Chuck P. Rullman
Shareholder
rullmanc@lanepowell.com
206.223.7098
Areas of Practice
Chuck Rullman has extensive experience litigating state and federal labor and employment matters,
Title III claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act, commercial disputes, intellectual property
issues, and claims arising from probate and non-probate proceedings. Chuck represents companies
of all sizes, governmental entities and individuals in industries such as financial services, consumer
products, construction and new technologies. Chuck has significant first-chair trial and appellate
experience and has also represented clients in all phases of class action litigation.
Professional Experience
Foster Pepper PLLC
Member (2014-2015)
Attorney (2010-2014)
Arent Fox LLP, Attorney (2007-2010)
Christensen, Glaser, Fink, Jacobs, Weil & Shapiro LLP, Attorney (2005-2007)
U.S. District Court, Central District of California, Judicial Extern to the Honorable Dickran Tevrizian (Ret.)
Admitted to Practice
Washington
California
U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, Central District of California
U.S. District Court, Southern District of California
Academics
Loyola University at Los Angeles (J.D., 2005)
University of Washington (B.A., Political Science, 2001)
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
Labor and Employment
Title III ADA Public Accommodation
Representative Matters and Clients
Employment, ADA and Business Torts
Successfully defended numerous suits arising from restrictive covenants in employment agreements
Represents retails, grocers and other businesses in claims arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and the Washington Law Against Discrimination
Represents businesses in state and nationwide class action lawsuits alleging Title III actions under the Americans with Disabilities Act
Represented auto part manufacturer in successful settlement of wage and hour class action
Successfully settled whistleblower and unpaid wages claims against medical supply company
Obtained an eight-figure settlement of claims arising from a holdback on the purchase price of a natural resources company
Successfully defended a window manufacturer in a dispute over the untimely delivery of vinyl building products
Obtained summary judgment for lender on claim for breach of promissory note worth $1.2 million
Obtained the dismissal of multiple claims against pipe manufacturer in false advertising dispute
Successfully defended motion picture studio in participation rights action
Successfully defended motion picture studio in contract dispute regarding royalties for the Exorcist
franchise
Participated in obtaining a $200+ million settlement for a luxury coastal resort in a bad faith insurance action
Intellectual Property
Successfully defended commercial background music company against claims of copyright infringement and unfair business practices
Obtained dismissal of trade secret misappropriation claims brought by labor and staffing business
Successfully prosecuted declaratory judgment action seeking invalidity of six patents, brought on behalf of industry association enforcing its rights and those of its members
Obtained favorable settlement of claims involving malicious use of Digital Millenium Copyright Act’s safe harbor provisions
Obtained favorable settlement for plaintiff on second day of trial on claims for trademark infringement
Obtained dismissal of copyright and trademark claims involving infant-oriented cable programming
Represented oil production company against employee who misappropriated trade secrets
Class Actions
Represented owner of apartment complex against claims for unfair business practices brought by former tenants
Represented municipal airport operator in defeating class action seeking damages and injunctive relief based on alleged inverse condemnation from airport noise
Represented financial institution in class action alleging Telephone Consumer Protection Act violations from autodialed calls
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Represented multiple financial institutions in consumer finance class actions
Securities Litigation
Represented hedge fund manager on claims arising from Bernie Madoff investments; case dismissed with prejudice on pleading motion
Obtained summary judgment for commercial real estate clients in securities lawsuit alleging misrepresentation, sale of unregistered securities and sales by unregistered broker
Obtained summary judgment for hedge fund manager in $125 million suit for securities fraud and contract interference
Obtained dismissal for clients in FINRA arbitration involving suitability and misrepresentation claims
Construction and Real Estate
Obtained complete trial verdict for general contractor in residential building dispute with owner
Obtained complete trial verdict for property developer in LLC dispute regarding condominium development
Successfully negotiated the settlement of a construction dispute over the building of a waste water treatment facility on the North Slope in Alaska
Obtained summary judgment for client on dispute regarding the interpretation of a 99-year ground lease
Successfully represented current and former owners of real property in state hazardous waste cost-
recovery litigation
Publications
“Persons Before Whom Depositions May Be Taken,” Washington Lawyers Practice Manual (2014)
Speaking Engagements
“Competition Issues: How to Prevent Your Client From Being a Casualty,” National Business Institute’s “Advanced Business Contracts: Strategically Draft & Negotiate Key Clauses” Seminar (April 2015)
Awards and Honors
Named as a “Washington Rising Star,” Super Lawyers® magazine (2013-2016)
Professional and Community Activities
President, Board of Directors, Camp Fire Central Puget Sound (2010-Present)
Volunteer and Mentor Attorney, Domestic Violence Advocacy Project (2011-Present)
Cooperating Attorney, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington State
King County Bar Association
Washington State Bar Association
State Bar of California
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