William (Bill) Marler is one of four honorees who will receive recognition at the Seattle University School of Law 40th Anniversary Celebration next month. Marler will receive the Distinguished Law Graduate Award at a reception to be held Thursday, April 11 on the Seattle University campus.
Marler received his law degree from the Seattle University School of Law in 1987 and began a litigation practice with Keller Rohrback, where he represented individuals in personal injury and wrongful death claims, in Seattle shortly after graduation. In 1993, Marler was propelled into the national spotlight when he was retained by the family of the most seriously injured survivor of the Jack in the Box E. coli outbreak.* He went on to represent over 100 victims of that outbreak and has since dedicated his law practice to representing victims of foodborne illness.
“I am humbled to receive this award,” said Marler after learning of the honor.
According to the law school, the Distinguished Law Graduate Award honors alumni whose career achievements embody the mission, principles, and goals of the Seattle University law school. The award also recognizes graduates who have distinguished themselves in their field, earned high respect among their colleagues and the general community, and whose impact is realized on a local, national or global level.
Other 2013 honorees are as follows: Justice Charles W. Johnson of the Washington Supreme Court (Dean’s Medal), Debora G. Juarez of Williams Kastner, PLLC (Alumni Service Award) and David Keenan of Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe (Recent Graduate Award).
* The legal battle that ensued is chronicled in best-selling author Jeff Benedict’s most recent book, Poisoned: The True Story of the Deadly E. Coli Outbreak That Changed the Way Americans Eat, which is due to be released in paperback in May.