Lawyer Profile

Image of David N. Bruce

David N. Bruce

Savitt Bruce & Willey LLP
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

Lawyer Bio

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
Read more on firm website

Education:

  • Cornell University, J.D., graduated 1985
  • American University, BA, graduated 1981

Bar Admissions:

  • Washington, State Bar Association
  • Ohio, State Bar Admission (inactive)
 

Court Admissions:

  • United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit
  • United States District Court, Western District of Washington
  • United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
  • United States District Court, Southern District of Ohio

Affiliations:

  • Washington State Association of Municipal Attorneys - Member
  • Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington - Member
  • Washington State Bar Association - Member

Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America for work in:

  • Commercial Litigation
 

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
 

Lawyer Client Comments

Firm Details

Image for Savitt Bruce & Willey LLP View Firm Profile
Savitt Bruce & Willey LLP
http://www.sbwllp.com
 
Headquarters
Joshua Green Building, Suite 800
1425 Fourth Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101-2272
(206) 749.0500

Lawyer Case History

Baerwaldt v. City of Seattle, et al.


Defended challenge under Initiative-91 to agreement among the City of Seattle, King County and Chris Hansen’s ArenaCo regarding public financing for a new NBA basketball arena in Seattle; prepared and argued motion to dismiss on behalf of all defendants and obtained dismissal of all claims on ripeness grounds.

Otrubova v. City of Seattle

Defended City against tort and inverse condemnation claims alleging damages caused by stormwater outfall; obtained summary judgment on some claims and complete defense verdict at jury trial on remaining claims; argued all results on appeal, and prevailed in Court of Appeals.

Lane v. Port of Seattle, et al.

Defended King County in class action alleging that acquisition of rail corridor for use in trail system exceeded governmental authority; obtained dismissal of all claims on summary judgment.

Pande Cameron v. Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority, et al.

Defended inverse condemnation and constitutional claims arising from City of Seattle’s participation in regional transit authority construction project; obtained summary judgment on all claims; defended judgment on appeal and prevailed in the Ninth Circuit.

Alki Condominium Association v. City of Seattle

Defended City against multi-million dollar landslide damage claims; obtained complete defense verdict at jury trial.

Davis et al. v. City of Seattle, et al.

Defended Superintendent of Seattle City Light against sex and gender discrimination claims under state law and equal protection claims under federal law; obtained dismissal of all claims by summary judgment.

In the Matter of Christine O. Gregoire, et al.

Conducted investigation of claims of ethical violations asserted against Attorney General.

Streeter & Associates v. Largo

Defended breach of contract claims; developed and prosecuted counterclaims for architectural malpractice; obtained dismissal of all claims against client, settlement in client’s favor, and substantial award of attorneys’ fees incurred.

Correa v. City of Seattle

Defended City against retaliation and employment discrimination claims; obtained dismissal of all claims by summary judgment.

SigmaTek v. Dixon

Prosecuted trade secret and non-compete claims against former employee; obtained preliminary injunction following evidentiary hearing and then favorable settlement.

Valley Medical Center Governance Issues

Undertook detailed analysis of possible conflicts issues for publicly-owned hospital, and prepared a conflict of interest policy for the Valley Medical Center Board of Trustees.

Mystic Ltd. v. Georgia-Pacific Corporation

Prosecuted breach of contract and Robinson-Patman claims against major paper manufacturer; obtained favorable settlement.