Source: http://www.gth-law.com/attorneys/mungia
Timestamp: 2019-04-26 10:09:05+00:00

Document:
Salvador Mungia, the son of immigrant parents, knew from an early age that he wanted to be a lawyer after seeing his working-class parents, who had little money and education, taken advantage of. After attending the Georgetown University Law Center and graduating with honors in 1984, he returned home to Tacoma where he clerked for a State Supreme Court judge and a Federal District Court judge before joining GTH in 1986.
Having been raised with the ethic of hard work, Sal tirelessly advocates for his clients. His hard work and legal skills have been recognized by numerous legal associations. Sal loves the law and loves being a lawyer.
Sal practices in state and federal courts throughout the state of Washington and has litigated most of the Western states as well. One focus of Sal’s practice is medical negligence, wrongful death, and serious injury cases. Sal has represented patients who have been injured as a result of doctors, nurses, and emergency room physicians making mistakes resulting in death, paralysis, brain injuries and loss of life or harm to babies. Sal has brought actions against Multicare, CHI Franciscan, Harborview, Children’s Hospital, and Swedish Medical center among others. Sal’s cases have involved surgeons, OBGYN doctors, Emergency Department physicians, neurosurgeons, neurologists, bariatric surgeons, among others.
Sal also represents clients in civil rights actions, real property disputes, contract disputes, condemnation actions, and commercial and business litigation.
Sal has committed his career not only to his clients but also to the improvement of the justice system. He has served his profession by being president of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association in 1999, and then the Washington State Bar Association in 2009. Sal considers his highest achievements, however, as those times when he has represented individuals in both state and federal court, both individually and in class actions, free of charge to protect their rights so that he can do his part to ensure that those without any power, as were his parents, are not taken advantage of.
Lawyer Repesentative, selected by Judges of the Western District of Washington Federal District Court as a lawyer representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference - three lawyers in the Western District are chosen per year, (2003 - 2005).
Lifetime Board Member, (2005 – present).
Board Member, (1992 - 2000; 2004 - 2005).
Co-Chair, (together with Rob McKenna, Washington State Attorney General) for the Campaign for Equal Justice (2011 - 2012).
Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent Rating (highest possible rating for both ethics and legal ability).
2011-2018: Best Lawyers in America, in the field of appellate practice, civil rights law, commercial litigation, and personal injury litigation – plaintiffs.
2010-present: Top 100 Trial Lawyers - The American Trial Lawyers Association designates The Top 100 Trial Lawyers from each state. Membership is obtained through special invitation.
2017: Fellows of the American Bar Foundation "Outstanding State Chair Award".
2017: Service to Diversity, by the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association for promoting and encouraging diversity within the legal profession, the community and among peers.
2015: Pro Bono Leadership Award, by the Tacoma-Pierce County Volunteer Legal Services Program.
2013: Alumni Service Award, for outstanding service to the community by Pacific Lutheran University.
2013: Top 100 Litigation Lawyers in Washington State, by the American Society of Legal Advocates.
2011: Bradley C. Diggs Award for Outstanding Service, for pro bono service – awarded by Appleseed Washington.
2011: Special Contribution to the Judiciary Award, presented for outstanding contribution to making the judicial system more accessible to all, regardless of economic status – awarded by King County Washington Women Lawyers.
2011: Latina/o Amicus Service Award - given to a friend of the law school who has demonstrated outstanding character, achievements and service.
2009: Modelo de Excelencia Award – presented to an attorney or judge who has a history of mentoring younger attorneys and opening doors for Latinos in a variety of job settings. Awarded by the Latina/o Bar Association of Washington.
2008: Outstanding Service Award – For exemplary service to the Pierce County legal community –awarded by the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.
2008: Bertha M. Snell Award -- For persevering and overcoming adversity in becoming an attorney or in the practice of law -- awarded by Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.
2007 - present: Member, American Board of Trial Advocates (by invitation only).
2007 - present: Senior Fellow, Litigation Counsel of America (by invitation only).
2006 - present: Fellow, American Bar Foundation (by invitation only).
2003 - 2005: Lawyer Representative to the Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference (selected by federal district judges).
Who's Who in American Law.
Initiative 502 Sponsor (2012): one of ten sponsors to legalize, regulate, and tax limited possession of marijuana.
Co-chair, Committee to Retain Judge Brad Maxa (2014).
