Geoffrey Grindeland
Civil litigation, with special emphasis on aviation matters, insurance coverage,Geoff founded Seamark Law Group after 14 years at one of Seattle's premier mid-sized law firms. He has successfully tried multiple cases in federal and state courts, and he has represented municipalities at more than a dozen inquests into deaths arising from officer-involved shootings or other law-enforcement activities. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and the University of Virginia's School of Law. Prior to attending law school, Geoff was a Navy pilot who managed safety, flight-training, and aircraft-maintenance programs. He is particularly proud of his work defending police officers and also enjoys cases that involve scientific, engineering, or other technical issues. Geoff previously served as President of the King County Bar Association's Aviation Section and as President of the Board of Directors of Helpline House, a food bank and social-services organization on Bainbridge Island. He currently serves on the Washington State Bar Association's Court Rules and Procedures Committee. Super Lawyers Magazine has selected Geoff to its “Super Lawyers” list each year since 2013.
- University of Virginia School of Law
- J.D. (2004)
- Honors: Dillard Fellow
- Activities: Executive Editor, Virginia Journal of Social Policy and the Law
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- United States Naval Academy
- B.S. (1990)
- Honors: Graduated with merit
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- Attorney & Principal
- Mills Meyers Swartling P.S.
- - Current
- After three-day jury trial in federal court, obtained defense verdict for city in case alleging excessive-force related to police officer’s use of beanbag shotgun. After three-day jury trial in federal court, obtained defense verdict for county and two sheriff’s deputies in case involving claims for unlawful arrest and excessive force. Obtained summary judgment dismissal of all claims against project owner by worker who sustained chemical burns while working with wet concrete. Successfully briefed and argued case on appeal, resulting in published decision affirming trial court’s grant of summary judgment in favor of project owner on issue of retained control. Cano-Garcia v. King County, 277 P.3d 34 (Wash. Ct. App. 2012). Represented municipalities and police officers in numerous jury inquests relating to officer-involved shootings. Obtained summary judgment dismissal of wrongful-death action against owner/lessor of mobile crane that was involved in fatal accident. Obtained summary judgment dismissing all claims against police officer and city in federal, civil-rights action arising out of officer-involved shooting. Successfully represented aviation client in litigation to recover commissions owed on sales of aircraft-repair services. Successfully represented commercial landlord pursuing eviction and unpaid rent in unlawful-detainer trial. Obtained dismissal of all claims against helicopter-medical-transportation service in wrongful-death action. Obtained dismissal of all claims against builder of experimental airplane in personal-injury action brought by a pilot who crashed the airplane. Successfully defended airlines, manufacturers, pilots, police officers, helicopter operators, and other businesses and individuals in state and federal courts. Represented aviation clients in civil-enforcement proceedings instituted by the FAA and TSA.
- Pilot & Naval Officer
- United States Navy
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- • Flew MH-53E Sea Dragon and UH-3H Sea King helicopters • Flew UC-12B King Air transport airplane • Managed equal opportunity and aviation safety programs • Led pilot and aircrew training • Supervised military and civilian personnel in aircraft maintenance • Flew helicopter search and rescue missions • Honorably discharged from active duty as a lieutenant commander
- The Game Theory and the Rational Case for Cooperation in Litigation
- King County Bar Association, 41st Annual Pacific Northwest Aviation Law and Insurance Seminar
- Reasonable Force & Qualified Immunity
- Lorman Seminar, Police Liability
- The 20/20 Vision of HIndsight: Police liability for Use of Force
- Washington Public Risk Management Association Workshop
- The Law of Arrest
- Lorman Seminar, Recent Trends Involving the Law of Arrest, Search and Seizure
- Qualified Immunity: The Basics and the New Methodology
- Lorman Seminar, Police Liability
- Selected to Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Thomson Reuters
- Selected to Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Thomson Reuters
- Selected to Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Thomson Reuters
- Selected to Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers Magazine, Thomson Reuters
- Rising Stars
- Super Lawyers Magazaine, Thomson Reuters
- Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
- Current
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- Federal Bar Association
- Current
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- Northwest Aviation Insurance Association
- Current
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- King County Bar Association
- Current
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- Defense Research Institute
- Current
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- Washington State Bar # 35798
- Member
- - Current
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- Alaska
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- Oregon
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- Washington
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- Credit Cards Accepted
- Products Liability
- Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Municipal Law
- Aviation Accidents
- Police Liability
- Construction Site Accidents