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Gail

Gail E. Mautner

ShareholderFiduciary Litigation Team Chair

Known for her extensive litigation background, Gail Mautner leads the firm’s Fiduciary Litigation Team, representing fiduciaries, beneficiaries, and family members in disputed trust, probate, and guardianship matters.

Gail’s work has earned her several distinguished accolades — she is an elected Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and lauded in Chambers High Net Worth Band One for her private wealth dispute practice. A sources notes that she "is one of the go-to people in Seattle for fiduciary litigation." Another Chambers source states, "She has won some of the biggest estate cases and is really excellent. Her words carry the weight of her expertise and wisdom.” She “is a tremendous partner,” added another commentator; “she is responsive, collaborative and incredibly focused on detail. Gail ensures all issues are thoroughly and properly addressed and is able to think outside the box to develop creative and innovative solutions." A fellow Washington state attorney praises her as "one of the toughest trust and estate litigators in Seattle," calling her a "formidable lawyer." Another peer reports, “Often litigators are tough in court and she does that side of things well, but she is also collaborative and you can brainstorm with her."

Gail is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Seattle and a frequent speaker on topics arising under Washington’s Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act. Gail has been named as a “Top 50 Women Washington Super Lawyer,” "Top 100 Washington Super Lawyer," and a “Washington Super Lawyer” by Super Lawyers® magazine and as a "Top 250 Women in Litigation" and a “Local Litigation Star” by Benchmark Litigation.

Gail also maintains an active practice advising clients on best practices for managing human resources and compliance with federal, state and local employment law. Gail's hallmark is being "just a phone call away" for real time practical advice on challenging personnel issues. She also represents clients before federal, state and local employment agencies, such as the EEOC and the Washington Human Rights Commission. In addition, working closely with the firm’s business transactions group, Gail negotiates, drafts and litigates executive, noncompetition and other employment-related agreements.

Professional Experience

Cohen & Kaplan P.S. (1984-1988)

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, Law Clerk (1982-1984)

Community Involvement

Endowment for Equal Justice

Justice Society Committee, Co-chair
Board Member

American College of Trust and Estate Counsel

Fiduciary Litigation Committee
Fellow

Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust (RPPT) Section; and Labor & Employment Section, Member

RPPT Subcommittee on Trust and Estate Litigation, Member
TEDRA Subcommittee of the Editorial Board of the RPPT Section Newsletter, Member

Estate Planning Council of Seattle, Member

Washington Women Lawyers, Member

King County Bar Association, RPPT Section and Labor & Employment Section, Member

Jewish Family Service of Seattle, Past President

Seattle Association for Jews With Disabilities Supporting Foundation, Member, Board of Trustees

Temple De Hirsch Sinai, Past President

Youth Eastside Services, Pro Bono Counsel

Rebuilding Together South Sound

Pro Bono Amicus Curiae on behalf of Washington State Bar Association, In re Estate of Jones, 152 Wash.2d 1, 93 P.3d 147 (2004) (urging position unanimously adopted by Washington Supreme Court regarding fiduciary duties of personal representatives during probate)