Executive Committee Member to Elect Justice Steven Gonzalez (2012).
Member, Board of Directors (1987-1992).
Cooperating attorney (1986 - present).
Washington State Bar Association, NW Lawyer, “Giving Hope With One Hand, Taking it Away With the Other,” October 2017.
Washington State Bar Association, NW Lawyer, “To Pee or Not to Pee,” March 2016.
Washington State Bar Association, Civil Procedure Deskbook, 3rd Ed., Chapter 12, Defenses and Objections, (2014).
Washington State Bar Association, Supplement to Civil Procedure Deskbook, 2nd Ed., Chapter 12, Defenses and Objections.
Washington State Bar Association, “15th Annual Law of Lawyering Conference: Litigation Ethics,” Seattle, WA, December 15, 2017.
Washington State Association for Justice, “How to Protect Your Client from Juror Color Bias,” Seattle, WA, December 8, 2017.
King County Bar Association Annual Ethics Workout, "Ethics and Social Media, November 30, 2017.
Washington State Bar Association Litigation Section, “Jury Selection,” Seattle, WA, August 11, 2017.
Washington State Spring Appellate Judicial Conference, “Mock Jury Selection Under Proposed GR 36,” Walla Walla, WA, April 5, 2017.
National Institute of Trial Advocacy, “Building Trial Skills,” Seattle, WA, July 17 through July 19, 2017.
National Business Institute, “How to Get Your Social Media, Email and Text Evidence Admitted),” Tacoma, WA, June 21, 2017.
National Business Institute, “Damages in Personal Injury,” Seattle, WA, June 16, 2017.
National Business Institute, “Damages in Wrongful Death,” National Video Webcast, December 7, 2016.
Washington Courts, “Proposed GR 36: A Proposed Rule to Address The Deficiencies with Batson,” Spokane, WA, September 12, 2016.
National Institute of Trial Advocacy, “Building Trial Skills,” Seattle, WA, September 7-9, 2016.
American Bar Association Litigation Section’s Spring Leadership Meeting, “What Every Lawyer Should Know About Cannabis,” Vancouver, BC, Canada, June 17, 2016.
Washington State Bar Association, Annual Senior Lawyers’ Conference, “Justice is Blind and Other Great Myths,” Seattle, WA, May 6, 2016.
Emory School of Law, Kessler-Edison Program for Trial Techniques,” Atlanta, GA, April 30 - May 2, 2016.
Washington State Minority & Justice Commission & Gonzaga University School of Law, Culture and Ethics in Law Symposium, “Justice is Blind and Other Great Myths,” Spokane, WA, April 1, 2016.
National Business Institute, “How to Persuade Juries and Judges,” Voir Dire and Opening Statements, Seattle and Tacoma, WA, February 18 and 19, 2016.
National Business Institute, “Wrongful Death Litigation,” Negotiating Wrongful Death Claims, Seattle, WA February 16, 2016.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, End-of-Year Potpourri Seminar, “Conscious and Unconscious Bias,” Seattle, WA, December 5, 2015.
Washington State Association for Justice, “Tackling Trial Opening Statements,” Seattle, WA, November 4, 2015.
National Institute of Trial Advocacy, “Building Trial Skills,” Seattle, WA, September 8-13, 2015.
Washington State Bar Association, Annual Senior Lawyers’ Conference, “Washington State’s (Somewhat New) Marijuana Law,” Seattle, WA, May 1, 2015.
Litigation Counsel of America, Spring Conference, “Race and Ethics: Bias in Jury Selection, Juror Biases, and Use of Immigration Status at Trial,” Newport Beach, CA, April 17, 2015.
National Business Institute, Washington Marijuana Law, “Preemption and the Controlled Substances Act” and “Ethics,” Seattle, WA, March 20, 2015.
Tribal Marijuana Conference, “Federal Law and Policy Regulating Marijuana Possession and Use,” Tulalip, WA February 27, 2015.
American Board of Trial Advocates, “Masters in Trial,” Seattle, WA, November 6, 2014.
Washington State Association for Justice, Insurance Law: “An IFCA Trial Case Study,” Seattle, WA, October 3, 2014.
National Conference of Bar Presidents, Plenary Session, “To Speak or Not to Speak,” Boston, MA, August 8, 2014.
National Association for Legal Professionals, Washington Chapter, “Reviewing Medical Records,” Federal Way, WA, April 25, 2014.
