Darrell L. Cochran

10/05/2026

A big congratulations to PCVA Associate Patrick Brown, who recently co-chaired the Washington State Association for Justice’s Annual Convention. Patrick's contributions to legal education stretch beyond WSAJ to organizations such as the University of Washington Law School Legal Pathways program, the Seattle University Law School's mentoring program and he's spoken to local high school classrooms on Law Day.

PCVA itself and our partners have supported the Washington State Association for Justice throughout our entire careers — in my case, for all 33 years I’ve been practicing. WSAJ is a community of passionate advocates giving a voice to those who have been injured, and this organization is exactly what PCVA is all about.

I’m incredibly proud of Patrick’s leadership and the important role he played in the success of this year’s convention.

https://darrellcochranlaw.com/about-us/our-team/patrick-a-brown/
https://pcva.law/attorneys/patrick-brown/

10/05/2026

Congratulations to my partner, Alex Dietz, the 2026 recipient of the Washington State Association for Justice. Over the years I’ve worked with Alex, he has passionately advocated on behalf of hundreds of survivors. The compassion and care he brings to his practice are unparalleled, and I’m grateful to WSAJ for recognizing his extraordinary dedication to his clients.

https://darrellcochranlaw.com/about-us/our-team/alexander-g-dietz/
https://pcva.law/attorneys/alexander-dietz/

10/02/2026

Another local school district is confronting allegations involving inappropriate communications between school staff and students. Investigation into the incidents are pending.

This type of news report is a great reminder that boundaries between adults and students exist for a reason. Texts, private messages, overly personal relationships, secrecy, or communications that move outside legitimate school business can be warning signs and should be questioned.

Throughout my career representing children and adults harmed in schools and other institutions, I have seen how important those early warning signs can be.
These signs and signals have been known as warning signs to districts and institutions for decades. They have led to abuse by faculty, administration, coaches and other school personnel against children from pre-school through high school.

The responsibility cannot rest solely on a child to recognize that an adult has crossed a boundary or to have the courage to report it. The adults around them including teachers, coaches, administrators and school districts, have a responsibility to recognize concerning conduct, report it, investigate it and act when necessary.

Parents should also know that they are entitled to ask questions when something involving their child does not feel right.

Our schools should be places where students can learn, participate in activities and build relationships with trusted adults without those professional boundaries ever becoming blurred.

www.darrellcochranlaw.com

https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/community/gateway/g-news/article317461288.html

The Peninsula School District placed three staff members on administrative leave Monday pending an investigation.

09/24/2026

I’m proud to share a trial win in Pierce County Superior Court by Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC associates Patrick Brown and Cortney Feniello.

These are two trial lawyers to watch. They are smart, relentless, and fearless advocates for our clients, and they showed that in the courtroom yesterday.

It’s an honor to have them on our team and to see the next generation of PCVA trial lawyers delivering justice in the courtroom for the people we represent.

09/24/2026

It was an honor for Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC to be recognized at last night’s Mariners game for our firm’s support of the K’s for Kids program.

Between the four founding partners, we have 14 kids of our own. Add to that our PCVA partners, lawyers and team members, many of them parents themselves, including parents-to-be and some brand‑new ones, and it’s no surprise that supporting programs for children is personal to us. We see, every day, how much it matters when kids are protected, encouraged, and supported.

Thank you to the Seattle Mariners for the recognition and for allowing us the opportunity to invest in kids and in our community, thank you to my partner, Jason P. Amala for creating this opportunity for our firm to support kids in sports, and to the Mariner's for giving Jason's son, C**t, the opportunity to throw out the first pitch. Nice work, buddy.

09/13/2026

If you love the law like I love it, I hope you can find some time to watch my favorite new trial partner in crime, Cortney Fenielo, and outstanding appellate and trial attorney, Selena Hoffman, argue last week in front of the Division One court of appeals in Seattle.

The cases they argued involved the Kiwanis Vocational Home, one of the worst foster care, sexual abuse hell holes in Washington state history and one of the darkest chapters in DSHS of group home oversight. These two lawyers are some of the brightest emerging talents in the appellate arena and I just love watching them go.

https://m-download.invintus.com/9375922947/a5d705734157c416bc9e8b1d49910cb383b23411.mp4

darrellcochranlaw.com
https://pcva.law/

08/20/2026

Darrell Cochran and Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC recently helped secure a $21 million settlement with the University Place School District on behalf of six former students who were sexually abused by a former substitute nurse and classroom assistant.

