Solving Business Problems
When business owners find themselves running into bumps in the road they turn to guys like Chris Thayer. Since joining Larson Hart & Shepherd, PLLC in 1998, Chris has put his broad-based experience—including a successful track record in litigation—to work finding solutions to thorny problems for his clients.
“Regardless of what type of business you’re in, it is not uncommon to run into problems you hadn’t anticipated.” Waving at a stack of documents on his desk, he says even having a roadmap doesn’t always avoid nasty detours. “Let’s face it, sometimes even people who used to see things the same way, or thought they did, end up in a dispute. In those situations the legal system gets to be the referee and it is important to have an advocate on your side.” Disputes amongst former business partners can be uncomfortable for clients, Chris admits. “Businesses are made of people, and disagreements can cause a lot of stress, not to mention the financial toll. I work hard to earn my clients’ trust and try to take as much of the sting out of the process as possible.”
Strong Local Connections
That attention to detail is the bedrock of Chris’ practice, which also includes Real Estate Law Personal Injury, Wrongful Death, Insurance Claims, and Medical Malpractice. He obtained his B.A. in History at the University of Washington and then went on to finish in the top 25 percent of his class at Lewis & Clark, Northwestern School of Law in Portland. He grew up in Edmonds and is proud of both his deep roots in the community and the ongoing ties he develops with his clients. A member of the Kappa Sigma fraternity as an undergraduate, Chris has been an officer of the alumni housing board for over 12 years, and has recently helped oversee a $400,000 fundraising and remodel effort on the chapter house.
He points out his window at downtown Seattle. “I like to develop a relationship with my clients so they not only appreciate the services, but also like me as a person. I think that develops a sense of trust when they know I’m a hard worker looking out for their interests, not just going through one more project on my desk.”
Sometimes that focus on his clients’ issues follows him when he’s out hiking or rolling along a trail on his Trek mountain bike. “There are some kinds of cases that get into your head and you can’t stop thinking about them. I’ll be thinking of 10 different things I can do, then I’ll have to put on my brakes so I don’t run into a tree.”
Planning Corporate Success
Litigation and trial practice is a good portion of Chris’ background, and this experience has sharpened his view of business practices. He tries to coach business owners to be conscious of the fact that a company is a separate entity: “You have to be aware of which hat you are wearing at the table and that you are doing business as the company, not as an individual, to avoid or at least minimize potential personal liabilities.” Seeing contracts through the litigator’s glasses has given him an eye for detail that helps provide a cautious perspective when drafting new agreements:
- Structuring corporations
- Drafting contracts to help avoid later problems
- Planning for mediation and litigation in the event of disputes
- The growing field of corporate responsibility
“I’ve seen what happens when loopholes aren’t closed. Contracts don’t prevent all problems, but you hope to give yourself a better starting point and a framework to resolve disputes.” Nobody likes to be embroiled in legal quarrels, but when it happens, he’s ready to help. “I want people to feel they always get the very best I’m able to do.”
Professional Details
Chris attended the University of Washington as an undergraduate, obtaining a B.A. in History in 1990. He later attended Lewis & Clark, Northwestern School of Law in Portland, Oregon, receiving his J.D. in 1993 and graduating in the top 25% of his class.
Mr. Thayer was admitted to practice in Washington in 1994. He is also admitted to practice in the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the United States District Court for Eastern Washington and the United States District Court for Western Washington. He is a member of the Washington State Trial Lawyer’s Association, the King County Bar Association and the Snohomish County Bar Association.
Chris is also an amateur photographer, who always has his digital camera at the ready to get that “perfect” shot, whether he is traveling or just hiking in and around the Pacific Northwest. To see some of his photographs, you can swing by his office or visit his online gallery.