Law Seminars International, “I-502 Impacts on Business and Real Estate Transactions,” Seattle, WA, “I-502 Legal and Regulatory Framework,” June 14, 2013.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, “I-502 Marijuana Potpourri,” Tacoma, WA, “Background and Overview of the Initiative,” June 7, 2013.
The Seminar Group, “I-502 Implications for Cannabis for Washington State,” Seattle, WA, “I-502 Potential Federal Ramifications: The Controlled Substance Act and the Commerce Clause,” April 26, 2013.
Washington State Bar Association: “The Persuasive Lawyer,” Seminar Host, Seattle, WA., October 19, 2012.
Washington State Bar Association: “2012 Solo and Small Firm Conference,” panel moderator, Ocean Shores, WA., “Cocktail Law,” July 20, 2012.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, Annual Year-End Potpourri, Tacoma, WA, “Closing Arguments, Jury Instructions, and Post-Trial Motions,” December 10, 2011.
Washington State Bar Association Litigation Section: Build Your Case, Seattle, WA., “Voir Dire,” August 26, 2011.
Washington State Bar Association Access to Justice Conference, “Frameworks and Tools for Combating Bias,” Moderator, June 5, 2011.
Washington State Bar Association Bar Leaders Conference, “Bar Leadership in Public Service: Inspiration for Today’s Bar Leader,” June 4, 2011.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, “Access to the Courts,” September 18, 2010, Leavenworth, WA.
Washington State Bar Litigation Section: Anatomy of a Trial, Seattle, WA. “Opening Statements,” August 27, 2010.
En el Ciclo de Conferencias “La defense de los indigenas mexicanos y centroamericanos en los Estados Unidos de America, Mexico City, Mexico; “Los casos Pro Bono en la practica judicial Americana” August 5, 2010.
Conference of Chief Justice and State Court Administrators, Vail, Colorado: “Partnering for Better Courts” July 27, 2010.
The Justice for Washington Future of Freedom Conference, Seattle, WA: “Judicial Selection” January 9, 2010.
Law Society of British Columbia, Whistler, B.C., Benchers’ Retreat: “Washington State Bar Association’s Disciplinary System: An Overview” June, 2009.
Washington State Bar Association Access to Justice Conference, Yakima, WA. Moderator, “Pay Day Lending in Washington State” May, 2009.
Washington State Bar Association New Lawyer Education Seminar, Seattle, WA “Being a Member of the Legal Profession: Conduct Befitting of a Professional” May, 2009.
Clallam County Bar Association, Pt. Angeles, WA “Lincoln and Professionalism” May, 2009.
National Business Institute, Seattle, WA, “Litigating to Win Through Advanced Trial Advocacy: Opening Statements” April, 2009.
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division, “Judicial Skit Night,” Master of Ceremonies, November, 2008.
Litigation Counsel of America, Fall Conference, Napa Valley, Opening Statements, October, 2008.
Judicial Selection Coalition, “Selecting Judges in Washington – Looking Back to 2008 and Forward to 2009,” Panel member, Judicial Evaluations, November, 2008.
National Business Institute, “Litigating to Win,” Effective Opening Statements, 2007.
Washington State Bar Association Litigation Section Mid-Year CLE: “Successful Litigation in a Changing Legal Landscape – The Diversity Litigation All Stars,” Moderator, Dialogue and Insights for Litigators on the Changing Courtroom, June, 2007.
National Business Institute, “Handling Medical Negligence Claims,” July 2007.
National Business Institute, “The Art of Settlement,” 2006.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, “Ethics Panelist on Newly Adopted RPC Revisions,” 2006.
National Business Institute, “Insider’s Tips on How to Prove or Disprove Allegations in Medical Negligence Cases in Washington,” 2005.
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, “Winning Your Case in Discovery: Effective use of discovery and depositions,” 2004.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, “Effective Oral Advocacy,” 2004.
Office of the Washington State Attorney General, “The PATRIOT Act,” 2004.
Washington State Bar Association, Trial Advocacy Program: “Expert Witnesses,” 2004.
Washington State Bar Association, Trial Advocacy Program: “Retaining, Using, and Deposing Expert Witnesses,” 2003.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, “End of Year Potpourri: Civil Liberties Update,” 2003.
Thurston County Bar Association, “Civil Liberties in the Post 9-11 Era,” 2003.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, “Ethics,” 2003.
