BENJAMIN J. McDONNELL

member

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Ben is a member at Piskel Yahne Kovarik PLLC. His practice focuses on complex civil litigation, commercial litigation, construction related disputes arising from public and private construction projects, creditor/debtor law including bankruptcy litigation, and real estate and employment disputes.  

Originally from Helena, Montana, Ben earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Gonzaga University and graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law with honors.  During law school, Ben was a member of the Editorial Board of the GONZAGA LAW REVIEW and completed an externship for the Honorable Rosanna Malouf Peterson, District Judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. 

Ben has published an article addressing the application of the independent duty doctrine under Washington law in the construction context: Benjamin J. McDonnell, Finding a Contract in the “Muddle”: Tracing the Source of Design Professionals’ Liability in the Construction Context under Washington’s Independent Duty Doctrine, 48 GONZ. L. REV. 627 (2013). 

EDUCATION

Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D. cum laude, 2012 • Gonzaga University, B.A. in English, cum laude, 2008

ACHIEVEMENTS

CALI Excellence for the Future Awards: Secured Transactions, Advanced Legal Research, and Perspectives on the Law • GONZAGA LAW REVIEW: Editorial Board, Articles Editor, 2011-2012; Editorial Staff, 2010-2011 • Named to Super Lawyer’s Rising Star List 2019 - present.

ASSOCIATIONS

Washington State Bar Association • Spokane County Bar Association • Spokane County Young Lawyers Division:  Trustee • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington • Federal Bar Association for the Eastern District of Washington • Oregon State Bar Association • Oregon New Lawyers Division • Gonzaga University School of Law Alumni Mentor Program: Mentor • Inland Northwest Associated General Contractors of America:  Construction Leadership Counsel, Chair – Vice President