Atty. Fred B. Burnside
Fred Burnside concentrates his practice in complex civil litigation, with particular emphasis on consumer class action defense. He is co-chair of Davis Wright Tremaine’s class action defense group.
Appellate Practice & More Attorney · Serving Seattle, WA
Profile Summary
About Fred B. Burnside at a Glance
Fred B. Burnside is a business, class action, foreclosure, product liability, and litigation attorney based in Seattle, Washington, practicing at Davis Wright Tremaine LLP. Admitted to practice in Washington, Washington State Bar Association, California, The State Bar of California, and Oregon, Oregon State Bar. Educated at University of Wisconsin–Madison (J.D., 2002). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (2026). Serves clients in Seattle, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Fred B. Burnside
- Fred Burnside concentrates his practice in complex civil litigation, with particular emphasis on consumer class action defense
- He is co-chair of Davis Wright Tremaine’s class action defense group
- Fred has counseled and represented numerous clients in class action lawsuits across the country, including Amazon.com, AOL, AT&T, eBay, eNom, Microsoft Corp., Providence Hospital Systems, Scholastic Inc., Shell Oil, Skype Inc., Starbucks, T-Mobile USA, The University of California, Verizon Wireless, and Wolters Kluwer
- Fred is a member of the firm’s executive committee
- He is also co-chair of the ABA’s Consumer Law Subcommittee on Class and Derivative Suits, editor of the ABA Class Action Committee's Annual Survey of State Class Action Litigation, and is a member of the American Law Institute
Practice Areas Explained
Fred B. Burnside's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Fred B. Burnside handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Seattle.
Business & Corporate Law in Seattle
Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.
Fred B. Burnside is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Washington →
Class Action in Seattle
Fred B. Burnside is one of 26,226 class action attorneys indexed nationally. Browse class action attorneys in Washington →
Foreclosure Defense in Seattle
Fred B. Burnside is one of 14,094 foreclosure attorneys indexed nationally. Browse foreclosure attorneys in Washington →
Product Liability in Seattle
Fred B. Burnside is one of 65,610 product liability attorneys indexed nationally. Browse product liability attorneys in Washington →
Civil Litigation in Seattle
Civil litigation attorneys for breach of contract, business disputes, civil rights, and class action lawsuits.
Fred B. Burnside is one of 450,751 litigation attorneys indexed nationally. Browse litigation attorneys in Washington →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Seattle
Practicing law in Washington. Legal matters in Washington are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Seattle are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Washington state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Washington brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Washington courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Seattle Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Seattle-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Seattle or all attorneys in Washington.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Seattle Choose Fred B. Burnside
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Fred B. Burnside's practice in the field of business, class action, foreclosure, product liability, and litigation.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in Washington, Washington State Bar Association, California, The State Bar of California, and Oregon, Oregon State Bar, Fred B. Burnside can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering business, class action, and foreclosure, Fred B. Burnside can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Seattle
A Seattle-based practice means Fred B. Burnside attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Fred B. Burnside Handles in Seattle
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Fred B. Burnside has experience with under Washington law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Fred B. Burnside directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
Search Reference
How People Find Fred B. Burnside Online
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Fred B. Burnside's Practice Areas & Specializations
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