Randall P. Beighle
Shareholder
Litigation Coordinating Counsel - Practice Development
beighler@lanepowell.com
206.223.7096
Areas of Practice
Randy Beighle focuses on business and commercial litigation, where he has handled matters ranging
from franchising, dealership and sales contracts to energy and software disputes. Randy has tried
significant complex commercial cases to verdict, including Maid O’Clover v. Chevron Products Group
(won defense verdict in six week trial; plaintiffs’ claims exceeded $50 million; October-November
2005) and March Point Cogeneration Company v. Puget Sound Energy (won three week trial worth
more than $350 million, October 1997).
Admitted to Practice
Washington and relevant Federal Courts
U.S. Court of Claims
Academics
University of California at Los Angeles (J.D., 1983)
Order of the Coif; Moot Court Distinguished Advocate
University of California at Berkeley (A.B. with honors and great distinction, 1980)
Phi Beta Kappa
Practice Group and Specialty Team Memberships
Business Crisis Management and Emergency Remedies
Diversity Committee
Electronic Discovery, Technology and Strategy
Food, Beverage and Hospitality
Franchising
Litigation
Real Estate Litigation
Representative Matters and Clients
Warshawer et al. v. Tarnutzer, No. 2-14-cv-01042-RSM (W.D.WA 2015)(Represent former shareholders of acquired company in dispute with putative shareholder; summary judgment for clients)
Aquilini Horse Heaven Hills Vineyards v. Pfeifer et al., Klickitat County Superior Court, No. 13-2-
00076-3 (Represented vineyard owner in dispute with adjoining property owner over water rights in well; summary judgment for clients allowing development of extensive additional vineyards)
Zimmerman v. Shell Oil Company et al., Skagit County Superior Court, No. 11-2-00248-8 (Represented former owner of oil refinery in wrongful death cases arising from refinery explosion with seven deaths)
Manufacturing Facility v. Utility District (Private AAA Arbitration September 2013) (Represented Fortune 50 manufacturing facility in contract dispute with Utility District regarding jointly operated electric co-generation plant; obtained arbitration award granting client 100% of claim)
Welch and Riverside v. Pettersson and Valley Cadillac (Private JAMS Arbitration August 2012)
(Represented defendant sellers in dispute over sale of car dealership; the arbitrator rejected plaintiff buyers’ claims and awarded defendants a monetary judgment and indemnity claims totalling $1.5 million)
Community Bank v. United States Department of Agriculture (Administrative Agency Appellate Review December 2012) (Represented community bank in appeal of agency’s rejection of a $4.0 million loss claim under federal loan guaranty; agency rejection overturned on appeal by Agency Director after two-day hearing; 100% of claim allowed)
The Chamberlain Group v. Nassimi, No. C09-5438-BHS (W.D.WA 2011) (Represented defendant seller in dispute over sale of electronics manufacturer; claims of rescission, breach of warranty and misrepresentation; successfully settled after extensive motion practice and two weeks before jury trial)
Coppinger-Martin v. Solis (Nordstrom), Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals No.09-73725 (2010)
(Represented employer regarding a claim under the whistleblower protection provisions of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act; dismissal on summary judgment affirmed by Ninth Circuit on appeal)
Gee West Seattle v. Huling Bros. (Private Arbitration 2010) (Represented sellers in dispute with buyer over the sale of large car dealership group; obtained favorable arbitration result after two week arbitration before three arbitrator panel)
Shareholder Representatives of Abacus v. TAC Americas, Inc. (Private Arbitration July 2008) (Represented selling shareholders in dispute over sale of company and obtained an arbitration award for $1.35 million on post-sale earn out clause)
Everything Cycles, Inc. v. American Honda Motor Co., Inc. Civ. No. 07-1170-TC (USDC D. Oregon)
(Represented motorcycle manufacturer in dealer termination dispute; summary judgment for defendant)
Maid O’Clover v. Chevron Products Group, No. CV-03-3077-EFS (E.D. WA 2005) (Represented defendant oil company in gas pricing and franchise dispute against 20 station marketer; six week jury trial; defense verdict)
