THE LEGAL TEAM

Meet Our Team

Herrmann Law Group

Charles Herrmann

Charles Herrmann is Chairman of Herrmann Law Group and senior litigator in our wrongful death and personal injury division. He is leading HLG's representation of 46 victim families in the crash of Lion Air JT 610 and four victim families in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines ET 302. Both crashes were due to defects in the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft.

Herrmann gained an international reputation in the litigation that arose out of the controversial shoot down of Korean Air Lines flight "KAL 007" by the Soviet Union over Sakhalin Island in 1983. He represented the families of 89 victims. After secret and lengthy negotiations in Korea, Herrmann was able to secure the testimony of another Korean Air Lines 747 pilot that cracked the case against the U.S. Federal Government and KAL. His role was portrayed in the HBO movie Tailspin and featured in the definitive book on the case Death of Flight 007. He eventually recovered $10 million for one family alone and millions more for the rest of his clients.

Herrmann also led the firm in recovering in excess of $92 million for 56 families of the victims of the crash of Korean Air flight KE 801 on August 6, 1997 near Agana, Guam. He represented 86 victims in the crash of Air China flight CA 129 that crashed while attempting to land at the Gim Hae airport near Busan in the spring of 2002. At the same time, he successfully represented the families of 62 people killed in the disintegration of China Airlines flight CI 611 over the Straight of Taiwan.

HLG recovered $4 million for the family of a Korean Air Force Major killed in a tragic accident at the National Test Pilot School in California. After vetting the best aviation lawyers in the world, the Korean Air Force Attache recommended Herrmann. In 2013, the firm represented multiple victims of the crash of Asiana flight OZ 214 at San Francisco.

In addition to aviation accidents, Herrmann has led the firm in other mass disaster litigation, including bus crash cases. HLG successfully represented 13 victims of the crash of the Mi Joo Korean tour bus that plunged over a cliff near Pendleton, Oregon. HLG recently settled four cases in the Ride the Ducks crash with a bus on the Aurora Bridge for more than $9 million.

Herrmann takes great pride in the HLG tradition of representing the average person, "the little guy," against airlines, transportation companies, governments, Lloyds of London, and other giants of the insurance industry.

Lara Herrmann

P: 206.625.9104 ‍ ‍lara@hlg.lawyer

Lara Herrmann, a third-generation trial lawyer, zealously represents victims of aviation disasters, wrongful death, civil rights, medical malpractice and other cases of personal injury. Martindale-Hubbell recently acknowledged Lara for her 20 years of service. As owner and CEO of Herrmann Law Group, she cares deeply about HLG clients and their rights.

Lara successfully advocated for victim families in the two crashes of Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft in Indonesia and Ethiopia. In June of 2019, Lara and her father Charles Herrmann were invited to speak at an international aviation law symposium at Addis Ababa University in Ethiopia.

Lara has won millions of dollars in compensation for HLG clients. She has advocated for injured and deceased victims in some of the world's most tragic mass-casualty disasters, including the mid-air explosion of China Airlines CI 611, the crash of China Air flight CA 129 in Korea, and the crash landing of Asiana Air 214 in San Francisco.

Lara, a "Super Lawyer," earned "Rising Star" status three times in Washington Law & Politics. She was also named one of the Top 100 trial lawyers in the United States and one of the Top 10 aviation trial lawyers by The National Trial Lawyers, and one of the top 500 consumer lawyers by Law Dragon magazine.

Anthony Marsh

P: 206.773.8179‍ ‍anthony@hlg.lawyer

Anthony Marsh is dedicated to fighting for the rights of injured people against those who harmed them. Anthony is an experienced litigator. He has litigated hundreds of cases, reached favorable settlements for his clients, and successfully tried cases before juries.

One of his key focuses is on mass disaster cases. He has worked on Herrmann Law Group's cases against Boeing in the crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 302, Sriwijaya Airlines Flight 182, and Lion Air Flight 610. He has a long history of experience in airline crashes. Among other cases, he's also worked on the Asiana Flight OZ 214 crash, the PIA 8303 crash, the TACA Flight 390 crash, and many other small craft disasters.

