About Dainen
Dainen is a public interest lawyer with nearly 2 decades of success resolving bankruptcy, collections, consumer, debtor-creditor, driver relicensing, eviction defense, foreclosure, legal financial obligations, and tax cases. He is an experienced bar association leader, having served on national, state, and local bar boards, task forces, and committees from 2005-2018. Dainen's community leadership includes four years of service on the board of NAPABA (National Asian Pacific American Bar Association).
Dainen was selected to serve as Executive Director of Spokane's Center for Justice from 2019-2020, providing strategic oversight and direction to 9 staff members and various interns, externs, and volunteers carrying out the Center's housing justice, criminal justice/reentry, and driver relicensing programs. The Center also provided fiscal sponsorship for the Spokane Riverkeeper program, which has since been reborn as an independent nonprofit.
Dainen's professional excellence was recognized by Washington Super Lawyers Magazine which selected him as a "Rising Star" consecutively from 2010-2016, an honor reserved for the top 2.5% of Washington lawyers under 40. He is rated 10.0 by Avvo.com.
Dainen received a Juris Doctor from Lewis and Clark Law School with a Certificate in Federal Tax Law, and an LL.M. in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law. He holds a B.A. from Whitworth University with a dual major in International Studies and French (departmental honors in French).
In his free time, Dainen is an avid hiker and backpacker. He enjoys travel and spending time with family and friends.
Languages spoken
French
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Contact
Northwest Justice Project
311 North 4th Street
Suite 201
Yakima, WA, 98901
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA | Active | 2003 | 06/28/2022 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
|---|---|---|
| Rising Star | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2016 |
| Rising Star | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2015 |
| Rising Star | Washington Super Lawyers Magazine | 2014 |
| Rising Star | Washington Super Lawyers Magazine | 2013 |
| Rising Star | Washington Super Lawyers Magazine (formerly Washington Law and Politics Magazine) | 2012 |
| Rising Star | Washington Law & Politics Magazine | 2011 |
| Star of the Quarter | American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division | 2011 |
| Rising Star | Washington Law & Politics | 2010 |
| Nominee, 2010 Outstanding Mentor of the Year | King County Bar Association Young Lawyers Division | 2010 |
| Random Acts of Professionalism Award | Washington State Bar Association | 2009 |
| WSBA Leadership Institute Fellow | Washington State Bar Association | 2007 |
| Bill & Ann Shepherd Legal Scholarship of the Equity Foundation | Equity Foundation | 2000 |
| Oregon Law Foundation Scholarship | Oregon Law Foundation | 2000 |
| Outstanding Graduating Senior, French | Whitworth College | 1997 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Staff Attorney | Northwest Justice Project | 2020 - Present |
| Executive Director | Center For Justice | 2019 - 2020 |
| Associate | Leahy.Ps | 2013 - 2018 |
| Attorney | Condominium Law Group, PLLC | 2011 - 2012 |
| Attorney | McKisson, Sargent & Oliason, PS | 2010 - 2011 |
| Partner | Spencer Anderson & Buhr, PLLC | 2008 - 2010 |
| Managing Attorney - Pacific Northwest | Jacoby & Meyers | 2004 - 2006 |
| Principal | Dainen N. Penta, Attorney at Law | 2004 - 2013 |
| Title Researcher | Cowlitz County Title Company | 2003 - 2003 |
| Law Clerk | Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon | 1999 - 2001 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division | YLD Fellows Board | 2012 - Present |
| American Bar Association | Member | 2009 - Present |
| Asian Bar Association of Washington | Member | 2007 - Present |
| QLaw: The GLBT Bar Association of Washington | Member | 2005 - Present |
| Washington State Bar Association, Creditor-Debtor Section | Member | 2004 - Present |
| American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section | Member - Standing Committee on Law Students (SCOLS) | 2013 - 2014 |
| American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section | Vice Chair, Self Insurers and Risk Managers Committee | 2013 - 2014 |
| American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section | Vice Chair - Business Litigation Committee | 2013 - 2014 |
| American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section | Vice Chair - Title Insurance Litigation Committee | 2013 - 2014 |
| American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section | TIPS Leadership Academy | 2012 - 2013 |
| Washington Young Lawyers Division | President-Elect | 2010 - 2011 |
| Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington | Member | 2009 - 2012 |
| Washington Young Lawyers Division | Board of Trustees; 2011-2012 President | 2009 - 2012 |
| American Bar Association | YLD Liaison to SOGI Commission | 2009 - 2010 |
| QLaw: The GLBT Bar Association of Washington | President | 2008 - 2009 |
| Korean American Bar Association of Washington | Member | 2007 - 2008 |
| WSBA Professionalism Committee | Member | 2007 - 2010 |
| National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys | Member | 2007 - 2011 |
| Greater Seattle Business Association | Member | 2006 - 2011 |
| Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Bar Association | Member | 2003 - 2004 |
| American Bar Association | Member | 2001 - 2006 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| WSCAI Journal | What to Do When an Owner Files Chapter 7 Bankruptcy | 2014 |
| WYLD De Novo | President's Column | 2012 |
| WYLD De Novo | President's Column | 2011 |
| Bar Leader Magazine (ABA) | Strength in Numbers: Special-Focus Bars Partner With Larger Bars - and Grow | 2009 |
| Washington State Bar News | Practical Tips to Increase Professionalism | 2008 |
