Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

Business & Commercial Disputes

Partner - Litigation and Investigations

Tim Leyh is an accomplished trial lawyer with more than 35 years’ experience representing individuals, businesses, and state and local governments in complex and high-stakes matters. His clients and colleagues know him not only as a litigator and trial lawyer, but also as a superb problem solver.

Tim is consistently recognized as a top lawyer by major legal publications. He’s been described by Chambers and Partners as a “terrific strategist who cuts to the heart of things in a remarkable way and is excellent at arguing in court,” and “one of Seattle’s finest lawyers.” Benchmark Litigation calls Tim a “Local Litigation Star” and a “very classy litigator.” He’s a Fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and a Senior Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America.

Tim has successfully represented regional and state organizations, various cities, businesses and individuals in mass tort claims; class actions; claims involving the funding and operation of public utilities; claims involving the authority of public agencies; inverse condemnation and public nuisance claims; trademark and copyright matters; business torts; breach of contract; environmental claims; and white-collar defense.

He’s advised on a range of matters, including construction litigation, engineer and architect malpractice, securities fraud claims (civil and criminal), breach of duty by corporate officers, alleged misuse of public funds (civil and criminal), antitrust claims (civil and criminal), accountant and lawyer malpractice, and insurance coverage disputes. Tim has recovered more than $200 million in defense and indemnity payments from corporations and insurance companies on behalf of corporate officers and directors and policy holders.

In addition to his trial work, Tim has argued numerous times before the Washington State Supreme Court, as well as state and federal appellate courts throughout the U.S.

Tim was Managing Partner of his prior firm, Harrigan Leyh Farmer & Thomsen LLP, from 1996-2024. Tim took a sabbatical year to sail with his family to the Society Islands, Tonga, Samoa, Hawaii and home. He’s an avid skier, cyclist and horseman who splits his time between Bainbridge Island and a modest ranch in Eastern Washington.