Practice Areas: Medical Malpractice, Employment Litigation; view more
Licensed in Washington since: 1984
Education: Gonzaga University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2000 - 2001, 2005 - 2006, 2009 - 2024 Details
Mary Schultz is a trial lawyer with 38 years of litigation experience across an array of claim categories. She now focuses on medical malpractice and civil rights, including employment discrimination, and whistleblower claims. Ms. Schultz has obtained numerous multi-million-dollar verdicts and settlements for her medical injury and employment clients, including a recent $19.5 million defamation, reverse race discrimination, and loss of consortium verdict entered on December 23, 2022. She holds the national oral surgery negligence record of a $14.9 million dollar jury verdict. Ms. Schultz handles claims nationwide, but has focused on claims in Washington and California.
Ms. Schultz has been listed in The Best Attorneys in America since the year 2002, the Best Law Firms in America, inducted as a Founding Fellow in the Litigation Counsel of America, listed in the National Trial Institute, and as a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100, including the latter's Top 10 medical negligence attorneys, and its Top 25 nursing home negligence attorneys. She maintains a 10.0 "Superb" peer review rating through Avvo, and has received client's choice awards through that entity.
News article and exemplary cases are listed in her website, MarySchultzLaw.com.
Practice areas
Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff, Employment Litigation: PlaintiffFocus areas
Dental Malpractice, Employment Discrimination, Informed Consent, Medical Malpractice, Retaliation, Wrongful Termination
- 40% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
- 60% Employment Litigation: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1984, Washington
Professional Webpage: http://maryschultzlaw.com/index.php
Scholarly Lectures/Writings:
- "Civil Rights in the Jail", Washington State Jail Association Annual Training Conference, Cavanaugh's Inn at the Park, Spokane, WA, June 6, 1992
- "The Struck Jury System in Criminal Cases", Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA, April 24, 1992
- "Challenging Medical Evidence, and member of panel on discussion of `Theory and Practice: Practical Responses to Complex Issues'", Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Seattle, WA, October 1991
- "Eye Witness Identification and Cross-examination of Eye Witness Testimony" plus demonstration; work shop instructor, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyers Annual Convention, Lake Chelan, WA, June 6-9, 1991
- "A Philosophy Approaching Dependency" and "Challenging Medical Experts", Washington Defenders Association, Olympia, WA, February 2, 1990
- "Medical Evidence in Child Sexual Abuse Cases: Cross-Examining the Experts", Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Seattle, WA, October 20, 1989
- Speaker on International Law (Hague Convention) in Cross Border Litigation, Speaker, Gonzaga Law School International Law, 2015
- The Art of Voir Dire, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, 2010, Washington Association for Justice, Speaker
- If I Had Known Then What I Know Now: Thoughts from Seasoned Women of the Bar, Bench and Legislature; WSAJ presentation, Spokane, WA. October 20, 2009.
- The $15 Million Continuing Course of Treatment, Oral Surgery Negligence, Speaker, July 31- Aug 2, Washington Association for Justice (formerly WSTLA), Annual Convention, Gerry Spence/ Paul Luvera seminar, Suncadia resort, Suncadia WA:
- Appellate Practice: Ensuring a Proper Trial Court Record, June 26-28, 2009, Speaker, Washington State Bar Annual Convention: Wenatchee Convention Center
- 1989-2003- Speaker, Multiple Lectures at Various, see resume on website
- Winning the Tough Cases, Washington State Trial Lawyers-Women of WSTLA, February 4, 2005, Spokane WA
- December 5, 2003, Trial Stars, Washington State Trial Lawyers Assoc., Seattle, Washington.
