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Keller Rohrback L.L.P.Attorney
Thomas A. Sterken
Pro

Thomas A. Sterken

5.0
1 review

1201 Third Avenue, Suite 3400, Seattle, WA 98101

Business Law and Real Estate

About Thomas A. Sterken

Tom Sterken has extensive experience in business, finance and transactions, and focuses his practice on banking, corporate finance, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, organizing new businesses, and advising companies and owners in distribution, financial, government contracting, health care, investment, manufacturing, retail, senior care, technology and other businesses.

For several years, prior to joining Keller Rohrback, Tom was a senior executive and the general counsel for a large regional distribution and retail services company, and its finance, insurance and real estate development subsidiaries.

In his spare time, Tom enjoys boating, fitness, skiing and travel.

Practice emphasis

Worked with buyers, sellers, their accountants, investment bankers and other advisors on more than 100 public and private business acquisitions and property sales.

Advised companies, their boards and senior management on complex corporate governance, litigation, regulatory and securities matters, including fiduciary duties, professional and directors and officers (D&O) liability claims and coverage, proxy contests, shareholder disputes, and tender offers.

Represented entrepreneurs, issuers, lenders and investors in more than $1 billion of public and private offerings of debt and equity, lending, leasing, licensing and securitization transactions, and workouts of commercial, construction and development loans.

Mediated and settled multi-million dollar claims by federal and state regulators, including FDIC, against companies’ directors and officers.

Articles & Presentations

•Co-Author and Speaker, The Washington Partnership Law and Handbook, Washington State Bar Association.
•Commercial Lending: A Legal Perspective, National Business Institute, CLE Seminar (2009).
•Rethinking Equity-Based Compensation, Community Bankers of Washington (2009).
•Emerging Trends in Executive Compensation, National Business Institute (2008).
•Compensation Agreements and Benefit Plans to be Reviewed and Amended in 2008, Community Bankers of Washington (2008).
•Commercial Lending in Washington, National Business Institute (2005).
•Intellectual Property Issues in Mergers, Investments and Acquisitions, King County Bar Association - Technology Business Forum (2000).

Recognitions

Honors & Awards

•Martindale-Hubbell Lawyer Rating: AV (Highest) - Peer Review Rating
•Selected to Top 100 Business Lawyers list in Washington CEO Magazine, May 2008

 

Thomas A. Sterken (Seattle, Washington) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

Thomas A. Sterken got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for Thomas

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Services

Areas of Law

  • Business Law
  • Real Estate

Practice Details

  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Free initial consultation
    Accepted Credit Cards
    MasterCard
    Other
    Visa
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Attorney
    Firm Name
    Keller Rohrback L.L.P.
  • Representative Cases & Transactions
    Cases
    Representative Transactions: Financing, restructuring
    sale of $70 million of investors' senior care facilities to national private equity firms.
    Frontier Financial Corporation's proposed acquisition by Spa Acquisition Corp for $450 million.
    Opus Bank's acquisition of Cascade Financial Corporation
    Cascade Bank for $20 million.
    Pacific Northwest Bancorporation's merger into Wells Fargo & Company for $623 million.
    Representing a protege/subcontractor in a $50 million dispute with a prime contractor for DOE project.
    Working with a team of audit, tax
    financial advisors to maximize value, market a family-owned distributor to private equity
    strategic buyers,
    sell the owners' stock to a Fortune 500 company for cash.
    Transactions
    Representative Transactions: Financing, restructuring and sale of $70 million of investors' senior care facilities to national private equity firms.; Frontier Financial Corporation's proposed acquisition by Spa Acquisition Corp for $450 million.; Opus Bank's acquisition of Cascade Financial Corporation and Cascade Bank for $20 million.; Pacific Northwest Bancorporation's merger into Wells Fargo & Company for $623 million.; Representing a protege/subcontractor in a $50 million dispute with a prime contractor for DOE project.; Working with a team of audit, tax and financial advisors to maximize value, market a family-owned distributor to private equity and strategic buyers, and sell the owners' stock to a Fortune 500 company for cash.
  • Additional Links
    https://www.kellerrohrback.com/attorney/thomas-a-sterken

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1976, Washington
    Memberships

    Professional and Civic Involvement

    King County Bar Association, Member

    Washington State Bar Association, Member
    Business Law and Real Property, Probate and Trust Sections

    American Bar Association, Member
    Business Law and Real Property sections
    Committees on Banking Law and Securities

    American College of Trust and Estate Counsel, Fellow

  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    University of Michigan Law School
    Class of 1976
    J.D.
    with honors
    Other Education
    Michigan State University
    Class of 1972
    B.A.
    with honors
  • Personal Details & History
    Age
    Born in 1949
    Grand Haven, Michigan, December 30, 1949

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Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    Thomas A. Sterken was admitted in 1976 to the State of Washington.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, Thomas A. Sterken has a 5.0 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • Does this attorney accept major credit cards?
    Yes, Thomas A. Sterken will accept Visa and MasterCard.
  • How many attorneys are in this law firm?
    Keller Rohrback L.L.P. has 73 attorneys at this location.
  • Does this attorney maintain a presence in more than one law firm?
    Thomas A. Sterken is affiliated with Associated Grocers, Incorporated and Keller Rohrback L.L.P.

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