, Illinois State Bar, Litigation Section, 2009-present

Charitable contribution of $25,000 donated to the Moffitt Cancer Center in recognition of pro bono services rendered to a nonprofit South American housing developer.
Presentations

Presenter, "We've Been Hacked! What Should We Have Done? What Should We Do?," Zasio 2015 Information Governance Road
Show, Boise, Idaho, Aug. 27, 2015; Salt Lake City, Utah, Sept. 16, 2015; Portland, Oregon, Nov. 11, 2015; Seattle, Washington,
Nov. 12, 2015

Panelist, "How Not to Get Sued: IP, Products Liability, and Picking the Right Business Formation," StartupTV, Boise, Idaho, Apr.
2014

Moderator, "From Garage to Warehouse," Kickstand, Boise, Idaho, June, 2013

"Enter the 'B' Corp.," Idaho Business Review, Dec. 2012
Civic Activities

Precinct Committeeman, Precinct 1901, 2014-present

Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America, 2013-2014

Staff Attorney, Land of Lincoln Legal Services, 2008-2009