| King County Bar Bulletin | The Good and Bad of BAPCPA's Changes | 2008 |
| Trial News Washington State Trial Lawyers | QLaw Enjoys Second Successful Year | 2007 |
| Trial News Washington State Trial Lawyers | QLaw Keeps the Ball Rolling | 2006 |
| Oregon State Bar: Connections | Reflections on the 1999 ABA Annual Meeting | 1999 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| University of Washington School of Law | LL.M. | 2002 |
| Lewis & Clark - Northwestern School of Law | J.D. | 2001 |
| Whitworth College | B.A. w/departmental honors | 1997 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| CA Day 2013 | Basic Collections Concepts for Community Associations | 2013 |
| Access to Justice & Bar Leaders Conference | Plenary Session | 2012 |
| Lincoln on Professionalism | Lincoln on Professionalism | 2009 |
| PSALA Achieving Diversity Seminar | Achieving Diversity - Panel Discussion | 2008 |
| Gonzaga Law Building Bridges Week | Bar Leaders Panel | 2008 |
| Seattle U. and University of Washington OUTLAWS Seminar Series | Family Planning and Family Law for GLBT Clients | 2007 |
| WAMBAC Statewide Diversity Conference | The Nuts and Bolts of Solo Practice | 2007 |
| 2006 Conference of National Latino/a Law Student Association | Collaboration Among Washington's Minority Bar Associations | 2006 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Mr. & Mrs. Debtor (names confidential) v. Chicago Title Insurance Co. | Title company removed judgment lien. |
professional, easy going
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
August 7, 2009
Client Review
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
July 18, 2008
A Great Attorney who actually returns your call.
5.0 stars
Posted by Doug
March 31, 2008
Client Review
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
November 20, 2007
Great Help in a Difficult Time
5.0 stars
Posted by anonymous
November 19, 2007
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Attorney endorsements
(17)
Misty Hayes, Unknown Attorney on May 11, 2021
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Dainen for approximately a decade. We are in different areas of law, and he has always been very responsive and helpful when I go to him with questions. He is very active in the legal community and a good person to have in my Rolodex (so-to-speak). I endorse this lawyer.
Jacob Rosenblum, Residential real estate Attorney on Oct 19, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Valerie Kirkendall, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Sep 21, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Dainen for many years and I am happy to recommend clients to him for his knowledge and exceptional professionalism as well as his compassion for his clients. His sense of humor is just a bonus. I endorse this lawyer.
Eliza Manoff, Real estate Attorney on Dec 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Noah Williams, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jan 24, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dainen is a great source of information, and is amazingly active in giving back to the community.
Jean Kang, Residential real estate Attorney on Dec 4, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Omar Nur, Debt collection Attorney on Mar 17, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dainen is an intelligent, skilled, and personable attorney. He is very knowledgeable and experienced in the practice of law, and a pleasure to carry on a conversation with. I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer!
Bennett Taylor, Debt collection Attorney on Feb 26, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter
Dainen is an open-minded, intelligent problem-solver who understands the needs of his clients. I highly recommend Dainen to meet the needs of community associations.
Autumn Johnson, Business Attorney on Feb 6, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Dainen is an experienced, knowledgeable, and competent attorney. I am happy to have had the opportunity to discuss legal and practice issues with him. He is very capable and I would not hesitate to refer clients to him for business or real estate matters. I happily endorse him.
Jennifer Andrews, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Dec 29, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Peter Wilburn, Unknown Attorney on Dec 5, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Stephen Smith, Unknown Attorney on Dec 4, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Thomas Coy, Residential real estate Attorney on Dec 2, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Liza Burke, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jan 21, 2010
Relationship: Other
I endorse this lawyer's work. I have consulted with Dainen in a debt matter related to a client. Dainen was generous with his time and clearly knowledgeable about available legal avenues. He is an exceptional professional.
Cynthia Buhr, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jul 2, 2008
Relationship: Co-worker
Dainen guides his clients smoothly through bankruptcy. He has the experience, perseverance and attitude needed to fully support his clients in tough times. Other attorneys often seek out Dainen when they have a complex bankruptcy question. He has the uniqiue ability to address difficult questions calmly, practically and nonjudgmentally. I have referred many cases to Dainen.
James Spencer, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jun 30, 2008
Relationship: Co-worker
Dainen is a master at helping his clients navigate the bankruptcy process. I would wholeheartedly recommend him to any friend or family member who was in need of debt relief.
Valerie Oman, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Mar 26, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work.
Cost
- Pro bono Many lawyers provide free legal help to low-income clients. The percent listed indicates how much of a lawyer's practice is pro bono work.100 %
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