About James Marston
James Marston Brown is a attorney specializing in estate planning, probate, and elder law. As the managing senior partner at Phillips, Krause & Brown in Aberdeen, Washington, he has built a reputable practice that spans over four decades. Admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1981, Mr. Brown has dedicated his career to serving the legal needs of elderly and incapacitated individuals. His legal expertise encompasses many elder law services, including estate planning, Medicaid planning. The preparation of wills and trusts. Mr.
Brown is skilled at creating special needs trusts, durable powers of attorney, and handling probate and guardianship matters. Throughout his career, he has successfully managed numerous adult protection and tort claims for vulnerable populations, achieving verdicts or settlements exceeding $1,000,000 in several cases. This record shows his commitment to advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves. In addition to his legal practice, Mr. Brown has made significant contributions to legal education. He served as an adjunct professor of Elder and Disability Law at Seattle University School of Law from 2005 to 2020. His teaching role allowed him to share his extensive knowledge with law students, many of whom have gone on to pursue careers in elder law.
Mr. Brown remains active in mentoring law students and recent graduates, providing guidance on complex elder law issues. His professional affiliations reflect his dedication to the field of elder law. Mr. Brown is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and has played a vital role in the Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys. He has served as a board member and past president of this organization, where his leadership was recognized when he was voted Member of the Year in 2010. In 2023, he was honored with the WA NAELA "Lifetime Achievement Award," evidence of his enduring impact on the field.
Mr. Brown's legal credentials extend beyond state boundaries. He is admitted to practice before all federal and state courts in California and Washington, including the California Supreme Court in 1979 and the Washington Supreme Court in 1981. His qualifications also include being a Certified Professional Guardian in Washington since 2001. Furthermore, he has contributed to the Washington State Bar Association as a past member of the Executive Committee for the Elder Law Section, where he co-chaired communications. His long-term commitment to justice is highlighted by his status as an "Eagle" member of the Washington Association for Justice and his previous role as a bar examiner for the Washington State Bar Association.