Anthony recommends securing skilled, experienced, and dedicated attorneys on your case as soon as possible. He has seen defendants and their insurance companies attempt to sabotage cases early and this is one of the reasons he believes it is crucial to have a firm such as HLG stand up for you against these bullies.

Sara Luer

P: 206.492.7720‍ ‍sara@hlg.lawyer

A lifelong advocate for others, Sara Luer became a personal injury attorney to fight for justice on her clients' behalf. Prior to joining Herrmann Law Group in November 2024, Sara successfully represented victims of motor vehicle collisions in their claims against insurance companies. Sara takes pride in using her clients' stories to achieve excellent results through litigation and negotiation.

Sara graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in May 2023. In law school, she gained valuable experience externing for the Honorable Judith Ramseyer at the King County Superior Court, the Housing Justice Project, the City of Bellevue, and Ideoclick, Inc.

Sara excelled in Moot Court and Alternative Dispute Resolution Board competitions. She advanced to the final rounds of an "in-house" Moot Court competition and was chosen to represent the school at a regional competition in Montana. Sara also took first place in the ADR Board's Client Counseling Competition and represented the school at regionals.

Brittany Gautier

P: 253-426-1607 ‍Brittany@hlg.lawyer

Brittany Gautier graduated from Seattle University School of Law in May 2025, where she was a member of the Seattle University Law Review Journal and served as a 1L Section Representative for the Student Bar Association. Prior to law school, Brittany graduated with highest distinction from the University of Arkansas, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Political Science with a minor in Legal Studies.

Brittany's decision to pursue law grew out of her experiences with hardship and injustice. Growing up in Houston, Texas, Brittany experienced several hurricanes throughout her life and lost everything during Hurricane Harvey — an experience that gave her a deeper understanding of what it means to face crisis and rebuild from loss.

During law school, Brittany interned at a personal injury firm where she worked on wrongful death and civil rights cases, experiences that taught her that the law is not just a set of rules but a vital tool for accountability, dignity, and justice. Brittany chose personal injury because it allows her to stand with individuals and families in their most difficult moments, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights protected.

Julie Hwang

P: 010-3113-4611 ‍julie@hlg.lawyer

Julie Hwang was born in Korea. She immigrated to the United States when she was 12 years old. She attended Shorecrest High School in Seattle and then graduated from the UW earning a B.S. in Psychology in 1986. After graduation, she first worked as a legal assistant for 3 years in a law firm in Los Angeles.

She returned to Seattle and joined Herrmann Law Group in 1990. Because she is fluent in both English and Korean, she was immediately assigned to cases involving the families of 89 victims of the 1983 shoot down of Korean Airlines flight KAL 007 by the Soviet military over Sakhalin Island. Julie provided all in-house interpretation, worked closely with each of our clients in answering all interrogatories, in responding to requests for production of documents, and in preparing the clients for their depositions.

Subsequently, Julie worked in a similar role for 56 victims of the crash of Korean Airlines flight KE 801 that occurred near the airport at Agana, Guam, on August 6, 1997; 86 victims of the crash of Air China flight CA 129 near Gim Hae in 2000; the Mi Joo bus crash that occurred near Pendleton, Oregon in 2012; and, has just now finished working in the same capacity for numerous victims of the crash of Asiana flight OZ 214 in San Francisco in the summer of 2013.

Combined with her 36 years of experience as a paralegal, Julie's sensitivity and careful attention to each of our clients won their trust, confidence, and respect. Much of our firm's success in these disaster cases is directly attributable to her efforts.

John Herrmann

P: 206.457.4208 ‍john@hlg.lawyer

John Herrmann is a seasoned paralegal with over eight years of plaintiff-side experience, focused on aviation law and high-exposure personal injury litigation. He has supported counsel on numerous complex, multi-jurisdictional matters, including major commercial aviation disasters such as Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, Lion Air Flight JT 610, Sriwijaya Air Flight SJ 182, and a significant bird-strike aviation incident in Western Washington.

Prior to transitioning into plaintiff-side litigation, John spent six years in defense trial support in Florida, where he contributed to litigation on behalf of the City of Orlando, Orange County, and a range of private-sector clients in premises liability and personal injury claims. His experience working with both defense and plaintiff teams provides valuable perspective on litigation strategy and enhances his ability to deliver precise, effective, and forward-thinking case support.

