About Theresa A. Goetz
Meet Theresa Goetz Knapp, an accomplished transactional and litigation attorney with more than 30 years’ experience.
I have been fortunate to be able to practice law in the Pacific Northwest as I was born and raised in Seattle, attended Washington State University for undergraduate school and I graduated from the University of Washington School of Law. My experiences as a lawyer have given me the knowledge and experience to help all my clients with their legal issues, whether it is a real estate matter, forming a limited liability company and drafting its operational documents, to preparing an employment or independent contractor agreement setting forth the rights and obligations of an employer, employee or independent contractor or giving general employment law advice.
Being proactive in giving advice to clients is essential to anticipating issues that might develop and addressing those issues at the beginning. I strive to be proactive for the benefit of my clients.
I also work with legitimately disadvantaged businesses, regardless of the disadvantage (that is, whether it be based on sex, race, sexual orientation, economics, or so forth) to qualify the businesses for certification pursuant to state/federal or private certification programs.
Theresa Goetz is experienced in the following areas:
- General Business Transactions: Formation, Governance, Buy-Sell agreements, contract review and Disputes
- Specialty Business Transactions: Certification of Women and Minority Owned Businesses
- Real Estate Transactions: Purchase and Sale Agreements, Leases, Easements
- Real Estate Litigation: Title matters, e.g. adverse possession, Commercial Unlawful Detainer Proceedings
- Construction Law: Contract Review, lien/bond claims, construction disputes
Theresa is proud to counsel women and minority owned businesses seeking certification under the state's Minority/Women Business Enterprise Program and the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, as well as certifications from national organizations, such as the Women's Business Enterprise National Council. Theresa has been a speaker at various continuing legal education seminars regarding commercial landlord tenant issues, as well as to various trade organizations, such as the local chapters of the American Society of Heating and Refrigeration Engineers (ASHRAE) on her “Top Ten Tips to Avoid Lawyers.”
Theresa was honored to be a featured speaker at the national American Bar Association Construction Law Forum Conference in Chicago where she spoke about joint venture/teaming agreements.
A competitive swimmer in college, Theresa maintains the desire to win and uses this to obtain the best results for her clients.
A former record holder in the 200 backstroke at Washington State University, Theresa is still an avid (albeit slower) swimmer, and enjoys gardening, gourmet cooking and spending time with her family in her spare time.
- State of Washington Bar, 1987
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit, 1989
- U.S. District Court Western District of Washington, 1987
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington, 2005
- University of Washington School of Law, 1987, J.D.
- Washington State University, 1984, B.A., Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa
- Double major: Journalism and Political Science
- Academic All American First Team, University Division presented by the College Sports Information Directors of America
- WSU Woman Athlete of Year
- S. Towne Stephenson Honors College Scholar Award
- University Honors Program
- National Institute for Trial Advocacy
- American Bar Association (Construction Law Forum, Business, Employment and Labor Practice Sections)
- Washington State Bar Association (Corporate Counsel, Real Property, Debtor-Creditor and Labor and Employer's Law Practice Sections)
- King County Bar Association
- San Juan County Bar Association
Speaker and Lecturer
- American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry, “The Perfect Pair or The Odd Couple? Challenges of Teaming Arrangements” National Meeting/Chicago 2014
- American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (Puget Sound Chapter), “Top Ten Ways to Avoid Lawyers”
- National Business Institute Continuing Legal Education Seminars, “Residential and Commercial Evictions in Washington” and “Evictions and Landlord-Tenant Law in Washington”
- In-house seminars for businesses regarding “The Top Ten Ways to Avoid Professional Liability”
- In-house seminars for businesses regarding wage and hour law
- In-house seminars for businesses regarding perfection and foreclosure of mechanic’s liens
Client Reviews
Paid in full! I want to thank you again for your guiding hand through all of this. I had no idea it would end up being a stranger than fiction experience but was sure glad we had you on our side!
— Client MD
Comment from a PSA client
Theresa Goetz understands the ins and outs of the DBE/ WBE process. When it comes to becoming certified or maintaining your certification, Theresa is professional, knowledgeable, and reliable. She has been a great person to have on my side, I appreciate all her knowledge and advice.
— Client KG
Comment from client on WBE/DBE Certification
I chose Theresa to represent me after interviewing and paying for opinions from three other law firms regarding an employment agreement. I had just started a new CPA practice, it was year-end, my business and personal life was extremely busy and the potential legal obstacles were overwhelming. With Theresa's assistance, I was able to focus all of my attention on building my new business, while she tactfully worked behind the scene to quickly and quietly reduce my exposure to costly litigation. Her work exceeded all of my expectations. I have since referred many of my clients to her and received nothing but praise. She does awesome work and is always available to work through issues by telephone or e-mail and will reduce the amount of worrying and uncertainty that you may experience in your case.