Washington State Bar Association, Trial Advocacy Program: “Cross-examining Expert Witnesses,” 2002.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, “End of Year Potpourri: Civil Liberties in the Post 9-11 Era,” 2002.
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, “Ethics,” 2002.
Institute for Paralegal Education, “Medical Malpractice from Start to Finish,” 2001.
Washington State Bar Association, “Pretrial Preparation: The Essential Foundation for Success in the Courtroom,” 2001.
Van Rosendael v. Puyallup School District, Pierce County, WA. Represented parents and estate of student in wrongful death action brought as a result of failure of school district to enforce transportation policies. Case settled on third day of trial for confidential amount.
Roark v. Holden Village, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Represented client who lost fingers on dominant hand as a result of inadequate training by co-volunteers on use of commercial wood splitter. Confidential settlement.
Marez v. Pierce County Transit, Pierce County, WA. Represented plaintiff passenger of transit system who was struck by bus that resulted in loss of limb. Case settled before trial.
Garcia v. Royal Oaks Apartments, Pierce County, WA. Represented plaintiff child in action against apartment complex for failing to adhere to state requirements regarding water tank temperature setting. Excessive temperature of hot water caused third degree burns over large portions of plaintiff child. Reached confidential settlement before trial.
Harris v. Buttorff, Pierce County, WA. Represented plaintiff patient in medical negligence action against vascular surgeon arising from surgery that resulted in partial permanent paralysis of patient. Reached confidential settlement before trial.
Cogger v. Blakeney, Pierce County, WA. Represented plaintiff patient in action against OB/GYN arising from failure to properly repair bladder laceration after performing hysterectomy. Jury returned verdict in favor of client.
Glenn v. Estate of Becker, King County, WA. Represented plaintiff husband patient and plaintiff wife in action against orthopedic surgeon arising from prescription of Duragesic Patch for post-operative pain relief. Jury returned verdict in favor of clients.
Szelachowski v. Kindred Nursing Centers West, LLC, Pierce County, WA. Represented daughter and estate of nursing home resident who died as a result of a fall at a nursing home. Confidential settlement.
Schlenker v. Dr. J. Gregg Julin, Thurston County, WA. Represented patient in medical negligence action against defendant emergency department physician that resulted in partial permanent paralysis of patient. Reached confidential settlement before trial.
Purcell v. Children’s Hospital, King County, WA. Represented plaintiff child patient in medical negligence action against pediatric geneticist resulting in permanent developmental injuries. Case settled before trial.
Sherrouse v. Fox, Pierce County, WA. Represented plaintiff patient in action against bariatric surgeon’s treatment that resulted in a month-long coma and six month hospitalization of patient. Reached confidential settlement before trial.
Coleman v. Group Health, King County, WA. Represented plaintiff patient in medical negligence action resulting in misdiagnosis and mistreatment of neck fracture. Reached confidential settlement before trial.
Campus Crest Development v. Campus Crest Properties, King County, WA. Represented purchaser of 22.4 acres parcel with a purchase price of $12.5 million for 114 finished lots in breach of purchase and sale agreement by seller. Reached confidential settlement before trial.
Berry v. Pierce County, Pierce County, WA. Represented two homeowners of waterfront properties where Pierce County was claiming right-of-way that allowed placement of utilities. Brought lawsuit on behalf of clients claiming inverse condemnation and sought quiet title. Settled claim by having Pierce County paying all attorney fees and quieting title in homeowners' favor.
Keen v. Textron/Lycoming, King County, WA. Represented Textron/Lycoming in defense of a 1997 air crash of a Pierre Robin HR 200/120B airplane in Scotland. Pilot’s estate brought suit alleging defect in manufacture of carburetor. Successfully moved to have case dismissed and transferred to Scotland.
Yoseph v. Textron/Lycoming, Mason County, WA. Represented Textron/Lycoming in defense of a 1996 air crash of a Hughes 269C helicopter. Passenger suffered significant injuries including a broken back. Plaintiff claimed that piston connecting rod was defectively designed. Reached confidential settlement prior to trial.
Bucko v. Textron/Lycoming, U.S. District Court, District of Montana. Represented Textron/Lycoming in defense of a 1996 air crash brought by estate of pilot. Reached confidential settlement prior to trial.
