Pacific Northwest trial firm expands beyond asbestos litigation to represent survivors of childhood sexual abuse while continuing 20-year record of justice for clients
SEATTLE – September 10, 2025 – Bergman Oslund Udo Little, (BOUL), a Pacific Northwest law firm with a focus on catastrophic injury cases, today announced it will be known as Oslund Udo Little (OUL), reflecting recent transitions within the firm.
Founded in 1995, the firm quickly established itself as a leader in asbestos and catastrophic injury litigation across the Pacific Northwest. Over the past three decades, its attorneys have recovered over a billion dollars for clients and their families by holding corporations and governments accountable for negligence and misconduct.
The transition to Oslund Udo Little reflects both continuity and renewal while still honoring the firm’s history and embracing its next chapter under the leadership of Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund, Chandler Udo, and Brendan Little. With the addition of its childhood sexual abuse practice, the firm has broadened its mission to also serve survivors of abuse and provide them a voice in court.
The change comes as founding partner Matthew Bergman departed the then named Bergman Draper Oslund Udo (BDOU) in 2021 to launch his own practice, the Social Media Victims Law Center, focused on holding social media companies accountable for harms to children and young people. In addition, long-time partner Glenn Draper joined Bergman’s new firm, where he continues his work advocating for victims and families. The firm previously changed its name in 2023 to BOUL to reflect the 2022 addition of Brendan Little as a named partner at the firm and in recognition of his contributions to the firm’s success.
The updated name and branding reflect OUL’s continued commitment to representing individuals and families impacted by asbestos-related diseases, as well as expand into new practice areas representing victims of occupational injuries and childhood sexual abuse. The firm also unveiled a new logo, as well as updated website and email addresses, to align with this next chapter in its history. Attempts to access the old website will now be automatically redirected to the new site.
“Our firm has always been defined by its dedication to clients and the pursuit of justice,” said partner Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund. “With our new name and expanded practice areas, we are building on a proud legacy while positioning the firm for the future. We remain focused on achieving results for our clients and broadening the ways we can fight for justice in the Pacific Northwest and beyond”
Partners Oslund, Udo, and Little will continue to lead the firm. Together, they remain focused on building upon OUL’s record of securing significant verdicts and settlements for clients, including recent recoveries of $30 million in Oregon and $10 million in Washington for families impacted by mesothelioma.
About the OUL Partners
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund
Vanessa Firnhaber Oslund is widely recognized for her work on behalf of individuals and families harmed by asbestos and other institutional wrongdoing. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Tom Chambers Trial Lawyer of the Year Award by the Washington State Association for Justice. She has also been recognized as Super Lawyer since 2023. Vanessa has successfully tried and resolved numerous cases across Washington and Oregon, helping clients recover millions in compensation, including a $30 million wrongful-death verdict and a $10 million verdict in a COVID-era Zoom trial. Vanessa is a passionate advocate for juvenile sexual abuse survivors. She is known for her compassionate approach and relentless advocacy for her clients.
Chandler Udo
Chandler Udo has built his career representing victims of toxic exposure, workplace injuries, and catastrophic personal injury. A former law clerk to the Honorable Ellen J. Fair, Chandler has been instrumental in securing several of the firm’s record-setting verdicts and settlements in both state and federal courts, including multi-million-dollar jury awards for mesothelioma victims. Chandler is recognized by Super Lawyers (2022–2025) and actively contributes to the legal community through pro bono service and professional leadership. His dedication to client care and deep knowledge of asbestos litigation have earned him a reputation as a trusted advocate across the Pacific Northwest.
Brendan Little
Brendan Little brings a strong trial background and extensive litigation experience to the firm. After clerking for a federal judge and working at a major NYC plaintiffs’ firm, he returned to Washington in 2019 to represent clients impacted by industrial exposures, especially those in his own community. He has handled complex cases involving asbestos exposure, defective products, medical negligence, and now sexual assault, achieving substantial results for clients, including a $30 million verdict in Oregon and high-profile whistleblower settlements. His commitment to justice and ability to guide clients through the legal process make him a vital part of OUL’s leadership team and has earned him recognition by Super Lawyers as a “Rising Star.”
About Oslund Udo Little
The Seattle-based law firm of Oslund Udo Little (OUL) has stood for justice for ordinary people. Largely serving clients who live or have worked in Washington and Oregon, OUL is active in courts throughout this region, recovering millions of dollars for its clients. Recently, OUL has secured jury verdicts of $13 million for a Kent, WA woman for medical malpractice involving cosmetic surgery; $30 million for an Oregon man diagnosed with cancer caused by asbestos; $11.2 million for a mesothelioma victim in Tacoma, Washington; $10 million for “take home” shipyard asbestos exposure in Seattle, Washington. OUL has also successfully settled claims brought on behalf of survivors of child sexual abuse for millions of dollars.
