Ms. Margo Keller

Arbitrator, Mediator

• Commercial & Contract
• Personal Injury
• Condominium & Real Estate
• Employment
• General Civil/Tort Litigation
• Probate and Estates

WAMS Mediator Certification: 1991

Accomplishments: A full-time neutral, Margo Keller handles tough cases while effectively assisting parties and attorneys in preserving ongoing relationships. Formerly a partner in the Seattle firm of Lasher, Holzapfel, Sperry & Ebberson, Ms. Keller has extensive trial experience representing plaintiffs and defendants in a broad range of civil matters. She has handled claims involving breach of contract, business sales, partnership dissolutions, employment claims; litigation by homeowner associations, claims arising from real property and securities transactions, estate litigation, TEDRA mediation, marital dissolutions and personal injury. Ms. Keller has qualified as an expert witness in legal malpractice matters relating to conflicts of interest in estate and business representation.

In her civil litigation practice, Ms. Keller argued a breakthrough case before the Washington Supreme Court which set the standards for fiduciary duty and management of partnerships in the state of Washington. She prevailed against the IRS at the Ninth Circuit in a case of first impression on the tax treatment of a stock redemption in a dissolution. She was appointed by the US Bankruptcy Court (Eastern District) as attorney for the Investors/Creditors Committee to manage and resolve claims by more than 100 investors in businesses operated throughout the state. Ms. Keller was admitted to the Washington Bar in 1982 and is admitted to practice in the US District Courts for the District of Washington (Western and Eastern), the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and US Tax Court.

As a neutral, Ms. Keller has handled cases involving a wide range of issues, from personal injury claims to complex commercial/contract disputes, employment-based grievances and real estate matters. She has effectively resolved sensitive family business and estate disputes, including will contests. Ms. Keller’s substantial jury trial experience has proven to be effective in helping determine the value of a wide range of civil claims. She serves as a swing and sole arbitrator in tort, commercial, employment, estate and real property disputes and arbitrates lemon law claims and MAR cases. Margo has worked as a mediator and facilitator with numerous Indian Tribes in the Northwest, assisting them in conflict resolution and new business formation.

Ms. Keller is an adjunct professor of Dispute Resolution at the Seattle University School of Law.

Education: USA&M Mediator Training, 1991; USA&M Advanced Mediator Training, 2001, 2004, 2005; UPS School of Law, JD, Cum Laude, 1982; University of Utah, BS, Cum Laude, 1977.

Affiliations: Washington Arbitration & Mediation Service; Member and Litigation Committee Chair, Board of Directors, Steward Ventures, Inc. (“SVI”), the largest National Car Rental franchisee (2003-08); Washington State Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section (1990-91); co-chair, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association Mediation Seminar (1993); chair, Judicial Conduct Commission (1995-2004); Community Association Institute (CAI), Business Partner; Executive Women's Golf Association (EWGA).