Banking Practices

We represent businesses and individuals in litigation over breaches of loan commitments, international letters of credit, competing security interests in property, and interbank foreign currency trading. We have defended banks in large securities cases.

Representative Cases:

  1. Lake Shore v. Seattle Trust and Savings Bank (Washington - Bankruptcy Court). Represented junior creditor seeking to equitably subordinate bank’s senior lien on bankrupt’s property, on grounds that bank had participated in falsifying the bankrupt’s financial statements and had exercised improper control over the bankrupt. After a two-week trial, the bankruptcy court subordinated the bank’s liens, and entered judgment for our client. The Federal District Court affirmed.
  2. Veenendaal v. Rainier National Bank (Washington - King County). Represented farmer in action against bank for breach of loan commitment and resulting loss of land, personal property and profits. The case settled. The amount of settlement is subject to a confidentiality agreement.
  3. PRI International, Inc. v. The Oregon Bank (Oregon - State Court). Represented seller of petroleum product seeking to recover against a bank for failure to issue a promised letter of credit, conversion and wrongful setoff. A verdict was returned for defendant.