About Keith

Over the past 40 years, Mr. Kessler has been nationally recognized for his record-breaking multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. He has represented brain and spinal cord injury survivors, as well as the families of victims of wrongful death. Much of Mr. Kessler’s practice focuses on roadway design, bicycle accident, product liability, and airplane/helicopter crash cases. Most recently, he was named Best Lawyers’ Lawyer of the Year – Personal Injury Litigation. He was also just named among the Top 100 Attorneys in Washington by Seattle Met magazine.

Keith’s consistent success is due largely to his skill at presenting a strong case for his plaintiff clients, supported by a network of solid experts that includes treating physicians, forensic experts, neuropsychologists, vocational rehabilitation professionals and life care planners. Several of Keith’s brain injury and spinal cord injury cases have resulted in multi-million dollar verdicts of as much as $28,000,000 to the plaintiffs. His work in representing an injured passenger, Skylar Seward, resulted in the 3rd largest settlement in the nation in 2018 and reportedly the largest recovery ever paid by a government agency for injuries caused by negligent highway design. Keith’s work has garnered much attention within the Northwest and beyond.

Passionate about bicycle accident cases, Keith initiated the national AAJ Bike Litigation Group. He is invited all over the country and the Pacific Northwest to speak about bicycle cases: Read a recent seminar paper that Keith presented.

Keith’s sensitivity toward his clients also comes through in his many cases involving spinal cord injuries and amputation injuries. These become significant decisions because of the huge emotional component and the high level of lifetime care needed.

Mr. Kessler is a Fellow with the American College of Trial Lawyers, having been selected from among the top 1% of trial attorneys in the United States and Canada.  He has served as President of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, President of the invitation-only Damage Attorneys Round Table, and President of the American Board of Trial Advocates, Washington Chapter.

Keith was honored as “Trial Lawyer of the Year” by the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association in 1994, and as “Outstanding Plaintiff Trial Lawyer” by the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers in 2002.  He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 1995.

He was appointed by the Washington State Supreme Court to the Washington Pattern Jury Instructions Committee (2000 to present).

Education

University of Washington, J.D., 1972
University of Washington, B.A., Philosophy, 1969

Memberships

American Association for Justice
American Board of Trial Advocates
American College of Trial Lawyers
Damage Attorneys Round Table
Trial Lawyers for Public Justice
Washington State Bar Association
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (past President)
Lawyers-Pilots Bar Association

Awards & Achievements

• Seattle Area Best Lawyers' Personal Injury Litigator (2011)

• Trial Lawyer of the Year, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (1994)

• Outstanding Plaintiff Trial Lawyer, Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (2002)

• Awarded Fellowship in the American College of Trial Lawyers (Top 1% of Trial Attorneys in the United States) (2004)

• Elected to Membership in the American Board of Trial Advocates (President of Washington Chapter – 1997)

• Elected to Membership in the Damages Attorneys Round Table (President – 2002)

• Peer-selected for The Best Lawyers in America (1995-present)

• Appointed by the Washington State Supreme Court to the Washington Pattern Jury Instructions Committee (2000 to present)

• Appointed by the Governor of State of Washington the to the Board of Trustees of The Evergreen State College (2008 to present)

• Rated AV (highest available rating) by Martindale-Hubbell

• Rated 10.0 (highest available rating) on AVVO

Testimonials

“I endorse Keith in the strongest sense of the word. Brilliant, tenacious, committed, and caring. One of the best.” — Timothy Anderson

“Brilliant highway design lawyer. Through every twist and turn of the case, Keith fought for his client with innovation and vigor. Working with Keith was a pleasure and honor.” — Kristina McKennon