John C. Black
Mr. Black co-founded the firm of Dunn & Black, PS., in 1991 and he has enjoyed the practice of law for over 35 years. He is licensed to practice law in Washington, Idaho and Alaska. He regularly appears in the U.S. Claims Court and Boards of Contract Appeals.
Mr. Black’s practice is focused on representing regional and national contractors, owners, developers and sureties throughout the western United States. Much of his practice also involves insurance coverage issues, as well as real estate and commercial disputes. His education and background in construction make him uniquely qualified to provide legal representation in all phases of development and construction.
Robert (Bob) Dunn
Mr. Dunn’s substantial experience as a civil litigator has resulted in numerous jury and non-jury trials in federal and state courts. His trial experience involves labor and employment related suits including civil rights suits, handicap, sexual harassment and discrimination claims, environmental – air and water pollution cases, crop damage cases, medical malpractice, condemnation cases, construction cases, contract disputes and personal injury litigation including wrongful death. In addition to his extensive trial experience, he has had numerous arbitrations and mediation proceedings culminating in the resolution of client disputes. Mr. Dunn regularly serves as a mediator and arbitrator of disputes, and has served as a judge pro-tem in Spokane Superior Court.
01
What We Do
A Leading Law Firm in Construction, Eminent Domain/Condemnation, Real Estate, Insurance, and Commercial Litigation. We represent regional and national contractors, owners, developers and sureties throughout the western United States.
02
Our Approach
We have earned our reputation one client at a time by delivering sound legal advice and efficient solutions. We are known to aggressively represent our clients’ interests to achieve the best results possible.
03
Our Success
Dunn & Black, P.S. has consistently been awarded the best law firm rankings for its practice areas. Several of our lawyers have been named “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars” by Washington Super Lawyers Magazine.
About Our Firm
Dunn & Black, P.S., an AV-rated law firm, is a recognized leader in construction law throughout the Northwest. With our added strengths in business and complex civil litigation, employment disputes, eminent domain and condemnation, personal injury litigation, insurance and real estate disputes, our firm is well-positioned to provide legal services in today’s business climate.
Full service representation
Founded in 1991, we represent regional and national contractors, owners, developers and sureties throughout the western United States. Dunn & Black, P.S. provides full service representation to the Construction Industry. We also represent a diverse clientele with a focus on complex litigation involving employment, real estate, personal injury, insurance, eminent domain/condemnation, and other business or corporate disputes. Our lawyers are admitted to practice throughout the western portion of the United States. Due to our experience and reputation, we have litigated cases and resolved complex matters throughout the country.
Top-Rated Lawyers
Dunn & Black, P.S. has consistently been awarded the Best Law Firm Ranking for its Construction, Litigation, Employment Law, and Eminent Domain practice areas. The lawyers of Dunn & Black, P.S. are also consistently ranked among the top lawyers in the state. Our lawyers have received top ratings by Martindale Hubbell, AVVO, Washington Law and Politics Magazine, Spokane Coeur D’Alene Living and several have been named “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars” by Washington Super Lawyers Magazine.
We have earned our reputation one client at a time by delivering sound legal advice and efficient, cost-effective solutions. We are known to aggressively represent our clients’ interests to achieve the best results possible. Our unique depth of experience in construction law and complex commercial litigation along with our proven results has positioned us as one of the preeminent firms in the region.
Licensed and Practicing in the Northwest
Read more about our focused law practice in construction, business litigation, condemnation, employment, real estate and personal injury, including representative outcomes we have achieved for clients across a broad spectrum of industries and legal issues.
Our lawyers hold licenses to practice in the States of Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Colorado, California, and Alaska. We work closely with local counsel in many other states and internationally to successfully resolve disputes.
We welcome inquiries and referrals, and invite you to contact our Spokane office to arrange a consultation about your project or legal conflict. We serve developers, construction contractors, lenders, sureties and business owners throughout the West.
Get the representation you deserve.
Contact D&BOur Attorneys
Award Winning Team of Lawyers at Dunn & Black
John C. Black
John C. Black
John Black has extensive background and expertise in construction law and litigation. For over thirty years, John has represented contractors, subcontractors, developers and sureties in all aspects of industrial, public works and commercial construction, ranging from contract drafting through project completion. John has extensive background and experience in drafting and negotiating complex construction contracts for projects located throughout the United States as well as internationally.
John co-founded the firm Dunn & Black, P.S. in 1991 whose emphasis has consistently focused on representing clients in the construction industry.
John's emphasis has consistently focused on representing clients in the construction industry.
