With more than 45 years of experience, John is one of the best known trial lawyers in Washington State. When in ran for the Washington State Supreme Court. The Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, The King County and Pierce Minority Bar Association immediately gave him their highest ratings,"Exceptionally Well Qualified." Martindale Hubble recently recognized John for having their highest rating for legal ability and ethics for over 30 years, as rated by Judges and Attorneys in Washington. From 2014 to 2019, John's settlements and trials have resulted in over $9 million for his clients.
The third of 16 children, John Ladenburg was born in Leavenworth, WA and graduated from Stadium High School in Tacoma. He received both his undergraduate and law degrees from Gonzaga University. John married his wife, Connie, 39 years ago. They have five grown children and eight grandchildren.
Prior to elected office, John spent a decade managing his own law firm, representing crime victims and small business clients. He was also involved in several high-profile cases ranging from the federal Salmon-scam to the Pierce County Racketeering trials. John represented tribal members in Washington and Oregon attempting to recover their treaty fishing rights, becoming a well-known trial lawyer.
John entered public service as a Tacoma City Council member. Right away he became a leader in protecting the environment and in establishing clean drinking water standards. John led the fight to force the Federal EPA to clean up polluted water wells owned by Tacoma's water utility. He helped negotiate a settlement with EPA which cleaned the water supply without new taxes. He helped bring the first secondary treatment plant to Tacoma's sewer utility and helped reach an agreement that provided over $60 million to build the plant. He lead the fight against W.P.P.S.S. nuclear plant cost overruns and forced Tacoma to withdraw from the W.P.P.S.S. power fiasco.
John was selected by the Council to be lead negotiator in the historic Puyallup Indian Land Claims settlement. After five years of negotiations wherein John chaired the non-Indian strategy committee, a landmark settlement of over $160 million dollars was reached. That settlement was approved by Congress and signed by President Bush. That settlement helped the Port of Tacoma expand and eventually pass Seattle in size and jobs.
John’s expert skills as a negotiator lead to him being selected to be President of the Puget Sound Economic Development Board and President of the Puget Sound Regional Council. While there, John helped create the Prosperity Partnership, a partnership of the public and private sectors that would work to make a new Puget Sound Economic plan. Over 250 organizations have signed on as a partner to help develop and implement the Prosperity Partnership's regional economic strategy. John is one of eight co-chairs of the group. John has lectured on economic development as far away as Stockholm.
After being encouraged to run by members of law enforcement, John was elected Prosecuting Attorney in 1986, defeating an incumbent Prosecutor. Throughout his time in office, John received national recognition for innovative and positive changes. As the Legislative Chair of the State Prosecutor's Association, he was instrumental in writing new laws against drug dealers and gang violence.
After a brutal crime in Pierce County, John created the nation's first "Sex Predator Notification Law", later approved by the U.S. Supreme Court. He also was a major participant in the re-writing of Washington's sex predator laws, receiving special recognition from the Tennis Shoe Brigade. Later, John's office wrote the nation's first sex predator Civil Commitment law. After John helped support the law's passage, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld it.
In his second term as Pierce County Executive, John took the lead to improve the environment. Working with other counties and jurisdictions, John is helping to bring 21st Century transportation to the Puget Sound area, increase salmon populations by restoring habitat, improve economic development to create jobs, and clean up environmental pollution. His efforts to end illegal dumping, protect natural areas and create new parks and trails have been honored with national and local awards. John created the famous Chambers Bay golf course and brought the US Open golf tournament to the Northwest. It produced over $124 million in economic benefit.
When he became Executive, John joined the Sound Transit Board right at the time the agency was forced to announce it was far over budget and behind schedule. John wasted no time turning the troubled agency around. Although it was tradition for members to serve only two years as Chair of the Board, John was asked by fellow members to serve an unprecedented four straight years, stepping down in January 2008. When John took over as Chair, the Link Light Rail line to the airport was less than 10% complete, when he left it was more than 95% complete and on time and on budget.
