Christopher John Coker

Chris Coker was raised in the Johnson Point area of Thurston County and graduated from North Thurston High School in 1988. Chris graduated from the University of Puget Sound in 1992 with a B.S. in Biology. In 1995 Chris entered Gonzaga University School of Law, graduating cum laude in 1998.

While in law school, Chris worked as a law clerk for the Washington State Office of Attorney General and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. In addition to working and going to law school, Chris also coached track at Lewis and Clark High School and was a defensive back coach for North Thurston High School. Chris began working with Ed Younglove in 2000 and became a partner in 2003.

Chris maintains a diverse civil litigation practice focusing in the areas of employment law, municipal law, business law, land use/disputes, and personal injury in Thurston County and surrounding Washington counties. In addition to his civil practice, Chris also represents individuals in criminal matters, including cases involving Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Domestic Violence Assaults, and most other misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes. Chris prides himself in offering sound legal advice and counseling to individuals and businesses. If Chris is contacted regarding an issue that he is not versed in, he is more than willing to discuss the matter with a potential client and refer that client to an attorney with more experience in the particular area.

When discussing cases with clients, Chris remains well aware of the costs of litigation, both economic and personal. With the costs of litigation skyrocketing, any discussion involving legal options must necessarily include a discussion of anticipated legal costs, risk analysis, and non-economic “personal” costs associated with prolonged litigation. While Chris has the skills and abilities to litigate complex cases, he is mindful to advise a client regarding alternative forms of dispute resolution including arbitration and mediation. During his career, Chris has had the opportunity to represent a wide variety of individuals and businesses in the area. He prides himself on maintaining relationships with past clients and appreciates the fact that most of his practice is based on referrals from these same past clients.

Over his career Chris has been asked to serve as a judge for several local municipalities. In 2013 Chris was appointed to the position of municipal court judge for the City of Tumwater. He served as a pro tem judge for the City of Olympia for most of his career. Chris has worked as a prosecutor on behalf of the cities of Shelton, Montesano, Elma, McCleary, and Oakville. Working as a judge and a prosecutor provides Chris with a unique perspective on the justice system that allows him to better serve his clients.

Chris is an active member of the Thurston County Bar Association and has been a Board Member since 2013. He also offers his time as an attorney mentor for newly admitted attorneys and as a presenter for continuing legal education seminars. Chris and his wife live in Tumwater and have three children. In his free time Chris is an avid hunter and racquetball player.