Charles Willmes practices defense litigation including product liability, premises liability, professional liability, and commercial litigation. He regularly represents large national retailers, restaurants, and other retail and hospitality industry companies in premises liability matters, including claims of based on negligent security, foodborne illness, liquor liability, and pharmacist malpractice. He also has extensive experience in construction site accident litigation, including matters involving crane accidents. Mr. Willmes also regularly handles trucking and other motor vehicle accident matters. He has tried and arbitrated numerous cases in state and federal courts in Washington and has also litigated cases in federal court in Oregon. He has also successfully resolved numerous cases through arbitration and mediation.

Representative Matters

• Defense of grocery store in matter involving alleged E. coli exposure. Obtained dismissal of case on summary judgment.
• Defense of retail store in matter involving bicycle accident. Obtained dismissal of claims on summary judgment.
• Defense of local nightclub in matter involving altercation between patrons and bouncers resulting in subdural hematoma. Defense verdict following jury trial.
• Defense of product liability claims against manufacturer of adaptive hand control device for motor vehicle. Obtained dismissal at summary judgment.
• Defense of crane company in litigation involving collapse of 500 ton mobile crane at power plant involving claimed $25 million in business interruption loss.
• Representation of manufacturer of underground drill head locating equipment in suit involving defective product claims. Obtained dismissal of all claims on summary judgment.
• Represented large municipal Port in matter involving collision between container cranes. Obtained recovery on behalf of Port.

Education
University of California, Hastings College of the Law – J.D., cum laude, 1993
American Jurisprudence Award – Remedies
University of Redlands – B.A., magna cum laude, 1990

Bar/Court Admissions
Admitted to Washington Bar, 1993
Admitted to U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 1995

Reported Cases

• 1519-1525 Lakeview Boulevard Condominium Association v. Apartment Sales Corporation et. al., 101 Wn. App. 923, 6 P.3d 74 (2000), affirmed, 144 Wn.2d 570, 29 P.3d 1240 (2001).
• Granite Beach Holdings, LLC v. Department of Natural Resources, 103 Wn. App. 186, 11 P.3d 847 (2000).
• TransAlta Centralia Generation, LLC v. Sicklesteel Cranes, Inc., 134 Wn. App. 819, 142 P.3d 209 (2006).
• Stephens v. Omni Insurance Company, 138 Wn. App. 151, 159 P.3d 10 (2007).

Brummett v. Washington’s Lottery, 171 Wn. App. 664, 288 P.3d 48 (2012).