Ashley J.Sherwood
Partner
Construction
asherwood@seyfarth.com
Clients rely on Ashley for strategic legal guidance on construction projects, from contract development and project administration to claims management and dispute resolution.
More About Ashley
Clients look to Ashley for counsel on an array of construction law matters across a broad range of projects, including commercial, multifamily, mixed-use projects, data center, heavy civil infrastructure, fabrication, and government contracts.
Ashley represents developers, owners, and general contractors on public and private projects and is committed to helping clients navigate every phase of the project life cycle. Her experience includes drafting and negotiating construction and design agreements, advising on project management and administration, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. She also works with clients to develop standard forms and establish practical, effective procedures that reduce risk and support successful project delivery.
When disputes arise, Ashley represents clients in complex multiparty actions and in bringing and defending impact and inefficiency, delay, indemnity, differing site condition, and other contract-based claims. Her litigation experience includes bench and jury trials, mediation, arbitration, and appellate proceedings, ensuring her clients are well positioned in every forum and at every stage of a project.
Ashley represents developers, owners, and general contractors on public and private projects and is committed to helping clients navigate every phase of the project life cycle. Her experience includes drafting and negotiating construction and design agreements, advising on project management and administration, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. She also works with clients to develop standard forms and establish practical, effective procedures that reduce risk and support successful project delivery.
When disputes arise, Ashley represents clients in complex multiparty actions and in bringing and defending impact and inefficiency, delay, indemnity, differing site condition, and other contract-based claims. Her litigation experience includes bench and jury trials, mediation, arbitration, and appellate proceedings, ensuring her clients are well positioned in every forum and at every stage of a project.
- JD, University of Washington School of Law
Order of the Barristers
Washington Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, managing editor
University of Washington Moot Court Honor Board, executive board member - BA, University of Washington
Business
- Oregon
- Washington
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- US District Court, District of Oregon
- US District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- US District Court, Western District of Washington
Related Key Industries
- Represented general contractor in matters related to the construction of a two-tower, mixed-use development, including contesting conditions of assignment, preparing mechanic’s liens, and other delay and impact claims.
- Represented a national construction company in numerous construction projects, including the first mass timber life sciences building in Seattle, Washington, the expansion of a tribal resort hotel and casino, and the development of a headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
- Representing an online retailer in a multimillion-dollar claim against the owner/landlord of a property related to the cleanup of asbestos contamination, which was required in the lease agreement.
- Representing a national retailer in a construction dispute in Oregon related to delay claims, incomplete site work, and rent abatement claims pursuant to the ground lease agreement.
- Represented a large electrical subcontractor in allegations of delay, disruption, and material escalation claims against a general contractor related to construction of a mixed-use life science and office building.
- Representing an international real estate developer in the construction of multifamily projects in Seattle, Washington, including defending lien foreclosure disputes with various subcontractors, defending the client in mechanics’ liens, and counterclaims for errors and abandonment.
- Represented mining contractor in claims against internationally-based mine owner, bringing and defending against counterclaims in excess of $100 million for excavation and construction of tunnel drift in southern Montana.
- Represented a steel fabricator in a multiweek bench trial with claims in excess of $16 million related to construction of a lift-span bridge in Quincy, Massachusetts.
- Represented a public agency in reviewing and responding to claims made by contractor in relation to utilities and infrastructure contract.
- Represented a heavy civil contractor in a multiweek arbitration seeking $12 million in claims and defending against $7 million in liquidated damages asserted by public agency for seismic retrofit of a dam in Perris, California.
- Provided review and advice to general contractor client on more than 10 residential and commercial construction contracts and assisted in presenting claims to the owner on behalf of general contractor and pass-through claims from subcontractors.
- Represented electrical subcontractor bringing an impact and inefficiency claim in six-week, multiparty jury trial against general contractor related to construction of STEM high school in Tukwila, Washington.
