Patty Eakes

Chambers USA has recognized Patty for her ability to handle an “impressive range of issues,” which has been borne out by her career. Patty began as a prosecutor handling complex and high-profile criminal cases, including the first Daubert hearings on the admissibility of DNA evidence in Washington State and leading the team that solved and prosecuted the longest unsolved serial killer case of the murders of more than 50 women.  She has also been at the forefront of new forensic evidence techniques and their use in criminal cases.

In private practice, Patty continues to be entrusted with a wide range of litigation.  Among other matters, she has defended a world-renowned magician against false federal criminal charges and civil allegations of kidnapping and sexual assault; defended the president and owner of a Native American cigarette distributor against federal charges of violating the Contraband Cigarette Trafficking Act; defended companies in criminal and civil cases involving allegations of tax and securities fraud, money laundering, and theft; served as a special prosecutor to pursue criminal homicide charges against law enforcement officers using excessive force in policing; represented companies and individuals facing criminal environmental enforcement; and represented pharmaceutical companies against state AG claims of violating the Consumer Protection Act related to medical products and prescription drugs.

Patty brings a trial lawyer approach to her cases.  She understands the importance of developing themes and a compelling narrative that can be understood by jurors.  And she drives efficiency by focusing on developing the necessary facts to best convey the client’s position. Patty prides herself on reducing complex issues to understandable terms for the fact finder.

Chambers USA has noted that she “garners market-wide recognition for her standout white-collar crime and government investigations practice.  She is also regularly called upon to represent high-profile companies in commercial litigation.”

Patty was a founding member of the law firm Calfo Eakes in Seattle and served as a King County, Washington senior deputy prosecutor in both the criminal and civil divisions.

Complex Civil Litigation

• A nonprofit organization in an arbitration involving claims for breach of contract and breach of fiduciary duty by a former board member
• A large Northwest law firm in a dispute with former partners relating to separation
• The chief executive officer of a real estate syndication firm in a national securities class action arising from the sale of billions of dollars in fractional interests in commercial real estate
• A Fortune 100 pharmaceutical company in consumer protection and nuisance lawsuits initiated by the Washington State Attorney General's Office
• A pharmaceutical conglomerate in multiple product liability matters alleging personal injury arising from the use of pelvic mesh devices
• Sports regulatory organization in defamation lawsuits brought by two coaches in the wake of inquiries into improper recruiting and other rules violations by a nationally ranked high school football program
• A major technology company in defending patent infringement claims in federal district court

Employment Litigation

• Public defense entity in a disability discrimination case involving promotion of public defenders
• County agency against employment discrimination, retaliation, and failure-to-accommodate claims
• A prominent employment attorney accused of sexual harassment and retaliation
• A transportation company in a wage and hour class action for missed rest and meal breaks
• A public hospital in a class action brought by nurses for late rest and meal breaks

Whistleblower & False Claims Act

• Numerous physicians in False Claims Act and Anti-Kickback investigations relating to submissions for Medicare or private insurance reimbursement for medical services or equipment
• A Seattle pharmaceutical company in a False Claims Act investigation based on allegations of off-label marketing of cancer treatment and improper Medicare reimbursement
• A construction company in an investigation related to alleged false claims submitted for work on federal highway projects

White Collar Criminal Defense

• A Seattle-based industrial plant owner in a Clean Water Act criminal prosecution arising from the release of high pH water to a sewer system
• The president of American Indian-owned Canadian cigarette manufacturing company in a federal excise tax evasion trial
• The president of a national real estate syndication company in a federal securities and money laundering trial
• An elected official in a tax fraud trial related to a real estate services business