Page 34 - Pierce County Lawyer - January February 2025

LAWYER SPOTLIGHT
NEW & YOUNG LAWYERS REPORT
Meet Patrick Brown
BACKGROUND & JOURNEY
What inspired you to pursue a
career in law, and how did you
choose your specific practice
area?
I was only 18 years old when my father
unexpectedly died in a car crash in
Germany. I was responsible for all legal
decisions, but I had no idea where
to start. I contacted an attorney, who
guided me through the process and
advocated for my family. I was thankful
that someone was able to take the weight
of my shoulders, which allowed me to
attend to my grieving family.
After my father’s death, I started a career
in the medical field, which I remained
in for about 10 years. However, I
became exceedingly disappointed with
insurance companies denying medical
treatment. Because this reminded me
of the challenges I had dealing with
the insurance company surrounding
my father’s death, I decided to pursue a
career in law to become a Personal Injury
attorney to take on insurance companies
and to advocate for the voiceless. I made
it my mission to zealously advocate for
those who have been wronged by the
actions of others and to ensure they
receive what they deserve.
I love the work I do and the clients I work
with because I help make a difference
in my clients’ lives. People often contact
me when they are at their lowest point in
their life due to a traumatic event. They
have lost all hope and often are close to
giving up in life. I get to be a listening
ear and make them feel heard, seen,
and understood, which always ignites
hope in their eyes. It is rewarding when
I am able to help my clients achieve a
tremendous result that gives them joy
and a promising future. Often, my clients
are excited that I am someone who
believes them and helps them tell their
story, and seeing my clients smile after a
victory always reminds me why I chose
to become a Personal Injury attorney.
In addition, the work I do has resulted
in change. Many of my clients are
child sexual abuse survivors who were
victimized in foster care, schools,
churches, group homes, and other
institutional settings. I have been able
to promote changes in policies and
procedures to ensure that our State’s
vulnerable children are not overlooked
and that they receive the protection they
deserve. Although we are still far from
a perfect system, I am proud to be part
of the fight that has resulted in positive
change throughout our State.
INVOLVEMENT WITH THE ASSOCIATION
CURRENT PRACTICE & EXPERIENCE
What area of law do you currently
practice, and what do you find
most rewarding about it?
I started law school thinking I was going
to be an attorney who only handled car
crash cases and Medical Malpractice
cases. However, I learned that plaintiff ’s
attorneys handle a diverse range of
Personal Injury claims. Today, I handle
claims involving child sexual abuse,
custodial misconduct, wrongful death,
traumatic injuries, insurance bad faith,
race discrimination, employment
discrimination, use of excessive force,
products liability, abuse of vulnerable
adults, car crashes, and much more.
How has being a member of
the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar
Association New and Young
Lawyers benefited you, both
personally and professionally?
I joined the Tacoma-Pierce County
New and Young Lawyers as a 1L, and
I have been on the Board ever since.
It was refreshing to be in a group with
new and young attorneys, who were not
too far removed from law school and
who understood what it was like being
a new attorney. Being a new attorney is
intimidating, but the New and Young
Lawyers allowed me to ask questions
in a safe place, and it helped me grow
3 4 P I E R C E C O U N T Y L A W Y E R | J a n u a r y / F e b r u a r y 2 0 2 5
my network. More importantly, I built
friendships with local new and young
Plaintiffs’ Only
lawyers. I have developed life-long
friendships, and I have peers in different
APPELLATE
practice areas whom I can refer clients to.
PRACTICE
ADVICE FOR NEW LAWYERS
Experienced post-trial
What advice would you give to
and appellate attorneys
new and young lawyers who are
just starting out?
Join the New and Young Lawyers. Being
part of the New and Young Lawyers
helped me become the attorney I am
For more information, visit pcva.law.
Seattle: 206.451.8260 | Tacoma: 253.289.1412
today. It allowed me to meet attorneys
who practice in completely different
areas of law than I do. Now, I personally
know Criminal Law attorneys, Family
Law attorneys, Probate attorneys,
Immigration Law attorneys, etc. whom I
trust and have on speed dial. I can call or
text them with any questions I have, and
I can refer my clients to attorneys I know
I can trust.
Attend as many networking events as
possible because it will help you get to
know the attorneys you practice with
and the judges you appear in front of. If
you practice in Pierce County, you will
repeatedly see the same attorneys, so get
to know them outside of the law.
I cannot stress enough how important it
is to network with judges. Judges can be
intimidating, but when you get to have a