James W. Spencer
Senior Associate

Professional Profile

James Spencer’s practice focuses on trust and estate litigation, community property issues, and vulnerable

adult protection. Before joining Brothers Henderson Durkin, P.S. in 2016, James was a Founding Partner of the firm

Spencer Anderson & Buhr, PLLC, Principal at The Spencer Law Group PS, and Principal at Spectra Law PS.

Committed to nonprofit service, he most recently served as secretary of the board of directors of the nonprofit

Three Dollar Bill Cinema and chaired the board of directors of Washington Association of Future Business

Leaders of America. James formerly served on the board of directors of the QLaw Foundation and the Tacoma

Rainbow Center, and on the Washington State Bar Association Professionalism Committee.


For twelve years, James taught courses in Community Property and Trusts and Estates as adjunct faculty at

Seattle University School of Law, and he’s taught property courses in the Paralegal Studies program at Edmonds

College.


When not devoting time to his clients, students, and community organizations, you’ll find James and his husband

exploring their passions for hiking and backpacking with their mutt Brandy, collecting vintage vinyl records, and

travel.

Education
  • Seattle University School of Law, J.D., 2005
  • The Evergreen State College, B.A., 1995

Admissions

  • U.S. Federal Courts, 2009
  • Washington State Bar Association, 2005
Professional Memberships
  • Washington State Bar Association, 2005 to present
  • QLaw Association of Washington, 2005 to present
  • King County Bar Association, 2016 to present
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
  • Seattle University School of Law, Adjunct Faculty, 2012 to 2024
  • Community Property Issues, KCBA Estate Planning for the 99% CLE, 2024, 2025
  • Creditor Protections of Retirement and Survivor Benefits / The Effect of QDROs and Divorce on Retirement Assets CLE, 2020
  • Ethics / Probate Disputes and Litigation CLE, 2020
  • Other Tax Planning Considerations / Ethics in Estate Planning Practice CLE, 2020
  • Grantor Trusts / Special Needs Trusts CLE, 2018
  • Edmonds Community College, Adjunct Faculty, Paralegal Studies program, 2016
  • The Dialog Gap: Helping Clients Understand the Creative Process that is Estate Planning, Seattle University School of Law Just Enough to be Dangerous CLE, 2016
  • Planning for Blended Families Issues, KCBA Personal Estate Planning for the 99% CLE, 2015
  • Community Property Concerns in Guardianships, KCBA Advanced Guardianship Issues CLE, 2015
  • Get Your Sh*t Together: Presentation with Chanel Reynolds, Solid Ground Public Presentation, 2014
  • Legal Considerations for Gay & Lesbian Servicemembers, LAMP Admission to Practice Rule 8(g) Training Program/CLE, 2012, 2013, 2014
  • Almost Equal: Protecting Same-Sex Families in Today’s Legal Patchwork, BECU Trust Company Public Presentation, 2011
  • Basic Estate Planning for Unmarried Couples, Revisions to Legal Voice Publication, 2011
  • The Ethics of the Half-Hour Consultation: A Discussion of the Rules of Professional Conduct In the Context of Community Legal Clinics, GLBT Law from A to Z: Issue Spotting for Pro Se Legal Clinic Clients CLE, 2010
  • Estate Planning for Domestic Partners Seminar, BECU Trust Company Public Presentation, 2010 to 2010
  • The Ins and Outs of Starting Up (and Growing) Your Own (LGBT) Law Firm, National LGBT Bar Association Annual Career Fair & Conference, 2009
  • The Estate Planning, Probate and Tax Implications of Washington’s Domestic Partnership Law, Seattle University Domestic Partnership Law CLE, 2009
  • ‘Til Death Do Us Part – Washington’s Domestic Partnership Registry, Gay City University, 2008
  • Washington’s Enhanced Domestic Partnership Registry, Private Client Presentation, 2008
Community Involvement
  • Pride Foundation, Scholarship Selection Committee, 2025
  • Three Dollar Bill Cinema, Secretary, Board of Directors, 2013 to 2017
  • Washington Association of Future Business Leaders of America, Chair, Board of Directors, 2015 to 2016
  • QLaw Foundation, Board of Directors, 2009 to 2011
  • Washington State Bar Association Professionalism Committee, 2009 to 2010
  • Washington Trails Association, Volunteer Trail Crew Member, 2005, 2013, 2014
  • Pride Foundation, Grant Selection Committee, 2010, 2011
  • Leadership Tomorrow Class of 2009, Coach, 2008 to 2009
  • Leadership Tomorrow Class of 2008, Graduate, 2007 to 2008
  • Inter-College Relations Commission, Washington Council on High School/College Relations, Representative, 1997 to 1999, 2001 to 2002
  • State Board of Community & Technical Colleges, Transfer by Major Program, Steering Committee Member, 1998 to 1999
  • Tacoma Pride, Steering Committee, Founding Member, 1996
  • Tacoma Rainbow Center, Founding Board Member, 1995 to 1996
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