WHITNY L. NORTON

member

Whitny is a principal attorney at Piskel Yahne Kovarik, PLLC, whose practice consists primarily of real estate, business, and employment related disputes.  In the area of real estate, Whitny represents property owners, management companies, landlords, brokers, associations, developers, contractors, and investors. She regularly prosecutes unlawful detainer actions on behalf of both commercial and residential owners and property management companies. In addition, she frequently consults with owners and managers on a broad spectrum of issues from lease negotiations to tenant bankruptcies. Her real estate litigation experience includes land use, commission disputes, adverse possession, boundary disputes, easements, and breach of contract.

Whitny often represents business owners in disputes with other owners and employees. She often represents the owners of farms, marijuana businesses, and construction entities. With respect to employment disputes, Whitny represents both employers and employees giving her a unique outlook on employment litigation. Whitny’s employment experience ranges from drafting and advising clients on noncompete agreements to pursuing trade secret claims on behalf of employers. She also represents employees who have been discriminated against.

An Olympia, Washington native, Whitny moved to eastern Washington to attend Washington State University where she earned her Bachelor of Arts, graduating with high honors. Whitny attended law school at Gonzaga University School of Law. While in law school, she worked as a clerk for Piskel Yahne Kovarik, PLLC, and held a judicial externship with Judge Kathleen O'Connor at the Spokane County Superior Court. Whitny earned her Juris Doctor from Gonzaga, graduating with honors.

Whitny appears in the state and federal courts of Washington and Idaho, including trial and appellate work. Whitny also represents clients in alternative dispute resolution including binding arbitration and mediation. She enjoys presenting to property owners, management companies, and businesses on both real estate and employment related matters.

EDUCATION

Gonzaga University School of Law, J.D.  cum laude, 2013 • Washington State University, B.A. in Criminal Justice, magna cum laude, 2009

ACHIEVEMENTS

Recognized in Washington Super Lawyers Magazine as a “Rising Star” 2018 - Present •  Recognized in Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living Magazine Best Lawyer Edition • CALI Excellence for the Future Award: Legal Research and Writing IV.

ASSOCIATIONS

Idaho State Bar Association • Washington State Bar Association • U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington • Spokane County Bar Association • Washington Women Lawyers

REPRESENTATION EXPERIENCE

Ms. Norton has successfully prosecuted numerous commercial and residential evictions.

Ms. Norton successfully defended a commercial real estate brokerage in a lawsuit filed by a competitor over entitlement to a commission earned upon the sale of multi-family property resulting in a favorable settlement. 

Successfully negotiated with the Department of Revenue to reduce and nearly extinguish a quarter of a million dollar tax underpayment assessed against a property management company.

She assisted a burgeoning marijuana business judicially expel a member of the marijuana business, protecting the business and its license to produce marijuana. 

Successfully negotiated a complex commercial real estate workout involving a mobile home park resulting in a favorable buyout of her clients' interest.

Represented a homeowner and successfully defended against a breach of covenants, conditions and restrictions lawsuit brought by neighbors after the homeowners built an additional garage on their property.

Successfully defended a general contractor against a catastrophic personal injury lawsuit claiming respiratory damage by an employee of the building owner. That case successfully resolved on summary judgment and resulted in a favorable settlement.

Successfully negotiated the resolution of a defective pool case for a homeowner against the prior owner after summary judgment at mediation.

Successfully negotiated numerous commercial real estate leases between a commercial tenant and landlord.

Ms. Norton has successfully resolved numerous claims and lawsuits on behalf of both contractors and owners over disputes involving defective work, incomplete work, liens, and nonpayment in both Washington and Idaho.

Successfully negotiated the resolution of a racial discrimination claim on behalf of an employee against a national company.

Successfully negotiated the resolution of a disability discrimination claim on behalf of an employee against a national company. 

Successfully collected numerous judgments via garnishment and other foreclosure actions in both Washington and Idaho.