"My perspective is that a mediation is first and foremost a negotiation. Each side has to negotiate for mediation to succeed and my role is to facilitate the process and provide legal and creative input and ideas along the way to assure a fair and lasting result."
Background
Kyle Johnson, Principal
After law school, Kyle Johnson served on active duty in the army for four years as an Army lawyer trying court-martials in Korea and then working in the Pentagon in Washington DC. The Washington DC location allowed him to continue his legal education where he achieved an LLM in tax at George Washington University.
His initial position as a lawyer in private practice was with a firm now known as Foster Pepper & Shefelman in Seattle where he focused on real estate transactions, acquisitions, construction, securities, and a broad variety of general business legal matters including some civil litigation. Because of his insightful understanding of people he became responsible for hiring many of the lawyers still working in that firm today.
Over time, He became a general business attorney who also tried cases. He was an entrepreneur by nature and was involved as a founder in starting several law firms, including Brown & Johnson, Lasher & Johnson, Chism Jacobson & Johnson, and The Johnson Law Group. His practice focus remained that of a general business lawyer representing privately held businesses, entrepreneurs, and cases where there were complex financial issues like high net worth marital dissolution, real estate, contracts and business transactions, and estates and trusts, all of which benefited from his background as a general business and tax attorney.
While he tried those that did not settle, most cases settle because trial of the case represents a road most well informed litigants prefer not to travel.
Professional History
- Member of The Honorable Thomas T. Glover Mediation Program for the US Bankruptcy Court for Western Washington District 2016 - Present
- Principal of KJAMS, Kyle Johnson Arbitration and Mediation 2014 - present
- Of Counsel, Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson, 2010 - 2014
- Principal, Johnson Law Group, 1999-10
- Firm Manager/Partner, Chism Jacobson & Johnson, 1992-99
- Partner, Stanislaw Ashbaugh Chism Jacobson & Riper, 1989-92
- Managing Partner, Lasher & Johnson, 1976-89
- Partner, Brown & Johnson, 1974-76
- Associate, Foster Pepper & Schefelman, 1971-74
- Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve, Judge Advocate General Corps, (retired)
- Active duty, U.S. Army, Judge Advocate General Corps, 1967-71
Alternative Dispute Resolution Experience
Sole and panel arbitrator/mediator of numerous closely-held corporation and partnership disputes, including business valuations, business dissolution, contract interpretations, and real estate and family law matters pertaining to division of property. Additional mediator and arbitrator experience in professional malpractice and financial accounting disputes including those involving health care providers and partnership and corporate dissolution.
Designated as a Super Lawyer
Recognized as an American Association Arbitration Arbitrator
Highest Ranking of 10
Highest Ranking: AV Preeminent
Member of the Honorable Thomas T. Glover Mediation Program's Mediator Panel
General Legal Experience
Over 40 years' experience as a general business lawyer with emphasis on business, tax, large asset marital dissolution and real estate:
Business, Transactional and Real Estate:
- Primarily client driven business-related matters resulting in a broad brush of commercial litigation, transactional practice, real estate, entrepreneurial representation, professional malpractice disputes, general counsel relationships for locally owned businesses and individuals.
Large Asset Marital Dissolution:
Business law and civil litigation background has resulted in substantial experience over a number of years giving him an outstanding reputation representing clients in large asset and complex marital dissolution cases.
Professional Licenses
- Admitted to the Bar: Supreme Court of the State of Washington, 1966
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 1971
Alternative Dispute Resolution Training
Extensive training through American Arbitration Association as well as countless engagements as mediator and arbitrator within the scope of his legal career.
Training Includes:
- AAA Webinar, ADR and Emerging Technologies, 2013
- AAA Arbitrator Ethics & Disclosure (ACE003), 2006
- ACE005 - Chairing an Arbitration Panel: Managing Procedures, Process & Dynamics, 01/06
- ACE002 - Pro Se: Managing Cases Involving Self-Represented Parties, 03/05
- AAA Arbitrator Update 2001
- AAA Commercial Arbitrator II Training, Seattle, 4/01
- AAA Commercial Arbitrator Training, Seattle, 2/00
- AAA Basic Arbitrator Training, 8/94
- Various other ADR training
Professional Association
- Washington State Bar Association
- Seattle-King County Bar Association
- American Bar Association
Education
- Lewis and Clark College (BA-1963)
- University of Washington (JD-1966)
- George Washington University (LLM, Taxation-1971)
Lectures/Teaching
- Golden Gate University Graduate Tax Program from 1976 to 1982 - Taught estate and tax planning
- Bar Review Associates from 1976 to 1990 - Taught Partnerships, Family Law, and Agency
- CLE Panelist and Speaker - Real Estate and Family Law