- "Third Party Custody Cases", Washington State Bar Association Annual Family Law Seminar, Spokane, WA, June 24, 1995
- "Rape Case Investigation", Seattle, WA, Washington State Criminal Defense Lawyers, December 4, 1998
- The Essentials of Mastering Direct/Cross Examination, WSBA, Wenatchee Washington, July 17-19, 2008
- Hot Topics in Litigation with Mary Schultz, Washington State Bar Association Teleconference, Feb. 28, 2009
- Managing a Law Practice-Small Firm management, Gonzaga School of Law, March, 2001
- Maintenance in Dissolution Cases, Best of Washington State Bar Assoc. series, Seattle, WA. Washington State Bar Association, November, 2000
- "Self Defense Verdicts in Assault Cases", Seattle, WA, Spokane, WA, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyers, October 13, 2000
- "Maintenance in Dissolution Cases", Spokane, WA, Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Mid Year, June 23, 2000
- "Custody Modifications", Washington State Young Lawyer's Division, Spokane, WA, March 20, 1997
- "Best of WSTLA series - Juror Questionnaires for Criminal Defense Voir Dire", Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Seattle, WA, October 30, 1996
- "Utilization of Staff in Family Law Cases", Spokane County Bar Association, Spokane, WA, May 13, 1996
- Chairperson: "Criminal Law in Review", Washington Criminal Defense Lawyers, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA, December 5, 1995
- "Investigation of a Sexual Abuse Case", Inland Empire Investigator's Association, Spokane, WA, November 4, 1995
- "Maintenance in the 90's", Spokane County Bar Association, Spokane, WA, May 29, 1994
- "Confronting Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse: Cross-Examining the Experts" incl. participation on a panel discussion on jury selection and the use of experts, Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Seattle, WA, April 22, 1994
- "Issues Relating to the Interview of a Child Witness" plus participation as a round table panelist, Washington Criminal Defense Lawyers, Spokane, WA, June 1993
- "Investigation, Preparation and Discovery in a Domestic Violence Case", Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Seattle, WA, September 1992
- "Civil Liberties in the Classroom", Antioch University, Spokane, WA, 1992-1995
Educational Background:
- International Law Program, Thessaloniki, Greece (sponsored by Tulane University), 1981
- University of Texas at Austin, Cum Laude Ampla Et Magna (High Honors): Government Cumulative GPA 3.36; Major GPA 3.9, 1979
Bar/Professional Activity:
- United States District Court, Western District, June 1986, 1986
- Idaho State Court of Appeals, State of Idaho
- Kootenai County District Court, State of Idaho, 1989-1990
- United States District Court, District of Minnesota (Minneapolis, March 2007)
- United States Supreme Court, July 2006, 2006
- United States District Court, Alaska (Dec. 1999 - 2000)
- United States District Court, Eastern District, June 1985, 1985
- Alachua County, State of Florida, 1998
- U.S.D.C. Northern District of California, August 27, 2013, 2013
- California State Bar, August 2004, 2004
- Multnomah County Superior Court, Portland Oregon, January 2013
- U.S.D.C. Central District of California, December 2012, 2012
- United States District Court, District of Montana, 1988
- United States Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit, February 1986, 1986
- First District Court of Appeals-Northern District of Florida-Tallahassee, Florida, 2001
- Kootenai County Superior Court, State of Idaho, 1989 - 1990
- Washington State Bar, July 1984, 1984
- Washington State Supreme Court, 1984, 1984
- Los Angeles County Bar association, 2005
- United States District Court, Northern District of Florida, (July 2000)
- United States Court of Appeals, 9th Circuit, August 1989, 1989
- United States District Court - Central District of Utah, 1987
Other Outstanding Achievements:
- Grand champion - Goju Ryu, 1989 Best in Tournament, Forms Division - Orofino, Idaho PKA sanctioned for Western Region, 1989
- Gonzaga School of Law Moot Court Competition Team - Jessup Cup International Law Regional Tournament: Boulder, Colorado, 2nd place team, 2nd place brief, individual oralist, top 10 honors. National Tournament: Washington, D.C., 6th place, 1982
- Dan ranking in Goju Ryu karate from Eichi Miyazato, Naha, Okinawa, 1987
- Professional Academy of Diving Instructors (PADI) certified sport diver Negril, Jamaica, 1993, 1993
Transactions:
- Hired as independent consultant to NYSE company to assist with employment issues and litigation defense, 2006
Honors/Awards:
- Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2021
- Spokane's Top Lawyers, Spokane Coeur d Alene Living Magazine
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, 2022
- Best Law Firms in America, US News and World Report- Best Law Firms in America, 2022
- Best Lawyers in America, US News and World Report- Best Lawyers in America, 2022
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, 2013
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, 2014
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, 2015
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, 2017
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, 2018
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, 2019
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, 2020
- National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, National Trial Lawyers - Top 100, 2021
- Best Law Firms in America, Best Law Firms in America, 2016
- Best Law Firms in America, Best Law Firms in America, 2017
- Best Law Firms in America, Best Law Firms in America, 2018
- Best Law Firms in America, Best Law Firms in America, 2021
- Best Law Firms in America, Best Law Firms in America, 2018
- Best Law Firms in America, Best Law Firms in America, 2020
- Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2018
- Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2017
- Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2016
- Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2015
- Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2014
- Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2013
- Best Lawyers in America, US News and World Report, 2020
- Washington Superlawyer, Journal of Law and Politics, 2020
- Spokane's Top Medical Negligence Attorney, Spokane Couer D Alene Living Magazine, 2010
- 201102019, Best Law Firms in America, US News and World Report, 2019
- "Champion for Change", Hired by ABM Industries, Inc. (NYSE:ABM), 2006- 2009
- Lawyer of the Year, Spokane, WA. Labor and Employment Litigation, Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers in America, 2012
- "Best Lawyers in America" individual award for medical negligence, employment law, white collar criminal defense and non white collar criminal defense, 2000-2019, Best Lawyers In America, 2019
- Spokane's Top Lawyers, Spokane Couer D Alene Living Magazine, 2009-2018, Spokane Couer D'Alene Living Magazine, 2018
- Washington State Superlawyer, by Washington Journal of Law and Politics, 2001- 2019, SuperLawyers Magazine, 2019
- Medical Malpractice Attorney of the Year- Spokane, Washington, Best Lawyers in America, 2014
- Who's Who of American Professionals, 1988-Present
- Charter Fellow, 2006-2018, Litigation Counsel of America- Fellow, 2018
- Best Lawyers in America- Spokane's Top Employment Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America Publication, 2012
- Superb rating with Avvo.com, 2011-2019, AVVO, 2019
- National Trial Lawyers Top 100, 2011-2019, National Trial Lawyers Top 100 List, 2019
Verdicts/Settlements (Case Results):
- $260,000 Personal Injury- Premises , 2021
- Jury Verdict- $19.5 million dollars for defamation, false light, race discrimination, outrage, and loss of consortium. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/dec/23/spokane-county-jury-awards-195-million-to-former-s/December 23 2022- "Spokane County has to pay a former Sheriff’s Office deputy and his wife $19.5 million in damages after a Superior Court jury on Friday determined he was wrongfully fired and defamed by Sheriff Ozzie Knezovich. After a four-week trial, the Superior Court jury sided with Thurman on Friday and ordered Spokane County to pay him and his wife, Kaycie Thurman, $19.5 million. They deliberated for less than a day. Jeff Thurman will receive $2.5 million for lost wages and $12 million for emotional damages. Kaycie Thurman will receive $5 million for emotional damages and loss of consortium. Mary Schultz, Thurman’s attorney, said in an email Friday afternoon that the Thurmans received the damages they deserved. 'The tragedy of this is that one of this community’s best, most heroic, and most decorated law enforcement officers was removed from our community’s law enforcement team,” Schultz said. “As one deputy testified, our community is less safe without Sgt. Thurman on patrol, and in spite of the damages, that will remain sad for all of us.' Schultz has argued that Knezovich misrepresented the results of the internal affairs investigation and shared an 'entirely false story to the media” during his 2019 news conference.'" , 2022
- Jury Verdict - $897,190 for wrongful termination in violation of public policy and breach of fiduciary duty. September 30, 2022- After ten days of jury trial, a Coeur d’Alene, Idaho jury entered a verdict for $879,190 in favor of Mary Schultz Law client, Coeur d’Alene physician Dr. Thomas Neal, against his former family medicine practice, Ironwood Family Physicians, on claims of wrongful termination and breach of fiduciary duty. Dr. Neal proved that he was wrongfully terminated as an Ironwood Family Practice shareholder, partner, and employee of 24 years because he refused to allow his Ironwood partners to divert his seriously ill patients needing hospitalization into a Kootenai Health Family Medicine Residency Program for their in-hospital care, instead of the normal admission pathway for such ill patients through Hospitalists and specialists. The two-week trial established that a physician has a duty to use independent medical judgment to ensure the safety of their patients over financial benefit, as a matter of public policy. https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2022/oct/12/coeur-dalene-jury-awards-family-doctor-879000-in-w/ , 2022
- $2,000,000 Medical Negligence -Wrongful Death Surgical Error and Hospitalization aftercare , 2020
- $300,000 Gender Discrimination in Employment- termination , 2020
- $795,000 Age Discrimination and Wrongful Employment Termination , 2021
- $195,000 HIPAA Medical Privacy Violation , 2016
- $500,000 Personal Injury - Invasion of Privacy , 2021
- $240,000 Settlement with Department of Justice for Employment Discrimination against AUSA, 2017
- $640,000 SOX Whistleblower settlement Steve Honkus v Trimble Navigation Ltd, 2018
- $4,000,000 jury verdict/ employment discrimination/ glass ceiling single plaintiff , 2003
- $2,000,000 settlement for hospital negligence--suicide , 2012
- $500,000 settlement Employment Discrimination / regional national company, 2014
- $1,865,000 Recovery of Private Club discrimination verdict in federal bankruptcy court, including fees and costs, 2016
- $1,200,000 million verdict for medical negligence - failure to diagnose, 2016
- $225,000 Settlement with Department of Justice for Employment Discrimination against female Federal Prosecutor, 2017
- $580,000 jury verdict for private club discrimination under public accommodation law, with fees, costs and injunctive relief to be determined in May 20913. Hieber, et al. v Spokane Country Club, 2013
- $1,500,000 jury verdict/ securities fraud, federal district court, 2004
- $36,000,000 Judgment as Discovery sanction in loan fraud case, 2009
- $1,850,000 SOX Whistleblower Award from ALJ, 2017
- $1,500,000 settlement employment discrimination, single plaintiff, 2005
- $1,200,000 for prescription drug negligence
- $14,887,525 oral surgery negligence--highest such verdict in the nation by well over $12,000,000, and highest verdict ever entered in the Spokane County Superior Court system, 2008
- $500,000 settlement for gender discrimination/ national, 2013
Industry Groups:
- Discrimination
- Medical and Oral Surgery Malpractice
- SOX and Regulatory Claims
- Unfair Business Practices
- Whistleblower Claims
- Wrongful Termination
Selections
20 Years Super Lawyers
- Super Lawyers: 2000 - 2001, 2005 - 2006, 2009 - 2024
