General Information

Year founded: 2012
This is the year the firm (or its earliest predecessor entity) was founded.
Logo for Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess PLLC

Overview

Content is provided by the firm.

An established and expanding regional law firm, Phillips Burgess focuses its practice primarily on real estate, land use, and environmental law. Real estate is at the center of all that we do. With more than a century of combined legal experience, our talented attorneys bring enthusiasm, business savvy, and a healthy dose of common sense to every case we handle. The result?

  • FIRST RATE LEGAL WORK YOU CAN COUNT ON.
  • EVERY CLIENT.
  • EVERY TIME.

Statewide real estate experience. Regional Focus. Local Knowledge. When it comes to real estate development in Southwest Washington, no other law firm has a better handle on regional and local issues than Phillips Burgess. Our attorneys combine statewide real estate experience with in-depth local knowledge of jurisdictions extending from South King County to the Oregon border, making us increasingly the firm of choice for real estate clients and projects in the South Sound.

Our highly skilled team is passionate about what we do. Our commitment is to provide client-focused legal services, managing each case with meticulous care and attention. By getting to know our clients and their businesses, we are able to provide each client with the best possible legal counsel. Our experience shows that attorney-client relationships based on trust and partnership deliver both the best value and the best results.


Rankings

Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess PLLC is nationally ranked in 2 practice areas and metro ranked in 5 practice areas. Best Law Firms rankings are based on a rigorous evaluation process.

Read how Best Law Firms ranks firms

National Rankings

Tier 2
Tier 2 for Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier 3
Tier 3 for Litigation - Environmental

Metro Rankings

Seattle
Tier 1 for Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier 1 for Real Estate Law
Tier 2 for Environmental Law
Tier 2 for Litigation - Environmental
Tier 2 for Litigation - Land Use and Zoning

About Our Clients

"What they already know about your industry, atop their extensive law experience, makes them valuable and unique." ~ Tamarah Knapp Hancock, P.E., and General Counsel, Scarsella Brothers Construction, Inc.

"When working with large firms, your business can get lost in their process. Phillips Burgess offers the same expertise without all the fuss." ~ Don Moody, First Vice President, CBRE

"Their skills, competency and professionalism is made clear immediately." ~Frank Sanborn & Pastor David Kegley, Head Pastor, Westminster Presbyterian Church

"They're ahead of the curve on emerging issues. Their leadership strengthens the health of our communities." ~ David Schaffert, President and CEO, Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

"Our business model requires a team approach and their attention to detail and willingness to listen brings people together." ~ Gus Erikson, President, Puget Western, Inc.

Rankings

National Rankings

Tier 2
Tier 2 for Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier 3
Tier 3 for Litigation - Environmental

Regional Rankings

Seattle
Tier 1 for Land Use and Zoning Law
Tier 1 for Real Estate Law
Tier 2 for Environmental Law
Tier 2 for Litigation - Environmental
Tier 2 for Litigation - Land Use and Zoning

Practice Areas

The below are areas of legal specialty volunteered by the firm and do not designate a specialty in which a Best Law Firms ranking is held.
  • Administrative / Regulatory Law
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Construction Law
  • Environmental Law
  • Government Relations Practice
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Litigation - Land Use and Zoning
  • Litigation - Municipal
  • Litigation - Real Estate
  • Municipal Law
  • Natural Resources Law
  • Real Estate Law
  • Timber Law

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess PLLC has 1 lawyers recognized for individual performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. By receiving this Best Lawyers recognition from their peers for their professional excellence, these lawyers made Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess PLLC eligible for evaluation for Best Law Firms rankings. For almost two decades, Best Lawyers has awarded these singular accolades, making them the foundation of our Best Law Firms awards. Read more about our Best Lawyers process here.
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Awards

Awards are self-reported by firms and are not verified by the Best Law Firms rankings.
  • 2017 Boss of the Year (Heather Burgess), Thurston County Chamber of Commerce
  • 2016 Philanthropic Business of the Year, South Sound Partners for Philanthropy
  • 2015 Small Business of the Year, Thurston County Economic Development Counceil
  • 2015 Affiliate Partner of the Year, Thurston County Realtor's Association

Management and Personnel

Senior Associate
Lacey Hatch
Senior Associate
Chris Pierce-Wright
Of Counsel
Ralph Klose
Associate
Brian Buske
Managing Partner
Heather Burgess

Contacts

Land Use Practice Group Lead / Managing Member
Heather Burgess (360) 742-3500
Litigation Practice Group
Trevor Zandell (360) 742-3500
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