As one of the attorneys who stood with these survivors, my focus has always been on them: their voices, their safety, and their futures. This resolution is an acknowledgment that what happened to them mattered and was wrong, and it provides resources these former students will need for ongoing healing and support. The District confirmed in the attached article that the settlement will be fully funded by insurance.

Civil cases like this serve an important role beyond any single lawsuit. They shine light on what went wrong, help families get answers, and can prompt changes that better protect children in the future. That is the work my colleagues and I — including my co-counsel, Loren Cochran — are committed to doing.

To the survivors and their families in this case: your strength and persistence made this outcome possible, and your willingness to come forward will help protect other children you will never meet.

Read more at: https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article316677627.html =cpy

https://darrellcochranlaw.com/
https://pcva.law/attorneys/darrell-cochran/

University Place School District agreed to settle a lawsuit brought by six former students against ex-instructor Michael Basse.

08/04/2026

My partner, Alex Dietz, together with co-counsel Ashton Dennis of Washington Law Center, has filed a class-action lawsuit representing women and girls who were secretly recorded inside restroom facilities at The Pokémon Company International’s Bellevue offices.

Their clients bring suit against Pokémon executive Ben Tsai who used hidden cameras to record children, employees, and members of the public, and that The Pokémon Company failed to take reasonable steps to protect them. The proposed class includes women and girls who used the restroom facilities from 2017 through July 25, 2026.

“Companies have a responsibility to protect the people who enter their workplaces—especially children,” Dietz said. “This lawsuit seeks answers, accountability, and justice for every person whose privacy was violated.”

https://pcva.law/attorneys/alexander-dietz/
https://darrellcochranlaw.com/about-us/our-team/alexander-g-dietz/

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/ex-pokemon-exec-is-accused-of-hiding-cameras-in-bellevue-office-bathrooms/&ved=2ahUKEwiHk6iC8YWWAxUWLTQIHRCtHqwQFnoECBwQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1uA1-fBWwEIC9IuZ7PrXhc

The proposed class-action lawsuit is the latest in ongoing litigation against the former Pokémon employee, who has been charged with voyeurism.

07/20/2026

Washington’s wildfire season is no longer something we prepare for “someday.” It’s here, and each year the risk to our families, homes, businesses, and communities continues to grow.

While we can’t control the weather, we can advocate for stronger prevention. Investing in healthier forests, expanding prescribed burns, improving early fire detection, supporting our firefighters, and preparing communities before disaster strikes can save lives and reduce the devastating impact of catastrophic wildfires.

At Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala, we believe prevention should always come first. But when preventable tragedies occur, we’re also committed to standing beside individuals and families whose lives have been forever changed.

My partner, Ian Bauer, created this video to share why proactive wildfire prevention matters—and why we believe Washington must make it a top priority before the next spark becomes the next disaster.

If you agree, we encourage you to contact your elected officials and the Washington Department of Natural Resources and ask them to make wildfire prevention one of our state’s highest public safety priorities.

Protect our forests. Protect our communities. Protect our future.

07/20/2026

Three years ago, six lives were taken in a catastrophic, fiery crash at the intersection of SR 509 and Alexander Avenue. Families forever changed by unimaginable loss chose to honor their loved ones by fighting for something greater than themselves.

More than 100 prior crashes had devastated other lives over a short period of time leading up to this deadly crash - all because the government agencies responsible for the road refused to prioritize spending the money to make this intersection safe.

Because the families here summoned the strength to speak, demand answers, and seek accountability, meaningful safety improvements have now been made at this intersection. Those changes stand as a reminder that every life matters and that tragedy should never be ignored when it can help prevent future heartbreak.

Today, we remember those who were lost. We continue to keep their families in our thoughts, and we hope these improvements help spare others from experiencing the same devastating loss.

The agencies responsible for the intersection continue refusing to accept accountability for failing the motorists and public who needed this to be a safe intersection. There is no justice without accountability and atonement, and the grieving families here will never have closure without the government agencies accepting responsibility - or having it decided for them by a community of their peers - for their failure to act. The civil justice system is the true equalizer, giving victims and their families an opportunity to impose responsibility and a voice can create change that protects future generations.

Please take a moment today to remember the six lives lost and drive safely.

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