$ 435-435 per hour
Howard Ramsey Morrill
About Howard
Biography
I am primarily a franchise law attorney with considerable experience representing parties in disputes. I also have extensive experience representing shareholders and partners in closely held companies. The remainder of my practice mostly involves representing parties involved in or contemplating various business transactions.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 38 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1987
No misconduct found
Location
Howard R. Morrill, Attorney at Law
12345 Lake City Way NE, #1037, Seattle, WA, 98125
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Howard Ramsey Morrill's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
6 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (6)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews
Posted by Robert | April 18, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Business
Excellent lawyer, highly recommend
Worked with Howard on a business case where I invested in a company, and the CEO of that company embezzled my investment funds for personal use. Howard was extremely professional, and honestly, I think he did more work than he charged me for. I greatly appreciate all he's done for me.
Posted by Christopher | September 09, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Franchising
Excellent attorney
I have worked with Howard on 2 franchise disputes, both if which ended favorably. I am also working with him on a real estate contractual dispute as we speak. In all cases, Howard is extremely thorough, candid and transparent in his approach, anticipating potential challenges and clearly empathetic i...
Posted by Jimmie | March 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Excellent Franchise Attorney
After our due diligence, we chose to work with Howard. We appreciated his direct and sincere approach and not once did we feel like he wasn't working towards our best interest. Howard is knowledgeable, efficient and consistently demonstrated outstanding communication skills with precision and detail...
Posted by anonymous | December 13, 2016 | Hired Attorney
Excellent and professional
We hired Howard to review legal documents on short notice. He was very good about responding to the request and was able to help us get all of the answers we needed and more! I would strongly recommend him.
Posted by Chad | May 11, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Franchising
Franchise negotiation
Our Attorney, Mr Morrill was extremely helpful in guiding us thru a difficult franchise dispute. We appreciated the personal way that Howard worked with us thru some stressful moments, and his guidance was very balanced. Strategic letter from his desk and sound research helped us to avoid litigation ...
Howard Ramsey Morrill's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have worked with Howard on a variety of matters including Franchise Law, General Business Law and Commercial Litigation. I have always found him to be very professional, knowledgeable and personable to work with. I highly recommend Howard."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
Charles Lehman
Litigation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2016
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2000
AV peer review rating, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Owner, Howard R. Morrill, Attorney at Law
2010 - 2016
Of Counsel, Simburg, Ketter, Sheppard & Purdy, LLP
2007 - 2009
Attorney, Gordon Thomas Honeywell
1990 - 2007
Shareholder, Bundy & Morrill, Inc., PS
1987 - 1990
Associate, Bundy Meyer & Home
Associations
2014 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
1994 - Present
American Bar Association, Forum on FranchisingMember
1994 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1987 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2015 - 2018
Seattle University Community Development and Entrepreneurship ClinicMentor
Sample of Legal Cases
Hasbun v. BrightStar Franchising, LLC, King County Superior Ct. #14-2-23904-1
Resolved by settlement.
MJ Beem Development, et al. v. Mucho Burrito Franchising USA, et al., Snohomish County Superior Ct. #14-2-03581-9
The matter was fully resolved by settlement.
Vosk International Co. v. Zao Gruppa, et al., W.D. Wash #C-11-1488RSL
Successfully sought a judgment upholding favorable ruling of the TTAB.
Bundy American, LLC v. Hawkeye Transportation, LLC, W.D. Washington 2:09-cv-00817-TSZ
Obtained an order granting my client's motion for a preliminary injunction. The case was then resolved by mutually agreeable settlement.
Harvey v. Gendelman, et al., King County Superior Court #08-2-05495-1 SEA
The matter was concluded by a mutually agreeable settlement agreement.
GR8 Wheels, Inc. v. Morris, et al., Clark County Superior Court #04-2-03420-9
Pursuant to rescission, my client was awarded the return of all franchise fees paid, less small offset. The client was also awarded all his attorney's fees.
Gowani v. That Kitchen Shop, et al., King County Superior Ct. #05-2-37296-6
Resolved by settlement.
NWAS Oklahoma, Inc., et al., vs. Northwest Acquifer Surveying, Inc., et al., American Arbitration Association
My clients were awarded rescission and a damage award of just less than half a million dollars was ultimately confirmed in the Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington
Gowani v. Georgio's Subs, et al., King County Superior Court, #05-2-25109-3
Resolved by settlement.
Ringwald, et al. v. Aire Serv Corporation, et al., King County Superior Court #95-2-21692-7
My client was awarded rescission, return of moneys paid and his attorneys fees after a trial to the court.
Meyer, et al. v. Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., King County Superior Court #95-2-20556-9
After a successful summary judgment motion resulting in an award of money damages and exemplary damages to my client, as well as an award of attorneys fees, the case was finally resolved for an insubstantial discount while Sylvan's appeal was pending.
Butte Enterprises/Karim Enterprises vs. Allied Fuel, LLC, King County Superior Court cases 12-2-39714-2 SEA and 12-2-40171-3 SEA
Case resolved by mediation, May 27, 2014, with my client receiving payment for allowing the plaintiffs to terminate their contracts.
Rogers v. The Filta Group, Inc., et al., King County Superior Court #09-2-21294-5 SEA
The parties mediated a mutually agreeable settlement on September 27, 2010.
Malek v. The Southland Corp., W.D. Washington 1998
We prevailed on a motion for partial summary judgment before the district court, which is reported at CCH BUSINESS FRANCHISE GUIDE ¶11,386. The case was then fully resolved by mutual agreement.
Rousseau v. Mr. Rooter Corporation, et al., AAA arbitration 1995
The arbitration panel ruled in my client's favor. The award included a return of money paid and debt relief amounting to more than $200,000 in total value.
Spencer v. The Southland Corp., AAA arbitration 1994
My client received an arbitration award of more than $219,000 in damages.
Education
1987
University of Washington School of Law/School of Business
JD/MBA - Juris Doctor and MBA
1982
University of Washington
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1982
University of Washington
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2015
Representing Franchisees and Franchisee Prospects
Franchising
2014
Unintended Franchises: Your Agreement is a Franchise and You Really Should Care
Franchise Law
2008
Unintentional Franchising
Franchise Law
2007
Franchise Law/Accidental Franchising
Franchise Law
1992
Franchising in Washington After the 1991 Amendments
Franchise Law
Publications
2012
ABA Forum on Franchising
Covenants Against Competition in Franchise Agreements, 3d Ed., chapter contributor
2003
Washington State Bar Association Bar News
The Unintentional Franchise
N/A
Washington Lawyers Practice Manual
Editor, since 2004, of the Franchise Law section
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
How enforceable are non-solicitation agreements in Washington State?
30 Nov 2023
Q&A
When trademark licensing, will I be considered an "accidental franchisor" if I provide free marketing tools to the licensee?
20 Jan 2023
Q&A
Does a business Partnership exist when no Agreement was ever signed?
24 Nov 2020