About
Chris Van Vechten
Van Vechten is a Dutch name which literally means “ready to fight,” “to struggle,” “to crusade” or “to zealously advocate.
WHY GO WITH CHRIS
“Van Vechten” means “ready to fight”
Van Vechten is a Dutch name which literally means “ready to fight,” “to struggle,” “to crusade” or “to zealously advocate.
As a criminal defense trial attorney, Chris does his best to live up to his name because he believes that everyone is worth fighting for: even those who are sometimes difficult to love and easy to leave behind. That means competently, compassionately and – when necessary – combatively advocating for the freedom, future and finances of his clients and their families.
Presumably you’ve found this website because you have already committed yourself to asserting your right to retain private counsel. Now it’s time to set up a consult to see if your ready, willing and able to “Van Vechten” your case.
WHAT’S CHRIS’ STORY
Chris Van Vechten moved to Tacoma from Portland in 2004 to attend the University of Puget Sound. He studied history, volunteered in the community, worked as a legislative staff member for a state representative and later a state senator, and even personally ran for school board before enrolling in Seattle University School of Law.
Prior to launching the Law Office of Chris Van Vechten, Chris worked as a Rule 9 prosecuting attorney with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office and later with the Lakewood City Attorney’s Office. In addition, he interned with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Civil Division and externed with Superior Court Judge James Dixon. Chris has also volunteered his services on behalf of tenants via the Pierce County Neighborhood Legal Clinic and briefly volunteered with the Northwest Justice Project’s Mortgage Foreclosure Mediation program.
Chris lives with his wife, daughter and two cats in Hilltop, Tacoma.
CURRENT AND FORMER MEMBERSHIPS, AFFILIATIONS & VOLUNTEER WORK:
- Puyallup Tribe Legal Aid: Staff Attorney
- Temple Beth El: Elected Board Member
- Pierce County Superior Court Criminal Procedure Committee: Private
- Defense Representative Saint Patrick Catholic School: Head coach of girl’s basketball grades 3-4
- NORTAC: Assistant kindergarten Soccer Coach
- Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority: Appointed by the City Council
- Pierce County Arts Commission: Appointed by County Council
- Mayor Strickland’s K-12 Education Task Force: By appointment of the Mayor
Memberships, affiliations & volunteer work:
- Washington State Bar Association (5/14 – Present)
- Pierce County Bar Association (5/14 – Present)
- Appointed member of the Tacoma Community Redevelopment Authority (12/13 – Present)
- Volunteer, Tacoma-Pierce County Neighborhood Legal Clinic (9/13-1/14)
- Volunteer, Northwest Justice Project Housing Foreclosure Mediation Program (9/12-12/12)
- Member, Parents and Friends of Tacoma Public Schools (2012 – Present)
- Member, Mayor Strickland’s Education Task Force (appointed 2/11- 3/13)
- Elected Councilman on Tacoma’s North End Neighborhood Council (elected 11/09 to 7/12)
- The Honorable Robert J. Bryan American Inn of Court (9/10-12/11)
- Commissioner on the Pierce County Arts Commission (appointed 4/08 to 6/10)
- Math Tutor at Peace Community Center (06-07)
- Fundraiser for the Sexual Assault Center of Pierce County (06-08)
We Can Solve All of Your Problems
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