David Dicks - CEO

In his years of private practice as an environmental attorney and facilitator David Dicks has developed significant legal and policy expertise focusing on solving environmental problems.  David is an Endangered Species Act and Clean Water Act expert and has vast experience with all environmental laws including NEPA, SEPA, and the SMA.  His practice focuses on Puget Sound, salmon recovery, environmental mitigation, and other natural resource projects.

David has helped clients across the West achieve major successes and was selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in 2007 and 2008 before leaving the practice of law to become the inaugural Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership (2007-2010).  In that role he was instrumental in the start-up of the new state agency and the development of the Puget Sound Action Agenda - the science based roadmap for Puget Sound cleanup. Recently he played a key role in the permitting and development of the Blue Heron Slough restoration and mitigation project in Everett, WA. The project restores 357 acres of former farmland to estuary habitat that is crucial for salmon and other fish and wildlife. See: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/puget-sound-salmon-habitat-restored-with-tribes-leading-the-way/

David’s reputation stems from his deep understanding of environmental law and policy and his ability to work effectively with scientists and decision makers to craft durable solutions to environmental problems.

He received his BA with honors from Stanford University and his JD and Environmental Law Certificate from UC Berkeley's Boalt Hall School of Law.  He was an Affiliate Associate Professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs at the University of Washington from 2013-2021.