- Harvard University (B.A., magna cum laude, 1977)
- University of Texas School of Law (J.D. with high honors, 1980)
Law clerk to then-Associate Justice William H. Rehnquist, United States Supreme Court.
Law clerk to the Hon. Joseph T. Sneed, United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
“Parker Folse is a ‘prominent lawyer’ who is ‘highly regarded by many people’ as ‘one of the best litigators around town.’ He impresses market observers for his sheer breadth of litigation expertise, including contract disputes, antitrust, intellectual property, audit malpractice and other areas.”
As quoted in Chambers USA 2019 rankings
Parker Folse is a partner with Susman Godfrey, LLP in the firm’s Seattle, Washington office, which he founded in 1995. He represents both plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of complex commercial litigation matters, including contract disputes, antitrust litigation, and patent infringement cases. Called a “very strong litigator” by Chambers USA in their 2020 rankings, Mr. Folse has been a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers since 2012 and has extensive experience in difficult, complex commercial cases. Lawdragon has included Mr. Folse on their “Top 500 Lawyers in America” list from 2015 through 2018, most recently inducting him into their “Hall of Fame” in 2019. In 2016, Lawdragon profiled Mr. Folse as part of their prestigious “Limelight Series.”
Parker Folse, “remains a revered presence, who generates plaudits from peers well outside the city. “Oh man, this guy is just ‘King Cool,’” quips one peer. “Great lawyer – has the skills and the polish. He is so good that they basically set up the Seattle office of the firm just to accommodate him when he decided to relocate there. How cool is that? That’s how you know you’re good.”
As quoted in Benchmark Litigation 2022 Rankings
Mr. Folse has also been listed in The Best Lawyers in America for the last fourteen years (2010 – 2023) for his work in Bet-the-Company Litigation, Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Antitrust, Litigation-Intellectual Property, and Litigation-Patent. In 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2020 Best Lawyers named Mr. Folse “Lawyer of the Year – Antitrust” in Washington. He was also recognized as “Lawyer of the Year” in Commercial Litigation and Intellectual Property in 2012 and 2015, respectively. In 2022 Best Lawyers named Mr. Folse “Lawyer of the Year – Patent Litigation” in Washington.
Mr. Folse is regularly retained by clients for the purpose of negotiating settlement of substantial commercial disputes prior to the commencement of litigation. His role as counsel for Novell, Inc. in negotiating a landmark settlement of disputes with Microsoft was featured in American Lawyer magazine.
“I’ve seen him argue; the guy is amazing.”
As quoted in Chambers USA 2019 rankings
Mr. Folse has been a frequent CLE speaker on trial practice, patent infringement, antitrust and other commercial litigation issues. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the State Bar of Washington, and is a Life Fellow of the Texas Bar Foundation. He has served on the Council of the ABA’s Section of Antitrust Law (2013-2015) and he has served as a Vice Chair of the Trial Practice Committee and of the Civil Practice and Procedure Committee, and as a member of the Section’s Task Force on Civil Practice and Procedure and on Remedies. He is also the former Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Section on Antitrust, Consumer Protection, and Unfair Business Practices.
“Parker Folse is a distinguished figure in the market, widely praised for his expertise in intellectual property litigation. He also offers a wealth of experience in antitrust and contractual disputes.”
As quoted in Chambers USA 2018 rankings
From December 2012 through September 2018, Mr. Folse served by appointment of the Chief Justice of the United States as a member of the Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
Mr. Folse is also a former officer and director and continuing supporter of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for people affected by osteogenesis imperfecta.
Intellectual Property
Breach of Contract / Bankruptcy Litigation
Antitrust
In addition to the antitrust matters handled for Northwest Airlines and against Microsoft, Mr. Folse has handled the following antitrust matters:
Environmental / Product Liability