Paige Lee

P: 206.773.8180 ‍paige@hlg.lawyer

Paige Lee worked as a paralegal in processing auto and truck accidents, premise liability, all types of personal injury, and wrongful death cases since 1998. She has worked on and helped resolve thousands of cases over the years.

Her work includes conducting initial intakes and conferences, assisting with prelitigation, managing client's claims, processing settlement distributions, as well as interacting with clients to help them work through the complex issues of their case. She is experienced in managing a case from the early discovery stages through mediation and trial, if necessary, and dedicated to helping her clients navigate the legal process to obtain fair compensation.

Paige is committed to making a personal connection with her clients and strives to have a positive impact on their life through her work. She considers the opportunity to help clients through a difficult situation both rewarding and inspiring.

Paige was born in Seoul, South Korea and has been living in Washington since 1982. She attended the University of Washington where she received her Bachelor's degree in Communications.

Hailey Hyewon Bartlette

P: 206.457.4210 ‍hailey@hlg.lawyer

Hailey Hyewon Bartlette is a legal assistant at Herrmann Law Group, where she supports attorneys representing clients who have been injured in motor vehicle accidents. She manages cases from their opening through the stage at which attorneys can begin negotiating with other parties. Fluent in both Korean and English, she helps facilitate effective communication with Korean-speaking clients. Hailey finds great fulfillment in assisting people as they navigate challenging situations. She is currently part of the legal team handling the Jeju Air case and is dedicated to advocating for the firm's clients.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington in Seattle, with minors in Informatics and Data Science. During her studies, she interned with a refugee support NGO and participated in the UW UN Association, where she developed a strong passion for advocating for international justice and supporting individuals facing difficult circumstances.

Breanna Ross

P: 253.426.1601 ‍Breanna@hlg.lawyer

Breanna Ross is a legal intern at Herrmann Law Group and is entering her final year at the University of Oregon School of Law. She assists the firm's attorneys with legal research, writing, and case preparation in complex litigation matters. As part of the legal team handling the Jeju Air case, Breanna supports ongoing research and case development efforts and is committed to advocating for the firm's clients.

Before law school, Breanna earned a degree in Business from the University of Washington and spent two years working at a personal injury firm. That experience gave her firsthand insight into the challenges individuals and families face following serious injuries and unexpected loss, while reinforcing her desire to pursue a career dedicated to helping others navigate difficult circumstances.

At the University of Oregon School of Law, Breanna serves as a research assistant supporting the research, drafting, and editing of law review articles focused on alternative dispute resolution and posthumous remedies. She also served as Treasurer of the Black Law Students Association.

Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC

Tom Vertetis

P: 253.777.0797 ‍Tom@pcvalaw.com

As the first in his family to attend college, Tom Vertetis was inspired to attend law school based on the encouragement of his father. It was the clearest path to try and make a big difference in helping others. If waking up at 3 a.m. and emailing colleagues to share a new legal strategy is an indication, Tom clearly found his calling. With a passionate commitment to assisting victims in complex personal injury cases, including medical malpractice, wrongful death, sexual abuse, school liability, and civil rights claims, Tom works tirelessly to help those with the greatest needs.

Tom has consistently obtained success in the courtroom, including many multi-million-dollar plaintiff’s verdicts, having led more than 50 jury trials, as well as hundreds of significant settlements. He obtained a $165-million product liability jury verdict against Monsanto for six teachers and one custodian exposed to chemicals (PCBs) that caused injuries, including cancer and brain injury, a $13.95-million medical malpractice jury verdict for a medically fragile young adult who suffered an embolic stroke during an elective cardiac catheterization, and a federal civil rights jury verdict for a school district’s violation of a disabled student’s constitutional right to equal protection and bodily integrity.

Treating every case as if it is his only one, he works diligently to understand the numerous facts and complicated medical issues involved in each matter. As the father of a special needs child, he is a strong advocate and champion for disabled children and is particularly zealous about cases involving children.

Tom knows that his work, and that of the entire PCVA team, changes the lives of their clients by enabling them to stop struggling to pay their medical bills and improving their access to appropriate care, and he takes this responsibility very seriously.