Related News & Insights
-
Speaking Engagement
Dec 3, 2026
Ashley Sherwood to Speak at 2026 Construction Super Conference
-
Webinar
Oct 14, 2026
Webinar: Winning Jury Trials on the West Coast: Strategies for Today’s Litigation Environment
-
Firm News
Aug 20, 2026
362 Seyfarth Attorneys Recognized in 2027 Best Lawyers Rankings; Five Awarded "Lawyer of the Year"
-
Firm News
Jun 4, 2026
Seyfarth Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2026
- Recognized as one of the "Ones to Watch" by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Construction Law (2021-2024, 2027); and Litigation - Construction (2023-2024, 2026-2027)
- Recognized as an "Up and Coming" lawyer in Construction (Washington) by Chambers USA (2024-2026)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Real Estate - Construction (including construction litigation), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2024-2025)
- Recognized by Puget Sound Business Journal as a “40 Under 40”(American City Business Journals) (2024)
- Recognized by Washington Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) as a “Rising Star” for Construction Litigation, Real Estate, and Government Contracts (2017-2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Government - Government contracts, The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2023)
- Law360 Editorial Advisory Board, Washington state (2025-2026)
- CREW Seattle (board of directors, past president, 2021; president, 2020; board of directors, president elect, 2019; board of directors, Sponsorship, 2018; Leadership Series, CREW Seattle, 2017-2018)
- Women Leaders in Construction, member and sponsorship committee
- Associated General Contractors of Washington, Legal Affairs committee member
- King County Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
-
Co-Author, "What owners and contractors should know about data center construction contracts," Construction Dive (April 10, 2026)
- Co-Author, "Allocating the risk of tariff price increases in construction projects," Thomson Reuters Westlaw Today (April 16, 2025)
- Co-Author, "The Government Contract Compliance Handbook, 6th," Federal Publications (2024)
- Co-Author, "Making Dollars and "Cents" of Key Contractual Payment Provisions and How State Law Can Impact Your Rights," Pile Driver Magazine (Issue 3 2023)
- Co-Author, "Washington Legislature Backs Several Pro-Housing Bills Benefitting Developers and Contractors," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 24, 2023)
- Co-author, "Are Business Losses for COVID-19 Covered?" Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (January 29, 2021)
-
Author, "Filing a claim for extra work? Contractors still bear the burden of complying with notice requirements," Construction Industry Spotlight, Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (September 29, 2016)
- Co-Presenter, “Winning Jury Trials on the West Coast: Strategies for Today’s Litigation Environment,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 14, 2026)
- Presenter, "Tariffs in Transition: Navigating Price Volatility in Construction Contracts," 32ndAnnual Washington Construction Law Seminar, The Seminar Group (September 26, 2025)
- Moderator, "Effective Cross-Examination and Delivering a Winning Closing Argument," ABA The Future of Construction Law, Vancouver BC (April 12, 2023)
- Moderator, "What’s Next? Technology for the Construction Litigator," ABA Forum on Construction Law, Seattle, WA (October 13-15, 2021)
- Presenter, "Contract Clauses for Small Businesses," Washington Center for Women in Business, webinar (July, 26, 2017)
- "She’s Deeply Involved in Representing the Construction Community on Complex Matters at the State & Federal Level. Meet Seattle Attorney, Ashley J. Sherwood," Americas Women Magazine (November 2020)
-
Construction for Change
-
Seattle Humane Society
Clients rely on Ashley for strategic legal guidance on construction projects, from contract development and project administration to claims management and dispute resolution.
More About Ashley
Clients look to Ashley for counsel on an array of construction law matters across a broad range of projects, including commercial, multifamily, mixed-use projects, data center, heavy civil infrastructure, fabrication, and government contracts.
Ashley represents developers, owners, and general contractors on public and private projects and is committed to helping clients navigate every phase of the project life cycle. Her experience includes drafting and negotiating construction and design agreements, advising on project management and administration, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. She also works with clients to develop standard forms and establish practical, effective procedures that reduce risk and support successful project delivery.
When disputes arise, Ashley represents clients in complex multiparty actions and in bringing and defending impact and inefficiency, delay, indemnity, differing site condition, and other contract-based claims. Her litigation experience includes bench and jury trials, mediation, arbitration, and appellate proceedings, ensuring her clients are well positioned in every forum and at every stage of a project.
Ashley represents developers, owners, and general contractors on public and private projects and is committed to helping clients navigate every phase of the project life cycle. Her experience includes drafting and negotiating construction and design agreements, advising on project management and administration, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. She also works with clients to develop standard forms and establish practical, effective procedures that reduce risk and support successful project delivery.
When disputes arise, Ashley represents clients in complex multiparty actions and in bringing and defending impact and inefficiency, delay, indemnity, differing site condition, and other contract-based claims. Her litigation experience includes bench and jury trials, mediation, arbitration, and appellate proceedings, ensuring her clients are well positioned in every forum and at every stage of a project.
- JD, University of Washington School of Law
Order of the Barristers
Washington Journal of Environmental Law & Policy, managing editor
University of Washington Moot Court Honor Board, executive board member - BA, University of Washington
Business
- Oregon
- Washington
- US District Court, District of Columbia
- US District Court, District of Oregon
- US District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- US District Court, Western District of Washington
Related Key Industries
- Represented general contractor in matters related to the construction of a two-tower, mixed-use development, including contesting conditions of assignment, preparing mechanic’s liens, and other delay and impact claims.
- Represented a national construction company in numerous construction projects, including the first mass timber life sciences building in Seattle, Washington, the expansion of a tribal resort hotel and casino, and the development of a headquarters in Portland, Oregon.
- Representing an online retailer in a multimillion-dollar claim against the owner/landlord of a property related to the cleanup of asbestos contamination, which was required in the lease agreement.
- Representing a national retailer in a construction dispute in Oregon related to delay claims, incomplete site work, and rent abatement claims pursuant to the ground lease agreement.
