Tom Chambers, Supreme Court Justice ‐ Retired
EXPERIENCE
Many believe that Justice Chambers benefited from a broad range of experience. Before joining the court, he practiced law for 30 years representing people from all walks of life, earning a reputation for being fair, honest, and absolutely grounded in good old common sense. Areas of law practice include administrative, criminal, estate planning, family, business, construction, poverty, personal injury, real estate transactions and worker’s compensation. For a 10-year period, he tried more personal injury cases for the plaintiff than any other lawyer in the state. He is a seasoned trial lawyer whose years in the trenches made him uniquely qualified to understand trial procedure from an appellate bench. He gave up a very lucrative trial practice to become a State Supreme Court Justice at a fraction of what he had been making because, on the Supreme Court he could make more of a difference.
Many believe that Justice Chambers benefited from a broad range of experience. Before joining the court, he practiced law for 30 years representing people from all walks of life, earning a reputation for being fair, honest, and absolutely grounded in good old common sense. Areas of law practice include administrative, criminal, estate planning, family, business, construction, poverty, personal injury, real estate transactions and worker’s compensation. For a 10-year period, he tried more personal injury cases for the plaintiff than any other lawyer in the state. He is a seasoned trial lawyer whose years in the trenches made him uniquely qualified to understand trial procedure from an appellate bench. He gave up a very lucrative trial practice to become a State Supreme Court Justice at a fraction of what he had been making because, on the Supreme Court he could make more of a difference.
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PROFSSIONAL AWARDS
1978-79 “Boss of the Year, “ Greater Seattle Legal Secretaries Association
1989 “Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year,” Washington State Association for Justice
1996 “Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year,” American Board of Trial Advocates Washington Chapter
1998 Yakima Valley Community College “Distinguished Alumni Award”
2006 “Outstanding Judge of the Year,” Washington Women Lawyers King County Chapter
2009 ”Distinguished Alumni Award“, University of Washington School of Law
2012 ”Lifetime Achievement Award”, Washington State Bar Association
1978-79 “Boss of the Year, “ Greater Seattle Legal Secretaries Association
1989 “Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year,” Washington State Association for Justice
1996 “Outstanding Trial Lawyer of the Year,” American Board of Trial Advocates Washington Chapter
1998 Yakima Valley Community College “Distinguished Alumni Award”
2006 “Outstanding Judge of the Year,” Washington Women Lawyers King County Chapter
2009 ”Distinguished Alumni Award“, University of Washington School of Law
2012 ”Lifetime Achievement Award”, Washington State Bar Association
2012 ”Lifetime Achievement Award”, American Board of Trial Advocates (First given in 9 years)
2013 The Washington State Association for Justice changed the name of its Trial Lawyer of the Year Award to the “Tom Chambers Trial Lawyer of the Year Award.” My bust will be given to the award recipient.
2013 The Washington State Association for Justice changed the name of its Trial Lawyer of the Year Award to the “Tom Chambers Trial Lawyer of the Year Award.” My bust will be given to the award recipient.
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COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY
- Seattle Housing Authority Neighborhood House Good Neighbor Award for 20 Years of Commitment to Residents of Seattle Public Housing, 1999
- United Way of King County Board Member, 1999-2001
- Providence Seattle Medical Center Foundation Board Member, 1998-99
- Rise n’ Shine Foundation, Director and Honorary Director, 2000-2012
WRITINGS AND PUBLICATIONS.
During his career as a lawyer, Tom authored more than 100 articles and papers which were presented at seminars or published lawyer publications such at the Seattle King County Bar Bulletin, The Trial News, or Bar News. He wrote a popular column called “Tom’s Tips on Torts.” He also published a two volume, 1,000-page book, “Tom Chambers Trial Notebook” Published by the Washington State Trial Lawyers, 1992. He wrote, produced, and supplied the “talent” for two instructional videos intended to be viewed by the clients of lawyers: Preparing for Your Defense Medical Exam and Preparing for your Deposition in a Personal Injury Case. Although produced in the early 1990’s, both videos are still being used today.
During his career as a lawyer, Tom authored more than 100 articles and papers which were presented at seminars or published lawyer publications such at the Seattle King County Bar Bulletin, The Trial News, or Bar News. He wrote a popular column called “Tom’s Tips on Torts.” He also published a two volume, 1,000-page book, “Tom Chambers Trial Notebook” Published by the Washington State Trial Lawyers, 1992. He wrote, produced, and supplied the “talent” for two instructional videos intended to be viewed by the clients of lawyers: Preparing for Your Defense Medical Exam and Preparing for your Deposition in a Personal Injury Case. Although produced in the early 1990’s, both videos are still being used today.
As a Supreme Court Justice he has written over 400 published opinions. Over 225 of these opinions have been majority opinions binding as precedents upon lower courts and are the “road maps” lawyers follow in advising clients.
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RETIREMENT VIDEO.
Justice Chambers had a retirement party on October 11th, 2012. His friend Lori Haskell prepared a video to celebrate his career. It is 7 minutes long but will leave you laughing.