Thought Leadership

August 15, 2024News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2025 Recognizes 128 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 31, 2024News
Fifty-seven Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2024
Awards & Honors
July 18, 2024News
Lane Powell Again Receives Top Rankings in 2024 Chambers High Net Worth Guide
Awards & Honors
February 8, 2024Event / CLE
The Washington Law and Practice Refresher Course
Washington State Bar Association | Seattle, Washington
August 17, 2023News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2024 Recognizes 123 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 31, 2023News
Forty-seven Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2023
Awards & Honors
July 28, 2023News
Lane Powell Again Receives Top Rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2023
Awards & Honors
August 18, 2022News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2023 Recognizes 90 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 23, 2022Event / CLE
Disinheritance Planning: Strategies to Assist Clients Who Want to Disinherit Their Children
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel | Girdwood, Alaska
July 14, 2022News
Forty-four Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2022
Awards & Honors
July 14, 2022News
Lane Powell Again Receives Top Rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2022
Awards & Honors
June 5, 2022Event / CLE
Drafting and Litigating Prenuptial and Property Status Agreements
Washington State Bar Association | Stevenson, Washington
June 5, 2022Event / CLE
Negotiating and Litigating Prenups and Postnups
Washington State Bar Association | Stevenson, Washington
April 22, 2022Event / CLE
The Ties that Bind: Virtual Representation and Binding Nonparties
Washington State Bar Association | Virtual
March 24, 2022Event / CLE
Recent Changes in Estate Planning
Washington State Bar Association | Virtual
December 2, 2021Event / CLE
Probate and Trust Seminar
Washington State Bar Association | Virtual
October 8, 2021Event / CLE
Settlement Agreements: Getting Across the Goal Line
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel | Virtual
August 19, 2021News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2022 Recognizes 90 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
July 22, 2021News
Lane Powell Again Receives Top Rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2021
Awards & Honors
July 15, 2021News
Forty-Three Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers for 2021
Awards & Honors
May 19, 2021Event / CLE
The Rathbone Decision and the New Amendments to Chapters 11.68 and 11.96A RCW
Estate Planning Council of Seattle | Virtual
May 3, 2021Event / CLE
Gender Issues in Trust and Estate Planning and Litigation
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel | Virtual
April 30, 2021Event / CLE
Nonintervention Powers, the Rathbone Decision and Judicial Jurisdiction Under Chapters 11.68 and 11.96A RCW
Washington State Bar Association | Virtual
April 20, 2021Event / CLE
Mama Wanted Me to Have the Teacups
Estate Planning Council of Southwest Washington | Virtual
March 26, 2021Event / CLE
Recent Changes in Estate Planning
Washington State Bar Association | Virtual
March 18, 2021Event / CLE
Current Issues in Elder Abuse
Snohomish County Estate Planning Council | Virtual
December 11, 2020News
Six Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized as 2020 ‘Client Service All-Stars’ by BTI Consulting
Awards & Honors
November 3, 2020Event / CLE
Planning for the Washington State Estate Tax – What Could Go Wrong?
65th Annual Estate Planning Seminar | Virtual
October 28, 2020News
Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized in Benchmark Litigation 2021
Awards & Honors
August 27, 2020Event / CLE
Recent Changes in Estate Planning
Washington State Bar Association Law and Practice Refresher | Webinar
August 20, 2020News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2021 Recognizes 92 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
August 20, 2020Publication
2020 Gifting Considerations
Private Client Services Legal Update
July 16, 2020News
Thirty-Two Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers in Washington for 2020
Awards & Honors
July 9, 2020News
Lane Powell Again Receives Top Rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2020
Awards & Honors
June 17, 2020Publication
Estate Planning, Probate, and Trust Administration in Washington
Washington State Bar Association Deskbook
March 6, 2020 Event / CLE
A Baker's Dozen of Tips for Successful Mediation
American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Annual Meeting | Boca Raton, Florida
January 15, 2020Event / CLE
Who Decides? Surrogate Decision-Making in Assisted Living Communities
Washington Health Care Association Winter Conference | Olympia, Washington
November 19, 2019Event / CLE
Look Both Ways Before Crossing: Warning Signs for Cross-Border Estates
64th Annual Estate Planning Seminar | Seattle
October 3, 2019Event / CLE
On Beyond Zebra! — Working With Modern High Net Worth Clients
Lane Powell Trusts & ‘Tinis Seminar | Seattle
August 15, 2019News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2020 Recognizes 63 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
August 15, 2019News
Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized as ‘Top 250 Women in Litigation’ for 2019 by Benchmark Litigation
Awards & Honors
July 12, 2019News
Fiduciary Litigation and Trusts & Estates Teams Receive Top Rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2019
Awards & Honors
June 29, 2019Event / CLE
Critical Cross-Border Considerations for Clients Who Travel and Live Internationally
ACTEC Summer Meeting | Vancouver, British Columbia
June 10, 2019News
Thirty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Nine Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
June 9, 2019Event / CLE
Charitable Gifts Gone Awry: Equitable Deviation and Cy Pres
Washington State Bar Association RPPT Mid-Year Meeting | Spokane, Washington
June 4, 2019News
Lane Powell Announces New Leaders, Reinforcing Focus on Innovation & Talent
Firm Announcement
March 8, 2019Event / CLE
Recent Changes in Estate Planning
Washington State Bar Association Law and Practice Refresher Seminar | Seattle
March 6, 2019 Event / CLE
Refresher Course
Washington State Bar Association | Seattle
February 14-15, 2019Event / CLE
Practical & Inspired Planned Giving Seminar
Lane Powell and del Prado Philanthropy | Seattle
January 31, 2019Event / CLE
Mama Wanted Me to Have the Teacups
East King County Estate Planning Council Meeting | Bellevue, Washington
January 15, 2019Event / CLE
Capacity and Undue Influence Issues Encountered by Professional Advisors
Walla Walla Valley Estate Planning Council Meeting | Walla Walla, Washington
