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David Gehrke: High-Profile Attorney with a Good Heart An impressive figure in the law profession, David Gehrke is no stranger to fame. After all, he’s had his frequent share of the limelight, having handled more than a few controversial criminal cases throughout the years and appeared several times on national television and in international media – from Today on CNN to Oprah.
But what sets this noteworthy attorney apart from his
degree in 1977 and became eligible to practice law in
peers in his industry is not something rooted in fame
1978. His career in the law profession now spans more
or recognition. David Gehrke, once dubbed as a “good
than 34 years.
guy” by a Snohomish County deputy prosecutor, is a lawyer with a heart. In one of the columns by Susan
Currently he has admissions to practice in the
Paynter at the Seattle Post Intelligencer, she wrote
following courts: United States Tax Court, Lummi Tribal
about Gehrke and the way he handled the famous
Court, United States District Court for the Western
Letourneau case: “The public sees labels like killer or
and Eastern Districts of Washington, and finally the
rapist. Gehrke sees human beings in pain from making
Washington State Supreme Court. His membership
horrible mistakes. He sees their families, and the
in various legal associations and groups is proof of
families of their victims who will never be the same.”
his active, hard-working participation in the legal industry. A member of the National Association of
The Beginnings of David Gehrke
Criminal Defense Lawyers and the King and TacomaPierce County Bar Associations, David also sat as one
Prior to his admission to the law profession in
of the board directors of the Washington Association of
Washington State in 1978, David Gehrke used to be a
Criminal Defense Lawyers for two terms.
backpacker across Europe and was once drafted for the Vietnam War. He was born to a modest farming family
An Active Player in the Community
in Moscow, Idaho, but the family relocated to Federal Way by the time he was five. His father worked as an
An engaging and intelligent public speaker, David has
airplane mechanic, while his mother made sure that all
regularly graced high school and college events as
her children participated in regular church services at
well as church-related affairs to deliver his speeches.
the Grace Lutheran Church in Des Moines, while they
His media appearances and speaking engagements
were growing up.
are diverse, from The Today Show to Oprah to Good Morning America. He also believes in giving back to the
Law School and the Law Profession
community, having coached basketball and soccer for young players for several years and being a sponsor for
David attended Western Washington State College
the Des Moines 5k Run.
for a couple of years before traveling through Europe and serving in the U.S. Army. He returned to Seattle
Lawyer with a ‘Heart’
to obtain his degree in Economics at the University of Washington and to pursue law studies at the University
Throughout his solid and satisfying career as an
of Washington Law School. He obtained his Juris Doctor
attorney, David Gehrke has specialized in several high-
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