Brandi Balanda

Brandi Balanda has extensive experience successfully litigating complex commercial cases – from defending a senior executive against the largest trade secret claim asserted in Washington, to prosecuting fraud, contract and fiduciary duty claims related to the financing of major real estate projects, and obtaining emergency injunctive relief to protect businesses’ trademarks and other intellectual property. Brandi combines this commercial work with experience representing public entity clients in high-profile actions. Those disputes have involved defending against employment and Washington Public Records Act claims, obtaining real property through eminent domain proceedings, and litigating real estate issues. She focuses on strategic advocacy to achieve client objectives. Brandi is adept at guiding and empowering clients through the entire dispute resolution process – from risk assessment through litigation, obtaining relief, and in settlement negotiations. She is a passionate advocate, driven to achieve outstanding results for her clients through creative problem solving and collaboration.

Before joining Fennemore, Brandi was a partner at Savitt Bruce & Willey, LLP, and practiced law in Hawaii. She is a Boston College Law School graduate, where she participated in the European Law Moot Court team, arguing in English and French, and advancing as a regional semi-finalist. Outside of the office, Brandi enjoys sharing laughs with her family and friends, traveling, and outdoor adventures. She is inspired by Tolkien’s words, “Not all those who wander are lost” – although she now also carries a compass.
 
Sarah Gohmann Bigelow

Sarah Gohmann Bigelow’s commercial litigation experience, encompassing a variety of cases in both state and federal courts, is marked by her in-depth legal knowledge, strategic thinking, creative problem solving, and robust litigation skills. She has been actively involved in all stages of litigation, dealing with disputes arising from business torts, contracts, fiduciary duties, class actions, and employment claims.
 
Sarah honed her legal skills at Bryan Cave in Los Angeles and more recently at the Seattle litigation boutique Savitt Bruce & Willey, which combined with Fennemore to become the firm’s Seattle office. Sarah also served as a law clerk to the Honorable Thomas B. Donovan of the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California. A UCLA Law School alumni, she served as Symposium Editor for the UCLA Law Review and Co-Chief Articles Editor for the UCLA Women’s Law Journal, reflecting her commitment to legal scholarship and excellence. Her approach in litigation is client-focused and strategic, aimed at achieving favorable outcomes through effective legal strategies and clear communication, planning, and management.

Outside the office, Sarah enjoys volunteering at her daughters’ elementary school and spending time with her friends and family in the Green Lake neighborhood. Sarah is passionate about outdoor adventures and loves spending time in the North Cascades. She has traveled extensively—including teaching English in Japan for a year—and continues to seize every opportunity to do so. She always enjoys getting out for a run.

MAMA Seattle would also like to thank our
Platinum sponsors:
Foster Garvey PC
Gordon Tilden Thomas & Cordell LLP
 
Gold sponsors:
Cairncross & Hempelmann, P.S.
Harrigan Leyh Farmer & Thomsen LLP
Lane Powell PC
McNaul Ebel Nawrot & Helgren PLLC
Ogden Murphy Wallace PLLC
Perkins Coie LLP
Summit Law Group PLLC

Questions? Contact us at lunchseminars@mamaseattle.org.
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