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, insurance, and catastrophic personal injury litigation in federal and state courts throughout the Northwest and beyond.
John Black
Robert Dunn
Rick Wetmore
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, real property, and catastrophic personal injury litigation. Our attorneys are experienced in handling cases for both plaintiffs 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, and condemnation. 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
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