Our Story

In 1971, Ross Burgess recognized that most civil litigation defense firms in the Puget Sound were located in downtown Seattle.  Ross saw the need for the South Sound to have its own civil litigation defense firm to efficiently and competently handle the needs of a growing community.  Leaving the downtown Seattle locale of Merrick, Burgess & Hofstedt behind, Ross Burgess opened a new office in downtown Tacoma, which would come to be known as Burgess Fitzer, P.S.- home of some of the most accomplished civil trial lawyers in Western Washington.       

With his unmatched charm and zealous work ethic, Ross's reputation as an exceptional litigator continued to grow with the founding of this new firm in Tacoma.  As a pillar of Pierce County's legal community, Ross was recognized as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL), a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) and a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC).  He is the Past President of the Washington Defense Trial Lawyers (WDTL) and a Founding Member of the Puget Sound Inns of Court.

Over the next 30 years, Ross continued to recruit and surround himself with other attorneys who could provide experienced, reliable and effective legal services to the firm's clients.  Our current shareholders have developed different and complementing specialties in various civil litigation arenas, including medical/professional negligence, commercial liability, complex litigation, appellate/coverage work, and motor vehicle accidents.  The firm is proud that its former shareholder, Karen Strombom, has served as a Superior Court judge for Pierce County, and currently serves as a federal Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Washington.

The firm continues its commitment to its neighbors and community.  For example, the firm has members who serve or have served on the board for MultiCare, the Tacoma Community Foundation and the Annie Wright School.  Shareholders have participated in local, charitable fundraising efforts-such as the Courage Classic-and supported Tacoma Public Schools' reading development program.

As the region has grown since 1971, Burgess Fitzer has grown along with it.  Having previously been housed in such historical landmarks as the Carlton Building, Burgess Fitzer is now located in the fourth floor of the Tacoma Financial Center-adjacent to the Hotel Murano.  While the firm has embraced the latest technological developments to provide efficient and effective representation to its clients, Burgess Fitzer will always retain Ross's old-fashioned commitment to the best interests of its clients, excellence in the practice of law and the betterment of our community.