Ken Payson

Ken Payson helps companies confronted with class action risk find the earliest practical, most cost-effective path to resolution—whether through dismissal, defeat of class certification, or success on appeal. As co-chair of DWT's class action defense group, Ken has spent nearly 30 years defending clients nationwide in high-stakes privacy, false advertising, employment, and unfair or deceptive practices litigation. As firmwide hiring partner, Ken assists the firm in all lateral partner hiring.

A nationally recognized litigator, Ken has been ranked by Chambers, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers for commercial and class action litigation. He represents clients across a broad range of industries, including global technology companies, healthcare providers, financial institutions, telecommunications providers, and digital and print media companies. Ken has secured numerous orders dismissing putative class actions, defeating class certification, and preserving those victories on appeal. Clients turn to him for strategic judgment, efficient execution, and a clear focus on reducing litigation risk before class actions become business disruptions.

Washington Leadership Institute Advisory Board, 2007-2010; Executive Director Search Committee, 2007; Judicial Recommendation Committee, 1997-2000 – Washington State Bar Association

Board of Governors, 1999-2000; Alternate Governor, 2002-2005; Student Scholarship Committee, 2010-2016 – National Asian Pacific American Bar Association

Washington State Minority & Justice Commission, 1999-2005

Co-chair, Joint Committee on Law Firm Diversity, 2007-2009 – Minority Bar Associations of Washington

President, 2004; President-Elect, 2003; Vice President, 2002; Board of Directors, 1997-1999, 2002-2005, 2007-2008; Judicial Evaluations Committee, Chair, 1997-1999 – Asian Bar Association of Washington

President, 2015-2016; Board of Directors, 2013-2018, 2023-2024 – Asian Bar Association of Washington Student Scholarship Foundation

Chair, 2017-2018; Board of Directors, 2017-2018 – Washington Initiative for Diversity

Co-chair, Development Task Force – King County Bar Foundation Diversity Coalition, 2002