John’s combination of skills as a trial lawyer, negotiator, agency head, economic development executive and his far-reaching contacts in the government and business community make him invaluable in complex negotiations and settlements.
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WA | Active | 1974 | 12/23/2020 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Governor's Award for Economic Development | Washington State | 2006 |
Outstanding Professional in Metropolitan Transportation Planning | United States Department of Transportation | 2006 |
Public Official of the Year Award | King County Municipal League | 2006 |
County Courthouse Award | National Association of Counties | 2005 |
Leadership Award | Youth Workforce Development | 2005 |
Certificate of Appreciation Award | Department of Homeland Security | 2003 |
---|---|---|
Outstanding Victim Advocacy Award | Tennis Shoe Brigade | N/A |
Outstanding Community Service Award | Washington State Department of Community Development | N/A |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Of Counsel | Ladenburg Law | 2019 - Present |
Attorney | SadlerLadenburg LLC | 2014 - Present |
Attorney | Ladenburg Law PLLC | 2009 - Present |
Executive | Pierce County, Washington | 2001 - Present |
Prosecuting Attorney | Pierce County, Washington | 1986 - 2000 |
Partner | Ladenburg and Haselman | 1976 - 1986 |
---|---|---|
Associate | Binns, Petrich Hester and Robson | 1974 - 1976 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Washington State Executive Ethics Board | Chair | 2016 - Present |
Puyallup Tribal Court | Member | 2010 - Present |
Puget Sound Inn of Court | Former President, Founding Member | 1998 - Present |
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 1976 - Present |
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association | Member | 1974 - Present |
Prosperity Partnership | Co-chair | 2004 - 2008 |
---|---|---|
Puget Sound Economic Development District | Past President | 2003 - 2005 |
County Executives of America, West Coast Division | Vice President | 2002 - 2008 |
Lake Tapps Task Force | Co-chair | 2001 - 2008 |
Tacoma-Pierce County Board of Health | Member | 2001 - 2008 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Washington State Historical Society | Leschi Trial | 2004 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Gonzaga University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1974 |
Gonzaga University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1971 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Chief Leschi Historical Trial | Leschi Final Argument | 2004 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Harrison vs First Citizens Bank | Settled |
Nissen vs. Pierce County | Case settled out of court |
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John O'Brien, Car accident Attorney on May 6, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community.
I endorse this lawyer.
Ronald Burdge, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 23, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
One look at attorney Ladenburg's website or his many answers to questions from consumers on Avvo or his endorsements from other attorneys, and it is easy to see why I endorse this lawyer. He knows personal injury law extremely well and so do the attorneys at his law firm. He cares about his clients' best interests and his track record shows that he cares about winning for his clients too. He is very good at what he does. If you have a personal injury case and his office is anywhere near you, I highly recommend him to you.
John has integrity, experience and common sense--a superb lawyer.
I endorse this lawyer.
Shelly Speir, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 5, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. He stands up for his clients' rights and works hard to make our community a better place.
There are few lawyers who have done so much for Washington. As our long time Pierce County Prosecutor, our County Executive, and as a trial lawyer, John has fought hard to make our community safer and to protect our rights all while helping build and strengthen the health of our local economy. I strongly endorse John.
Thaddeus Martin, Government Attorney on Oct 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. John is a excellent attorney and repesentative for his clients. He shows true leadership for the community.
David Snell, General practice Attorney on Oct 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Our former Pierce County Prosecutor and County Executive John has worked hard for over 3 decades to raise the bar for practioners in our region. John has been instrumental in "professionalizing" Pierce County infrastructure. I heartily endorse this lawyer.
Scott Candoo, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 3, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. He is a professional and has a solid reputation for high quality legal services and results for his clients.
I endorse this lawyer. John is an accomplished attorney who is highly respected in the community and gets outstanding results for his clients.
Erik Ladenburg, Litigation Attorney on Sep 30, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
My dad inspired me to be an attorney. After working in my own firm for 10 years, I have been fortunate enough to work with my him at Ladenburg Law for the past 2 years. His wealth of knowledge and legal experience is invaluable.
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