- SEATTLE: 206-621-1110
- TACOMA: 253-572-1000
Attorney Heather Burgess
Partner
Heather represents property owners and developers in all phases of real estate development, from pre-acquisition due diligence through local permitting and appeals. Heather has represented development clients on land use matters in jurisdictions across the state of Washington, successfully permitting and defending a variety of large residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Heather also represents property owners, businesses, and individuals in permitting and zoning regulatory matters under the Growth Management Act, Shoreline Management Act, and federal Endangered Species Act, including the listing of the Mazama pocket gopher and other prairie species for protection under the federal Endangered Species Act.
“Being a good lawyer is not enough to develop and maintain a successful law practice. It is critical to remain active and engaged in the business world, in the community, and with peers in practice.” – HEATHER BURGESS
Outside of land use, Heather is an experienced civil real estate litigator, representing clients in boundary and title disputes and real property-related claims. Heather is also a frequent speaker on Washington land use regulation at continuing legal education programs and industry seminars.
Heather was previously a partner at Eisenhower Carlson PLLC in Tacoma and an associate at Perkins Coie LLP’s Seattle and Olympia offices. Before entering private practice, Heather served for 13 years on active duty with the United States Army, six as a Judge Advocate. Heather served as a Judge Advocate in the Washington Army National Guard until her retirement in 2016.
PRACTICE AREAS
- Land Use
- Environmental
- Real Estate
- Litigation
EDUCATION
- Judge Advocate General’s School, L.L.M, 2001, Commandant’s List 2001
- University of Washington School of Law, J.D., Order of the Coif 1998
- Harvard University, B.A. cum laude 1991
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE IN
- Washington State
- Oregon State
- U.S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
- 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
- Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
- United States Supreme Court
PUBLICATIONS:
- Editor-in-Chief, Washington Real Property Deskbook, (Supplement 2016) Vols. 5 and 6
- Author & Editor, Washington Real Property Deskbook, (4th 2012), Vols. 5 and 6
IN THE PROFESSION
- Thurston County Bar Association | Chair, Real Estate and Land Use Section
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
IN THE COMMUNITY
- Association of Washington Business | Board of Directors | Past Chair, Land Use Committee
- Thurston Economic Development Council| Board of Directors | President
- Building Industry Association of Washington | Legal Committee
- Thurston County Chamber of Commerce |Business and Economic Development Committee
- Olympia Master Builders Association| Government Affairs Committee
- MBA Pierce County | Legislative Strategies Committee
- YWCA of Pierce County | Board of Directors 2009 – 2015
- Gateway Rotary
Awards
Contact
Phone: 253.572.1000 or 206.621.1110
Thomas L. Dickson
Tom is an experienced litigator and the founding partner of the firm. For over 30 years, he’s helped clients prevail in their real estate, construction, and business law matters.
Heather Burgess
Heather represents property owners and developers in all phases of real estate development, from pre-acquisition due diligence through local permitting and appeals.
Robert P. Dickson
The core of Rob’s legal practice is civil litigation, with an emphasis on construction, real estate, and business law. He represents a wide range of clients, from large construction companies to individual homeowners.
Daniel J. Frohlich
Dan’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and probate law. He has more than 10 years of experience as an attorney serving clients throughout Western Washington.
Mark S. Johnson
Mark’s legal practice focuses on civil litigation, real estate law, business law and family law. He works tirelessly to help his clients achieve the outcome they are looking for.
Trevor A. Zandell
Since graduating with honors from law school in 2005, Trevor has been serving the legal needs of businesses, individuals, and families across Southwest Washington.
Daniel E. Pizarro
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Daniel is active in the firm’s civil litigation department. His practice is mainly centered around real estate law, landlord-tenant law, construction law, and probate law.
Alexander J. Wisbey
Alexander Wisbey comes to the firm with 5 years of experience as a litigator and trial attorney. He has first chaired several jury trials and has extensive experience handling arbitrations, mediations, depositions, and settlements.
Andrew Hata
Andrew is the head of our Transactional Department and focuses his practice on corporate governance, real estate transactions, commercial contracts, and corporate finance.
Kelley Duggan
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kelley practices in a wide range of areas, including estate planning, probate, civil litigation, and intellectual property law.
Cambria A. Queen
Cambria is an Associate with Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess in the civil litigation department, where she practices primarily real estate and probate law.
George Knight
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, George is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. His practice is mainly centered around business law, real estate law, construction law, employment law, and probate law.
Chris Pierce-Wright
Chris comes to Phillips Burgess Tacoma from Seattle, where he served as an associate attorney focused on insurance litigation with Wilson Smith Cochran Dickerson.
Lacey L. Hatch
Lacey has developed an in-depth knowledge and has successfully advised clients in an array of land use matters, including project review, code drafting and interpretation, as well as a variety of litigation pertinent to land use issues.
Jennifer Yoo
Jennifer is an associate attorney at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess where her current practice focuses on real estate law, contract and commercial disputes, and business law.
Katherine E. Baals
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Katherine practices in a range of areas, including real estate, construction, business, and civil litigation.
Kenneth Chan
As an associate at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, PLLC, Kenny is active in the firm’s civil litigation and transactional departments. Prior to working at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, Kenny was an in-house attorney for a Fortune 100 company.
Brian Buske
Following his graduation from Lewis & Clark Law School, Brian garnered valuable client experience working on international compliance and intellectual property issues.
