Professional Profile
Chris Henderson brings a strong and diverse background in legal practice and academic work in disability
rights, business and technology to his role as a partner at Brothers Henderson Durkin, P.S. Chris’s practice
includes preparing estate planning and end-of-life documents; advising beneficiaries, professional fiduciaries and attorneys regarding settlements and special needs trusts; advising individuals regarding guardianship, state and
federal benefits, and special education; and representing clients in related disputes or litigation.
Prior to joining BHD, Chris focused on academic work in disability rights, and professional work in business and
technology with substantial experience in using and developing technology to address the needs of those with
disabilities. Before his legal career, Chris was a software developer and CTO. As a lawyer, Chris previously
worked at a global law firm’s Seattle office, serving emerging technology businesses as a corporate associate.
During this time, he acted as outside general counsel to a variety of privately held businesses, regularly guiding
his clients in transactions valued at tens of millions of dollars.
As a law student, Chris furthered his interest in disability and elder law through his selection as symposium editor
for the Washington Law Review. In that capacity, he worked closely with late professor and former Equal
Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Commissioner Paul Miller to bring together internationally
renowned disability law scholars to study the rights of the disabled on a global scale. The symposium culminated
in an edition of the Washington Law Review edited by Chris, Framing Legal and Human Rights Strategies for
Change: A Case Study of Disability Rights in Asia 83 Wash. Law. Rev. 435 (2008).
Apart from work, Mr. Henderson enjoys spending his time with his wife, their three children, and their puppy in
Vashon Island.
Admissions
- Washington State Bar Association, 2009
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- Washington Super Lawyer, 2022-2024
- Washington Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2014-2019
- Seattle Five Star Financial Service Professional 2016-2017
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group Appointed Member 2014-2015
- “Special Needs Planning for the High-Net-Worth Family”, Author and Presenter, Bernstein Private Wealth Management, Seattle, Washington, 2017
- “Special Needs Planning for the High-Net-Worth Family”, Author and Presenter, Bernstein Private Wealth Management, Seattle, Washington, 2017
- CLE Co-Chair at S.S. Guardianships: A Three-Hour Tour of APS, Family Law, Representing AIPs and Beyond, King County Bar Association, Seattle, Washington, 2016
- University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington, Adjunct Faculty, Instructor, 2014 to 2016
- “TSC Transition Age: Education, Employment and Housing”, Author and Presenter, TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Complex) & LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis) Regional Conference Seattle, Washington, 2016
- Handbook for Washington Seniors: Legal Rights and Resources, Legal Voice, Reviewer, Seattle, Washington, 2016
- “Planning with Special Needs Trusts”, Author and Presenter, King County Bar Association – Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section Meeting, Seattle, Washington, 2015
- “Accommodating Allergies in Schools”, Author and Presenter, The 14th National Academy for IDEA Administrative Law Judges and Impartial Hearing Officers, Seattle University, 2015
- CLE Co-Chair at Advanced Issues in Guardianship: New Paradigms for Your Guardianship Practice, King County Bar Association, Seattle, Washington, 2015
- “Advanced Planning and Legal Supports”, Author and Presenter, Alzheimer’s Association, Seattle, Washington, 2015
- “Advanced Planning and Legal Supports”, Author and Presenter, Washington State Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, Lacey, Washington, 2015
- “Clients in Need: Dealing with Clients with Diminished Capacity”, Author and Presenter at 12th Annual Law of Lawyering, Washington State Bar Association, Seattle, Washington, 2014
- "Medicaid Estate Recovery", Author and Presenter at Medicaid Update 2014, National Business Institute, Seattle, Washington, 2014
- “Traumatic Brain Injury – What’s to be Done?”, Author and Presenter at Parent Advocacy Training, Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, Washington, 2014
- “Drafting Wills for Families including Guardianships and Trusts for Minors and Special Needs”, Author and Presenter at Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, King County Bar Association, Seattle, Washington, 2013, 2014, 2015.
- Alzheimer’s Association Public Policy Town Halls, Panel Member, Renton, Bremerton and Seattle, Washington, 2013
- “Autism 205: Legal Planning for Individuals with Disabilities”, Co-Author and Presenter, Part of Seattle Children’s Autism 200 Class Series, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington, 2013
- “Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Mental Health Advance Directive”, Author and Presenter at 11th Annual Palliative Care Conference, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, 2013
- “Guardianship and Alternatives 101”, Author and Presenter at ARC of King County Workshop, Seattle, Washington, 2013
- “Fundamental Principles of Will Drafting”, “Planning Methods to Control Medical Treatment”, Presenter at Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts, National Business Institute, Seattle, Washington, 2012
- “Case Law Update: Medicare Set Asides”, Co-Author of Presentation at Medicare and the Personal Injury Claim, Washington State Association of Justice CLE, Seattle, Washington, 2012
- “Introduction to Guardianship and Conservatorship”, “Introduction to Medicare and Medicaid”, Presenter at Elder Law: Basics of Elder Law From A-Z, LawReviewCle, Seattle, Washington, 2012
- “Preserving Family Assets When Qualifying for Medicaid”, Author and Presenter at Resolving Legal and Financial Issues in Elder Care, National Business Institute, Seattle, Washington, 2011
- “Guardianship and Alternatives”, “Introduction to Trusts”, Author and Presenter at Staff Training for State Chapter of a National Advocacy Group for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors, Seattle, Washington, 2011
- Introduction Framing Legal and Human Rights Strategies for Change: A Case Study of Disability Rights in Asia, 83 WASH. L. REV 435-438, 2008
- Full Life Care, Co-Chair of Benefit Luncheon (2017)
- Legal Voice, Reviewer - Handbook for Washington Seniors: Legal Rights and Resources (2016)
- Alzheimer’s Association, Western Washington Chapter / Washington State Chapter, Board Member
- End of Life Washington, Advisory Committee
- Full Life Care, Board Member
- Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
- King County Bar Association Guardianship and Elder Law Section, Executive Committee
- Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
- Washington State Bar Association, Elder Law Section, Committee on Guardianship Complaints
- National Academy for Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Alzheimer’s Association, Western Washington Chapter / Washington State Chapter, Ambassador to Representative Jim McDermott
- Alzheimer’s Association, Western Washington Chapter / Washington State Chapter, Ambassador to Pramila Jayapal
- Alzheimer’s Association, Western Washington Chapter / Washington State Chapter, King County Council
