Andrew C. Efaw

Andrew Christopher Efaw (aka "Ace") is a trial-tested attorney with extensive experience.  His national practice focuses on complex cases in federal and state courts throughout the country.  Ace defends hospitals and doctors against medical malpractice claims, represents pharmaceutical and medical device companies against product liability claims, and handles a variety of intricate commercial and franchise cases.  Ace brings a distinctive intellectual rigor to each case and has a record of entering cases and uncovering game-changing facts.  Ace is a U.S. Army Reserve lieutenant colonel in the Judge Advocate General's Corps ("JAG").  In 2004-2005, Ace served in Iraq, trying cases as the Senior Defense Counsel of Northern Iraq.  In 2007, the Judge Advocate General of the Army appointed Ace as a Military Judge.

Following is a representative sampling of cases Ace has handled:

• Anderson v. Pfizer Inc (North Dakota) – Ace defended a pharmaceutical company against claims that a convicted murderer's actions were induced by prescription medication.  Ace's work led to the plaintiff dismissing the case after 18 months of intense litigation.
• Conroy v. Dennis (Colorado) – Along with other WTO partners, Ace successfully tried this public interest case, proving that electronic voting systems were not tested and certified in accordance with Colorado law.  The case led to major changes in Colorado election law.
• Quality, Inc. v. Mitsubishi (Colorado) – Ace defended a major automotive manufacturer and helped guide the company to a successful settlement of a contract dispute with one of its franchisees.
• Stiegler v. Mercedes-Benz (California) – Ace handled direct and cross examinations and expert witnesses as part of the team that successfully defended a major automobile manufacturer before a Los Angeles jury.  The counterclaims awarded resulted in a multimillion-dollar defense verdict.
• Singh v. Edwards LifeSciences Corp. (California) – Ace is defending a medical device company facing allegations that its product catastrophically injured a patient's heart.
• Herndon v. Flamingo Casino (Nevada) – Ace defended a Las Vegas casino against allegations that one of its customers fell, hit his head, and suffered a serious brain injury.
• Taylor v. Solvay (Colorado) – Ace was a key member of the legal team that defended a pharmaceutical company that made a drug taken by one of the killers at Columbine High School.
• United States v. Brown (Washington) – As senior trial counsel, Ace led a team prosecuting the murder of a Fort Lewis soldier.  The defendant received a life sentence without possibility of parole.
• United States v. Guiza (Kuwait) – Ace's defense strategy resulted in a jury acquitting a soldier of rape and retaining him in the Army.
• United States v. Martinez (Iraq) – Until he was redeployed to the United States, Ace represented a non-commissioned officer in a death penalty case.  The soldier was accused of murdering his commanding officer and executive officer using a Claymore mine.
• United States v. Rosa-Gomez (Washington) – Ace represented the government and delivered the closing argument in this criminal case.  The jury convicted the defendant of cocaine distribution.
• United States v. Vaughn (Washington) – Ace successfully prosecuted this attempted homicide case, in which a mother placed her newborn baby into a dumpster in a sealed trash bag.

Other Experience
Judge Advocate General's Corps of the United States Army
    Lieutenant Colonel
    Military Judge
    Senior Defense Counsel, Northern Irag
    Senior Trial Counsel, Fort Lewis, Washington

Personal Interests
Family
Film noir
Classic jazz
Great books
Running
Soccer