About KND Law
Why choose KND Law Firm to fight for you?
KND Law is a trial firm first and foremost. Kent Neil Doll, Jr. and Katie Merrill put an emphasis on being up to date with technology and new advocacy methods, in and out of the courtroom. They take part in training and educational conferences to ensure he knows what his courtroom opponents are thinking.
As counselors of law, Kent and Katie foster a relationship with clients to ensure they are taken care of every step of the way. KND Law is honest and transparent with our billing practices. There is no “hourly” or “billable” requirement at KND Law; we effectively and efficiently get the job done for you.
Trial advocacy is not a job for Kent Neil Doll, Jr. and Katie Merrill, it is a calling.
Kent Neil Doll, Jr.
Kent is a self-proclaimed rural boy at heart. He was born in Wichita, Kansas and lived in Kansas City, Missouri. It was in the Midwest where Kent learned the value of hard work. There are no bad days; only character-building days.
Kent landed in Vancouver, Washington for school and proceeded to graduate from Washington State University in 2005, with a degree in Psychology. Kent decided to attend law school to learn the law and further develop his advocacy skills.
In 2008, Doll graduated with a Juris Doctor degree sixth in his class from Gonzaga University Law School. While attending law school, Kent and his family fell in love with the Inland Northwest and he decided to begin his law practice in Spokane, representing clients in cities as large as Seattle and towns as small as Cornell, Washington. While a partner at various prestigious law firms in the area, Kent saw the need for someone to battle for clients in the courtroom using the most up-to-date advocacy methods and technology, in the Washington and Idaho courtrooms. So, he opened his own firm that emphasized trial advocacy and civil litigation.
As a lover of trial work, Kent believes in fighting for his clients the best way possible, including in front of 12 jurors in a trial. In today’s changing atmosphere, Kent recognizes that it is important to be flexible and open to new ideas in navigating the legal world. He embraces new technology and forms of communication to best serve his clients in and out of the courthouse. He has tried cases in Spokane, Whitman, Franklin, Benton, Adams, Grant, Yakima, and Kootenai County. He has litigated cases in King, Pierce, Clark, Chelan, Douglas County, and Ada County. He isn’t afraid to fight for you in the courtroom.
In his free time, Kent spends time traveling and spending time with his family. He has a special love of overlanding in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Washington, and Oregon.
Awards and Recognition
Named Top Insurance lawyer in the Spokane and Coeur D’ Alene Living
Magazine, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022.
10/10 Avvo Rating
Publications
“Lessons from a Spokane Jury,” De Novo, published in the June 2012 edition.
Memberships
Washington State Bar Association
Spokane County Bar Association
Idaho State Bar Association
Federal Bar Association, Eastern District of Washington
Education
J.D., summa cum laude, Gonzaga University School of Law, Spokane, WA, 2008
B.S., Psychology, summa cum laude, Washington State University, Pullman,
WA, 2004
Admissions
Washington, 2008
Idaho, 2013
U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
U.S. District Court, District of Idaho
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Notable Trials and Verdicts
Clinesmith Cattle Co., Inc. v. Kinch Farms, Inc. Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of client in a jury trial involving allegations that his client negligently started a fire and destroyed thousands of acres of property.
Scheibel v. Spokane Teachers Credit Union. Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of client in a jury trial involving a plaintiff’s claim that he was suffering from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) after suffering injuries due to a condition on the premises.
Booth v. Ro-Mar, LLC (a bar and grill). Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of client/liquor establishment where the plaintiff was severally injured by another patron.
Patton v. Ackerman. Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of client in a case where Plaintiff alleged that a motor vehicle caused a significant brain injury.
Galbavy v. Caruso. Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of client in a case where the plaintiff suffered a severe leg fracture due to a slip and fall on client’s premise.
Edwards v. Willada Farms, LLC. Obtained a favorable verdict on behalf of clients who were accused of negligently maintaining stairs on their property.
Hymas v. Mollett. Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of client in a commercial dispute.
Romero v. Klebaum. In an admitted liability case, obtained a favorable verdict on behalf of client who was accused of causing a serious brain injury due to negligent operation of a motor vehicle.
McCloud v. Riley. Obtained a defense verdict on behalf of client in a case where plaintiff claimed that he suffered a severe injury (paraplegic) and accused client of negligently operating his motor vehicle.
Swagger v. CCM Holdings, LLC. Obtained favorable verdict in a case where client was accused of negligently maintaining its parking lot after a snow storm.
Katie L. Ross
Katie L. Ross focuses her litigation practice on personal injury and employment cases. She graduated with honors from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2015. Following graduation, Katie’s practice included criminal defense, traffic infraction defense, immigration law and personal injury. She has primarily focused on representing clients on both sides of civil litigation related to personal injury, including successfully resolving personal injury matters and recovering significant amounts for her clients.
Katie then moved on to be an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington where she was involved in a significant number of high stakes litigation. She successfully defended various state agencies in civil rights, personal injury, discrimination, and employment lawsuits. She frequently appeared in state and federal courts and handling cases through appeals.
Katie’s experience has equipped her for handling a variety of litigation and reaching successful outcomes for her clients. She currently represents clients throughout Washington and Idaho state and federal courts.
Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time with her family and dogs outside gardening, hiking, camping.
Awards and Recognition
- Justia 10/10
- 2017 Client’s Choice Award
Memberships
- Washington State Bar Association
- Idaho State Bar Association
- Spokane County Bar Association
- Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
Admissions
- Washington Courts, 2015
- Idaho Courts, 2017
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- United States District Court, District of Idaho
- United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
Education
- J.D., magna cum laude, Gonzaga University, School of Law, Spokane, WA, 2015
- A. Political Studies, Minor in Justice Studies, cum laude, Westminster College, Salt Lake City, UT, 2012
Notable Cases
- Bock v. Washington, 519 F. Supp. 3d 857, – Secured favorable defense decision on summary judgment dismissing civil rights claims regarding seizure and forfeiture of wildlife and animal parts under Washington State Law. Affirmed on appeal, 33 F. 4th 1139, (9th Cir. 2022).
- Kessack v. Washington Department of Corrections, 2021 WL 2832948 – secured a favorable defense decision on summary judgment dismissing federal civil rights claims regarding returning of an offender on a Drug Offender Sentencing Alternative from work release to prison. Affirmed on appeal, 2022 WL 2045384 (9th Cir. 2022).
- Margitan v. Spokane County, secured favorable defense decision for client dismissing civil rights claims regarding property rights.
- Heston v. Washington Department of Correction – Secured favorable defense position on summary judgment motion
Our process
Every case and client are unique. That’s why for every case, we listen to clients’ stories, conduct our own personal investigations, and provide case evaluations. We do not take the human element out of the law and understand many clients that comes through our doors have been involved in a significant and traumatic event that has serious implications on their life and livelihood.
