Larson Hart & Shepherd, PLLC

An Emphasis on Business Transactions

Kenneth Hart is managing partner of Larson Hart & Shepherd. His legal practice is focused on commercial and business transactions business startups, real estate transactions and related litigation. Both by training and inclination, Ken is a problem-solver, and his approach to the practice of law is collaborative. That means helping clients better understand whatever situation they might be confronted with and giving them the information and guidance they need to make informed decisions.

It was this philosophy that fueled Ken’s desire to co-found Larson Hart & Shepherd in 1997. “We recognized the accelerating pace at which our clients were embracing technological innovation in both their business and everyday lives. We wanted to be more dynamic, more nimble, and in step with these changes, which required some rethinking of how best to deliver legal services. Technology allows even a relatively small law firm like LHS to effectively handle complex transactions and legal disputes.”

He often represents business clients whose companies are not yet big enough to employ fulltime in-house legal counsel on such matters as vendor disputes, employment issues, sales and acquisitions, ownership succession, and estate planning. “The idea,” Ken says, “is to do our best to stay current with our clients, and to be available and responsive when the need help and advice, so that they can concentrate on running and growing their businesses.”

He helps clients with business formations as well as negotiating and drafting partnership, shareholder and employment contracts; and negotiating and documenting business purchases, sales and secured transactions. He is also a trained mediator and experienced arbitrator. Ken’s experience as both a transactional lawyer and litigator allow him to better provide his clients with insightful strategic planning and advice to meet their day-to-day challenges.

In addition to business transactions, Ken has extensive litigation and trial practice experience in various courts and jurisdictions in the areas of general civil litigation; commercial, banking, and financial law; real estate law; and property boundary line and easement disputes.

Professional Honors and Activities

Since his admission to practice law, Ken has been active in both the state and local bar associations and over the years has served with distinction in various leadership roles. In 1990, Ken was honored as the Washington State Bar Association’s Young Lawyer of the Year. Ken is also a former treasurer of the King County Bar Association. He served for three years on the Washington State Bar Association Disciplinary Board, a dedicated group of practicing lawyers and laypersons appointed to review complaints of lawyer misconduct and determine disciplinary actions when appropriate.

Ken is the former editor of the Washington Lawyers Practice Manual and a former member to the Editorial Advisor Board for De Novo magazine. He has also served as chairman of the King County Fair Judicial Campaign Practices Committee and currently serves as a trustee of the King County Bar Association’s employee retirement fund. He is rated AV, the highest peer-review rating possible by Martindale-Hubbell.

Outside the office, Ken enjoys traveling with his wife and two teenaged daughters and collecting fine wines. He is former member of the Seattle Chamber Singers and currently sings with the St. James Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Men’s Chant Choir, which recently had the privilege of performing sacred choral music in many of the great cathedrals of Italy.

Professional Affiliations

Admitted to practice:

• US District Court, Western District of Washington
• US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
• US Claims Court
• US Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit

Memberships:

• Washington State Bar Association
• King County Bar Association, Trustee, Employee Retirement Fund

Education:

• University of Puget Sound School of Law (now Seattle University Law School), cum laude, 1985
• University of Washington, BA , 1981
• Law Clerk, Hon. Jack P. Schofield, Washington State Court of Appeals, Division One

“Ken is smart and has great instincts, deep knowledge of the law, and the experience to quickly assess a problem to find the most efficient way to obtain a great result for his client. His excellent communication, writing, and negotiation skills enable him to be a superior advocate for his clients. I have always found Ken to be responsive, trustworthy, and ethical. Ken is everything you want from an attorney.”
Bruce Hori
Attorney-at-Law
Seattle, WA

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