Kelsey Shewbert, Counsel at our Seattle, and Portland law offices
Kelsey Shewbert vcard
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Kelsey Shewbert

Counsel
Biography

Counsel Kelsey Shewbert is a member of the Litigation, Investigations, & Trials Practice Group in Snell & Wilmer’s Seattle office. She focuses her practice on complex civil and commercial litigation. She handles a wide range of matters, including catastrophic injuries, traumatic brain injuries, product liability, premises liability, medical and professional liability, and construction defects. Admitted to practice in both the federal and state courts of Alaska, Idaho, and Washington, Kelsey is well positioned to represent and manage risk for clients doing business across the Pacific Northwest.

Kelsey brings a well-rounded legal background that allows her to evaluate key issues quickly and identify strategic opportunities in her cases. This practical, results-oriented approach enables her clients to efficiently prepare for trial or pursue favorable early resolution when appropriate. She works closely with her clients to exchange ideas and develop creative solutions, and she believes that this close collaboration is essential to achieving successful outcomes.

Kelsey is actively engaged in Washington’s civil defense legal community through her participation in committees and professional associations. She serves as co-editor-in-chief of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) Defense News quarterly publication and as secretary of the WDTL Board of Trustees. She has authored articles on jury trials and recent developments in Washington law.

A Seattle native, Kelsey is an avid Husky and Seahawks fan. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, visiting Washington wineries, and attending comedy shows, concerts, and other local live performances.

Credentials

Bar Admissions

  • Alaska
  • Idaho
  • Oregon
  • Washington


Court Admissions

  • District of Alaska
  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, District of Idaho
  • United States District Court, District of Oregon
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
  • United States District Court, Western District of Washington


Education

  • Seattle University School of Law (J.D.)
  • University of Washington (B.A., Political Science; Law Society & Justice)
Experience

Awards & Recognition

  • The Best Lawyers in America®: Ones to Watch (2021-2026)

Representative Experience

  • Secured a directed verdict at the close of plaintiff’s case in a jury trial in Benton County, Washington. The case arose from a construction-site fall in which a worker fell through a second-story temporary fall-protection barrier. Plaintiff alleged that the client, a framing subcontractor, had failed to properly install the barrier
  • Obtained a defense verdict at jury trial in the Western District of Washington on behalf of a major home improvement retailer. A customer alleged injuries from tripping and falling over palletized merchandise in the store
  • Secured a directed verdict on the plaintiff’s fraud claim at the close of plaintiff’s case in a jury trial in King County, Washington. The case involved claims for fraud, violation of the Consumer Protection Act, and breach of contract arising from an allegedly defective roof installation. At the close of evidence, the jury returned a defense verdict on the Consumer Protection Act claim and awarded the plaintiff damages on the breach of contract claim limited to the defense’s proposed scope of repair
  • Obtained a defense verdict at jury trial in Palmer, Alaska. Plaintiff alleged that the defendant retailer was negligent for stocking merchandise while the store remained open to customers. Although the jury found negligence, it determined that the defendant’s conduct did not cause the plaintiff’s alleged injuries and returned a defense verdict
  • Secured summary judgment dismissal of the client in a construction defect action. Successfully argued that no written contract existed between the parties, limiting the applicable limitations period to three years and rendering the claim time-barred

*Each case is different and prior results should not create an expectation about results in an individual case.

Previous Professional Experience

  • HWS Law Group LLP, Partner, Seattle, WA
  • King County Department of Public Defense, Legal Intern
  • Jena Robinson, PLLC, Legal Intern
  • Washington State Attorney General’s Office – Tort’s Division, Legal Intern
  • Davis Law Group, P.S., Case Coordinator

Representative Presentations and Publications