October 18, 2018News
Fiduciary Litigation and Trusts & Estates Teams Receive High Rankings in Chambers High Net Worth 2018
Awards & Honors
October 12, 2018News
Lane Powell Highly Recommended in Benchmark Litigation 2019
Awards & Honors
September 25, 2018Event / CLE
From Taxes to Taxidermy: A Taxonomy of Topics for High Net Worth Clients
Lane Powell Trusts & ‘Tinis Seminar | Seattle
August 15, 2018News
The Best Lawyers in America© 2019 Recognizes 62 Lane Powell Attorneys
Awards & Honors
August 1, 2018News
Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized as ‘Top 250 Women in Litigation’ and on ‘40 & Under Hot List’ for 2018 by Benchmark Litigation
Awards & Honors
June 18, 2018News
Thirty-two Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 14 Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
May 19, 2018Publication
The Protection of Vulnerable Adults and Undue Influence
Washington State Bar Association Real Property, Probate and Trust Newsletter
April 20, 2018Event / CLE
Identification, Proof and Consequences of Financial Exploitation and Undue Influence
Washington State Bar Association Seattle
February 8-9 2018Event / CLE
Practical & Inspired Planned Giving Seminar
Lane Powell and del Prado Philanthropy | Seattle
December 8, 2017Event / CLE
Anatomy of Trust and Estate Litigation – Disputes, Nuts and Bolts of TEDRA and ADR Plus Case Law and Statutory Updates
Washington State Bar Association | Seattle
October 26, 2017News
Lane Powell Highly Recommended in Benchmark Litigation 2018
Awards & Honors
September 28, 2017Event / CLE
You Decant Take It With You… But We Have a Few Ideas to Share
Lane Powell Trusts & ‘Tinis Seminar | Seattle
August 15, 2017News
Fifty-nine Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers® in America 2018
Awards & Honors
August 1, 2017News
Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized as ‘Top 250 Women in Litigation’ and on ‘Under 40 Hot List’ for 2017 by Benchmark Litigation
Awards & Honors
June 9, 2017News
Thirty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 16 Named ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
May 30, 2017News
Trusts & Estates Team Receives High Rankings in Chambers® High Net Worth 2017
Awards & Honors
March 17, 2017Event / CLE
Recent Changes in Estate Planning
Seminar | Seattle
December 1, 2016Publication
New Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Effective January 1 (Bankers’ Edition)
Financial Institutions Legal Update
October 20, 2016News
Lane Powell Highly Recommended in Benchmark Litigation 2017
Awards & Honors
October 5, 2016Publication
New Uniform Power of Attorney Act, Effective January 1
Senior Living and Long Term Care Legal Update
August 17, 2016News
Fifty-one Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2017
Awards & Honors
June 21, 2016News
Duffy, Mautner and Payton Named 2016 ‘Top 250 Women in Litigation’ by Benchmark Litigation
Awards & Honors
April 26, 2016Event / CLE
Everything You Never Wanted the Public to Know About Your Estate Planning Clients
East King County Estate Planning Council | Bellevue, Washington
April 21, 2016News
Lane Powell Recognized as One of the ‘100 Best Law Firms for Female Attorneys’
Awards & Honors
March 4, 2016Event / CLE
Working Effectively With Long Term Care and Senior Housing Communities
Washington State Bar Association | Seattle
October 27, 2015News
Lane Powell Highly Recommended in 2016 Benchmark Litigation
Awards & Honors
August 17, 2015News
Forty-eight Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2016
Awards & Honors
June 19, 2015News
Duffy, Mautner and Payton Named as 2015 ‘Top 250 Women in Litigation’ by Benchmark Litigation
June 13, 2015Event / CLE
Everything You Never Wanted the Public to Know About Your Estate Planning Clients: Privacy Issues in Probate and Trust Proceedings
Washington State Bar Association | Spokane, Washington
June 12, 2015News
Thirty-two Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and 11 Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
May 21, 2015News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2015
Awards & Honors
February 11, 2015News
Twenty-one Lane Powell Attorneys and 11 Practice Groups Recommended in Chambers® USA 2015
Awards & Honors
November 25, 2014Publication
Trustee Selection: Choose Wisely if Your Family-owned Business Will Be Held in a Trust
Seattle Business
October 20, 2014News
Eleven Lane Powell Attorneys Recognized as “Litigation Stars;” Two Named as “Future Stars” in 2015 Benchmark Litigation Legal Guide
August 18, 2014News
Fifty-One Lane Powell Attorneys Named in The Best Lawyers in America® 2015
Awards & Honors
June 13, 2014News
Thirty-five Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Fifteen Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
June 3, 2014News
Chambers® USA Recommends Lane Powell in Multiple Categories for 2014
Awards & Honors
May 7, 2014Event / CLE
Trusts and Estates: Annual Case Law and Legislative Update
Washington State Bar Association | Seattle
January 29, 2014News
Twenty-two Lane Powell Attorneys and 12 Practice Groups Recommended in Chambers® USA 2014
Awards & Honors
June 14, 2013News
Thirty-Six Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers’ and Sixteen Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
June 13, 2012News
28 Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers;’ 12 Named as ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
November 16, 2011Event / CLE
New Washington Trust Act Amendments
Eastside King County Estate Planning Council
October 31, 2011Event / CLE
Conflicts of Interest, Loyalty, and Privilege From the Perspective of an Estate Planner and an Estate Litigator
Seminar | Seattle
August 9, 2011News
Thirty-six Lane Powell Attorneys Listed as Top Lawyers in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
Awards & Honors
June 20, 2011News
Twenty-six Lane Powell Attorneys Named ‘Washington Super Lawyers;’ Ten Lane Powell Attorneys Named As ‘Washington Rising Stars’
Awards & Honors
March 1, 2011Event / CLE
Disputes Between Estates and Decedent's Surviving Business Partners
Seminar | Seattle
July 20, 2010News
58 Lane Powell Attorneys Listed as Top Lawyers in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine
Awards & Honors
June 6, 2010News
28 Lane Powell Attorneys Named Washington Super Lawyers 2010
Awards & Honors
November 23, 2009Publication
A Brave New World: Nonjudicial Dispute Resolution Procedures Under the Uniform Trust Code and Washington’s and Idaho’s Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Acts
The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel Journal
June 1, 2009Event / CLE
Drafting and Litigating Prenuptial and Property Status Agreements
Seminar | Seattle
December 1, 2008Event / CLE
Drafting and Litigating Charitable Gifts
Seminar | Seattle

