Desktop Image: Rhys Farren
Mobile Image: Rhys Farren
Rhys M. Farren
Partner
Rhys Farren serves as litigation counsel to clients in real estate, creditor’s rights, business, and trust & estate disputes. He has served as lead or first-chair litigation counsel in state, federal, and bankruptcy trial court, appellate courts, and in arbitration and mediation. Rhys has represented finance companies and banks, real estate developers, property owners, a national telecommunication company, local business owners, and trust and estate fiduciaries and beneficiaries.
Rhys was previously a senior officer at a national bank prior to becoming an attorney.
Real Estate Litigation
Terry Terrace Condominium Owners Ass'n v. Terry Terrace Apts., LLC & Verizon Wireless (VAW), LLC
Represented national wireless company in new issue under Washington Condominium Act, impacting wireless carrier's antenna site. Prevailed on summary judgment. Judgment upheld on appeal. 159 Wn. App. 1018, 2011 WL 135232 (2010)
Saugen v. Elliot Group Ltd. Partnership
Represented partners-interveners in partnership dispute, obtaining favorable settlement at less than 10 percent of original claim. (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2010)
Nickum v. Verizon Wireless (VAW), LLC
Represented wireless carrier in various legal challenges to antenna site. Obtained dismissal of all claims in summary judgment. (Kitsap Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2010)
S & S Construction, Inc. v. ADC Properties, LLC
Represented owners of medical clinic at full arbitration trial after state court litigation involving commercial construction contract, lien foreclosure, and counterclaim for construction defects. Decision in client’s favor. Arbitration upheld on appeal. 51 Wn. App. 247, 211 P.3d 415 (2009); review denied, 168 Wn.2d 1002 (2010)
Olympic Real Estate Development v. Red Apple, Inc.
Obtained favorable settlement at start of trial. (Snohomish Cty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2011)
Searching...
Commercial, Bankruptcy, and General Business Litigation
Doyon Gov't Contracting v. Meisner
Representing national Alaska Native corporation subsidiary contractor in litigation against former company president of national construction company. (Pierce Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. Ongoing)
In re Allen
Represented owner of multiplayer online gaming company against former owner of company in contested bankruptcy proceedings. Obtained order of contempt and order of sanctions leading to settlement. (W.D. Wash. Bankr. 2013)
GE Comm'l Fin. Bus. Prop. Corp. v. Huey & Fong; In re Huey & Fong Trust; In re Kenneth Huey Family Trust, In re Huey & Fong
Defended servicing company of national finance company in bankruptcy dispute and related adversary proceedings and lawsuits. Obtained dismissal of bankruptcy cases within two months of filing; defended client in multiple litigation and adversary proceedings; negotiated recovery of all collateral and proceeds. (Bankr. W.D. Wash. 2009-2012)
Xinyuan Zhejiang Bamboo Products, Ltd. v. Teragren, Inc.
Represented China-based manufacturer/distributor of bamboo flooring products. Obtained injunction in receivership proceeding. Settled on terms under which client obtained control of company. (Kitsap Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2011)
Wells Fargo v. Kirkland Totem Lake, LLC
Represented mortgage trust servicer in big-box retail foreclosure. Successfully obtained general receivership in contested proceeding, followed by foreclosure. (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2011)
Searching...
Trust and Estate Litigation
In re Estate of Nelson; In re Estate of Macbride; In re Estate of Parsons; In re Estate of Green-Eldridge
Represented one of two lead test cases in successful defense of estate tax challenge against the Washington Department of Revenue. Clemency v. State (In re Estate of Bracken), 175 Wn.2d 549, 290 P.3d 99 (2012)
In re Estate of Hemphill
Represented 12 estates against class action plaintiff’s counsel’s claim for attorneys’ fees out of class recovery against state, successfully benefitted class by $8 million. (Thurston Cnty. (Wash.) Super Ct. 2008)
In re Estate of Bettie Wilkins Howie
Obtained civil contempt order against trustee and sanctions in excess of $250,000 against personal representative and trustee. Also prevailed on novel issue of ademption doctrine in will. (King Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2010)
In re Hoyle Trust
Represented trustee in defense of breach of fiduciary duty and removal actions in bench trial in Grays Harbor superior court involving seven figure trust. Court upheld client’s authority and accepted trustee’s recommendations for trust administration. (Grays Harbor Cnty. (Wash.) Super. Ct. 2001)
Searching...
Admitted to Practice
- Washington, 1990
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit
Education
- J.D., Seattle University School of Law, 1989, cum laude
- Research and Technical Editor, University of Puget Sound Law Review
- B.A., Business Administration, Accounting, University of Washington, 1981
Memberships & Affiliations
- Director and Corporate Secretary, Eastside Legal Assistance Program
- Regular pro bono counsel for domestic violence victims and low income clients (through ELAP), and dependency and termination cases (through King County CASA)
- Member, Patient-Family Advisory Council, UW Medical Center
Professional Recognition
- Named one of the "Best Lawyers in America" in Commercial Litigation and in Litigation - Trusts and Estates by Best Lawyers, 2016-present
- Named "Lawyer of the Year" in Litigation – Trusts & Estates (Seattle), Best Lawyers, 2022
Background
- Prior to the practice of law, Rhys was a Senior Officer at Seattle First National Bank (now Bank of America), having obtained experience in the bank’s corporate audit and accounting departments.
Searching...
Publications
08.17.23
News
2024 Edition of Best Lawyers Recognizes More Than 175 Davis Wright Tremaine Attorneys for Excellence Read More notebook and pen on table
04.26.22
Insights
Governance & Business Operations
Dispute Resolution Methods: Using a Mediator Read More Publications
08.19.21
News
Twelve From Davis Wright Tremaine Named 2022 "Lawyers of the Year" by Best Lawyers Read More Publications
2020
News
"Helping a Black Church Keep Seniors in the Neighborhood," Davis Wright Tremaine Pro Bono & Social Impact Report Read More External LinkApartment building windows
04.17.20
Advisories
Real Estate
Washington and Oregon Moratoriums on Residential and Commercial Evictions Read More Apartment building
04.17.20
Insights
COVID 19
Washington and Oregon Moratoriums on Residential and Commercial Evictions Read More
Your search returned no results. Please try another search or remove search criteria.