SOMA Partners v. Northwest Biotherapeutics, American Arbitration Association (AAA NY City No. 13 180 02010 04) (Represented biotech company in arbitration over multi-million dollar investment banking fee claim; three day arbitration hearing with complete victory for client)
Home Depot v. First Berkshire Properties, King County Superior Court No. 03-2-13169-5 SEA (Represented retail store in lease assignment dispute; summary judgment in favor of client)
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Murdzia, Berlin, Cade, Dowe, Fry, and Granfors et al. v. Equilon Enterprises, LLC, Skagit County Superior Court No. 99-2-00066-1 (Represented oil refinery in wrongful death cases arising from refinery explosion)
Kern River Cogeneration Company et al. v. Southern California Edison Company, Kern County
Superior Court, Case No. 243932 SPC (Represent two cogeneration companies in contract
dispute with major electrical utility; case value $260 million; settled with full payment to clients)
March Point Cogeneration Company v. Puget Sound Energy, No. C95-1833R (W.D. WA 1997) (Represent cogeneration joint venture in contract dispute with electrical utility; co-counsel in three week jury trial; case value of roughly $350 million with complete victory for client)
Home Depot v. Rosenwald, No. 96-2-00399-8 (King Cty. Sup. Ct. 1996) (Represent lessor in
declaratory relief case against tenant one week bench trial)
Brader v. Minute Muffler, 81 Wn. App. 532 (1996) (Represent franchisee in franchise dispute
under Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act; partial summary judgment and two week bench trial on damages)
First Interstate Bank, Trustee v. Sinegal, No. 93-2-02890-2 (King Cty. Sup. Ct. 1994) (Represent trustee in lot line dispute; two week jury trial with complete victory for client)
Horbach v. Tompourlos, 75 Wn. App. 1001 (1994) (Represent foreclosing seller in commercial
property dispute; foreclosure affirmed on appeal)
First Interstate Bank v. WestCap et al., 74 Wn. App. 900 (1994) (Represent lender in $5.3 million foreclosure case; summary judgments affirmed on appeal)
Blanton v. Texaco, 914 F. 2d 188 (9th Cir. 1990) (Represent putative franchisor in franchise dispute under Washington Franchise Investment Protection Act; summary judgment affirmed on appeal)
A paper manufacturer v. Ellis et al., No. 85-2-09627-4 (King Cty. Sup. Ct. 1988) (Represent corporation in dissenting minority shareholder valuation; co-counsel in four week bench trial; victory for client)
Publications
“Practical Tips for Lenders: Navigating the Gauntlet of Government-Guaranteed Loans,” Community Banker magazine (Winter 2012)
Speaking Engagements
Randy is a frequent lecturer on complex civil litigation topics, including the following recent engagements:
“Tips to Enhance Your Mastery of Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication in the Courtroom” and “Maximize the Effectiveness of Your Exhibits,” National Business Institute’s Effective Case Presentation at Trial Seminar (April 23, 2015 and March 31, 2011)
“Dispute Resolution Process and Procedures,” Law Seminars’ The Business Divorce Seminar (September 29, 2014)
“How to Present Your Case at Trial,” National Business Institute’s Building Your Civil Trial Skills Seminar (February 24, 2012)
“Hot Topics and Trends in Damages” Washington State Bar Association CLE (Chair)
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Awards and Honors
AV Preeminent® in Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™
Named as a “Washington Super Lawyer,” Super Lawyers® magazine, Business Litigation (2013-2016)
Professional and Community Activities
Issaquah Soccer Club (2010-Present)
Board of Directors (2010-Present)
President (2014-Present)
Secretary (2010-2014)
Federal Bar Association
Trustee, The Children’s Museum Seattle (2006-2010)
Washington State Bar Association
CLE Committee (2015-Present)
Committee of Bar Examiners (1992-2003)
Bar Examiners Executive Committee (1994-1999)
American Bar Association, Litigation, Business and Corporations Sections, Franchise Forum
Mentor of the Year, Lane Powell Seattle Office (2015; 2008)
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