About John Richard
John Richard Christensen is a seasoned personal injury attorney based in Tacoma, Washington. He has been practicing law in the state since 1989, focusing on personal injury and insurance claims. In that same year, he earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of Puget Sound School of Law, graduating cum laude. Prior to his legal education, Mr. Christensen obtained dual bachelor's degrees in Political Science and English Literature from the University of Utah, completing these in 1985 and 1986, respectively. His academic foundation laid the groundwork for a successful legal career. After gaining admission to the Washington State Bar in 1989, Mr.
Christensen took on a significant role as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington. He served in this capacity until 1994, representing various agencies, including the Department of Corrections and the Department of Labor and Industries. This experience provided him with invaluable insights into state operations and legal frameworks, which would later benefit his private practice. In addition to his legal work, Mr. Christensen has been actively involved in the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association. He held the position of President from 2015 to 2018, demonstrating his leadership within the legal community. His contributions were recognized when he received the "Outstanding Service Award" in 2012, highlighting his commitment to the profession and the community.
In his private practice, Mr. Christensen has achieved remarkable success, securing several multimillion-dollar settlements in complex cases. His notable achievements include a $4.2 million settlement in a bicycle crash case, a $3.5 million resolution in a construction site accident, and a $2.8 million settlement for a swimming pool near-drowning incident. These cases reflect his expertise in areas such as medical negligence, government supervision, highway design, dram shop liability, and severe motor vehicle collisions. His reputation has earned him recognition as one of Washington's Top 40 Personal Injury attorneys, as well as a spot on The National Trial Lawyers' Top 100 Trial Lawyers list. Beyond his legal endeavors, Mr. Christensen is a black belt in Taekwondo, actively competing in full-contact Olympic sparring at both state and national levels.
His dedication to martial arts has led him to win national titles in sparring and forms in 2012 and 2013, along with several state titles. Additionally, he is an avid collector and player of vintage guitars, showcasing his diverse interests. Mr. Christensen is married to Penny Allen, who serves as Senior Counsel with the Washington State Office of the Attorney General. Together, they have two children, further enriching their family life in Tacoma.
