Attorneys

Professional Experience

Ann J. Durham graduated from the University of Washington School of Law and has over 25 years of trial experience. The primary focus of her practice is providing legal services to health care professionals. Her practice areas include: practice sales, employment contracts and disputes, restrictive covenants, commercial and residential real estate lease reviews, corporate formations, business counseling for health care professionals, disciplinary hearings, estate planning and probate.

In her representation of clients, Ann successfully performs as an advocate, confidant, negotiator, correspondent, translator and supporter. Ann uses plain English to explain to her clients every provision of every document, as well as the risks and benefits of each document to be signed. She prides herself on being as responsive to her clients' concerns as her clients are to the concerns of their patients. Ann keeps everyone focused on the desired result to accomplish a true win-win result for her clients.

Education:
J.D. University of Washington School of Law, 1982
B.A. University of California at Santa Barbara, 1979
-- Law & Society, magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, Alpha Lambda Delta Law Clerk to Hon. Ismene Kalaris, Washington, D.C., 1980

Admitted to Bar:
Washington State Courts, 1982
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, 1983

Legal Experience:

• Public Defender Practice, 1982-1987
  -- Conducted over 50 jury trials and hundreds of bench trials
• Civil Law Practice, 1987 - 1996
• Practiced with several firms in the Seattle area. Practice emphasizing personal injury cases, estate planning, contract disputes, and commercial litigation

Durham Law Offices PLLC, 1996 - Present
Durham Law Offices PLLC, 2005 - Present
Practice emphasizing representing businesses in forming legal entities and in contract negotiations, personal injury cases, estate planning and probate.

King County Superior Court MAR Arbitrator, 1988 - present
Court Appointed Settlement Guardian Ad Litem, 1988 - present

Professional Memberships:
Washington State Bar Association, King County Bar Association, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, International Periodontics and Implants Study Group ("IPSIG")

Community Activities:

• Contributor to Smile Train and Pierce County Dental Society Foundation Member, Board of Directors, PAWS, 2001-2003
• Vice President of Washington State Soccer Association, 1997 - present
• Washington State Commissioner for USASA National Cup, 1998 - present
• Region IV Credential Committee Chair for USASA, 2001 - present
• Volunteer coach for Washington State Youth Soccer Association Girl's Premier Team, 1992 - 1996 (Two State Championships)
• USSF National coaching licenses

Professional Highlights:

Business Management

• Currently representing over 200 healthcare professionals in matters involving purchases, sales, contract negotiations, partnerships and employment issues
• Frequent Lecturer at University of Washington Dental School, Bastyr University, Pierce County Dental Society, Washington State Society of Periodontists and multiple dental study clubs
• Adviser to numerous non-profit and for profit business organizations

Civil Litigation

• Successfully represented clients in commercial litigation matters involving wrongfully withheld commissions, breach of warranty, breach of restrictive covenants, misrepresentation in sale of business
• Successfully represented 11 plaintiffs against Community Chapel and Bible Training College in claims of ministerial negligence
• Successfully litigated over 30 personal injury cases involving automobile accidents, bicycle accidents, motorcycle accidents, premises liability, and product liability
• Successfully negotiated settlements of over 100 personal injury claims

Estate Planning and Probate

• Successfully litigated hotly contested probate matter in Pierce County where client obtained judgment of over $52,000 in attorney fees against person who filed fraudulent claim against estate
• Currently representing clients on wealth management and complex estate planning matters on estates up to $14 million in value
• Regularly appointed as Special Representative for minor Trust beneficiaries

International Litigation

• Assisted General Counsel of Fortune 500 Company in coordinating the defense of international mass toxic tort claims in five states and in Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, Ecuador and the Philippines.
• Designed and implemented sponsored "worker's compensation" medical settlement program in 3 Latin American countries and in the Philippines

Court Appointments

• Appointed by King County Superior Court to serve as Arbitrator over 35 times
• Appointed by King County Superior Court to serve as Settlement Guardian ad Litem over 50 times

Lecture and Publication Topics

• Legal Issues and Considerations for Dentists
• Legal Issues and Considerations for Acupuncturists
• Legal Issues and Considerations for Naturopaths
• Preparing for Death, Disability & Difficulties
• Hiring and Firing Staff for Dental Offices
• Operating Your Dental Practice
• The Hiring Process
• How to Start Your Dental Practice
• Legal Developments for dental Careers