Andrew
Ackley
Senior Partner

Andrew Ackley
 Andrew Ackley
About Andrew Ackley

My grandparents escaped Europe right before World War II.  My step-father’s parents were interned in the United States.  I was raised in the shadows of two sides of a war. Battling for what is just and fair is ingrained in me. That is what motivates my legal practice, along with my curiosity about cultures, science, and philosophy.

At the University of Oregon, I studied political science and geology.  I took Spanish and decided why not take French too. For whatever reason these diverse subjects captivated and came easily to me. Graduating Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude got me into the University of Washington Law School at 22. 

More than fifteen years into my career, I have been honored to represent some amazing people who suffered terrible injustices. I was second chair to Karen Koehler in the four-month long Ride the Ducks trial, resulting in an unprecedented $123 million verdict.  I have had the privilege of representing the family of a young woman who was abandoned and drowned while Scuba diving, a mentally disabled man who fell victim to millions of dollars in predatory business loans, a man who survived nine gunshot wounds but lost the use of his legs, the surviving spouse and son of a horrific condominium fire, the family of a man killed aboard a tugboat, the family of a man killed by contaminated eyedrops, a man badly burned while riding a go-kart, a man exposed to chemicals at a worksite, and many more incredible people deserving of justice in the face of wrongdoing.

Much of my practice now relates to claims against Amazon for defective or dangerous products. I have brought claims against Amazon for wrongful death, battery fire injuries, and alcohol fire pit injuries, and have been published and interviewed multiple times on Amazon product defect law.

Part of my practice also protects consumers. I have brought class actions to protect child patients and government employee health plan members, and brought claims against some of the largest insurance companies in the world for misconduct toward their customers and injured victims. These types of claims level the playing field between consumers and the most powerful companies.

Note: Like every person, each case is unique. Prior case results should not create expectations of an outcome in any individual case.

Outside
the Office

When not practicing law, Andrew spends most of his time with his wife and children. He likes playing blues guitar, building and fixing things, e-foil surfing, and Scuba Diving. Andrew is a certified PADI Divemaster with a specialty certification for wreck diving. Andrew also regularly volunteers his time to serve on nonprofit boards.
Andrew Ackley in the Stritmatter Law lobby
"Man in wetsuit lying on surfboard in calm water"
Awards & Recognitions
  • Forbes Advisor, Best Personal Injury Lawyers, Seattle (2024)
  • Forbes Advisor, Best Personal Injury Lawyers, Seattle (2023)
  • Super Lawyers, Washington Super Lawyer (2025 – Present)
  • Super Lawyers, Washington Rising Star (2013-2024)
  • Courtroom View Network (CVN), Top 10 Most Impressive Plaintiff Verdicts, No. 2, Ride the Ducks Verdict (2019)
  • Marquis Who’s Who, Top Lawyers in America (2020-2021)
  • University of Washington School of Law, C.Z. Smith Public Service Award Nominee (2009)
Leadership & Affiliations
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Board of Governors (2020-2026)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Products Liability Section, Chair (2018-2020)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Legislative Steering Committee (2015-2020)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Public Affairs Committee (2011-2015)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, New Member Committee (2011-2014)
  • American Association for Justice, Member
Publications & Presentations
  • Seattle University Law Review, The ‘Marketplace’ Myth: Addressing Amazon’s Defense to Product Liability Claims (March 28, 2025)
  • American Association for Justice, Trial Magazine, “Debunking the ‘Marketplace’ Myth” (2024)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Trial News, “The ‘Marketplace’ Myth: Overcoming Amazon’s Defense to Product Liability Claims” (2024)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Trial News, “Access Granted: Issue Class Actions Overcome Barriers to the Civil Justice System” (2023)
  • Washington State Association for Justice CLE, “Washington’s New Public Expression Law: How to Navigate the Risks, Benefits, and Procedures of the New Anti-SLAPP Statute” (2021)
  • Washington State Association for Justice Roundtable, “Top 10 Things to Know About Wrongful Death Claims” (2021)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Trial News, “All Profit and No Responsibility: The ‘Independent Contractor’ Defense in the Gig Economy” (2021)
  • Washington State Association for Justice Convention, “Public Policy in Products Liability” (2020)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Products Liability Deskbook, Co-Editor-in-Chief (2020)
  • Washington State Association for Justice Seminar, “Resisting Protective Orders, Parts I & II” (2020)
  • Washington State Association for Justice Seminar, “Ethics in Post-Recovery Representation” (2019)
  • Washington State Association for Justice Annual Convention, “Lessons from the Ride the Ducks Trial” (2019)
  • Washington State Association for Justice Webinar, “Wrongful Death Damages” (2019)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Trial News, “Non-Delegable Duty Doctrine Can Defeat Manufacturer Excuses” (2019)
  • Washington State Association for Justice Winter Conference, Co-Chair and Presenter (2018)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Trial News, “Excluding Wickizer and Partin” (2018)
  • Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyer, “The Nuts and Bolts of Social Media” (2016)
  • Winning With Discovery Seminar, “Resisting and Compelling Discovery of Social Media” (2015)
  • “What Judges Want You to Know About Social Media in Civil Litigation”, Chair (2015)
  • Anatomy and Physiology 101 for Attorneys Seminar, “Medical Exams and the Legal Process” (2014)
  • Oregon Trial Lawyers Association, Trial Lawyer, “Protecting Your Client From Social Media Self-Destruction” (2013)
  • Student Legal Services Western United States Regional Meeting, “Cyber-Torts” (2013)
  • Anatomy and Physiology 101 for Attorneys Seminar, “Medicine in Personal Injury” (2013)
  • University of Washington Student Legal Services, “Insurance Claims and Tort Liability” (2012)
  • Trial Revolution Seminar, “Direct Examination (Trial Techniques)” (2012)
  • Webinar, “Social Media in Personal Injury Discovery” (2012)
  • Washington State Association for Justice, Motor Vehicle Accident Deskbook, “The Jury Trial” Chapter Contributor (2009)
Media & Press
Community & Teaching
  • Sound Child Care Solutions: Board of Directors, Chair, 2022 – Present
  • Yellow Wood Academy: Board of Directors, Chair, 2017 – 2019
  • Mercer Island Youth & Family Services: Board of Directors, 2010 – 2016
  • UW Student Legal Services: Rule 9 Intern Supervisor, 2015 – 2019
Education
  • University of Washington School of Law, Juris Doctor (2009)
  • University of Oregon, Bachelor of Arts, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa (2006)
Related Media

Request a Free Case Evaluation

Seattle Office
Phone | 206.448.1777
Spokane Office
Phone | 360.533.2710
Attorney Advertising
Website developed in accordance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1.
If you encounter any issues while using this site, please contact us: 206.448.1777