Raised by two hard working parents, Washington native and personal injury attorney George Telquist brings his strong work ethic and his desire to make a “meaningful difference in people’s lives” to the benefit of his clients.
AALM: What drew you to plaintiff’s personal injury work?
GT: When I began my legal career, I joined a small firm handling various cases including insurance defense. This role provided valuable experience in understanding how insurance companies evaluate and defend claims. While I appreciated the technical and procedural experience, I ultimately found that representing insurance companies wasn’t where my true passion lay. The transition to representing plaintiffs came naturally after experiencing early successes with injury cases. I found it immensely fulfilling to help someone who had “nobody to trust.” There’s something uniquely satisfying about standing up for individuals against large insurance companies. When you can make a tangible difference in someone’s life after they’ve been injured through no fault of their own, it creates a sense of purpose that I never found in defense work. That satisfaction drove me to focus exclusively on representing plaintiffs injured by others’ negligence.
AALM: As an accomplished partner in a firm, what compelled you to strike out on your own and found what would become Telaré Law?
GT: The decision to found Telaré Law in 2007 was influenced significantly by the birth of my children in 2004 and 2006. As my family was growing, and I needed a work environment with the flexibility to be present for my kids while still pursuing significant legal results for my clients. The name Telaré means “to bring together and remove from trouble” in Italian, which perfectly captured the mission I envisioned for the firm. Starting my own practice allowed me to create a culture aligned with my personal and professional values.
AALM: Tell us about the case you took before the Washington Supreme Court that changed the law regarding medical malpractice cases involving children.
GT: While I’ve handled many significant cases over the years, the Schroeder v. Weighall case stands out for its impact on Washington law. This was a landmark medical malpractice case that we argued before the Washington Supreme Court in 2014. We challenged a statute that eliminated tolling of the statute of limitations for minors in medical malpractice claims. Essentially, under this law, children’s time to file was running out before they were even old enough to understand their rights or before they or their families could fully understand the long-term implications of their injuries. We argued that this violated equal protection principles and created an unconstitutional barrier to access to justice. The Supreme Court ruled in our favor, declaring the law unconstitutional. Now minors’ claims are properly tolled once they reach the age of majority. This case created lasting change in our state’s legal system and gave children the same rights as adults to pursue medical negligence claims. It’s rewarding to know that our work has helped countless families beyond just our immediate client.
AALM: For more than a decade, you’ve worked alongside your partner and wife, Andrea Telquist. What has she brought to your team? How is it working together?
GT: Andrea joined Telaré Law in 2014, and her contribution has been invaluable. She brings a unique perspective shaped partly by her own family’s experiences with the legal system during her parents’ divorce. Her legal expertise, strong work ethic, and compassionate approach to client care complement my skills perfectly. Andrea is exceptionally organized and dedicated, traits our clients frequently comment on. Working together has been seamless because we share the same values and goals, both in law and in raising our five children together. We each bring different strengths to the table, creating a well-rounded approach to our practice.
AALM: How are you involved in your community?
GT: In September 2024, Telaré Law held our Second Annual Backpack Project, providing 1,000 backpacks filled with school supplies to elementary students in the Tri-Cities area. This initiative doubled in size from the previous year and reflects our broader mission to support local families and ensure educational opportunities for children. Andrea and I believe strongly in giving back to the community that has supported our practice. It’s been incredibly rewarding to see our firm’s growth enable us to make a difference both in and out of the courtroom.
AALM: Looking back on your career, are there any changes you’d make?
GT: Looking back, I’m grateful for the path my career has taken, with few regrets along the way. If I were to change anything, I might have started my own firm a bit earlier, but the timing aligned well with my family needs. Each challenge I’ve faced has been a growth opportunity that shaped me into the attorney I am today. I view legal practice as a continuous journey of improvement, with each case refining my skills and approach. Rather than dwelling on missed opportunities, I’ve tried to focus on learning from each experience and applying those lessons moving forward. This perspective has served me well, allowing me to build a practice that aligns with my values while achieving meaningful results for my clients.
AALM: What goals are you still hoping to accomplish in your professional career? What’s the next big milestone for you?
GT: We recently achieved a significant milestone of $100 million in client recoveries, which was a proud moment for our firm. Looking ahead, I’m focused on expanding Telaré Law’s impact even further. I’m particularly passionate about mentoring new attorneys, sharing the knowledge I’ve gained to help develop the next generation of plaintiff advocates. I want to continue innovating legally to serve our clients better and push for positive changes in the law. Our next big milestone is gaining national recognition as a top personal injury firm known for exceptional results and client care. I believe we’re well on our way, but there’s always more we can do to elevate our practice and the standard of representation available to injured people in Washington state.
For more information, visit telarelaw.com.
