M. Wayne Blair Cathy Woo, Western Avenue Café

M. Wayne Blair

Biography

Mr. Blair's practice focused on Commercial, Construction, Real Estate, Business, Financing, Arbitration, and Mediation Law, and included the following:

His practice initially emphasized commercial and construction litigation. In construction litigation, his engineering background contributed to his representation at various times of general contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and owners. His practice gradually shifted to one that emphasized business, commercial, real estate, construction, and financing matters, including complex business and real estate transactions and commercial leases. He also advised on construction agreements and other construction matters. He has served as “outside” general counsel to a number of small to medium-size businesses.

For 15 years or so, he served as an arbitrator or mediator in over 250 commercial, construction, or real estate disputes under the authority of the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) and as a member of its Large Complex Case Panel, the King County Superior Court through its mandatory arbitration program, by private agreement, or since March 2006, as a member of the JAMS panel of arbitrators and mediators.

In construction matters, he has served as an arbitrator or mediator in numerous disputes between an owner and a general contractor, between an owner and an architect, or between a general contractor and subcontractor involving design and/or construction of hydroelectric projects, hospitals, correction facilities, multi-family housing, condominiums, single-family residences, sewer lines, roads, alarm systems, and so forth. These disputes have involved interpretation of construction or design contracts, and claims regarding construction defects, delay, cost overruns, change in conditions, and so forth.

In commercial matters, he has served as an arbitrator or mediator in numerous cases involving interpretation of various commercial contracts, including contracts relating to media services, real estate commissions, education services, rental of heavy equipment, water rights, price of natural gas, co-generation of electrical power, real estate leases, environmental remediation, operation of a gravel pit, real estate purchase and sale agreements, business purchase and sale agreements (both asset and stock sales), and dissolution of law firms and medical partnerships.

Education

Professional Licenses and Memberships

Selected Professional Associations and Activities

Publications and Presentations

Honors