Brett Durbin co-leads the firm’s State and Local Tax team. Brett counsels clients on state and local tax issues spanning both transactional and litigation matters, including general business planning and representing clients before the Washington State Department of Revenue and Washington State Board of Tax Appeals.
Brett's experience includes serving as the Assistant Attorney General for the Washington State Attorney General's Office, where he represented the DOR in the assessment of state and local taxes. He also managed all phases of litigation from risk assessment through discovery to appellate briefing and argument.
Professional Highlights
Professional Activities
Washington State Bar Association, Secretary, Tax Council; State & Local Tax Committee; Chair, Legislative Committee
American Bar Association, Tax Section, State & Local Tax Executive Committee; Co-Chair, Model Tax Tribunal Taskforce; Co-Chair, Website Committee
Institute for Professionals in Taxation
Recognition & Accomplishments
Excellence Award, Institute for Professionals in Taxation
The Best Lawyers in America, "Seattle Lawyer of the Year," Litigation and Controversy – Tax, 2023
Chambers USA, Tax (Washington), 2024, 2025
The Best Lawyers in America, Litigation and Controversy – Tax, Tax, 2021-2026
Speaking Engagements
Presenter, "Navigating Changes, Key Court Decisions & Strategic Use of VDAs," Pacific Tax Institute, October 22, 2025
Presenter, “Navigating the New Digital Advertising Tax: Washington State ESSB 5814,” American Advertising Federation (AAF), October 8, 2025
Presenter, "Recent Court Cases," Washington State Tax Forum, August 7, 2025
Credentials
Education
University of Washington School of Law (J.D. 2004)
Western Washington University (B.A, 2001)
Honors Program
Admissions
Washington
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington