News Briefs
The Best Lawyers in America 2026 Includes 140 Wilson Elser Attorneys
August 21, 2025
Rachel Tallon Reynolds is the regional managing partner of the firm’s Seattle, Washington, office and an accomplished first-chair trial attorney, veteran, and former prosecutor. Rachel is known for her innovative approach to complex litigation and her commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.
Rachel’s practice focuses on defending product manufacturers and premises owners in high-stakes asbestos litigation, as well as representing manufacturers and suppliers of medical devices, automobiles, personal watercraft, appliances, and a wide range of other products. She has a particular interest in workplace injury claims, guiding property owners, manufacturers, and employers from incident response through civil litigation and government investigations.
Clients value Rachel’s creative problem-solving and her ability to tailor defense strategies to the unique circumstances of each case. She is adept at developing early resolution strategies and is always prepared to take a case to trial when necessary. Her approach emphasizes candid communication, appropriate staffing, and a thorough understanding of each case’s parameters – an especially critical focus in mass tort litigation, where decisions can have far-reaching implications.
Rachel’s trial experience is extensive. Beyond the trial court, Rachel has represented clients before appellate courts in Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Rachel’s background is as diverse as her legal experience. Raised in a small town and having served as a U.S. Army translator, she brings a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life. As a translator, Rachel developed the ability to listen carefully, interpret nuanced language, and communicate clearly under pressure. In litigation, these skills are invaluable. Whether deposing witnesses, cross-examining experts, or presenting arguments to a jury, Rachel’s ability to convey complex legal concepts in a way that is accessible and persuasive sets her apart. Her experience ensures that she can break down complicated issues for clients, judges, and juries, fostering understanding and trust.
Military translators are trained to navigate diverse cultural environments and to build rapport with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Rachel’s exposure to different cultures and her experience working in high-stakes, cross-cultural situations enable her to connect authentically with clients, witnesses, and jurors. This cultural competence is particularly valuable in today’s diverse legal landscape, where understanding and relating to people from all walks of life can make a critical difference in the outcome of a case.
Before joining the firm, Rachel began her legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Southern California, where she was honored as “Prosecutor of the Year.”
Rachel’s dedication, experience, and innovative approach make her a trusted advocate for clients facing complex litigation challenges.
Rachel Tallon Reynolds is the regional managing partner of the firm’s Seattle, Washington, office and an accomplished first-chair trial attorney, veteran, and former prosecutor. Rachel is known for her innovative approach to complex litigation and her commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.
Rachel’s practice focuses on defending product manufacturers and premises owners in high-stakes asbestos litigation, as well as representing manufacturers and suppliers of medical devices, automobiles, personal watercraft, appliances, and a wide range of other products. She has a particular interest in workplace injury claims, guiding property owners, manufacturers, and employers from incident response through civil litigation and government investigations.
Clients value Rachel’s creative problem-solving and her ability to tailor defense strategies to the unique circumstances of each case. She is adept at developing early resolution strategies and is always prepared to take a case to trial when necessary. Her approach emphasizes candid communication, appropriate staffing, and a thorough understanding of each case’s parameters – an especially critical focus in mass tort litigation, where decisions can have far-reaching implications.
Rachel’s trial experience is extensive. Beyond the trial court, Rachel has represented clients before appellate courts in Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Rachel’s background is as diverse as her legal experience. Raised in a small town and having served as a U.S. Army translator, she brings a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life. As a translator, Rachel developed the ability to listen carefully, interpret nuanced language, and communicate clearly under pressure. In litigation, these skills are invaluable. Whether deposing witnesses, cross-examining experts, or presenting arguments to a jury, Rachel’s ability to convey complex legal concepts in a way that is accessible and persuasive sets her apart. Her experience ensures that she can break down complicated issues for clients, judges, and juries, fostering understanding and trust.
Military translators are trained to navigate diverse cultural environments and to build rapport with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Rachel’s exposure to different cultures and her experience working in high-stakes, cross-cultural situations enable her to connect authentically with clients, witnesses, and jurors. This cultural competence is particularly valuable in today’s diverse legal landscape, where understanding and relating to people from all walks of life can make a critical difference in the outcome of a case.
Before joining the firm, Rachel began her legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Southern California, where she was honored as “Prosecutor of the Year.”
Rachel’s dedication, experience, and innovative approach make her a trusted advocate for clients facing complex litigation challenges.
Rachel Tallon Reynolds is the regional managing partner of the firm’s Seattle, Washington, office and an accomplished first-chair trial attorney, veteran, and former prosecutor. Rachel is known for her innovative approach to complex litigation and her commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.
Rachel’s practice focuses on defending product manufacturers and premises owners in high-stakes asbestos litigation, as well as representing manufacturers and suppliers of medical devices, automobiles, personal watercraft, appliances, and a wide range of other products. She has a particular interest in workplace injury claims, guiding property owners, manufacturers, and employers from incident response through civil litigation and government investigations.
Clients value Rachel’s creative problem-solving and her ability to tailor defense strategies to the unique circumstances of each case. She is adept at developing early resolution strategies and is always prepared to take a case to trial when necessary. Her approach emphasizes candid communication, appropriate staffing, and a thorough understanding of each case’s parameters – an especially critical focus in mass tort litigation, where decisions can have far-reaching implications.
Rachel’s trial experience is extensive. Beyond the trial court, Rachel has represented clients before appellate courts in Washington, Oregon, and California, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Rachel’s background is as diverse as her legal experience. Raised in a small town and having served as a U.S. Army translator, she brings a unique ability to connect with people from all walks of life. As a translator, Rachel developed the ability to listen carefully, interpret nuanced language, and communicate clearly under pressure. In litigation, these skills are invaluable. Whether deposing witnesses, cross-examining experts, or presenting arguments to a jury, Rachel’s ability to convey complex legal concepts in a way that is accessible and persuasive sets her apart. Her experience ensures that she can break down complicated issues for clients, judges, and juries, fostering understanding and trust.
Military translators are trained to navigate diverse cultural environments and to build rapport with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds. Rachel’s exposure to different cultures and her experience working in high-stakes, cross-cultural situations enable her to connect authentically with clients, witnesses, and jurors. This cultural competence is particularly valuable in today’s diverse legal landscape, where understanding and relating to people from all walks of life can make a critical difference in the outcome of a case.
Before joining the firm, Rachel began her legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Southern California, where she was honored as “Prosecutor of the Year.”
Rachel’s dedication, experience, and innovative approach make her a trusted advocate for clients facing complex litigation challenges.
Seattle partners Rachel Tallon Reynolds and Erin Fraser obtained summary judgment in the Multnomah County Circuit Court on behalf of a Texas-based solvent manufacturer. The plaintiff alleged he contracted multiple myeloma as a result of exposure to benzene from our client’s products, and sought $10 million in damages. At the outset of the litigation, the Rachel and Erin challenged personal jurisdiction in Oregon State Court, but the plaintiff filed an amended complaint alleging necessary jurisdictional facts. As discovery progressed, the plaintiff was unable to establish personal jurisdiction. We sought summary judgment, asserting that the Texas-based client’s contacts with Oregon were random and fortuitous and not sufficient to confer jurisdiction. The court found that the plaintiff submitted insufficient evidence to establish that the manufacturer purposefully availed itself of the laws of Oregon, and granted summary judgment less than three weeks before trial was scheduled to begin.
The Seattle and Oregon team of Patrick Lynch, Laura Dadowski, Chuqiao Wang and Jami Johnson supported trial preparation.
Rachel Tallon Reynolds and Erin P. Fraser