A judge remarked that “[Tom] was professional, courteous, prepared, and a zealous advocate for his client. I wish I had more attorneys like him appearing before me.”

Tom’s peers are in awe of his round-the-clock work ethic, which inspires them to want to do more and be better. They jokingly refer to him as “the mayor” because he is so widely known and respected, and acknowledge that Tom has one of the sharpest legal minds who gets great results for his clients.

In 2023, Tom was inducted as a Fellow into the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America. Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.

Christopher Love

P: 253.289.1412 chris@pcvalaw.com

Christopher (Chris) Love has leveraged his years of appellate experience to help his clients successfully take on school districts, educational institutions, state government entities, medical providers, and multinational corporations in their pursuit of justice, including the Washington State Supreme Court’s landmark decision in W.H. v. Olympia Sch. Dist. holding that school districts are strictly liable for employees’ sexual abuse of students under the Washington Law Against Discrimination; the Washington State Supreme Court’s decisions in Ralph v. State of Washington Department of Natural Resources overturning over 100 years of outdated law and upholding property owners’ choice of venue in property damage lawsuits; and successfully defending on appeal a $1.45 million verdict against the Olympia School District in a student sex abuse case.

Chris also helps spearhead PCVA’s Class Action, Multidistrict Litigation, and Complex Litigation practices, obtaining tremendous results for his clients, such as a $7.5 million settlement with MultiCare on behalf of patients victimized by improper medical services liens; PCVA’s Error 53 lawsuit prompting Apple to issue a software fix and an apology to consumers worldwide within days of filing; a $1.5 million class action settlement for over 900 restaurant workers wrongfully denied pay for overtime and missed meal and rest breaks, tip pool violations, and automatic service charge violations; and a consent decree requiring the University of Washington, subject to PCVA oversight, to bring all Seattle campus parking facilities into full ADA compliance for individuals with mobility impairments. Although he is at home in the midst of intensely complex legal issues, Chris’s down-to-earth and effortless way of explaining the often-complicated legal process to his clients puts them at ease.

Bill McClure

P: 253.289.1412 wmcclure@pcvalaw.com

Bill McClure spent his formative years serving others in his community, as an Eagle Scout and lifeguard. But his inspiration to advocate for people facing significant life challenges didn’t come until after college graduation, when he completed a term of service with the Federal Way Public Schools AmeriCorps, working as a math tutor and mentor for struggling kids who were falling between the cracks. That experience led him to believe that the civil legal system could be used to help people in need. He began his legal career as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Lisa Worswick at the Washington State Court of Appeals, Division II before joining PCVA as an associate attorney. Today, he is an integral part of what the firm does best—use civil law to help people overcome the difficulties of life-altering injuries.

Bill works primarily with the PCVA medical malpractice team, bringing cases against large hospital systems, doctors, and other corporate entities where evidence of medical negligence and failure to treat or diagnose are involved. He also assists on childhood sexual abuse cases and handles plaintiff personal injuries resulting from motor vehicle accidents and other catastrophic events. In addition to undertaking case research, writing, witness interviews, and depositions in medical malpractice cases, he supports the team in all aspects of settlement negotiations or trials.

Shannon Velasquez

P: 253.948.3544 svelasquez@pcvalaw.com

Shannon Velasquez is a litigation paralegal at Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC, where she has dedicated the past seven years to supporting complex, high-stakes litigation across Washington State. Her experience includes medical malpractice, toxic torts, wrongful death, civil rights, and sexual abuse cases. Shannon has provided trial support to attorneys Tom Vertetis and Bill McClure on a wide range of impactful matters, including wrongful death, birth injury, and medical malpractice actions, in addition to extensive litigation against Monsanto spinoff Pharmacia LLC. Recognized for her dedication to her clients and practice, Shannon was named Employee of the Year at PCVA in 2022.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science and a Master’s Degree in Business Management. A former team captain and national champion with the Concordia University, Portland women’s soccer team, Shannon brings leadership, focus, empathy, and resilience to every case. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys baking sourdough, supporting the St. Martin’s University men’s basketball team, and spending time with her family.

