Mr. Ray W 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).

Awards & Recognitions

• Recipient of Hoquiam Business Association’s Next Generation Award (2011)

• Repeatedly recognized as a “Super Lawyer” since 2011

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)

Recent Cases

• King vs. Trucking Company (Trucking Injury)

• Perry, Daniel & Toni vs. South Sound Radiologists and Dr. Fields (Medical Malpractice, Brain Injury)

• Baby Doe VS. Shopping Center, Playground Manufacturer, Landscaper, Nanny and Driver (Wrongful Death, Premises Liability)

• Moothart vs. State of Washington (Bicycle Accidents, Highway Safety, Government Liability)

• Lee vs. Willis Ent. (Workplace Injury)

• Wuthrich vs. King county, Gilland (Bicycle Accidents, Government Liability)

Memberships & Leadership

• Grays Harbor Bar Association, past president

• Washington State Bar Association: Legislative Committee (2009-2012)

• Washington State Association for Justice: Legislative Steering Committee (2005-2009), Judicial Relaitons Commtitee (2015-2017)

• American Association for Justice