- Represented a large electrical subcontractor in allegations of delay, disruption, and material escalation claims against a general contractor related to construction of a mixed-use life science and office building.
- Representing an international real estate developer in the construction of multifamily projects in Seattle, Washington, including defending lien foreclosure disputes with various subcontractors, defending the client in mechanics’ liens, and counterclaims for errors and abandonment.
- Represented mining contractor in claims against internationally-based mine owner, bringing and defending against counterclaims in excess of $100 million for excavation and construction of tunnel drift in southern Montana.
- Represented a steel fabricator in a multiweek bench trial with claims in excess of $16 million related to construction of a lift-span bridge in Quincy, Massachusetts.
- Represented a public agency in reviewing and responding to claims made by contractor in relation to utilities and infrastructure contract.
- Represented a heavy civil contractor in a multiweek arbitration seeking $12 million in claims and defending against $7 million in liquidated damages asserted by public agency for seismic retrofit of a dam in Perris, California.
- Provided review and advice to general contractor client on more than 10 residential and commercial construction contracts and assisted in presenting claims to the owner on behalf of general contractor and pass-through claims from subcontractors.
- Represented electrical subcontractor bringing an impact and inefficiency claim in six-week, multiparty jury trial against general contractor related to construction of STEM high school in Tukwila, Washington.
Related News & Insights
-
Speaking Engagement
Dec 3, 2026
Ashley Sherwood to Speak at 2026 Construction Super Conference
-
Webinar
Oct 14, 2026
Webinar: Winning Jury Trials on the West Coast: Strategies for Today’s Litigation Environment
-
Firm News
Aug 20, 2026
362 Seyfarth Attorneys Recognized in 2027 Best Lawyers Rankings; Five Awarded "Lawyer of the Year"
-
Firm News
Jun 4, 2026
Seyfarth Earns Top Rankings in Chambers USA 2026
- Recognized as one of the "Ones to Watch" by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Construction Law (2021-2024, 2027); and Litigation - Construction (2023-2024, 2026-2027)
- Recognized as an "Up and Coming" lawyer in Construction (Washington) by Chambers USA (2024-2026)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Real Estate - Construction (including construction litigation), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2024-2025)
- Recognized by Puget Sound Business Journal as a “40 Under 40”(American City Business Journals) (2024)
- Recognized by Washington Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters) as a “Rising Star” for Construction Litigation, Real Estate, and Government Contracts (2017-2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Government - Government contracts, The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2023)
- Law360 Editorial Advisory Board, Washington state (2025-2026)
- CREW Seattle (board of directors, past president, 2021; president, 2020; board of directors, president elect, 2019; board of directors, Sponsorship, 2018; Leadership Series, CREW Seattle, 2017-2018)
- Women Leaders in Construction, member and sponsorship committee
- Associated General Contractors of Washington, Legal Affairs committee member
- King County Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
-
Co-Author, "What owners and contractors should know about data center construction contracts," Construction Dive (April 10, 2026)
- Co-Author, "Allocating the risk of tariff price increases in construction projects," Thomson Reuters Westlaw Today (April 16, 2025)
- Co-Author, "The Government Contract Compliance Handbook, 6th," Federal Publications (2024)
- Co-Author, "Making Dollars and "Cents" of Key Contractual Payment Provisions and How State Law Can Impact Your Rights," Pile Driver Magazine (Issue 3 2023)
- Co-Author, "Washington Legislature Backs Several Pro-Housing Bills Benefitting Developers and Contractors," Legal Update, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (April 24, 2023)
- Co-author, "Are Business Losses for COVID-19 Covered?" Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (January 29, 2021)
-
Author, "Filing a claim for extra work? Contractors still bear the burden of complying with notice requirements," Construction Industry Spotlight, Seattle Daily Journal of Commerce (September 29, 2016)
- Co-Presenter, “Winning Jury Trials on the West Coast: Strategies for Today’s Litigation Environment,” Webinar, Seyfarth Shaw LLP (October 14, 2026)
- Presenter, "Tariffs in Transition: Navigating Price Volatility in Construction Contracts," 32ndAnnual Washington Construction Law Seminar, The Seminar Group (September 26, 2025)
- Moderator, "Effective Cross-Examination and Delivering a Winning Closing Argument," ABA The Future of Construction Law, Vancouver BC (April 12, 2023)
- Moderator, "What’s Next? Technology for the Construction Litigator," ABA Forum on Construction Law, Seattle, WA (October 13-15, 2021)
- Presenter, "Contract Clauses for Small Businesses," Washington Center for Women in Business, webinar (July, 26, 2017)
- "She’s Deeply Involved in Representing the Construction Community on Complex Matters at the State & Federal Level. Meet Seattle Attorney, Ashley J. Sherwood," Americas Women Magazine (November 2020)
-
Construction for Change
-
Seattle Humane Society