Emphasis: Bill advises and represents clients in personal injury and wrongful death cases, claims and litigation. Injury/Death tort claims: Bill has handled wrongful death cases, construction site injury claims, automobile collision claims, and a myriad of other types of injury claims.  While many claims are settled through negotiation or mediation, Mr. Thayer has litigated, arbitrated and/or tried to verdict many cases for his clients.  He is also appointed by other lawyers to serve as an arbitrator of tort claims. Professional Qualifications & Education:  Admitted to the practice of law in 1980.  Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, 1977, from Southern Oregon College (summa cum laude) and a Juris Doctorate degree, 1980, from the University of Oregon.  Has served on the Bench-Bar Committees for both Superior and District Courts in Clark County.  Named "Outstanding Lawyer" award in 2000.  Has been asked to be a speaker at various legal education seminars. Professional Experience: Initially hired as an associate in a Hazel Dell law firm, he commenced his own solo practice in 1983 and was joined by Craig Schauermann in 1986.  Although Bill's nearly three decades of practice have for the most part been anchored in Clark County, he has handled cases in Cowlitz, Skamania, Klickitat, Wahkiahkum, Pacific and Lewis counties as well. Professional Affiliation: Licensed to practice before all district, superior and state appellate courts in the State of Washington. Admitted to practice in the Western District Federal Court of the State of Washington, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. Long-standing member of the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (Eagle member since 1999), Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Clark County Bar Association. Sworn in as and occasionally serves as a judge pro tempore in Clark County District Court. Personal: Bill is no stranger to hard work. He grew up on a cattle ranch in southwestern Oregon bucking hay, moving irrigation pipes, building fences and doctoring cattle. He worked in a lumber mill, cooked in a restaurant and worked at other odd jobs as he completed his education. He has enjoyed being with his family, fishing, fly tying, playing and coaching basketball and soccer, music, and reading literary classics and novels in his free time. Bill and his wife have two children and live in Vancouver, Washington.