Turco v. Ameriflight and Rockman v. Ameriflight, Pierce County, WA. Represented Ameriflight, Inc., a California Corporation in defense of action brought on behalf of twenty passengers that died and two that were injured in a 1990 air crash of a de Havilland Twin Otter in Panama. Issues in lawsuit involved alleged manufacturing defect of fuel nozzles and alleged defective maintenance of fuel nozzles. Reached confidential settlement prior to trial.
Miller v. Rockwell Int’l, Second Judicial Court of Nevada for the County of Washoe. Represented estate of pilot who died in 1992 in-flight breakup of a Rockwell Aero Commander 690B in Susanville, California. Issues in lawsuit involved defectively designed rudder in 690 series aircraft that allowed oscillation (flutter) leading to in-flight breakups. Reached confidential settlement prior to trial.
U.S. Supreme Court Guillen v. Pierce County, U.S. Supreme Court, 537 U.S. 129 (2003). Argued case before U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of respondent in case involving federal constitutional issues under the Commerce and Spending Clauses and statutory construction of 23 U.S.C. § 409. Court found in favor of Petitioner Pierce County on the constitutional issues but in favor of our clients on the statutory construction issues.
Margolese v. Bruce, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, 902 F.2d 1578 (1990) (unpublished). Argued before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals involving commercial dispute.
Planet Earth Foundation v. Gulf Underwriters Ins. Co. Washington State Supreme Court, Supreme Court Docket No. 78287-3. Argued before State Supreme Court involving insurance coverage dispute. Case settled after oral argument and before opinion was rendered. Landmark v. City of Roy, Washington State Supreme Court, 128 Wn.2d 561 (1999). After prevailing at the trial court, the State Supreme Court reversed the trial court's judgment in favor of client regarding obtaining water connections at a certain price from the City of Roy.
Cogger v Blakeney, Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I (2010). Court of Appeals upheld judgment obtained in favor of plaintiff client in a medical malpractice lawsuit. Soundbuilt Northwest LLC v. Thomas Price, et at, Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II (2011). Was retained to represent clients after trial court entered a $5 million judgment against them individually. Court of Appeals reversed the trial court's decision and ordered judgment be entered in favor of clients. The Court of Appeals denied Soundbuilt's motion for reconsideration. The Washington State Supreme Court denied Soundbuilt's motion for discretionary review.
Ramirez-Martinez v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington. As a cooperating attorney for the ACLU-W Foundation represented detainees at the Northwest Detention Center who were placed in isolation after going on a hunger strike to protest immigration policies and conditions at the detention center. After suit was filed for declaratory relief detainees were released back into general population.
Spokane County v. Eastern Washington Management Hearing Board, Court of Appeals, Div. III. Represented Spokane neighborhood group in appeal of adverse trial court ruling involving Growth Management Act. Court of Appeals held that the trial court wrongly dismissed neighborhood group's action for failure to properly effect service. Court held that County need not address traffic impact during map amendment process but will have to consider those impacts before issuing development permits.
Herrera v. Pierce County, Federal District Court for the Western District of Washington. As an ACLU cooperating attorney, one of three lead-counsel representing current and future inmates in Pierce County jail in class action lawsuit involving jail conditions. Reached settlement with Pierce County. Participated in post-settlement monitoring. Case finally dismissed in 2011.
Webster v Webster, Pierce County, WA. Represented ex-wife of plaintiff in both trial court and court of appeals. Plaintiff brought claims that were previously disposed of in divorce action. Obtained dismissal of all claims in trial court. Defendant's ex-husband appealed to court of appeals, Div. II, Court of Appeals affirmed trial court. Co-counseled with Legal Voice.
Collard v. Reagan, Pierce County, WA. Represented two families defrauded by landlord who had been engaged in long-term systematic practice of keeping deposits of potential tenants but not renting to them. Both families lost deposits of under $1,000. Obtained judgment against the landlord of $105,000 and ultimately prevented landlord from engaging in future rental of housing units.
Halls. v. Halls, Washington Court of Appeals, Division II. Filed amicus brief on behalf of Committee for Indigent Representation and Civil Legal Equality (“CIRCLE”) urging court to find that Washington constitution requires appointed counsel in civil cases where the assistance of counsel is needed to ensure the validity of the judicial process.
O’Brien v. State of Washington, Pierce County, WA. As an ACLU cooperating attorney, represented individual in first amendment case involving nativity scene displayed at Western State Hospital. Prevailed at the trial court level.

References: v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 § 409
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v. 
 v.