Heather Burgess

Heather Burgess is a partner at Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess, where she leads a distinguished practice focused on real estate development, land use, and environmental law. She has guided major residential, commercial, and industrial projects through Washington’s complex regulatory landscape, using her extensive litigation and permitting experience to help clients achieve successful outcomes.

Ms. Burgess holds an LL.M. from the Judge Advocate General’s School, a J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law (Order of the Coif), and a B.A. cum laude from Harvard University. She is licensed in Washington, Oregon, multiple U.S. District Courts, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court.

Ms. Burgess advises clients on laws such as the State Environmental Policy Act, Shoreline Management Act, Growth Management Act, and Endangered Species Act. She is also a recognized municipal law authority and serves as General Counsel to the Port of Tacoma. Her work integrates legal precision with business insight to facilitate land acquisition, development, and dispute resolution.

Ms. Burgess is the editor-in-chief of Washington Real Property Deskbook, Volumes 5 and 6, and a frequent presenter at CLE seminars on land use regulation. Her publications are widely cited, affirming her role as a thought leader in real estate law and environmental compliance across the Pacific Northwest.

Before entering private practice, Ms. Burgess served 13 years in active duty with the U.S. Army, including six as a Judge Advocate. She continued her service in the Washington Army National Guard until retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 2016. This discipline and leadership have carried into her legal career and community roles.

Heather Burgess actively contributes to the business and legal community through leadership positions with the Thurston Economic Development Council, Olympia Master Builders, and the Association of Washington Business. She has received multiple awards, including recognition from Best Lawyers, reflecting her commitment to legal excellence and civic engagement.

Law Office Affiliations

• Partner, Dickson Frohlich Phillips Burgess
• Chair, Thurston County Bar Association, Real Estate and Land Use Section
• Member, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
• Member, S. District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Washington
• Member, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals
• Member, Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces\
• Member, United States Supreme Court

Licensed State

•  Washington
• Oregon

Education

• Judge Advocate General’s School
  Master of Laws (LLM)
• University of Washington School of Law
  Juris Doctor (JD)
• Harvard University
  Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Awards & Badges