Jason M. Whalen is a highly experienced business and litigation attorney on the ADR panel with Bridges Dispute Resolution, situated in Tacoma, Washington. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, he now limits his practice to mediation, arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).
Experience
Jason Whalen’s extensive litigation experience in numerous practice areas and commitment to finding collaborative solutions make him a trusted choice for resolving legal disputes out of court. Over the course of his 30+ year legal career, Jason has represented both individual and corporate clients in various legal domains, including real estate transactions and disputes, business and employment conflicts, as well as commercial litigation. He also brings a wealth of knowledge to effectively navigate complex personal injury cases.
In his 16th year of service on the Lakewood City Council, Jason currently serves as Mayor of Lakewood and works full-time as City Attorney for the City of Auburn, showcasing his commitment to public service and the legal community. He has served on numerous community boards, including the Economic Development Board of Tacoma and Pierce County, the local American Red Cross Chapter, and Lakewood Rotary, serving as its President in 2022-23.
Jason is a Senior Fellow of the American Leadership Forum (Class 19) and, in 2023, was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus from North Central High School, in Spokane.
Jason is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association. Honored for his outstanding professionalism and service, he has been peer-review rated AV Preeminent* through Martindale-Hubbell, holds an "Excellent" rating on Avvo, and has been selected to the Washington Super Lawyers listing for the past three years. Prior to starting Whalen Dispute Resolution, LLC, now affiliated with Bridges ADR, he co-founded Ledger Square Law, a Tacoma-based law firm, and previously served as associate attorney and shareholder at Eisenhower & Carlson, a full-service law firm also located in Tacoma, Washington.
Mr. Whalen attended Gonzaga University School of Law in Spokane, Washington, and earned his J.D. magna cum laude in 1992. In the same year, he was admitted to practice law in Washington and was selected to serve as Law Clerk to the Honorable Richard P. Guy of the Washington State Supreme Court. Jason obtained his Honors Bachelor of Arts degree, magna cum laude, in Economics and Speech Communication from Gonzaga University in 1985. During his time at Gonzaga, he was named Senior of the Year by the Gonzaga Alumni Association in 1985. Following his graduation and before returning to law school, Mr. Whalen served in the United States Army, as a Field Artillery Officer in Bamberg, Germany, from 1986 to 1989.
Practice Areas
* Real Estate: Business
* Business/Corporate
* Alternative Dispute Resolution
* Employment & Labor: Employee
* General Litigation
* Real Estate: Consumer
Admission
Washington State - 1992
Pro Bono/Community Engagement
* Mayor, City of Lakewood; Elected Council Member since 2010
* Lakewood Rotary
* American Leadership Forum, Class 19
* Commissioner, Pierce Transit, 2022 to present
Industry Groups
* Property Management
* Real Property Investment
