Attorneys

Bryan D. Scholnick is the Managing Partner in Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. Mr. Scholnick’s legal career focuses on defending general liability cases with a focus on professional liability and automotive claims. He is an experienced litigator in a variety of cases involving automotive and trucking personal injury claims, automotive rental liability issues, engineering error and omissions claims, medical malpractice, products liability, workplace injuries, wrongful death, construction defect, and breach of contract. Mr. Scholnick has defended and represented architects, engineers, and physicians and hospitals in suits alleging professional negligence.

Bertha Baranko Fitzer is a Partner in Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. Her practice focuses on medical malpractice defense involving catastrophic injuries and complex appeals.

Steven Rich is a Partner at Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. Mr. Rich is an accomplished litigator and trial attorney with experience in complex and multi-party civil litigation. He passionately defends large companies and individuals in high-exposure lawsuits involving a myriad of issues, including premises liability, product liability, catastrophic injuries, wrongful death claims, automobile accidents, construction defect claims, toxic torts, and environmental contamination.

Jennifer Merringer Veal is a Partner in Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. Her practice focuses on medical malpractice defense, professional licensure issues, appellate practice in state and federal court, and general liability defense.

Shivani Bommakanty is Senior Counsel in Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. Her practice focuses on civil litigation, construction defect, intellectual property prosecution, insurance defense, personal injury, medical malpractice, and government entity liability.

Nathan Furman is Senior Counsel in Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. His practice focuses on defending general liability and personal injury cases including auto liability, UIM/UM, premises liability, construction accidents, and construction defect claims.

Aurora Levinson is Senior Counsel in Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. Her practice focuses on defending Washington businesses and individuals in general liability and personal injury litigation.

Po Waghalter is Senior Counsel in Tyson & Mendes’ Los Angeles and Seattle offices. With over a decade of experience, her practice focuses on general liability, product liability, and personal injury defense. Ms. Waghalter specializes in developing legal strategies aimed at early dismissals and summary adjudication of contentious disputes through tactical strategy and dispositive motions. Ms. Waghalter is licensed to practice law in California, Oregon, and Washington.

Chris Engle is an Associate in Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. Mr. Engle’s practice focuses on construction defect litigation and complex litigation in general. He defends businesses and individuals in tort and contract matters.

Andrew Friese is an Associate at Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office, where he is engaged in a wide variety of civil litigation in tort and contract including land use, trespass, breach of contract, and construction defect cases.

Michael Kutzner is an Associate in Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. His practice includes general liability and personal injury litigation.  

Lauren Sharkey is an Associate at Tyson & Mendes’ Seattle office. Her practice focuses on personal injury defense and employment practices litigation defense.