Dedicated Construction Lawyer Does Good

This month we honor Guardian member Dean Aldrich, for his significant and consistent support to the OTLA organization. In 2000, Aldrich founded his boutique law firm, specializing in construction defect and insurance coverage disputes in Oregon and Southwest Washington. Aldrich holds a degree in Civil Engineering with many years under his belt in the construction industry.

Aldrich is an unsung hero of the Guardian program, a member who quietly contributes without expectation of fanfare or recognition. OTLA felt it was time to give this dedicated Guardian member his due.

How did you hear about OTLA?

I was constantly hearing from other lawyers in town about this great organization, OADC, but I was rejected and they referred me to OTLA.

What’s your goal as an attorney?

To play hard, play fair, and get good results for the clients. To effectively solve problems that cannot be solved otherwise. To minimize the smoke, the grey areas, and the static white noise.

The best thing about my job is:

The satisfaction of a job/case done very well, and getting a round of applause and/or thank you notes from clients. Balancing the demands of small business ownership, good lawyering, and family. Training and teaching. Team building. Learning. Communication with clients. Getting results. Trying to constantly improve. Make it all happen for the greater good and generate positive energy.

Why I give to President’s Circle:

The work of OTLA in the legislature, and, of course, the listserve. Sometimes I find gold in the listserve, even though I do not do personal injury.

What I’d like colleagues to know about OTLA is:

This is where the rubber meets the road as far as giving a voice to the folks who don’t otherwise have one, or a lobbying budget.

Growing up I thought I would become:

A mime.

Why I did/didn’t (see above):

I talk, and I talk loud. There may still be hope for mime school; if this lawyering gig does not work out.

I’ve always wanted to:

Live off the land or live in medieval times.

I’ll do it (see above) when:

The economy completely tanks or when time travel is possible.

My first job was:

In law, I worked for the Sierra Club Legal Defense Fund (now Earth Justice) doing public interest environmental litigation during law school and after (for two years). In the real world, I picked apricots and then sold them from my red wagon.

I’m Proudest of:

My belly.

Most influential person in my life:

There are many, and for different purposes, and in both good and bad ways. Here are a few of the eclectic mix from my post-college life: Jim Milne, Oliver Houck, Allan Kanner, Judge Owen Panner, David Guest, Judge Bill Keyes, Art Tarlow, Michael Berger, Judge Doug Van Dyke, Walton Byrd.

Advice you would give to a new lawyer:

You need to want to work very hard and very late to be a litigator.

Not many people know that I am:

A former rugby player, former rock/mountain climber, current lawyer who dabbles in mentalism and magic and warm water scuba, who sometimes studies the science of consciousness and other unanswered questions, who loves to grow tomatoes and herbs, and who snowshoes around Mt. Hood with a baby on my back.

My motto:

Evolve or die.

My epitaph:

I died.