FB

Fred B. Burnside, Appellate Attorney in Seattle, Washington

focused on Appellate, Business, and Class Action

Seattle, WA

Trusted appellate attorney serving Seattle.

3
Bar admissions

Are you Fred B. Burnside?

This profile was built from public bar records and is still unclaimed. Claim it free to control your photo, bio, and fees — and get client inquiries sent straight to you.

Claim this profile — free

Quick answer

Fred B. Burnside is an attorney based in Seattle, WASHINGTON. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Class Action.

Based in
Seattle, WASHINGTON
Experience
attorney
Known for
Appellate · Business · Class Action
  • Handles Appellate, Business, and Class Action matters from Seattle, WASHINGTON.
  • Recognized with Lawyer of the Year — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (Seattle) (2025).

About Fred B. Burnside: Fred B. Burnside is an attorney based in Seattle, WASHINGTON. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Class Action.

Areas of practice

Practice areas handled by Fred B. Burnside

Fred concentrates on appellate, business, class action, foreclosure, and litigation. Each area below outlines the kind of case Fred handles, typical outcomes to expect, and how the intake process starts.

Appellate cases in Seattle, Washington

Fred takes appellate matters in Seattle, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Fred agrees to represent you.

Business cases in Seattle, Washington

Fred takes business matters in Seattle, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Fred agrees to represent you.

Class Action cases in Seattle, Washington

Fred takes class action matters in Seattle, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Fred agrees to represent you.

Foreclosure cases in Seattle, Washington

Fred takes foreclosure matters in Seattle, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Fred agrees to represent you.

Litigation cases in Seattle, Washington

Fred takes litigation matters in Seattle, Washington. Typical engagements include intake calls to scope the issue, review of any records or filings you already have, and a written strategy memo before Fred agrees to represent you.

Biography

About Fred B. Burnside — Attorney of Washington appellate experience

Fred B. Burnside is an attorney based in Seattle, WASHINGTON. The practice focuses on Appellate, Business, and Class Action.

Fred Burnside concentrates his practice in complex civil litigation, with particular emphasis on consumer class action defense. He is co-chair of Davis Wright Tremaine’s class action defense group. Fred has counseled and represented numerous clients in class action lawsuits across the country, including Amazon.com, AOL, AT&T, eBay, eNom, Microsoft Corp., Providence Hospital Systems, Scholastic Inc., Shell Oil, Skype Inc., Starbucks, T-Mobile USA, The University of California, Verizon Wireless, and Wolters Kluwer.

Fred is a member of the firm’s executive committee. He is also co-chair of the ABA’s Consumer Law Subcommittee on Class and Derivative Suits, editor of the ABA Class Action Committee's Annual Survey of State Class Action Litigation, and is a member of the American Law Institute.

Working with Fred on a appellate matter

Fred Burnside concentrates his practice in complex civil litigation, with particular emphasis on consumer class action defense. He is co-chair of Davis Wright Tremaine’s class action defense group. Fred has counseled and represented numerous clients in class action lawsuits across the country, including Amazon.com, AOL, AT&T, eBay, eNom, Microsoft Corp., Providence Hospital Systems, Scholastic…

Clients Fred works with

Fred reviews new inquiries case-by-case for appellate, business, and class action matters in Seattle and the surrounding Washington area.

Credentials

Fred B. Burnside's legal education and bar admissions

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison

    J.D. · 2002

Jurisdictions

Fred's state bar admissions

  • Oregon, Oregon State

    ACTIVE

  • California, The Stat

    ACTIVE

  • Washington, Washingt

    ACTIVE

Fred studied at J.D. in University of Wisconsin–Madison.

Law school and academic background

Fred completed J.D. in University of Wisconsin–Madison. Formal legal training is one signal of substantive knowledge — the day-to-day practice Fred runs in Washington is where that training gets applied to real client questions.

Recognition

Awards, publications, and recognition of Fred B. Burnside

Fred has received 7 formal recognitions from bar associations, industry bodies, and peer-review services.

