About Dean Ralph
Dean Ralph Brett is a attorney based in Bellingham, Washington, with over five decades of legal experience. He earned his Juris Doctor from Stanford University in 1972 and his Bachelor of Arts from Whitman College in 1968. Admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1972 and the Oregon State Bar in 2008, Brett has built a distinguished career in personal injury law. In 2005, Brett was appointed as a Magistrate Judge for the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington, a role he continues to serve in. He is a partner at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC, a firm he joined in 2015. Prior to this, he was a partner at Brett McCandlis Brown & Conner PLLC from 2011 to 2015, and from 2007 to 2011.
His legal practice focuses on personal injury cases, including wrongful death and insurance disputes — Brett has been recognized for his contributions to the legal field. He holds a Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent® rating, the highest peer rating standard, signifying his professional excellence. He has also received the Avvo Client's Choice Award and the Avvo Top Contributor Award, reflecting his commitment to client service and legal education. Active in professional associations, Brett is a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and has served as President of the Whatcom County Bar Association. He has been a member of the Washington State Association for Justice and the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. His involvement extends to the Washington State Bar Association, where he has served as Local District Counsel. Throughout his career, Brett has been involved in several notable cases, including: - French v.
Parker, State of Washington, Whatcom County Probation Department: Secured a $5.5 million jury verdict, the largest in Skagit County history. - Maxson v. WATCO: Achieved a $3.5 million mediation settlement in a railroad negligence claim. - Wilson v — DNR: Obtained a $2.3 million verdict in a landslide/flood damage claim. - Syre v. Tarte: Secured a $2.1 million arbitration award for lost profits due to breach of contract in the purchase of Roche Harbor Resort. - Holz v.
Burlington National Railroad: Won a $752,600 verdict for the death of a motorcyclist who collided with a parked train. - Dosanjh v. Bhatte: Recovered $800,000 for the wrongful death of a Canadian long-haul truck driver in Eastern Washington. Brett's experience and dedication to his clients have solidified his reputation as a leading attorney in the Pacific Northwest.
