H. Troy Romero

Troy has been repeatedly described by others as a 'lawyers' lawyer.' This is likely because he loves being a lawyer. He loves helping individuals and businesses resolve challenges that they cannot or do not have the time to resolve on their own.

Troy started being exposed to the law while working on Capitol Hill for Senator James McClure in the mid-1980s. He worked in the areas of commerce and foreign affairs. He then went to law school at the University of Washington School of Law. During his time at UW, he clerked for the Washington State Attorney General's office and the Honorable William L. Dwyer (deceased federal court judge). During law school he also hired on with the law firm of Stanislaw Ashbaugh (first as a law clerk and then as an associate attorney). For the next seven years Troy worked with this firm (and a spin-off), handling a variety of cases in construction, real estate, intellectual property, securities and employment.

In 1995 Troy, along with his partner, started a new law firm in downtown Bellevue. This firm grew from 3 employees to over 20 employees, and became one of the top 20 largest firms based on the Eastside in the late 1990s. While the firm, name and shareholders have changed through the years Troy has remained the firm's managing shareholder, as well as its lead litigator.

Troy's practice primarily focuses on business counseling and dispute resolution in the following areas:

• Real estate
• Construction
• Intellectual Property
• Employment
• Shareholder/Partnership Workouts
• Government Relations/Land Use

Troy has successfully handled over a thousand such disputes. Perhaps more importantly to clients, Troy has actually tried over 50 such disputes, including a number of them in the multi-million dollar range. The following is a sample of some of the cases Troy has successfully handled:

• Represented a publicly-traded company in a lawsuit brought by approximately 20 plaintiffs around the Country seeking damages for alleged misrepresentation, fraud, and breach of contract in connection with the company's business activities. After almost a six week jury trial, the jury returned a verdict in favor of our client and gave each of the plaintiffs nothing.
• Represented a subsidiary of a large, publicly-traded company in a copyright infringement case involving claimed statutory damages of over $60,000,000. Jury returned a verdict of less than $200,000.
• Represented the "finance partner" of a hotel in a 50-50 partnership fight involving trying to take control of the hotel from the "operations partner" of the hotel, as well as recover monies that the "operations partner" had inappropriately taken. Judge returned a judgment for our client allowing him to take control of the hotel and recover money for the partnership.
• Represented a publicly-traded company in connection with a pre-lease situation wherein the developer of the shopping center asserted that our client (the anchor tenant) did not have the right to terminate its lease, thereby causing the developer over $40,000,000 in damages. Client ended up paying nothing.
• Represented the trustee of a publicly traded company in trying to secure insurance coverage for an earthquake claim where the carrier took the position that the policy limit was $500,000 instead of $5,000,000. We were able to convince the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to reverse the district court and find that the policy limit was in fact $5 million even though the policy itself said $500,000. 491 F.3d 1079
• Represented a couple who had a dispute with their homeowner's association regarding their ability to build their dream home. Jury returned a verdict in favor of the homeowners and court awarded them their attorney's fees. The Washington State Court of Appeals decision was published at 118 . 746, P.3d 1190.
• Represented the largest condominium homeowners' association in the state of Washington against homeowners challenging the method for allocating common area expenses (homeowner dues). Jury returned a verdict in favor of the association and court awarded client attorney's fees. No. 59479-I (Wash. App. 2008)
• Represented the president of a publicly-traded company in a copyright infringement case which was lost at trial but reversed by the 9th Circuit, finding for our client and awarding him damages in the high six figures. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision was published at 232 F.3d 736, C.A.9 (Wash).
• Represented a number of publicly and privately held companies in employment claims involving alleged breach of contract, wrongful termination, discrimination, wage & hour losses, and related claims.
• Represented a number of contractors in various claims for unpaid contract balance, delay damages, claims for equitable adjustment and related claims.
• Represented various individuals and businesses in their disputes with municipalities regarding failure to issue permits, failure to treat them as they treat other citizens, and related claims.

Besides the experience Troy has gained in handling many cases and disputes over the years, he has also gained experience in resolving disputes (especially with municipalities) through his relationship with the City of Sammamish, Washington. Troy was involved in the incorporation of the City back in the 1990s. He was one of seven individuals elected to the first City Council and helped set up the city from scratch. Troy served two terms as the mayor of the City.

When Troy is not practicing law, Troy spends the bulk of his time with his family. Troy and his wife Kim have been married for 26 years, have 5 children, one married, and one grandchild (ages 10-23). Troy serves as the Unit Commissioner for his son's Boy Scout Troop and volunteers as a basketball coach for various Boys & Girls Club basketball teams (that his girls play on). Troy loves to play basketball and tennis and is an avid political affecionado.

Troy stands ready, willing and able to help you with any of your business needs.