Dean Brett
e-mail: dbrett@brettlaw.com
Education:
- Whitman College (B.A., 1968)
- Stanford University (J.D., 1972)
Practice Areas:
- Serious Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Claims
- Insurance Law
- Mediation
Litigation Experience:
- French v. Parker, Whatcom County, and State of Washington, $5.5 million, the largest jury verdict in Skagit County, to the victim of a drunk driver against the drunk driver, the Washington State Patrol, and a local probation department.
- Maxson v. WATCO, $3.5 million mediation of railroad negligence claim with substantial issues of contributory negligence
- Wilson v. DNR, $2.3 million verdict in landslide/flood damage claim
- Syre v. Tarte, $2.1 million arbitration award for lost profits for breach of contract to purchase Roche Harbor Resort
- Holz v. Burlington National Railroad, $752,600 verdict for death of motorcyclist who hit the side of a parked train.
- Dosanjh v. Bhatte, $800,000 for wrongful death of Canadian long-haul truck driver killed in Eastern Washington.
Admitted to Practice:
- Washington State Supreme Court, 1972
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, 1972
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, 1997
- Oregon State Bar, 2009
Professional Associations:
- U.S. Magistrate Judge (Part-time), Western District of Washington (2005 to Present)
- Fellow, American College of Trial Lawyers
- Whatcom County Bar Association (President, 1985)
- Washington State Trial Lawyers Association (Member, Board of Governors, 1982-1985)
- Washington State Bar Association (Local District Counsel to Disciplinary Committee, 1980 to Present)
- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- “Superlawyer” 2000 to Present, Washington Law and Politics
Community Service:
- Bellingham – Whatcom Public Facilities District (Board of Directors, 2004 to Present)
- Whatcom Museum of History and Art (Board of Directors, 1990-1994)
- Northern Sound Public Radio (Chairman, Board of Directors, 1994-1996)
- Whatcom County Youth Soccer (Coach, 1984-1992)
