Of the more than 1.3 million licensed attorneys in the United States, fewer than one-tenth of one percent will ever defend a case valued in the billions. Eric Gillett is one of them.
Eric Gillett has spent nearly four decades doing what very few attorneys can claim — defending the highest-stakes cases in the country. As Managing Partner and founding member of Preg O'Donnell & Gillett, he built one of the most highly regarded defense litigation firms in the Pacific Northwest from the ground up.
Eric is widely recognized as one of the nation’s foremost experts in trucking and transportation defense litigation. His track record includes the successful defense of a multi-billion dollar, multi-fatality trucking case — one of the most complex and high-exposure matters in the history of American transportation litigation. That kind of experience cannot be taught. It shapes how Eric prepares, how he strategizes, and how he wins.
He is one of only twelve private attorneys retained nationally by one of the world’s largest corporations. His client roster includes the nation’s top transportation and logistics companies, Fortune 500 brands, and major waste management operators — organizations that trust Eric exclusively with the cases where failure is not an option.
Eric is a Straus Institute certified mediator trained at Pepperdine University, a published author in mediation and legal journals, and an international speaker on complex defense litigation. He writes his own content and brings his own voice to every publication and presentation — because his expertise is earned through decades of real results.
The nation’s top defense counsel for catastrophic trucking and transportation litigation — multi-fatality collisions, fleet-wide exposure, regulatory defense, and billion-dollar liability matters. This is Eric’s core arena.
Breach of contract, business torts, and high-value commercial disputes for Fortune 500 corporations and major enterprises where the financial stakes demand senior-level strategy.
Aggressively protecting proprietary business assets — trade secret misappropriation, non-compete enforcement, and executive departure disputes across multiple jurisdictions.
Defending executives, officers, and corporations facing significant personal and organizational liability in high-profile matters with reputational and financial consequences.
Coordinating defense strategy across complex multi-party litigation, mass tort claims, and class action matters requiring disciplined case management and trial preparation.
Retained by companies, boards, and legal teams seeking independent senior counsel to evaluate exposure, shape strategy, and prepare for outcomes that matter.
Eric brings what most mediators cannot: decades of experience on both sides of the courtroom. His long-standing commitment to alternative dispute resolution and hundreds of mediations on behalf of clients inspired him to focus on facilitating mediations through Gillett Mediation — available to parties nationwide.
Trained at the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University, Eric’s mediation approach draws on deep expertise in how judges and juries think, frank pre-mediation discussions with counsel, and a high degree of emotional intelligence that drives parties toward efficient, fair outcomes.
Engaged selectively, this advisory provides senior-level insight into the matters that define outcomes.
Clients include companies, executives, and legal teams seeking an independent, experienced perspective on matters with meaningful stakes.
Private Engagement · Limited Availability
Each matter is reviewed personally by Eric prior to engagement.
A focused session designed to evaluate key issues, identify risks, and provide immediate strategic direction.
Reserved for a limited number of clients requiring continuous input throughout the lifecycle of a matter.
A deeper engagement for complex cases requiring detailed analysis, strategic alignment, and written recommendations.
Availability is intentionally limited to maintain depth of involvement.
"Eric writes a monthly column for the King County Bar Bulletin, sharing hard-won insights from four decades of courtroom experience. He doesn’t outsource his thinking — every word is his own."
Additional engagements to be announced. For speaking inquiries, contact Eric directly.
Preg O’Donnell & Gillett is hiring.
At Preg O’Donnell & Gillett, we don’t just manage cases — we prepare them for trial from day one. Our reputation is built on disciplined advocacy, strategic thinking, and results that matter. We are growing and looking to add attorneys who want to do meaningful work at a high level.
We are seeking attorneys who are:
Experience in litigation is preferred, but mindset and work ethic carry more weight than years on a résumé.
If you’re looking for a place to sharpen your skills, take on real responsibility, and build a reputation as a serious trial attorney, we want to hear from you.
Whether you need defense counsel for high-stakes litigation or a skilled mediator for complex disputes — Eric Gillett brings nearly four decades of elite experience to every engagement.
