Our Attorneys
Dean Brett
Bill Coats
Rand Jack
David Brown
I help people resolve insurance claims - primarily
automobile accident,
personal
injury and wrongful death claims.
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, State of Washington, and Whatcom County Probation Department, $5.5 million jury verdict, the largest in Skagit County history
- 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, now known as Washington State Association for Justice (Member, Board of Governors, 1982-1985)
- Washington State Bar Association (Local District Counsel to Disciplinary Committee, 1980 to Present)
- American Association for Justice
- "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)
e-mail:bill@brettlaw.com
Education:
- Tulane University School of Law, New Orleans (J.D., cum laude, 1994)
- University of Washington, Seattle (B.A. 1991)
Practice Areas:
- Serious Injury & Wrongful Death Claims
- Auto Accidents
- Maritime and Jones Act Claims
- Civil Litigation
Admitted to Practice:
- Washington State, 1994
- U.S. District Court of the Western District of Washington, 2000
- U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Washington, 2008
- Oregon State Bar, 2009
Professional Associations:
- Washington Association for Justice, Board of Directors
- American Trial Lawyers Association
- Washington State Association for Justice, Eagle Member
Education:
- Princeton University ( B.A., summa cum laude, 1963)
- Yale University (J.D., 1968). Phi Beta Kappa
Practice Areas:
- Constitutional Law
Litigation Experience:
- Yousoufian V. Sims, 165 Wn.2d 439, 200 P.2d 232 (2009). Leading case supporting significant penalties against local governments for failing to comply with citizen requests for information under the Public Records Act.
- Weden V. San Juan County, 135 Wn.2d 678, 958 P.2d 273 (1998). First State Supreme Court decision in the United States upholding the right of the government to restrict the use of jet skis in local waters.
- Holz V. Burlington Northern, 58 Wn.App 704, 794 P.2d 1304 (1990). Upheld record verdict against Burlington Northern by estate of motorcycle rider despite the fact that he had only an instruction permit as opposed to a motorcycle endorsement and had not completed a traffic safety education course.
Admitted to Practice:
- Washington State Supreme Court, 1969
- U.S. District Court for Eastern Washington, 1977
Publications:
- Moral Visions and Professional Decisions: The Changing Values of Women and Men Lawyers
- Conflicts of Interest in Business Transactions: Guidelines for the Business Lawyer - Washington State Bar Association 1990
Associations:
- Washington State Bar Association
Related Experience:
- Professor Emeritus, Western Washington University
Community Service:
- Board Member, Whatcom Land Trust
e-mail: dbrown@brettlaw.com
Education:
- University of Washington (B.A. 1999)
- University of Colorado (J.D. 2007)
Practice Areas:
- Serious Personal Injury & Wrongful Death Claims
- Auto Accidents
- Insurance Bad Faith
Admitted to Practice:
- Washington State, 2007
Associations:
- Washington State Association for Justice, Eagle Member
- Washington State Bar Association



