Mr. Yamada focuses his practice on complex civil litigation. Prior to joining Scheer & Zehnder, Mr. Yamada practiced in the area of insurance defense litigation where he represented some of the largest insurance companies in the country in litigation, including first party coverage, bad faith litigation, insurance fraud, and third party insurance defense.

From 1997 to 2007, Mr. Yamada worked for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (PAO). He started his legal career at the PAO as an investigator and victim advocate for the Victim’s Assistance Unit. He then worked fulltime as a paralegal – and eventually as a Rule 9 Intern – for PAO’s Tort Section of the Civil Division while attending and completing the night program at the Seattle University School of Law. Upon passing the bar, Mr. Yamada was hired as a Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in the County Services Division. As a Deputy Prosecutor, he defended corrections officers, sheriff deputies, and prosecutors in civil rights and tort cases in superior court and federal district court; enforced taxi licensing codes, animal control codes, and animal abuse codes at administrative board hearings; represented officials at King County Council hearings and meetings with other state municipalities; and drafted agency policy and county codes.

Mr. Yamada is admitted to practice in all state, federal, and appellate courts of Washington. He is a member of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association.

Mr. Yamada personally enjoys triathlons and snowboarding and a fan of NCAA Football, the NFL, and mixed martial arts.

Areas of Practice
Complex Litigation
Insurance Litigation (including First and Third Party Defense, Coverage Opinions, and Bad Faith)
Construction Defect Litigation
Civil Rights and Constitutional Law
Municipal Defense
Administrative Law
Animal Rights

Admitted to Practice
   Washington

Academics
Seattle University School of Law
   Juris Doctor, 2004
Seattle University
   Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 1998