McGuireWoods has expanded its Seattle litigation practice with the addition of former Boeing product liability lawyers Allison Kendrick and David Lassen, bringing decades of aviation, aerospace and complex commercial litigation experience to the firm’s growing West Coast platform.
Kendrick joins McGuireWoods as counsel after retiring as chief counsel for products liability at Boeing, while Lassen joins as a partner after serving as Boeing’s senior counsel for products liability. The two lawyers previously worked together both at Boeing and in private practice.
Their arrival builds on McGuireWoods’ February 2026 launch of its Seattle office, which was initially established by nine partners. The office now has 16 lawyers, including 10 partners, five associates and one counsel.
The hires deepen the firm’s capabilities in aviation product liability, government investigations and complex commercial disputes at a time when aerospace companies face increasingly complicated litigation and regulatory issues.
Kendrick oversaw aviation product liability litigation across Boeing’s commercial airplanes and defense, space and security businesses, as well as matters involving Boeing subsidiaries.
She also provided product liability counseling across the company and advised Boeing personnel supporting civil, military and criminal accident investigations.
Before joining Boeing, Kendrick was a partner at Ashurst Perkins Coie, where she represented clients including Boeing in aviation accident litigation around the world.
Lassen similarly brings extensive experience handling aviation and product liability disputes. At Boeing, he co-managed product liability litigation involving the company’s civil and military programs.
Before moving in-house, Lassen spent nearly 15 years at Ashurst Perkins Coie, representing aerospace companies and other product manufacturers in U.S. and international courts.
The additions strengthen a Seattle office already focused heavily on sophisticated litigation. McGuireWoods said its local team includes nationally recognized lawyers working in aviation litigation, appellate advocacy and complex commercial disputes, including two former U.S. Supreme Court law clerks.
For McGuireWoods, the hires also add executives who understand aviation disputes from both the corporate and outside-counsel perspectives.
That combination can be particularly relevant in product liability cases, where manufacturers may need to coordinate litigation strategy with internal investigations, regulatory inquiries, engineering teams, accident investigations and other stakeholders across multiple jurisdictions.
McGuireWoods is positioning the Seattle office as an important part of its broader Pacific Northwest and West Coast expansion, particularly in industries including aviation, aerospace and defense.
The firm’s leadership said Kendrick and Lassen fit the strategy of adding experienced practitioners with deep knowledge of both the regional market and the industries served by the office.
McGuireWoods has more than 900 lawyers across 21 offices worldwide. Its broader practice includes litigation and transactional services as well as McGuireWoods Consulting, which provides government relations, strategic communications, infrastructure and economic development services.
The addition of Kendrick and Lassen gives the Seattle office two lawyers who have spent significant portions of their careers managing some of the aerospace industry’s more complex product liability matters while strengthening the firm’s ability to represent manufacturers facing major litigation, investigations and other high-stakes disputes.
KEY QUOTES:
“Allison and David are exactly the caliber of talent we envisioned adding as we built out our Seattle office. They are proven leaders in aviation and product liability litigation who have managed some of the most consequential matters in the industry. Their addition reinforces our commitment to assembling the strongest litigation team on the West Coast and nationwide.”
Noreen Kelly, Deputy Managing Partner and Head of Litigation at McGuireWoods
“McGuireWoods has built something special in Seattle. Having worked alongside many of these attorneys throughout my career, I know firsthand the quality of this team. Together, we will deliver the kind of coordinated, client-focused representation that companies facing high-stakes product liability matters need.”
Allison Kendrick, Counsel at McGuireWoods
“I am excited to join McGuireWoods at such a pivotal time for the Seattle office. The firm’s strategic investment in the Pacific Northwest enhances its ability to serve clients in aviation, aerospace and defense. I look forward to contributing to the growth of this office and the firm’s product liability practice.”
David Lassen, Partner at McGuireWoods
