About the author.

John T. Bender

Author · John T. Bender

Partner, K&L Gates · Seattle

Practicing at the intersection of emerging technology and high-stakes risk.

John Bender advises boards, founders, and investors at the intersection of emerging technology and high-stakes risk. He routinely represents companies, executives and investors in matters worth tens and hundreds of millions of dollars.

John has deep experience spanning a broad range of areas including securities, breach of contract, partnership and shareholder disputes, venture capital and private equity, corporate governance, claims of fraud embezzlement, unfair or deceptive competition, franchising, real estate development, manufacturing and supply chains, and disputes over technology and intellectual property.

John also represents companies and their leadership in class actions as well as enforcement proceedings brought by the SEC, WA DFI, or state attorneys general, and in matters involving internal investigations, reputational harm, and crisis management. John's cases are regularly featured in major news publications such as TIME Magazine, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, and The Seattle Times.

John was awarded the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers Association's Outstanding Plaintiff's Trial Lawyer of the Year Award (2025). Benchmark Litigation selected him to its “40 & Under List…the guide to the best and brightest litigators under 40 in the US” in back-to-back years (2024–25). John has been named to the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America every year since 2021 and to the Washington Rising Stars list every year since 2017.

John has a substantial record of thought leadership and pro bono service in the broader community. He sits on the nonprofit board of the Washington Technology Industry Association and is an advisory board member of the Northwest Quantum Nexus.

John received a B.A. from Seattle University, a J.D. from the University of Washington, and an LL.M. from the University of California, Berkeley.

A Note on This Paper

The Quantum Director is offered as a governance resource, not as legal advice. Readers facing specific facts should consult qualified counsel. Comments, corrections, and engagement on the topics covered are welcome.

The Quantum Director · 2026