Meet our Attorneys
Meet the attorneys at Dunn & Black Law Firm.
Our legal team is known for its depth of experience in complex construction, commercial, business, eminent domain/condemnation, real estate, employment, insurance and catastrophic personal injury litigation in federal and state courts throughout the Northwest and beyond.
John Black
Robert Dunn
Susan Nelson
Rick Wetmore
Adam Chambers
Alexandria Drake
Mike Brandenberg
Ken Thompson
At Dunn & Black, P.S., our lawyers also provide focused and aggressive representation in a variety of complex civil litigation matters involving, but not limited to, construction, commercial, employment, real property, and personal injury litigation. Our attorneys are experienced in handling cases for both plantiffs and defendants in state and federal courts including appeals.
Dunn & Black, P.S. has been historically recognized as a Best Law Firm by US News. Dunn & Black, P.S. is also ranked locally as a Tier 1 firm in commercial litigation, eminent domain, condemnation and labor and employment. Our lawyers are also consistently ranked at the top of their fields by numerous publications including Martindale-Hubble, AVVO and many have been recognized in peer-reviewed publications such as “Super Lawyers” and “Rising Stars.”
Our 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
- Fellowship, Construction Lawyers Society of America
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
Admitted to practice in:
- Washington State Courts
- Idaho State Courts
- Alaska 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
- U.S. District Court District of Idaho
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
Eastern Washington University
Class of 1978
B.A.
Email: bdunn@dunnandblack.com
Susan Nelson
Susan Nelson
Susan has experience in all phases of complex civil litigation including discovery, mediation, and trial.
Originally from Kettle Falls, Washington, Susan graduated from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington, earning her Bachelor of Arts degree in History, with a Minor in Mandarin Chinese. During college, Susan spent a year abroad studying Mandarin Chinese in Tai Zhong, Tai Wan and Bei Jing, China.
Susan advises and represents clients with regard to civil litigation, including employment law, constitutional rights, wrongful death, intellectual property, and real property. These matters have involved wrongful termination, wrongful withholding of wages, retaliation, hostile work environment, violation of procedural due process, violation of substantive due process, violation of the right to privacy, violation of first amendment rights, negligence, gross negligence, trademark infringement, breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, tortious interference with business relations, outrage, intentional infliction of emotional distress, unfair competition, boundary line disputes, and actions to quiet title.
Admitted to practice in:
Washington State Courts
Oregon State Courts
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court, Oregon
9th Circuit Court of Appeals
U.S. Supreme Court
Email: snelson@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.
Rick is currently licensed to practice law 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
Adam Chambers
Adam Chambers
Mr. Chambers’ practice concentration is business and construction law and complex civil litigation. He has been named a Washington Rising Star by Super Lawyers (2017-present) and as a Top Lawyer in Spokane/Coeur d’Alene (2017-present). He served as articles editor of the Gonzaga Law Review and associate editor of the Gonzaga Journal of International Law. During his studies, Adam worked as a judicial extern for the Honorable N. Randy Smith of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and for the Honorable Dee Benson of the United States District Court for the District of Utah.
Mr. Chambers’ practice concentration is business and construction law and complex civil litigation.
Adam earned his B.A. degree in English from Idaho State University and graduated cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law. While at Gonzaga, he served as articles editor of the Gonzaga Law Review and associate editor of the Gonzaga Journal of International Law. He was also a member of the Moot Court Honors Council.
He has been named a Washington Rising Star by Super Lawyers (2017-present) and as a Top Lawyer in Spokane/Coeur d’Alene (2017-present). He was also a member of the Moot Court Honors Council.
Admitted to practice in:
Washington State Courts
Idaho State Courts
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
U.S. District Court for Idaho
9th Circuit Court of Appeals
Email: achambers@dunnandblack.com
Alexandria Drake
Alexandria Drake
Alex is a civil litigator with trial and appellate experience in both federal and state courts. Alex represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of practice areas, including labor and employment disputes, eminent domain, personal injury, insurance coverage, and contract disputes.