Thien Lau

P: 253.948.0249 tlau@pcvalaw.com

Thien Lau is a legal assistant at Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC, where she supports the Vertetis team on cases involving personal injury, medical malpractice, wrongful death, motor vehicle accidents, civil rights, and sexual abuse. She collaborates closely with partner Tom Vertetis and assists with his involvement in a variety of professional legal organizations, including ABOTA, the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), and the M3 Federal Bar Association.

A graduate of the University of Washington, Thien earned her degree in the Theory of Religions with a minor in Law, Society, and Justice. Outside of her work with PCVA, Thien is deeply passionate about giving back to her community and volunteers with local organizations such as Bloodworks Northwest, the YMCA, and Metro Parks. She enjoys live music, comedy shows, and exploring new food with friends and family.

C & Y Law

Chi-young Im (임치영)

P: 02.3476.2004 ‍cyim@cnylaw.co.kr

Feb 27, 1987 Graduated from Jeju Jeil High School

Feb 26, 1993 Graduated from College of Engineering, Seoul National University

Nov 7, 1999 Passed the 41st Korean Bar Examination

Jun 21, 2001 Completed the Program of Instruction for Lawyers at Harvard Law School

Jan 22, 2002 Completed the 31st Judicial Research and Training Institute

Feb 1, 2002 – January 2022 HMP (Chungjung) Law Firm (Partner Attorney from 2009 to 2022)

2006 – 2007 Appointed as Research Advisor at Seoul National University College of Medicine

May 20, 2012 Graduated from Santa Clara Law School, USA (LL.M)

Dec 2012 – 2013 Appointed as Advisor for International Intellectual Property at the Ministry of Justice

2014 – Present Appointed as Legal Advisor for the Ministry of Justice’s Legal Support Group for Overseas Expansion of SMEs

2018 – 2021 Appointed as Member of the Ethics Committee at Asan Medical Center

Feb 2022 Established C&Y Law Office

2024 – Present Appointed as Court-Appointed Counsel by the Seoul Administrative Court

Chi-young Im has extensive litigation experience successfully handling major domestic and international aviation accident cases. Through close collaboration with global aviation experts, he possesses exceptional litigation expertise and comprehensive resources necessary to enhance aviation safety and pursue compensation claims at an international level. As a lawyer specializing in aviation accidents, he provides Korea’s leading and unparalleled legal services in the field of aviation law.

His exceptional legal knowledge and expertise have led to outstanding results in the following cases.

Air China Flight CA129 Crash Accident; On April 15, 2002, Air China International Flight CA-129 crashed into Dotdae Mountain in Gimhae City. Represented the families of 86 victims who were on board the aircraft and filed a damages lawsuit against the airline. Served as the lead attorney in Korea’s first international aircraft crash case, handling the entire litigation from the first trial to the Supreme Court ruling. This case led to Korea’s first leading Supreme Court decision recognizing that the unique nature of aircraft accidents should not be treated in the same manner as automobile accidents (Supreme Court Decision 2009.12.24, 2007Da77149).

ASIANA Flight OZ231 Rapid Descent Accident; On August 21, 2012, Asiana Airlines flight from Incheon to Honolulu experienced a rapid descent over Japanese airspace due to turbulence, despite prior notification from air traffic control. The warning system failed to operate properly. Represented passengers who suffered fractures and brain injuries. Filed damages lawsuits against the airline in both the United States and Korea. Provided legal review, consultation, and litigation regarding jurisdiction under the Montreal Convention and claims for damages.

ASIANA Flight OZ214 Crash at San Francisco Airport; On July 7, 2013, Asiana Airlines flight from Incheon to San Francisco crashed into a seawall just before landing, injuring passengers and crew. Represented 3 victims in a damages lawsuit (first trial concluded).

Lao Airlines Flight QV301 Crash Accident; On October 16, 2013, a domestic Lao Airlines flight departing from Vientiane crashed into the Mekong River near Pakse, killing all passengers on board, including three Korean nationals. Represented the Korean victims and pursued a damages lawsuit (appeal trial concluded).

Jirisan Helicopter Crash Accident; On May 1, 2020, a rescue helicopter belonging to the Gyeongnam Fire Department crashed on the slopes of Jirisan Mountain, resulting in the deaths of a patient on board and a guardian on the ground. Representing the victims in a damages and insurance claim lawsuit against the helicopter owner, the fire department, and the insurance company.