Meet Steve Palmer - Partner

Steve Palmer has been an attorney practicing in the Tri-Cities since 1980.  He had a general practice for the first 10 years, which included working in criminal law, family law, insurance defense, bankruptcy, real estate, personal injury, and public utility law. Since 1990 he has been helping people injured in accidents, doing  personal injury work and workers comp. law; and since 1984 he continues to act as General Counsel for a local public utility district.  Steve is involved in the Benton-Franklin Legal Aid Program.  He has also completed training as a mediator in 2006.  Steve is committed to championing the rights of his clients in a manner that is skillful, aggressive, and thorough.

Steve was born and raised in Richland.  He graduated from Columbia High School, Columbia Basin College, Central Washington College, and Gonzaga University Law School. After graduating from college he held several jobs, such as a bartender; a juvenile probation officer for 3 years; an insulator helper on the Pipeline in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska; and as a pipe-fitter helper on a gas pipeline in Idaho.  During law school Steve worked as a legal intern in a large Spokane law firm.  He also received several scholastic awards while at law school; and graduated cum laude from Gonzaga Law School in 1980. 

Practice Areas

• Automobile Accidents
• Injuries and Wrongful Death
• Workers Compensation
• Public Utility and Municipal Law
• Construction Site Accidents
• Nursing Home Neglect
• Long Term Disability Ins. Disputes

Examples from Steve's Case Files

Steve has successfully pursued lawsuits for his clients, including:

• Suit involving injuries from automobile accidents .
• Suits against nursing homes for abuse/neglect of patients.
• Suits against the general contractor involving accidents occurring at construction sites.
• Suits by customers for injuries they received while shopping at a store or restaurants.

Memberships and Associations

• Benton/Franklin Bar Association
• Washington State Bar Association
• Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
• The American Bar Association
• WSBA Continuing Legal Education Committee, 2003-2005
• WSBA Law Office Management Assistance Program Committee, 2000-2003
• United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Washington - 1981
• United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit - 1982
• Supreme Court of the United States of America - 1985
• Certified Mediator - 2006

Education
Central Washington State College - B.A. - 1974
Gonzaga Law School - J.D. - 1980

Outside the Office
Steve and his wife Linda have two daughters. In his off time, Steve likes to participate in outdoor activities; such as, fishing, skiing, jogging, golfing and hiking.