Bellingham, WA

Michael J. Tario

Michael J. Tario is a highly respected and experienced personal injury attorney in Washington State, having opened his practice in 1979. He has successfully represented thousands of injured clients, recovering hundreds of millions, and has taken hundreds of cases to trial. He holds a JD from the University of Puget Sound Law School, and both a BA and MA in Persuasion and Speech Communication and Psychology. Mr. Tario is admitted to practice in the US Supreme Court, Washington State Supreme Court, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and Federal District courts for Western and Eastern Districts of Washington, and has appeared pro hac vice in Alaska, Oregon, and California. He has received numerous awards including Martindale-Hubbell's Client Champion and Distinguished Peer Rating since 1997, Avvo's 'Superb' 10.0 rating, and was recognized as a 'Top 100 Trial Lawyer' by the National Trial Lawyers Association in 2014.

Kirk Bernard

Kirk Bernard is the founder of Bernard Law Group and an award-winning personal injury lawyer. He has been a civil litigator in Washington and California for over 30 years, specializing in personal injury cases. He received his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of California at Santa Barbara and became licensed in 1981. He is recognized for his significant settlements and verdicts, community involvement, and was named Washington's 2023 Attorney of the Year by Top 100 Registry.

Tom Mumford

Tom is a persuasive and dedicated advocate with a broad background in the law. Tom strives to find the most effective and efficient way to solve legal problems, and prioritizes communicating with clients to define and accomplish their goals. In 2018 he was recognized as the outstanding volunteer lawyer of the year by Law Advocates of Whatcom County. Tom focuses his practice on civil litigation with an emphasis on personal injury. He also handles select employment, and consumer protection cases. He has been handling personal injury cases since 2001. He started out doing insurance defense before switching to representing plaintiffs in 2005. His experience working on the other side provides strategic advantages that he uses to obtain superior results for his clients. He has recovered millions of dollars for clients in jury trials, bench trials, arbitration, mediation and negotiation. Tom speaks fluent Spanish, and before practicing law worked as a specialist with the U.S. International Trade Administration, and was and a National Security Education Fellow at the Latin American Center for Sustainable Development in Costa Rica. He has taught law-related courses at the University of Washington, Western Washington University, and Whatcom Community College. Tom is a graduate of Washington State University, and earned JD and MPA degrees from the University of Washington. He is a member of the Washington State Bar Association in the Utah Bar Association. He has served as a member of the Board of Directors of Law Advocates of Whatcom County, and as counsel to the boards of Whatcom Day Academy and Meter Group, Inc. In his spare time, Tom serves as a youth leader and enjoys skiing, biking, and soccer. He plays the banjo and guitar. He and his wife, Julia, have 4 sons.

Bill Coats

Bill Coats is the founding partner of Bill Coats Law, with over 20 years of legal experience. He graduated with honors from Tulane University Law School and received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington. Admitted to practice in Washington State in 1994, he is a member of the Whatcom County Judicial Evaluation Committee, Washington State Association for Justice (Board of Governors and Eagle Member), and the American Association for Justice. He has achieved numerous million-dollar-plus awards for clients and holds a 10.0 Superb AVVO rating and is recognized by Super Lawyers and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. His career includes roles as Partner at various law firms, Assistant Attorney General, and Trial Lawyer for the Public Defender’s Office.

Ashton Dennis

Ashton Dennis is a partner at Washington Law Center and a dedicated advocate for individuals and families facing serious injuries, abuse, and institutional wrongdoing. He focuses on cases involving sexual abuse, wrongful death, and catastrophic injury, including claims against schools and government agencies. Known for his steady, strategic approach and empathy, he is described as a 'calm but unwavering presence.' Raised and practicing in Washington State, Ashton earned dual degrees in Criminal Justice and Political Science from Washington State University and a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. He is deeply grounded in faith, family, and community service, serving as a Deacon in his church and on a school board.

Paula McCandlis

Paula McCandlis started working in law in 1993, gaining experience in personal injury, wrongful death, criminal law, and family law. She attended Gonzaga University School of Law, where she successfully represented low-income clients. After graduation, she opened her own firm, handling complex cases. She joined Dean Brett as a partner in 2011, focusing on personal injury and wrongful death. She also served as a part-time Superior Court Commissioner and Judge, and became a part-time Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Washington in 2016. She specializes in maximizing compensation for pain and suffering.

Dean Brett (Retired)

Dean Brett (Retired) is the founding member of Brett McCandlis Brown and Conner who recently retired. He offers advice, wisdom, leadership, and training on matters of ethics, rhetoric, and trial advocacy. He volunteers as a trainer at the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and Justice Advocacy Africa. He founded Brett & Daugert and focused on personal injury and wrongful death cases. He has 40+ years of experience.