Jesse O. Franklin IV

A knowledgeable and effective advocate for construction disputes

Our small general contracting firm hired Jesse Franklin to represent us in a complex payment dispute with a developer who was withholding final payment on a multi-family project, alleging defective workmanship. From our first meeting, it was clear Mr. Franklin possesses a deep, practical understanding of Washington construction law. He didn't just recite statutes; he explained the likely path of litigation, the strengths of our lien position, and the realities of the local court system in a way that was immediately understandable. His background, specifically his recognition in construction litigation, gave us confidence we were in capable hands. He was strategic and tenacious in pre-trial negotiations, leveraging his 18 years of experience to frame our case compellingly, which ultimately led to a very favorable settlement without the need for a full trial. His guidance throughout was invaluable. The one area where we occasionally felt a slight delay was in email response times during particularly busy periods, sometimes taking a full business day for a reply on non-urgent matters. That said, when it mattered, he was always accessible. Overall, Jesse Franklin of Schlemlein Fick & Franklin provided exactly the seasoned, focused representation we needed. We would not hesitate to engage his services again for future legal matters.