Lawrence R. Cock
Contact CFL Law, LLP:
(206) 292-8800
Email: Lawrence @ CFLseattle.com
Do not send any substantive information to Lawrence before he has agreed to represent you. Only send information with the name(s) of people involved in the dispute and ask for a conflicts check to be undertaken.
Lawrence Cock was first licensed in 1991 in Washington State and is approaching thirty years’ trial and appellate experience. Lawrence is a litigator whose practice emphasizes a variety of employment issues, including noncompetition covenants and trade secrets law. In 2017-2020, he was deeply involved in the creation of Washington’s noncompetition statute, RCW 49.62. Lawrence helps clients negotiate employment agreements and employment transitions. When transitions result in legal proceedings, Lawrence prosecutes and defends lawsuits.
Lawrence also represents licensed professionals in disputes and negotiations with regulators or employers. That includes physicians in peer review matters, investment professionals in securities and regulatory matters (before FINRA, DFI, the SEC, and so on), persons with insurance licenses being pursued by the Office of Insurance Commissioner, and so on.
Lawrence has done a fair amount of work with securities law. He has represented individual investors against brokers, dealers, and investment advisory firms. He has represented brokers, dealers, and investment advisers in cases brought by investors.
Lawrence operates CFL Law, LLP. He previously practiced at Helsell Fetterman, LLP, clerked for the Honorable Walter Webster at the Washington State Court of Appeals, and was a partner at Cable, Langenbach, Kinerk & Bauer LLP for more than 19 years. He is licensed in Washington and Oregon, before both state and federal courts.
Education
J.D. (with Honors), University of Washington School of Law, 1990
M.A., International Studies, China Regional, Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington, 1987
Sichuan Institute of Foreign Languages, Chongqing, China, 1983-1984
B.A., Political Science, Whitman College, 1983
Legal Experience
CFL Law, LLP, partner (2018 – present)
Corr Cronin, Of Counsel (January 2018 - October 2021)
University of Washington School of Law, Adjunct Professor, Securities Regulation (2008)
Cable, Langenbach, Kinerk & Bauer, LLP, Partner and chair of litigation department (1998-2017)
Washington State Court of Appeals, Division I, Law Clerk to The Honorable Walter Webster (1995-1998)
Helsell Fetterman, LLP, Associate Attorney (1991-1995)
Professional Associations
Washington State Bar Association
Oregon State Bar Association
Selected Cases
Important disclaimer:
An outcome accomplished for one client in a given matter or for several clients in a number of matters is not an indication of what Lawrence and CFL Law, LLP might be able accomplish for you. Each case presents with its own facts. Legal principles change over time. In short, past performance or results is no guarantee or even an indicator of any future result.
Move, Inc., et al. v. Zillow, Inc., et al. – King County Superior Court No. 14-2-07669-0 SEA (2014). Represented Move, Inc. and the National Association of Realtors® when the chief strategy officer and a vice president suddenly left Move and joined rival Zillow. Obtained trade secrets preliminary injunction substantially limiting former strategy officer for six months. The case ultimately settled when Zillow paid Move and the NAR $130 million.
Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. v. Pereira and Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC – 2014 FINRA Arb. LEXIS 208 (2014). Defended broker-dealer in case involving trade secret misappropriation and non- competition covenant. Secured defense verdict.
Smigaj v. Yakima Valley Mem’l Hosp. Ass’n. – 165 Wn. App. 837 (2012). Physician defeated hospital’s claim of immunity under HCQIA. Persuaded Court of Appeals to reverse summary judgment entered by Superior Court against client.
Westview Investments, Ltd and Tukwila Self Storage, LLC v. U.S. Bank, N.A. – 133 Wn. App. 835 (2006). Persuaded court of appeals that AIA contract established an express trust over funds paid by an owner to a general contractor. Therefore, bank that used funds to offset the contractor’s loan could be established. Won appeal reversing court’s summary judgment.
Long Painting Co. v. Donkel, 14 Wn.App.2d 582 (2020). Represented appealing company where predecessor attorney e-filed, rather than hand filed, notice of appeal to superior court. Court of appeals determined that e-filing was not permissible.
Grohs v. Anderson and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. – 2005 NASD Arb. LEXIS 1550 (2005). Represented investors in recovery of compensatory damages ($1,835,343.30). Recovered damages for investment losses.
In re Jean F. Gardner Amended Blind Trust – 117 Wn. App. 235 (2003). Secured enforcement of arbitration agreement signed by trustee against beneficiary of trust (who did not sign the agreement) in lawsuit against a broker dealer. Won appeal confirming order compelling arbitration.
Spencer v. Blakey – 2015 Wn.App. LEXIS 684 (Div. I. 2015). Successfully defended summary judgment dismissing claims against client.
Tyco Integrated Sec., LLC v. Bradford, 2017 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 144388 (W.D. Wash. 2017). Defended transitioning employee against claims by ex-employer. Ex-employer recovered a partial injunction and $1.00.
Mills v. Wachovia Securities, a Limited Liability Company n/k/a Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC, 2011 FINRA Arb. LEXIS 377 (2011). Obtained defense verdict for broker-dealer client in case involving alleged misrepresentations and/or omissions.
Articles/Publications
Reshaping Noncompetes in Washington (RCW 49.62), NW Lawyer (with Jack Lovejoy and Ben Byers) Sept. 2019
Too many, too broad, too long: Washington overhauls non-compete agreements (RCW 49.62), King County Bar Bulletin (with Jack Lovejoy and Ben Byers) July 2019
Securities Act Poses Risk for Outside Investors, King County Bar Bulletin, 2010
RIFS, Sacks and Non-competes: A Primer, King County Bar Bulletin, 2010
Lawyer’s Lament: The Uncertain Law of Noncompetition Covenants, King County Bar Bulletin, 2008
Court Ruling Fails Washington Investors, King County Bar Bulletin, 2008
Joining Client May Raise Competition Issue, King County Bar Bulletin, 2007
Contact - Warning
Do not send any substantive information to Lawrence before he has agreed to represent you. Only send information with the name(s) of people involved in the dispute and ask for a conflicts check to be undertaken.