Longstanding litigation partnership – rooted in the Seattle Children’s Aspergillus cases – formalizes into a unified practice beginning January 2026.
On its 80th anniversary, Stritmatter Law, a plaintiff personal injury firm with offices in Seattle and Hoquiam, announces that it is partnering with Layman Law Firm of Spokane.
The two firms started working together in 2019, when Seattle Children’s Hospital publicly admitted that its air handling systems infected children with Aspergillus – a dangerous mold that caused serious injuries or deaths. Attorney John R. Layman had previously represented a child who was infected with Aspergillus during brain surgery in 2005, in a heavily litigated case that should have been a wake-up call for the hospital. However, sadly, it was not.
For six years following the hospital’s 2019 admission, the firms worked closely together through demanding and complex litigation. Throughout their partnership, the firms developed a shared approach grounded in thorough preparation, teamwork, and client-focused advocacy. That collaboration ultimately led the firms to formalize their relationship.
“During the Seattle Children’s case, there were highs and lows,” said Karen Koehler, Senior Managing Partner of Stritmatter Law. “But the constant for Andrew and me was the comfort and joy that we experienced working with John, Taylor, and our wonderful support staff.”
“We clicked from the beginning,” said John R. Layman, Partner of Layman Law Firm. “We had the same mission to serve our clients and to champion their cause. It was fun and exhilarating to be a member of our litigation team. We did not want that feeling to end.
The firms will begin practicing together in January 2026, strengthening their collective ability to handle complex personal injury, wrongful death, and civil rights cases throughout Washington.
