David N. "Dave" Bruce
Recognized since 2014
Seattle, Washington
Practice Areas
Commercial Litigation
Municipal Law
Dave’s 25-plus years of litigating in both the public sector and in private practice have allowed him to handle nearly every type of case. His record of success both in trial and on appeal demonstrates his ability to identify and communicate his client’s winning argument.
Before establishing Savitt Bruce & Willey with Jim Savitt in 1999, Dave served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Seattle, in the Civil Division, and before that tried criminal cases as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for King County. Dave began his career at Perkins Coie in Seattle. He is a graduate, magna cum laude, of the Cornell Law School.
When not in the office, Dave spends his time making music both in his garage band and at church choir, skiing, traveling, sailing and reading with Dr. Ann Bruce, and, when fate smiles, with their two teenage sons.
Areas of Practice
Contracts and Commercial Litigation
Employment Litigation
Landslide and Storm Water Liability
Government Defense
Risk Management and Litigation Avoidance
Prior Professional Experience
Seattle City Attorney’s Office, 1994-1999
Senior Assistant City Attorney, 1998-1999
Assistant City attorney, 1994-1998
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP, Cincinnati OH, 1991-1994
King County Prosecutor’s Office, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, 1989-1990
Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle WA, 1985-1988
Before establishing Savitt Bruce & Willey with Jim Savitt in 1999, Dave served as Assistant City Attorney for the City of Seattle, in the Civil Division, and before that tried criminal cases as Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for King County. Dave began his career at Perkins Coie in Seattle. He is a graduate, magna cum laude, of the Cornell Law School.
When not in the office, Dave spends his time making music both in his garage band and at church choir, skiing, traveling, sailing and reading with Dr. Ann Bruce, and, when fate smiles, with their two teenage sons.
Areas of Practice
Contracts and Commercial Litigation
Employment Litigation
Landslide and Storm Water Liability
Government Defense
Risk Management and Litigation Avoidance
Prior Professional Experience
Seattle City Attorney’s Office, 1994-1999
Senior Assistant City Attorney, 1998-1999
Assistant City attorney, 1994-1998
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP, Cincinnati OH, 1991-1994
King County Prosecutor’s Office, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, 1989-1990
Perkins Coie LLP, Seattle WA, 1985-1988
Contact & Links
- E-mail: dbruce@sbwllp.com
- Direct Phone Number: 206-749-0500
- Phone Number: 206-749-0500
- Lawyer Page: https://www.sbwllp.com/our-lawyers/david-n-bruce
Location
- Joshua Green Building, Suite 800
1425 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101-2272
Languages
- English
Education
- Cornell University, J.D., graduated 1985
- American University, BA, graduated 1981
Bar Admissions
- Washington, State Bar Association
- Ohio, State Bar Admission (inactive)
Affiliations
- Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys - Member
- Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington - Member
- Washington State Bar Association - Member
Court Admissions
- United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio
- United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
- United States District Court, Western District of Washington
- United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
Headquarters:
Phoenix, Arizona
39 The Best Lawyers in America® awards
14 Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America awards
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2024 for work in:
- Commercial Litigation
- Municipal Law
Awards:
- Selected to Best Lawyers in America, 2014-2018
- Named in Chambers USA Guide to Leading Lawyers, 2013, 2015-2017
- Selected to Washington Super Lawyers, 2004-2017
- Selected to Washington Super Lawyers Top 100 List, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2017
- Selected as Benchmark Litigation “Litigation Star” for Washington, 2012, 2013
- AV Preeminent Rating from Martindale-Hubbell (5.0 out of possible 5.0 peer review rating)
- 10.0 Rating on Avvo.com
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Litigation - Municipal
Publications
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