Our Team

“The wisdom of our sages and the blood of our heroes have been devoted to the attainment of trial by jury. Trial by jury is part of a bright constellation which leads to peace, liberty and safety” – Thomas Jefferson

Read more about the importance of Jury Trials and Jury Service.

OUR TEAM

We consider it a privilege to assist our clients with their legal issues. Whether it be achieving full and fair compensation for an injury; obtaining the benefits of their insurance policy; or holding an insurance company accountable for unfair trade practices and violating Washington’s consumer protection laws, we are committed to a just result in each and every case.

We strive to keep the number of cases we handle to a level which allows us to dedicate the time each client and each case deserves. Not every case requires a lawsuit and not every lawsuit requires a trial.   We prepare each case from day one as if it will go to trial.   Many resolve without a trial, and well prepared cases are more likely to settle. If justice requires a trial, the client will get one. That is our commitment to each and every person we represent. Abraham Lincoln once said, “If I had eight hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend six hours sharpening my axe.” When we go to trial our axes are sharp.

 

Steve_WebSTEVE CHANCE has been a trial lawyer for over 25 years. Early in his career he tried a variety of different cases from will contests, boundary disputes, business and partnership disputes, to medical and legal malpractice, personal injury and insurance disputes. In recent years, his trial practice has focused on personal injury, insurance coverage and insurance bad faith. See RESULTS for particulars. He attributes much of his success to his loyal staff of paralegals and legal assistants which have been under his employ for 10, 15 and 18 years respectively.

 

Choosing the Right Attorney

Persons injured in a car crash or by some other act of negligence, or if one questions whether your insurance company is treating you fairly, it may be helpful to consult with an attorney.   When choosing an attorney, it is important that you feel confident the attorney has the experience and the resources to properly evaluate your claim and represent you. Insurance companies know the attorneys who never take cases to trial and may offer less knowing the attorney settles all cases. Below are several questions to consider asking the attorney to determine whether he or she is the best person for your personal injury or insurance coverage case.

  1. If your case cannot be settled, is the attorney prepared to file suit and take the case to a jury trial, if necessary?
  2. When was the last time he or she tried a similar case to a jury? When was the last time before that? What were the results? All trials are public record so there is no reason not to share the results.
  3. Has the attorney previously handled an insurance coverage claim similar to your claim?
  4. When was the last time the attorney filed a lawsuit over an insurance coverage matter?
  5. If you decide to hire the attorney, will they agree to send you copies of all correspondence and legal papers they prepare in your case?