David Bratz

DAVID BRATZ' practice emphasizes representing vessel owners and maritime employers in all aspects of maritime litigation and in U.S. Coast Guard casualty hearings. He also represents maritime and non-maritime employers in employment disputes in state and federal courts and in various administrative agencies, such as the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and the Washington Human Rights Commission. David regularly consults with employers in risk management and employment practices, and frequently conducts anti-harassment and human resources training for management and supervisory personnel of the firm's employer clients.

David has been with LeGros Buchanan & Paul since 1991 and is one of the firm's managing directors. Throughout his career David has developed a reputation in the marine industry for handling difficult cases, and as a result he has represented vessel owners in major casualty claims, including those arising out of the April 2001 sinking of the F/V ARCTIC ROSE, and the October 2002 fire and explosion aboard the F/V GALAXY, both in the Bering Sea. He frequently speaks to employer and maritime groups on employment law issues, and recently co-authored Discrimination and Harassment Claims Against Maritime Employers, 15 U.S.F. Maritime L.J. 111 (2003), presented at the Pacific Admiralty Seminar in San Francisco.

David is a lifelong Seattle-area native. He graduated Western Washington University in 1982 (magna cum laude) as the Outstanding Graduate in Philosophy, and is a graduate of the University of Washington School of Law (J.D. 1985 with Honors), where he was a member and published author on the Law Review. David now finds the time to coach youth baseball in South Snohomish County, and enjoys hiking, skiing and a variety of other outdoor activities with his wife and three sons.

David is admitted to practice in the state courts of Washington (1985) and Alaska (2005), and is also admitted to the bars of the U.S. Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. District Courts for Alaska and the Western District of Washington.