  • Lawyer of the Year — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (Seattle)

    2025

  • Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice:

    2026

  • Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Banking and Finance

    2026

Legal awards and honors

Lawyer of the Year — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (Seattle) (2025). Best Lawyers in America — Appellate Practice (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Commercial Litigation (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions - Defendants (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Mortgage Banking Foreclosure Law (2026). Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026).

Locations

Fred B. Burnside's office in Seattle

Fred's primary office is at 920 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3300, Seattle, Washington, 98104-1610. In-person meetings are by appointment; a phone intake usually comes first.

Main office

920 Fifth Avenue, Suite 3300

Seattle, Washington 98104-1610

Open in Google Maps

Client feedback

Client reviews of Fred B. Burnside

Fred has not yet collected verified client reviews on LawyersListed. Reviews here are all from confirmed clients; anonymous ratings are moderated out.

No reviews yet

Only verified clients who have consulted with Fred B. Burnside can leave a review.

Schedule your consultation

Hiring guide

How to hire Fred B. Burnside — what to expect in your first consultation

Working with a new appellate attorney should feel structured. Here's how the first two conversations with Fred usually go, from the moment you request a consult to the day representation begins.

Consultation formats and pricing

Fred charges for the initial consult. That fee is credited toward representation if you retain Fred's office.

What to bring to your first meeting

Bring any documents you already have — police reports, medical records, filed pleadings, correspondence from an insurer, a copy of the contract at issue. If you're not sure, err on the side of bringing everything; Fred will tell you what matters and what doesn't.

Questions to ask a appellate attorney in Seattle, Washington

A short list to run through before you commit: How many appellate matters have you handled in the last year? What's your fee structure? Who else in the office will work on this? What's your realistic estimate of timeline and range of outcomes? How do I reach you between meetings?

Fees & payment

Fees, payment methods, and consultation options for Fred

Fred discusses fees during intake so the arrangement fits the matter. Contingency, hourly, and flat-fee options are all common in appellate practice — ask which fits.

Hourly rates, contingency fees, and flat-fee options

Every appellate matter is priced differently. Simple document review might be a flat fee. Injury litigation is often contingency. Complex commercial disputes usually run hourly with a retainer. Fred confirms the model in the engagement letter before any work starts.

Payment methods and payment plans

Fred's office accepts standard payment methods. Ask about payment plans if the retainer is a stretch — many appellate practices work with clients on structured schedules.

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Fred B. Burnside

  • How much does it cost to hire Fred for a appellate case?

    Cost depends on the type of matter, the fee model (contingency, flat, hourly), and how contested the case becomes. Fred walks through the likely range during the consult so there are no surprises.

  • Does Fred offer a free consultation?

    Fred charges for the initial consult; that fee is credited toward representation if you retain Fred's office. Some appellate attorneys offer free consults — check Fred's current terms during booking.

  • How long do appellate cases in Washington typically take?

    Simple appellate matters can wrap in a few weeks; disputed cases can run 6–18 months from intake to resolution, longer if the matter goes to trial. Fred gives a realistic estimate for your facts at the consult — vague answers here are a red flag.

  • Can Fred take my case if I'm outside Seattle?

    Fred is licensed in Washington. Matters governed by Washington law are the natural fit. Out-of-state matters are handled case-by-case, sometimes with local co-counsel. Ask during intake — Fred will tell you if the case is a fit or refer you to someone closer to your court.

  • What should I bring to my first meeting with Fred?

    Bring every document that touches the dispute: contracts, correspondence, police or medical reports, filed pleadings, invoices, photographs, insurance letters. Also bring a written timeline of what happened, in your own words. Fred will filter what matters — over-preparing at intake is always cheaper than needing a second meeting.

  • Is Fred accepting new appellate clients right now?

    Fred's intake status shifts week to week. Submit the form; the office will confirm availability or refer the matter out.

Areas served

Appellate attorneys serving Seattle, Spokane and Tacoma in Washington

Fred handles appellate matters throughout Washington. Each city below is a direct link into the search page for verified appellate attorneys in that community.

More counsel

If Fred's intake is full or the fit isn't right, these appellate attorneys in Seattle handle similar matters. Every profile below is verified and open to consultations.