Born and raised in northern California, Alex earned her B.S. degree from Park University while serving enlisted in the United States Navy for four years as a Yeoman. Alex graduated magna cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, WA in 2012. When not in the office, Alex enjoys spending time with her husband and two little boys.
Alex represents plaintiffs and defendants in a wide variety of practice areas, including labor and employment disputes, eminent domain, personal injury, insurance coverage, and contract disputes.
- Gonzaga School of Law, J.D., Magna Cum Laude, 2012
- Park University, B.S. Criminal Justice Administration, 2009
Alex earned her B.S. degree from Park University while serving enlisted in the United States Navy for four years as a Yeoman. Born and raised in northern California, Alex graduated magna cum laude from Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, WA in 2012, where she earned top scores in civil procedure and professionalism courses and participated on the National Appellate Advocacy Competition moot court team from 2010 to 2012.
Her academic achievements also included serving as an associate editor for the Gonzaga Journal of International Law and membership in the Moot Court Honors Council.
- Member, Spokane County Bar Association
- Member, Washington State Bar Association
- Member, California State Bar Association
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
2023 Rising Star Award from superlawyers.com
Alex Drake is currently licensed to practice law in:
- Washington State courts
- California State courts
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
Email: adrake@dunnandblack.com
Michael C. Brandenberg
Michael C. Brandenberg
Mike was born and raised near Chicago and has extensive litigation experience in Illinois and Washington, including appellate practice. He has successfully represented numerous clients in a variety of complex civil disputes. He was named an Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2019-2021. He and his wife live in Spokane and enjoy skiing and hiking with their dog.
Mike has experience handling complex civil litigation involving business and construction law, personal injury, defamation, real property disputes, and securities fraud.
Associations & Awards
- Member, Washington State Bar Association
- Member, WSBA Litigation Section Executive Committee
- Member, Spokane County Bar Association
- Member, Illinois State Bar
Mike graduated cum laude from Gonzaga University in 2011, with a B.A. in political science. He went on to graduate cum laude from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 2014.
While at Loyola, he achieved CALI awards in both legal writing and advocacy, served on the executive board of the school’s International Law Review, and was a member of the Vis International Moot Court team.
Illinois Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2019-2021.
Jurisdictions
- Washington State courts
- Illinois State courts
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
Email: mbrandenberg@dunnandblack.com
Ken Thompson
Ken Thompson
Ken Thompson grew up in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and has spent most of his life in the Inland Northwest. He attended Seattle Pacific University and Gonzaga University and was an intercollegiate soccer player for nationally ranked programs at both schools.
After graduating from American University Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C., he returned to the region and spent over a decade coaching the men’s soccer team at North Idaho College. He also taught as adjunct faculty in Political Science, Physical Education, and English. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time outdoors with his family, running, and triathlons.
Ken practices law in multiple disciplines. He is new to Dunn & Black and looks forward to representing cases with the firm.
- J.D.: American University Washington College of Law
- B.A.: Gonzaga University (History)
Ran the Coeur d’Alene Soccer Club than directed the North Idaho College Soccer Team. Under his tenure, the program achieved national rankings, academic awards, several playoff berths, and individual and team honors on campus and in the Northwest Athletic Conference. While at the college, Ken also served on several committees related to Title IX, Academics, Athletics, and Facilities.
Jurisdiction:
- Washington State, U.S. District Court – Eastern Washington
Email: kthompson@dunnandblack.com
Olivia Johnston
Olivia Johnston | Intern
Olivia is currently a third-year law student at the University of Idaho College of Law. She has interned with Dunn & Black for the last two summers. Upon graduation in May of 2024, and successfully completing the bar exam, she will join the Dunn & Black team as an associate attorney.
Bachelor of Business Administration, Gonzaga University.
34th Annual McNichols Moot Court Oral Advocacy Winner
2022 CALI Highest Grade in Taxation at the University of Idaho College of Law
2021 Jennifer Dunn Thomson Award from the Washington Policy Center which is awarded annually to females in Washington who show exemplary promise in policy work.
Email: ojohnston@dunnandblack.com