Ashley J.Sherwood
Partner
Construction
asherwood@seyfarth.com

Committed to helping clients navigate projects from start to finish, Ashley offers guidance from the inception through the claims process, and litigation at the state and federal level, as well as internationally.
More About Ashley
Clients look to Ashley for counsel on an array of construction matters across projects, including commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use projects, heavy civil infrastructure, fabrication, and government contracts.
Ashley represents developers, owners, general contractors, and subcontractors in public and private projects and is committed to helping clients navigate projects from start to finish. Her experience includes construction transactions, drafting and negotiating construction and design agreements, advising on project management and administration, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. She also partners with clients to develop standard forms and establish procedures that are practical and effective in reducing risk.
When needed, Ashley represents clients in complex multiparty actions, as well as bringing and defending against 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 arguments, ensuring her clients are well-represented in all phases of a project’s life cycle.
- 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, 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
-
Attorney Publication
04/16/2025
Ashley Sherwood and Ryan Gilchrist Write on Tariff Risk in Construction Projects in Reuters' Westlaw Today
-
Blog Post
Apr 8, 2025
Allocating the Risk of Tariff Price Increases
-
Recognition
03/20/2025
Eight Seyfarth Lawyers Named to 2025 Law360 Editorial Boards
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
- Recognized by Puget Sound Business Journal as a “40 Under 40” (2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Real Estate - Construction (including construction litigation), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2024)
- Recognized as an "Up and Coming" lawyer in Construction (Washington) by Chambers USA (2024)
- Recognized as one of the "Ones to Watch" by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Construction Law (2021-2024) and Litigation - Construction (2023-2024)
- 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)
- 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, "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)
- 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
Committed to helping clients navigate projects from start to finish, Ashley offers guidance from the inception through the claims process, and litigation at the state and federal level, as well as internationally.
More About Ashley
Clients look to Ashley for counsel on an array of construction matters across projects, including commercial, multifamily, and mixed-use projects, heavy civil infrastructure, fabrication, and government contracts.
Ashley represents developers, owners, general contractors, and subcontractors in public and private projects and is committed to helping clients navigate projects from start to finish. Her experience includes construction transactions, drafting and negotiating construction and design agreements, advising on project management and administration, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. She also partners with clients to develop standard forms and establish procedures that are practical and effective in reducing risk.
When needed, Ashley represents clients in complex multiparty actions, as well as bringing and defending against 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 arguments, ensuring her clients are well-represented in all phases of a project’s life cycle.
- 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, 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
-
Attorney Publication
04/16/2025
Ashley Sherwood and Ryan Gilchrist Write on Tariff Risk in Construction Projects in Reuters' Westlaw Today
-
Blog Post
Apr 8, 2025
Allocating the Risk of Tariff Price Increases
-
Recognition
03/20/2025
Eight Seyfarth Lawyers Named to 2025 Law360 Editorial Boards
-
Firm News
08/15/2024
220 Seyfarth Attorneys Chosen as Leaders in Their Fields by Best Lawyers in America 2025
- Recognized by Puget Sound Business Journal as a “40 Under 40” (2024)
- Recognized as a Recommended Attorney for Real Estate - Construction (including construction litigation), The Legal 500 (Legalese Ltd.) (2024)
- Recognized as an "Up and Coming" lawyer in Construction (Washington) by Chambers USA (2024)
- Recognized as one of the "Ones to Watch" by Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White Inc.) for Construction Law (2021-2024) and Litigation - Construction (2023-2024)
- 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)
- 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, "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)
- 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