Richard W. Relyea

Richard W. Relyea
of Counsel
 

Rich Relyea’s practice focuses on insurance defense, insurance coverage issues, product liability, construction accidents and the defense of employers in OSHA/WISHA proceedings. He appears in state and federal courts throughout Washington.

Rich joined Winston & Cashatt in 1981. After completing his B.A. in Public Administration at Miami University and prior to law school, he served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1976. Upon leaving the military, Rich attended Creighton University Law School and Gonzaga Law School, graduating magna cum laude in 1979. From 1979 to 1981, he served as a Judicial Law Clerk for Robert J. McNichols, U.S. District Judge, Eastern District of Washington. He is a past President of the Federal Bar Association of the Eastern District of Washington and served as a Lawyer Delegate to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals Judicial Conference for three years. He was also a board member of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers. He served for over 10 years as the Chairperson of the Spokane County Superior Court Liaison Committee.

In his spare time, Rich enjoys cycling, sailing, swimming, and organizing and promoting a yearly series of Concerts for the Hungry and Homeless in St. John’s Cathedral (i.e., “Swing in the Cathedral for Habitat for Humanity”, “Country in the Cathedral for Catholic Charities”, etc.).

Professional and Civic Activities

Washington Defense Trial Lawyers, prior Board Member

Washington State Trial Lawyers Association

St. John's Cathedral Outreach Committee, Co-Chair

Areas of Emphasis

Arbitration and Mediation

Wrongful Death and Personal Injury

Product Liability

Professional Negligence

Insurance Law

Construction Accidents

Worksite Safety (OSHA/WISHA)

Education

Gonzaga University Law School, J.D., magna cum laude, 1979

Creighton University Law School

Miami University, B.A. in Public Administration, 1969

Admitted to Practice

Washington State Courts

U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit

RWR-Martindale-2023