Specializing in the defense of large loss and catastrophic injury claims, Managing Partner Bill Taaffe regularly defends claims based on premises liability, products liability, liquor liability (Dram Shop), defamation, commercial auto liability, and general negligence. If it is a large, complex case, it often ends up on Bill’s desk.

In addition to his expertise in the Commercial Lines realm, Bill has considerable international business experience–having worked in several different countries over a period of many years. His international background has provided him with the ability to masterfully view case handling situations through multiple perspectives and continues to help him find creative solutions to complex legal matters.

Bill has extensive experience defending large, complex GL claims ranging up to 28 million dollars. He has successfully represented clients from all over the US and abroad and, in the last 5 years, Bill has successfully defended many complicated matters involving products liability, fire loss, premises liability, and Dram Shop. He regularly obtains excellent results for his clients–often far beyond expectations.

In sports parlance—Bill has a “strong motor”—always ready to jump on a plane to meet with out-of-state clients, work long hours, and do whatever is necessary to fully defend a claim and take care of his clients.

With a career spanning over 30 years, successfully representing a wide range of clients in complex and high profile cases, Founding Partner Jeff Eberhard is a recognizable and reputable force within the industry.

Jeff’s practice focuses on civil litigation throughout Oregon and Washington with an emphasis on the defense of complex liability claims, most notably, in dram shop/liquor liability. By successfully defending hundreds of cases, Jeff’s expert knowledge of Oregon’s Dram Shop Act, and how to defend against it, is unparalleled.

Kyle Riley manages the firm’s Seattle, Washington, office. He has profound expertise in Washington bad faith law, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury claims. Kyle also has significant experience defending fire losses, trucking companies, banking institutions, and self-insured rental car companies.

Prior to joining Smith Freed Eberhard, Kyle worked with the Oregon Department of Justice where he gained significant litigation experience specializing in the recovery of self-insured losses. He joined Smith Freed Eberhard in 2003.