Laura Hill
Laura takes pride in helping her clients achieve their litigation goals through strategic, creative, and efficient case management techniques.
Laura Hill is an experienced litigator who represents a diverse set of clients in the aviation, space, retail, sports, consumer product, technology, and pharmaceutical industries. She has practiced at all levels of state and federal court and maintains a particular focus on high-stakes motions practice and appellate briefing, including before the Supreme Court of the United States.
Laura is a member of the Autonomous & Uncrewed Vehicle Systems and NewSpace industry groups, counseling clients on regulatory and legal issues related to emerging technologies. She maintains an active pro bono practice and was a recipient of the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington's Pro Bono Award.
Areas of focus
Education & Credentials
Education
- Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, LL.M., first class honors, 2014
- Harvard Law School, J.D., Managing Editor, Harvard Law Review; Submissions Editor, Harvard International Law Journal, 2013
- Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service, B.S.F.S., Regional and Comparative Studies, focus in Russia and Latin America, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, 2008
Bar and Court Admissions
-
Washington
- Supreme Court of the United States
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Related Employment
- Perkins Coie, Seattle, WA, Summer Associate, 2012-2013
- Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Washington, D.C., Intern, Department of Legal Affairs, 2011
Clerkships
- Hon. M. Margaret McKeown, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
- Hon. Marilyn Huff, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California
Additional Languages
- Spanish
Insights
News
Professional Experience
Litigation
Bozhko v. The Boeing Company
Circuit Court of Illinois, Cook County
Represented aviation manufacturer in litigation arising out of the March 19, 2016, crash of Flydubai Flight 981 near Rostov-on-Don, Russia. The case resolved favorably for the client.
Hanna v. Amazon
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina
Represented Amazon in product liability case. Plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the case with prejudice after Amazon moved to dismiss the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The jurisdictional dispute raised novel questions of law about federal enclave jurisdiction.
MD Helicopters, Inc. v. The Boeing Company
U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona
Represented aviation manufacturer in contract and tort dispute with supplier. Obtained partial summary judgment for the client.
Volga-Dnepr UK Ltd. v. The Boeing Company
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Successfully defended aviation manufacturer against a motion for a temporary restraining order that sought to enjoin The Boeing Company from selling four aircraft to anyone other than the plaintiff.
Appellate
Servotronics, Inc. v. Rolls-Royce PLC and The Boeing Company
U.S. Supreme Court
Represented airplane manufacturer in merits briefing before the U.S. Supreme Court. The question presented was whether 28 U.S.C. § 1782(a), which permits district courts to order discovery “for use in a proceeding in a foreign or international tribunal,” authorized discovery for use in private, contract-based arbitration. The case resolved favorably for the client.
Determan v. The Boeing Company
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Successfully represented an airplane manufacturer on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The court of appeals affirmed the district court, which held that the government contractor defense barred the appellant’s claims.
Patel v. Zillow
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
Represented Zillow on appeal in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. The court of appeals affirmed the district court judgment, which dismissed a purported class action alleging that Zillow’s Zestimate® was an unlawful unlicensed appraisal under Illinois law and that its description and use of the Zestimate® violated consumer protection laws and was an intrusion upon seclusion.
Administrative Proceedings
AIR21 Proceedings
Represented aerospace manufacturer in AIR21 whistleblower proceedings in the U.S. Department of Labor.
Client and Product Counseling
Advise Fortune 100 Technology Product Manufacturer
Advise a Fortune 100 manufacturer and seller of technology consumer products on regulatory compliance (e.g. Federal Aviation Administration [FAA], Consumer Product Safety Commission [CPSC]), warranty, contractual risk management and product liability prevention.
Advise Aviation Manufacturer
Advise an aviation manufacturer about domestic and international product liability and litigation risks.
Advise Space Flight Company
Advise a space flight company about a regulatory framework for potential liability risks associated with human space flight.
Advise Autonomous Vehicle Manufacturer
Advise a startup autonomous vehicle manufacturer about federal and state regulations and product liability risks for testing and operating autonomous vehicles.