Ray
Kahler
Senior Managing Partner

 Ray Kahler
About Ray Kahler

Ray Kahler has represented clients for over 20 years in a wide variety of personal injury and insurance claims. He has handled cases involving roadway safety, product liability, workplace injuries, medical negligence, premises liability, over-service of alcohol, consumer class actions, motor vehicle collisions, and toxic exposure. 

Ray is known for his attention to detail, work ethic, unfailingly calm demeanor, and in-depth knowledge of the law, causing his colleagues to speculate that he is at least part Vulcan. But, like a certain fictional alien, Ray has developed a fan base of clients, judges, and other attorneys who appreciate his non-judgmental attitude, resourcefulness, honesty and preparation.

Ray’s trial results include a 2014 verdict of nearly $4 million on behalf of a man who suffered severe tinnitus and hyperacusis as a result of an electrical explosion (Lee v. Willis Enterprises, 194 Wn. App. 394 (2016)), and a 2016 verdict of nearly $3 million on behalf of a man who suffered multiple serious injuries as a result of a motorcycle crash caused by a pavement edge drop off on a freeway on-ramp. Other cases Ray has handled include a product liability case against the manufacturer of a machine that made wine bottles, a $1.5 million wrongful death settlement on behalf of the family of a firefighter who died during a surf rescue training exercise, and a $2.9 million settlement for a man who suffered a moderate traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle crash. 

Ray also brings experience as a judge to his work as a lawyer, having served as a Superior Court judge in Grays Harbor County during 2018. 

Ray also has extensive experience handling appeals. He has handled appeals in the Washington Court of Appeals, Washington Supreme Court, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Some of the appeals he has handled include Wuthrich v. King County, 185 Wn.2d 19 (2016), Munich v. Skagit 911, 175 Wn.2d 871 (2012), Unruh v. Cacchiotti, 172 Wn.2d 98 (2011), and McCallum v. Allstate, 149 Wn. App. 412 (2009).

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

Ray enjoys spending time with his wife and two young children. He plays clarinet in the Grays Harbor Community Band and takes in the entertainment at the 7th Street Theatre, where he’s been on the board for over 20 years and instrumental to the rehabilitation of the historic, atmospheric theater.
AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
  • Hoquiam Business Association, Next Generation Award, 2011
  • Washington Super Lawyers since 2011-2017
  • Washington Law & Politics, Rising Star, 2005-2009
  • ABA/BNA Award for Excellence in the Study of Labor and Employment Law, 1996
MEMBERSHIPS & LEADERSHIP
  • Grays Harbor Bar Association: Vice President (1999), President (2000, 2001)
  • Washington State Bar Association: Legislative Committee (2009-2012)
  • Washington State Association for Justice: Legislative Steering Committee (2005-2009), Judicial Relations Committee (2015-2017, and 2019-present)
  • American Association for Justice (1996-2017 and 2019-present)
  • Trial Lawyers for Public Justice (1996-2017 and 2019-present)
ARTICLES & PUBLICATIONS
  • Book review, “How (and why) media coverage of tort litigation misleads the public” (Trial News, March 2005)
  • Motions and briefs, WSTLA Motions CD-ROM (2003)
  • Evaluation of Mold Cases, Mealey’s Mold Newsletter (2001)
  • Tort Liability Arising Out of Mold Exposure (Trial News, Jan. 2001)
  • Working Around 1000° Red Hot Bottles Without a Conveyor Shield – European Machine Safety Requirements Are Needed Here (Trial News, Jan. 2012)
  • Update: Machine Manufacturer Makes Design Changes After Product Liability Lawsuit (Trial News, Dec. 2012)
  • Electrical Explosion Causes Severe Tinnitus and Hyperacusis (Trial News, Oct. 2014)
  • What I Learned in Trial (Trial News, Feb. 2017)
  • Chapter Author: Effective Voir Dire and Jury Selection, Washington State Association for Justice Automobile Litigation Deskbook (2001, 2009, 2018) (with Paul L. Stritmatter)
  • Chapter Author, Common Defenses, Washington State Association for Justice Product Liability Deskbook (2014)
  • Note, Taxation of Cable Television: First Amendment Limitations, 109 Harv. L. Rev. 440 (1995)
  • Book Note, “Taxation of the Mass Media,” 108 Harv. L. Rev. 1990 (1995)
COMMUNITY SERVICE
  • Evergreen Counseling Center: Board of Directors (2000-2008), President (2002-2004), Vice-President (2005-2008)
  • 7th Street Theatre Association: Board Member (1997-present) and President (2004-present)
  • Gray’s Harbor Economic Development Council: 2011
EDUCATION
  • Harvard Law School, magna cum laude and Law Review member, 1996
  • University of Puget Sound, magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa member

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