John T. Dalton
Shareholder
Direct: (206) 467-2645
Fax: (206) 467-2689
Email: jdalton@mhlseattle.com
John Dalton’s practice includes representation of individuals and companies, through trial and appeal, in state and federal courts, in the areas of employment practices liability, personal injury (including commercial and construction site accidents, passenger and commercial motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, product liability, municipal liability), professional negligence (including legal, medical, architectural), construction defect, and breach of contract in all business settings. His work includes representation of some of the nation’s largest companies and many businesses and individuals throughout Washington State. In addition to an active litigation practice, Mr. Dalton served as the President and Managing Director of Merrick, Hofstedt & Lindsey, P.S. from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2013, and now serves as its Treasurer.
Mr. Dalton received his B.A. from the University of Washington in 1974 and his J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law in 1977. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the Idaho State Bar Association, the Seattle-King County Bar Association, the Federal Bar Association, the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers, the American Bar Association, and is admitted to practice in all federal courts in the states of Washington and Idaho as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Mr. Dalton’s Martindale-Hubbell peer review rating is AV and he has been named a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics magazine.
Mr. Dalton served as an attorney-advisor to the United States Small Business Administration (1977-79), as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Spokane County, Washington (1979-1980), as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Snohomish County, Washington (1980-87), as an Assistant City Attorney for the Boise City Attorney in Boise, Idaho (1986-87), before he joined Merrick, Hofstedt & Lindsey, P.S. in 1987. He has been responsible for the defense of hundreds of lawsuits and related administrative proceedings, mediations, arbitrations, trials and appeals. Mr. Dalton has tried more than 90 jury trials, bench trials, and arbitrations.
Mr. Dalton is married to Susan Stover-Dalton, M.D., and is the father of two wonderful children. His interests outside work include family, exercise, tennis, biking, theatre, travel, reading, and cheering his kids on in all of their school and sports activities. Mr. Dalton serves as the Treasurer for the Garfield Jazz Foundation, which supports the Garfield High School Jazz Bands program (2014-2015 and 2015-2016 academic years).
Appellate Decisions
Parkridge Assocs., Ltd. v. Ledcor Industries, Inc., 113 Wn. App. 592, 54 P.3d 225 (2002)
U. S. Oil & Refining Co. v. Lee & Eastes Tank Lines, Inc., 104 Wn. App. 823, 16 P.3d 1278 (2001)
Mark Industries, Ltd. v. Sea Captain’s Choice, Inc., 50 F.3d 730 (9th Cir. 1995)
Brust v. Newton, 70 Wn. App. 286, 852 P.2d 1092 (1993), review denied, 123 Wn.2d 1010, 869 P.2d 1085 (1994)
Nichols v. Snohomish County, 47 Wn. App. 550, 736 P.2d 670, affirmed, 109 Wn.2d 613, 746 P.2d 1208 (1987)
Lynnwood v. Snohomish County, 48 Wn. App. 210, 738 P.2d 699 (1987)
BSA, Inc. v. King County, 804 F.2d 1104 (9th Cir. 1986)
In re Rosier, 105 Wn.2d 606, 717 P.2d 1353 (1986)
State v. Harrell, 105 Wn.2d 840, 718 P.2d 797 (1986)
Gold Bar Citizens for Good Government v. Whalen, 99 Wn.2d 724, 665 P.2d 393 (1983)