Gail's Bios

Primary
Labor and Employment
Senior Living & Long Term Care

Practices & Industries

Private Client Services
Fiduciary Litigation
Nonprofit & Social Enterprise
Labor, Employment & Benefits
Corporate, Securities, and M&A
Business Dispute Resolution

Education

University of California, Hastings College of the Law, J.D., 1982
- Order of the Coif
Pitzer College , B.A., with honors, 1978

Admissions

Washington
California (Inactive)
U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Washington

Honors

Chambers High Net Worth, Private Wealth Law (2017-2022); Private Wealth Disputes (2023-2024)

“Washington Super Lawyer,” Thomson Reuters, Estate & Trust Litigation (2014-2024); Labor and Employment (2003, 2005-2013)

The Best Lawyers in America©, Employment Law - Management, Labor Law - Management (2010-2025); Trusts and Estates (2018-2025); Trusts and Estates Litigation (2019-2025)

“Top 50: Women Washington Super Lawyers,” Thomson Reuters (2007, 2011-2017, 2019-2023)

"Top 100: Washington Super Lawyers," Thomson Reuters (2020-2023)

“Local Litigation Star,” Benchmark Litigation, Labor and Employment Litigation (2012-2021)

“Labor & Employment Star – West,” Benchmark Litigation (2019-2021)

“Top 250 Women in Litigation,” Benchmark Litigation (2012-2019)

"Client Service All-Stars," BTI Consulting (2020)

Chambers® USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business, Labor & Employment (2012-2015)

AV Preeminent® in Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™

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