John Chase, Owner and Attorney

John brings extensive experience representing clients and litigating cases. He is known for strong trial advocacy and results that help clients move forward with their lives.


John discovered a passion for representing the underdog as an intern in Denver for the Colorado Public Defender. Working on misdemeanor appeals, his first case ended with an agreement to overturn a conviction that carried mandatory jail time after faulty evidence was admitted at trial. That experience inspired John to work in the University of Denver’s criminal defense clinic, where he learned from exceptional professors and honed his advocacy. Through tireless, detail-oriented work, his clients’ cases were dismissed one after another. As an intern for the Colorado Public Defender, John litigated jury trials and heard Not Guilty on every count. He never looked back.


Advancing to Senior Deputy Public Defender at the Golden Trial Office, John tried more than three dozen jury trials and litigated hundreds of hearings. His clients were found not guilty or had charges dismissed outright more than 100 times. His results include a complete acquittal of murder in a self-defense jury trial and the pretrial dismissal of a first-degree murder case.


In 2021, John made Western Washington home and joined the Snohomish County Public Defender Association (SCPDA) as a Class A qualified felony attorney, defending clients against all levels of felonies. He earned dismissals and acquittals in cases involving failure to register, felony assault, second-degree rape, and multiple first-degree murder trials. At SCPDA, John also developed a focus on representing people with mental disabilities and litigating civil commitments in Not Guilty by Reason of Insanity (NGRI) cases. In these matters, patients can be civilly committed for indeterminate periods—even after being acquitted of the underlying criminal offense. To learn more about this area of law, click here.


After more than a decade as a public defender, with over 45 jury trials and hundreds of hearings, John founded Chase Law PLLC. He provides clients with high-level legal representation, strategic litigation, and zealous advocacy in every case. Chase Law can be selective and yet open-minded about what cases it takes on, whether in Snohomish, King, Whatcom, Pierce, Benton, Walla Walla, Spokane, Island, San Juan counties, or elsewhere in Washington state.


Message or call us at 206-841-0171 to learn more about getting Chase Law on the case.

Education

University of Denver, Sturm College of Law - J.D. Constitutional Rights and Remedies Certificate, 2014

  • 2014 - Outstanding Student Lawyer, Criminal Defense Clinic  
  • Research: See “Defense Attorney Resistance,” Robin Walker Sterling, 99 Iowa L. Rev. 2245 (2014).

University of California, Davis - B.A. English, 2009


Public Service

John serves in numerous public service roles. He works as a panel attorney representing indigent defendants in connection with the Federal Public Defender under the Criminal Justice Act. He also accepts appointments in Washington state to represent committed NGRI patients.  

Memberships and Affiliations