Samantha K. Pitsch
Attorney | Seattle
Areas of Practice
Samantha represents businesses, municipal entities, and individuals at trial and in alternative dispute resolution proceedings throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Her practice is focused on complex civil litigation matters such as aviation, commercial and insurance coverage disputes, product liability, and trust & estate issues. She has extensive experience in all stages of civil litigation and appeals.
Samantha has broad experience helping airline clients resolve passenger claims involving in-flight injuries, discrimination and accommodation claims, and other tort claims related to operations above and below the wing. She regularly litigates disputes involving the Air Carrier Access Act, the Airline Deregulation Act, the Montreal Convention and its predecessors, and the Federal Aviation Regulations. Samantha provides counsel to commercial airlines, helicopter and floatplane operators, Part 91 and Part 135 operators, and airport operators.
In addition to Samantha’s aviation practice, she works closely with businesses and individuals involved in contract disputes, including insurance coverage litigation and other contractual-indemnification related claims. She advises her clients on matters of their rights and obligations under indemnification provisions, providing a valuable tool for defraying costs of litigation.
Samantha defends product manufacturers against design defect, manufacturing defect, and other product liability claims. She has represented and litigated claims with auto manufacturers including defending against warranty claims under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, as well as state and federal consumer protection act and unfair business practices claims.
Samantha also represents clients in all aspects of trust and estate litigation, including mediation, trials, arbitration, and appeals. She regularly represents beneficiaries, executors, trustees, and other interested parties in disputes arising under the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (“TEDRA”).
Samantha’s strong track record of defending her clients is reflected in successful motion practice, defense verdicts, appellate victories and favorable settlements in high-exposure litigation. She approaches all aspects of complex litigation, starting with the pre-suit investigation, with a deep commitment to her client’s objectives and goals and with a focus on effective and cost-efficient resolution strategies.
Samantha practices law in Washington, Oregon, and Alaska.
Admissions
- Washington
- Alaska
- Oregon
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the District of Alaska
- U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon
Education
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University of Washington School of Law, J.D., 2018, with honors
- Managing Editor, Washington Law Review
- Extern to Hon. James L. Robart, U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- UW Legal Writing Fellow
- Willamette University, B.A., Politics, 2012, with Department Honors
Recognition & Honors
- CALI Award: Forensics, University of Washington School of Law
Representative Work
Aviation- Defended commercial airline in breach of contract and consumer protection act lawsuit.
- Defended commercial airline in lawsuit involving passenger-on-passenger assault.
- Defended multiple commercial airlines in litigation involving discrimination claims, including racial and disability discrimination.
- Regularly represents commercial airlines in lawsuits involving the Montreal Convention, the Airline Deregulation Act, and the Air Carrier Access Act.
- Regularly represents commercial airlines and airports in premises liability lawsuits.
- Regularly represents commercial airlines against passenger in-flight injuries and tort claims.
- Obtained defense verdict at trial for specialty contractor in personal injury lawsuit.
- Obtained summary judgment dismissal of claim against transit agency and operator applying sudden medical emergency defense.
- Obtained summary judgment granting relief for Consumer Protection Act claims brought by passengers of a taxi cab.
- Obtained multiple, favorable settlements for clients allowing them to avoid additional, costly litigation.
- Obtained summary judgment requiring defense of personal injury suit under contractual indemnification agreement.
- Obtained summary judgment requiring defense of breach of contract suit under insurance contract.
- Obtained multiple, favorable coverage outcomes for individuals and entities through pre-litigation advocacy.
- Regularly represents auto manufacturers in product liability claims.
- Obtained summary judgment dismissal of claim against national auto manufacturer regarding restraint system.
- Defended consumer protection act claim involving alleged glass defect.
- Obtained dismissal of clients in will contest dispute based on an untimely probate.
- Regularly represents individuals in highly contested trust and estate disputes.
Professional & Community Activities
- King County Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
- International Aviation Women’s Association (IAWA), Member
- KCBA Aviation Law Section, Chair
- Washington Women Lawyers, Member
- University of Washington School of Law Students, Mentor
- Moot Court and Mock Trial Competitions at the University of Washington School, Judge
- Street Youth Legal Advocates of Washington Clinic, Volunteer (2015 - 2018)
Publications & Presentations
- “Discrimination at Altitude – Application of (and defenses to) Anti-Discrimination Laws at the Airport and On Board,” presenter, KCBA Annual Pacific Northwest Aviation Law & Insurance Conference (October 2023)
- “Importance of Model Rule 8.4(g) and Increasing Law Firm Diversity,” presenter, KCBA Aviation Section Program (2022)
- “Please enter your password here: Updates on (and Importance of) Cybercrime Insurance,” co-presenter, GTTC Insurance Recovery Seminar (2022)
- “The Ethics of Practicing Virtually,” presenter, KCBA Aviation Section Program (2021)
- “Property Insurance, The Life of a Property Insurance Claim,” co-presenter, GTTC Insurance Recovery Seminar (2021)
- “Mastering the Basics of Discovery,” co-author and co-presenter, National Business Institute (2021)
- “Pleadings & Motions: Civil Practice Tips & Examples,” co-author and co-presenter, National Business Institute (2021)
- “Trademark Year in Review,” co-author, WSBA 25th Annual Intellectual Property Institute: A Forum for Innovation in the Continually Evolving Field of Intellectual Property (April 2020)
- “Whose Report Is it Anyway? Ethical Considerations in Ghostwriting Expert Reports,” presenter, KCBA 46th Annual Pacific Northwest Aviation Law & Insurance Conference (September 2019)
- “Goodbye ‘Sweetheart.’ The Ethics of Eliminating Discrimination and Promoting Diversity in Legal Practice,” co-author, KCBA 44th Annual Pacific Northwest Aviation Law and Insurance Conference(September 2017)
- "Quick, Stop Hiring Old People! How the Eleventh Circuit Opened the Door for Discriminatory Hiring Practices Under the ADEA," 92 Wash. L. Rev. 1605 (Oct. 2017)
