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also known as Dean R. Brett
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I grew up on Badger Mountain, in Eastern Washington, on a dry land dirt farm in an area the locals refer to as “Poverty Point.” No TV. No electricity. No inside plumbing. But we did have books -- lots of books. I talked before I could walk, and carried a book everywhere, so my dad used to pat me on the head and say “This one’s going to be a lawyer.” He knew what kind of a lawyer I would be: a lawyer for real people, not a lawyer for big corporations -- a lawyer for the little guy with a big case.
The administrators at Whitman College couldn’t understand how a kid from Poverty Point could score so well on the college entrance exams, so they offered me a scholarship. Moving to Whitman in Walla Walla was a move to a bigger town for me, and like many kids my age, I wanted to move to an even bigger city. That took me to Stanford Law School near San Francisco, where most of my graduating class went on to large firms in New York, L.A., Seattle, or D.C. But by then I had realized I wanted to move back to the Pacific Northwest.
As an injury lawyer I started out in 1972 doing whatever came in the door, mostly trial work, and soon found that helping people who had been injured through no fault of their own and who were stuck dealing with a heartless insurance company was the perfect place to accomplish my three goals in life: to do good, to do well, and to have fun doing it.
My family has a long history in horse racing -- my Uncle Lloyd raced as a jockey for 25 years. You build a law practice just like you build a career as a jockey. At first you get only horses no one else wants to ride. If you can get a few of those horses to finish better than next to last, you get a mount that has a chance to finish in the money. And if you can ride a few of those horses into Win, Place or Show, eventually stables with fast horses looking for successful jockeys find you. So it has been with my personal injury law practice: good results in small personal injury cases brought larger claims, and eventually, after winning a few million dollar settlements and verdicts, I got the opportunity to choose exactly who I wanted to represent.
Ironically, it turned out to be the same people my dad thought I should fight for: the little guy with the big case. Real people who are in the wrong place at the wrong time and get injured because someone isn’t being careful -- and who are stuck dealing with an insurance company that refuses to honor their injury claim.
If you’d like to talk to me about your personal injury claim, give me a call –.
5
Practice Areas
Free Consultation
$0 first 60 minutes
33%-33%
State: Oregon
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
State: Washington
Acquired: 1972
No misconduct found
Fax
1310 10th St, #104, Bellingham, WA, 98225
washingtoninjury.com4400 NE 77th Ave, #275, Vancouver, WA, 98662
washingtoninjury.comS. 720 Main St, #213, Mount Vernon, WA, 98273
washingtoninjury.comSafeco Plaza, 1001 4th Ave, #3200, Seattle, WA, 98154
washingtoninjury.com200 W Chestnut Street, Bellingham, WA, 98229
washingtoninjury.com
Other places you can find Dean online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 6 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Olivia | July 26, 2012
This was my first experience in a personal injury lawsuit and I felt very helpless in my automobile accident until Dean Brett took on my case. Dean took the time to explain my case and my options, connect me to healthcare and keep me well informed and empowered to handle my injury and the lawsuit ag...
Posted by Hailey | May 12, 2010
I have knownDean Brett for a little over 3 years. I was involved in a major automobile accident involving multiple parties. Dean and his staff were unbelievable to work with. Without their expertise in personal injury law I don't know where I would be today. I spent over a month at Harborview Medical...
Posted by Carr Lanham | April 11, 2010
In 2002 I was in an auto accident and suffered an injury to my lower back. This injury put my 20-year law enforcement career in jeopardy. When I started looking for a personal injury attorney I wanted somebody I could trust, had a high level of integrity and was the best at what they do. My search...
Posted by Virginia | February 23, 2010
Dean is that rare attorney with exceptional intelligence, people skills, and a down-to-earth approach to problem solving. I recommend him enthusiastically and without reservation. His handling of my accident case made it possible for me to move forward with replacing my car and with treatment for inj...
Posted by Brian. | February 14, 2010
I was working as a fire fighter paramedic, and was injured off the job in an auto accident. I was pensioned off the fire department, due to the injury, about two years after the accident. This was five years prior to my retirement. The dollar loss in wages and retirement was substantial. Dean and his...
"I highly endorse Dean Brett. Dean has decades of experience and he has developed an extremely impressive record of helping personal injury clients get the settlements and verdicts they deserve. On top of that, Dean is a great guy and very easy to talk to. He really knows how to get the most for his clients."
"I look to Dean for counsel on almost every personal injury matter i handle. He has the knowledge and experience to maximize the recovery for his clients in every case he handles. I would not hesitate for a moment to recommend Dean to anyone."
"I highly endorse Mr. Brett. He is very knowledgeable in this area of the law and a very respected personal injury attorney in Washington."
"I endorse Dean Brett. I have had two cases against Mr. Brett, on both matters he represented his clients with the utmost skill, diligence and professionalism. He is an excellent trial lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. He is a great asset to the legal community and I refer my clients with confidence."
"I have practiced with Dean Brett in Whatcom County, Washington for 34 years. I first met Dean in my capacity as Chief Civil Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for Whatcom County. Since departing the Whatcom County Prosecutor’s Office in 1986 I have been co-counsel with Dean Brett on many cases. Dean’s primary practice area is serious personal injury including but not limited to, wrongful death, spinal cord injury, head/brain injuries, disc and back Injuries, fractures, burns, aviation crashes and governmental liability. Although Dean’s primary practice area is personal injury, leaving it at that does not go far enough. Dean is a versatile lawyer who is adept at handling high profile land use cases as well as a variety of other high profile cases."
"Dean Brett is one of the most successful PI lawyers I can think of. He's ethical, highly knowledgeable, and wonderful to work with. This lawyer wins his cases! If you have personal injury matter, look no further. "
Ethics and professional responsibility lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2013
Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Washington Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
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2011
Washington Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
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2010
Washington Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
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2009
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Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015 - Present
Partner, Brett McCandlis & Brown PLLC
2005 - Present
Magistrate Judge, United States District Court for Western District of Washington
1900 - Present
Senior Partner, Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC
2014 - 2015
Partner, Brett Murphy Knapp McCandlis & Brown PLLC
2011 - 2014
Partner, Brett Murphy Coats Knapp McCandlis & Brown
2006 - 2011
Partner, Brett & Coats Personal Injury Attorneys
1972 - 2006
Partner, Brett & Daugert
2002 - Present
American College of Trial LawyersFellow
1980 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationLocal District Counsel
Member
Eagle Member
Board of Directors
Board of Directors
1985 - 1985
Whatcom County Bar AssociationPresident
1982 - 1985
Washington State Association for JusticeBoard of Governors
$2.3 million verdict
Jury awards $5 million to victim of drunk driver
$752,000 awarded from deadly collision with train
1972
JD - Juris Doctor
1968
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2010
Taking the Expert Witness Deposition
N/A
The Art and Science of Persuasion
N/A
How to Mediate a Personal Injury Case
N/A
Voir Dire and Closing Argument
N/A
Closing Argument
2013
2013
2013
2013
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
File a lawsuit against my own insurance company
17 Sep 2013
Do lawyers usually share the first demand letter to an insurance adjuster with thier clients?
07 Jan 2013
Can I sue a hit and run driver?
09 Aug 2012
What money damages are available in a personal injury case?
19 May 2010
What kinds of cases does Brett & Coats handle?
19 May 2010
How does the insurance claim process work?
31 Dec 2009