Kaitlin Cherf has practiced at Schroeter Goldmark & Bender since 2018, representing clients in cases involving asbestos-mesothelioma, civil rights, serious personal injury, and wrongful death.
Over her decade of experience trying cases across Washington and Oregon, Kaitlin’s work has resulted in significant jury awards and settlements for her clients, including a verdict that was the largest in Oregon’s history for an asbestos-related disease contracted from occupational exposure in that state. She also helped to set a record in Washington for a case involving take-home asbestos exposure.
Kaitlin’s interest in the law was sparked as she grew up working summers at plaintiffs’ firms in Colorado and Virginia. She decided to pursue law school after witnessing the difference the justice system made for people who were harmed. Today, her practice is defined by her belief that compensating victims and supporting their families is as important as holding companies accountable for their actions.
Kaitlin is well-known for her expertise in asbestos litigation and, since joining SGB, her practice has also expanded to include other serious personal injury and wrongful death cases, along with representing plaintiffs in civil rights cases.
Among her contributions to the legal community, Kaitlin served as co-editor for the 2022 edition of the Washington State Association for Justice’s Civil Rights Deskbook. She has also been recognized by Super Lawyers as a Rising Star attorney for 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
Kaitlin earned an undergraduate degree from the University of Washington and attended Seattle University Law School, where she graduated magna cum laude. During law school, she was a Rule 9 legal intern in the Snohomish County Prosecutor’s Office, and she also worked with the Honorable Stephen J. Dwyer at the Washington Court of Appeals.
Outside of the office, Kaitlin enjoys being in the mountains – hiking, mountain biking, or skiing.
$6.5 Million settlement of road design and wrongful death claims against the City of Seattle on behalf of the family of a 22-year-old motorcyclist. (City of Seattle Settles Lawsuit for $6.5 Million for the Death of 22-Year-Old)
$4.4 Million settlement of civil rights and wrongful death claims on behalf of the family of a Black man killed by Kent Police (SGB's Craig Sims and Kaitlin Wright Secure $44M Settlement for Family of Black Man Killed by Kent Police).
- $4 Million verdict for deceased mesothelioma victim exposed to asbestos while working as a maintenance contractor at Pacific Northwest refineries.
- $8.75 Million verdict for 66-year-old mesothelioma victim exposed through construction work involving use of joint compound. Largest verdict in Oregon state history for an asbestos-related disease contracted from occupational exposure.
- $3.5 Million verdict for 80-year-old mesothelioma victim exposed to asbestos through laundering her husband’s work clothes when he worked at a refinery. Largest in Washington state history for a case involving “take-home” asbestos exposure.
Affirmance on appeal of jury verdict and reinstatement of the jury’s award after the trial judge had reduced the jury’s award by $1 Million post-trial.
DISCLAIMER: This is the fine print, but our fine print is regular size and in clear language. These client quotes and settlement/verdict figures are examples of the results we have obtained for others. Their cases were different from yours, so your result is sure to be different.We post these results for you to see that we have a track record of hard work, client service, and trial success. We won’t guarantee the results of your case, but we will guarantee to bring the same passion, skill, and experience when we fight for you.
Education
- Seattle University School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2012
- University of Washington, B.A., cum laude, 2008
Admissions
- Washington State Bar Association
- Oregon State Bar Association
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
- Washington State Association for Justice, EAGLE member
- American Association for Justice
- King County Bar Association
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
- Selected to Washington Rising Stars by Super Lawyers® (2019-2023)
Publications
- Co-Editor, Washington State Association for Justice Civil Rights Deskbook (2022)
- "Civility in Motions Practice," WSBA-CLE, Motion Practice Tips: Making Your Best Case (September 2019)
- "Take-Home Asbestos Exposure through Laundering Contaminated Clothing Causes Mesothelioma Decades Later," Trial News, Washington State Trial Lawyers (2015)
My husband was diagnosed with mesothelioma and we reached out to Kaitlin to represent us, we are so grateful we did. Kaitlin not only knows everything about asbestos law, but she was the most caring attorney we've dealt with. This was a difficult time for us, but Kaitlin made us feel we could leave it up to her.
Betty