His diverse background includes successfully litigating and arbitrating multi-million dollar disputes throughout North America involving all types of commercial projects, including dams, mines, hospitals, schools, prisons, and military installations.
University of Puget Sound
J.D. Magna cum Laude, 1985
University of Washington
B.S. Building Construction, 1981
Associations
- Member, Spokane County Bar Association
- Member, Washington State Bar Association
- Member, Idaho State Bar Association
- Member, Alaska State Bar Association
- Member, Public Contracts Section, Washington State Bar Association
- Panel Member, Idaho Transportation Department, Disputes Review Board
- Member, Associated General Contractors
- Member, American Building Contractors
- Member, American Bar Association, Forum on the Construction Industry
- Panel Member, American Arbitration Association
Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America – Construction Law, 2013-2019
- “10.0” rating on AVVO.com
- Best Law Firms by U.S. News, 2011-2018
- “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law and Politics Magazine, 2013-2022
- “Construction Law Firm of the Year in Washington-2019”, Corporate Intl Magazine
- Best Lawyers, Construction Law, 2025
- Super Lawyer, 2024-2026
Admitted to practice in:
Washington State Courts
U.S. District Court for Eastern District of Washington
U.S. District Court for Western District of Washington
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Eastern District of Washington
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Western District of Washington
Idaho State Courts
U.S. District Court District of Idaho
Alaska State Courts
Email: jblack@dunnandblack.com
Robert Dunn
Robert Dunn
Mr. Dunn’s substantial experience as a civil litigator has resulted in numerous jury and non-jury trials in federal and state courts. In addition to his extensive trial experience, he has had numerous arbitrations and mediation proceedings culminating in the resolution of client disputes. Mr. Dunn regularly serves as a mediator and arbitrator of disputes, and has served as a judge pro-tem in Spokane Superior Court.
Mr. Dunn co-founded the firm Dunn & Black, P.S. in 1991 with John Black.
Robert's trial experience involves labor and employment related suits including civil rights suits, handicap, sexual harassment and discrimination claims, environmental – air and water pollution cases, crop damage cases, medical malpractice, condemnation cases, construction cases, contract disputes and personal injury litigation including wrongful death.
Gonzaga University Law School
Class of 1981
J.D.
cum laude
United States Air Force Academy
Eastern Washington University
Class of 1978
B.A.
Martindale Hubbard - AV Preeminent Peer Rated Attorney Award 2023
- Super Lawyer, 2024
- Best Lawyers, Commercial Litigation, Litigation-Construction, Litigation-Labor and Employment, 2025
- Super Lawyer, 2025
Associations:
American Bar Association
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
American Trial Lawyers Association
Spokane County Bar Association
Admitted to practice in:
Washington State Courts
United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
United States District Court, Western District of Washington
United States Court of Appeals, Federal Circuit
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
United States Supreme Court
Email: bdunn@dunnandblack.com
Rick Wetmore
Rick Wetmore
With a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and experience working in residential construction, Rick Wetmore offers a unique background to clients in the construction and business fields. He began his legal career as a Deputy District Attorney in Weld County, Colorado, where he tried nearly forty jury trials in five years. He is an experienced trial litigator who zealously advocates for his clients.
A Spokane native, Rick attended Eastern Washington University for two years as an undergraduate before transferring to Southwestern Adventist University to play baseball while finishing his college education. He graduated magna cum laude from Southwestern Adventist University. He enjoys spending time with his family and being involved in anything baseball related.
Rick represents owners, commercial general contractors, subcontractors, and design professionals in construction, contract, and insurance coverage disputes. He also represents clients in other complex civil litigation matters.
In 2005, Rick graduated from the University of Colorado School of Law in Boulder, Colorado. A Spokane native, Rick attended Eastern Washington University for two years as an undergraduate before transferring to Southwestern Adventist University to play baseball while finishing his college education. He graduated magna cum laude from Southwestern Adventist University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration.
Rick has been named a Super Lawyer in Construction Litigation by Washington Super Lawyers Magazine, and recognized as a “Top Lawyer” in Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living Magazine. Rick also served for six years as an at-large member on the Executive Committee for the WSBA Construction Law Section.
- Super Lawyer (2023-2025)
Admitted to practice in:
Washington State courts
U.S. District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
Idaho State Court
U.S. District Court for the District of Idaho
Oregon State courts
Montana State courts
Colorado State courts
9th Circuit Court of Appeals
He has successfully argued cases in front of the Washington Court of Appeals, the Washington Supreme Court, and the Oregon Court of Appeals.
Email: rwetmore@dunnandblack.com