Legal Experience
Brit Mercer Law, Seattle, Washington, Owner, September 2015 – present
- Extensive jury trial and pre-trial practice serving all types of criminal defense matters, ranging from serious felony matters to misdemeanor cases in courts throughout Washington state. Practice largely made up of misdemeanor cases, DUI and vehicular assault/homicide and domestic violence matters. Lead counsel in hundreds of cases, including significant jury trial experience.
Schroeter, Goldmark & Bender, Seattle, Washington, Of Counsel, January 2011 – April 2021
- Significant jury trial experience ranging from Aggravated First Degree Murder to DUI. Lead counsel through verdict in 30+ jury trials. Conducted hundreds of administrative hearings before the Department of Licensing. Represented both petitioners and respondents in anti-harassment and protection order hearings. Experience handling all aspects of motions practice.
The Law Firm of Steve Rosen, Seattle, Washington, Attorney, 2009 – 2010
- Lead counsel in a multitude of criminal defense matters in jurisdictions throughout Washington. Managed every aspect of client matters, from in-court litigation to administrative tribunals. Conducted multiple jury trials in district and municipal court.
Bradley Johnson Attorneys, Seattle, Washington, Attorney, 2002 – 2009
- Handled hundreds of criminal defense cases in district, municipal, federal, and superior courts. Performed hundreds of Dept. of Licensing hearings. Lead counsel in bench and jury trials.
Professional Activities
Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice: President, member 2013 - present
- Frequent speaker at annual CLE to 300+ attorneys
- Contributing Author of Amicus brief in State v. Quaale, decided December 2014 by Washington State Supreme Court
Super Lawyers/Top Women Attorneys in Washington: Selected, 2021
- Top 5% of all attorneys in Washington, selected by research, peer nominations and peer reviews
Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers: Past Vice-President and Executive Committee member, June 2009 – present
- Member since 2002; Treasurer, 2011 – 2013; Secretary, 2013 – 2015; Vice President 2015 – 2016; Liaison to King County Bench Bar Committee, June 2011 – present; Jury Diversity Task Force 2014 – 2016
Washington State Bar Association: Admitted, October 2002 – present
- Recipient of “Random Acts of Professionalism Award”, July 2006
United States District Court, Western District of Washington: Admitted, April 2003 – present
Washington Law and Politics: Awarded, “Rising Star” – 2005, 2008 – 2015
Seattle Met Magazine: Selected, “Top Women Lawyers” – 2014, 2021
Washington Women Lawyers: Member, 2006 – present
- Judicial Evaluation Committee, September 2013 – present
Gerry Spence Regional Trial Lawyer College: Graduate, March 2004
Selected Speaking Engagements
National College for DUI Defense – CLE Presentations
- Summer Session 2019- DUI Trials from Voir Dire to Verdict – “Doing Your Best to Find the Worst: The Art of Jury De-Selection” at Harvard University
- Summer Session 2021- Defense Ideas Worth Spreading – “How to Translate Expert Testimony for a Jury”
Washington State Bar Association – CLE Presentation
- The ABCs of DUIs, 2021 – “The Basics of DOL Hearings”
Washington Defender Association – CLE Presentations
- Trial Advocacy Training – Visual Aids and Demonstrative Evidence in the Courtroom, 2014
- DUI Strategies for Defense, 2011 – “Diagramming a Complete Sentence: Making Your Client Shine at Sentencing”
- Ethics 2010: Goals, Tactics and Client-Centered Representation, 2010 – “Unique Issues in Representing Mentally Ill Persons”
- Basics of DUI Defense, 2007 – “DUI Sentencing and Deferred Prosecutions”
Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – CLE Presentation
- Discovery: It's Elementary, 2010 – “Pre-trial Litigation as a Discovery Tool”
Whatcom County Bar Association – CLE Presentation
- “The Ethics of Social Media: Avoiding Issues in Uncertain Territory”, 2016
Seattle University School of Law – CLE Presentation
- The Science and Law of DUI, 2016 – “DUI Case Law and Legislative Update”
King County Department of Public Defense – CLE Presentation
- “Hearings and Interlocks: Helping Your Clients Navigate the DOL”, 2019
Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice – Annual DUI CLE Presentations
- Defending DUIs, 2018 – “Engaging or Excruciating? Making Expert Testimony Interesting”
- Defending DUIs, 2017 – “Plea Negotiations: Negotiations from a Different Perspective”
- Defending DUIs, 2015 – “Save Your Client and Your Reputation”
- Defending DUIs, 2014 – “Voir Dire: Modifying the Colorado Method for DUI Cases”
- Defending DUIs, 2012 – “Devil in the Details: Dealing with the Department of Licensing”
Education
University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington
Juris Doctor, June 2002
- University of Washington Child Advocacy Clinic: Represented eight children in dependency matters; lead counsel in a guardianship dependency trial and obtained desired result for juvenile client
- Member - Innocence Project Northwest
University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with minor in Society and Justice, cum laude, June 1999
- Overall Undergraduate GPA: 3.80/4.00
- Phi Beta Kappa
- Other Selected Honors: Golden Key National Honor Society; Phi Sigma Alpha (national political science honor society); Phi Eta Sigma (national undergraduate honor society); National Dean's List 1995-1999; University of Washington Dean's List, 12 of 12 quarters
- Member: Kappa Alpha Theta Sorority – Alpha Lambda Chapter
Selected Activities
National Champion Equestrian: 30+ Years of Riding/Competing, 1980 – present
- Qualified for, and participated in, twelve World and National Championship Equestrian competitions, resulting in several national titles and accolades
- Six-time Champion Adult Amateur/Amateur Owner for Washington State Hunter and Jumper Association and Oregon Hunter Jumper Association
- World Champion Hunter Rider, Adult Amateur/Amateur Owner – 2006, 2007, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2020
El Centro de la Raza: Past legal clinic volunteer
Seattle Clemency Project: Volunteer attorney
Innocence Project: Volunteer attorney
YMCA Youth & Government Mock Trial Competition: Volunteer judge and coach
Recommendations
- I was arrested for a hit and run that I did not think I committed. The experience of being arrested created a kind of identity vertigo -- I had always thought if arrested it would be for a protest of some kind, not an act of presumed cowardice. Brit returned my call as she was getting on an airpl...
- Brit represented me for a DUI charge. Although she got the charge reduced and guided me through the legal process with astonishing legal expertise, what really set her apart was her willingness to listen/advise on my personal life that was affected by the charge. She was an emotional and legal gu...
- The day after my DUI arrest was a terrible one. I was scared, shamed, and felt worse about myself than ever before. Briteney Mercer was referred to me by another attorney, and from the very first communication I knew I was in good hands. Aside from the SUPERB outcome Briteney's expertise and dili...
- Brit was recommended to us by a friend of a friend who was a law professor-- she defended me in a case where I was arrested for filming a climate activist, where I did not myself break any laws, but was put in jail charged with 3 felonies with a penalty of over 30 years of jail time. As you can i...
- I cannot express how grateful I am for having chosen Brit Mercer to represent me in what is truly a life challenging situation, Brit made every situation the best it could be. Her caring demeanor, confidence, strength and expertise are exemplary. She is someone I highly respect and her profession...
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