Scott D. Winship

For individuals and families in Tacoma, Washington, seeking legal guidance on matters of estate planning, probate, guardianship, or real estate, Scott D. Winship offers a distinctive blend of extensive experience, candor, and compassion. Operating within the "Lawyers Near Me" category, Mr. Winship's practice is characterized by a deep commitment to helping clients navigate challenging and often emotionally charged legal situations with integrity and a focus on achieving peaceful resolutions. As a shareholder at the reputable firm Vandeberg Johnson Gandara PS, he leverages the firm's collective expertise to provide comprehensive legal support.

Scott D. Winship's office is located at 1201 Pacific Building, 1201 Pacific Ave #1900, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA. This prestigious address in downtown Tacoma places his practice within a prominent professional hub, ensuring accessibility for clients across the city and surrounding areas. As part of Vandeberg Johnson Gandara PS, a firm with over 60 years of experience, the environment within the office is undoubtedly professional, confidential, and supportive. Clients can expect a setting designed to facilitate sensitive legal discussions, where their privacy and comfort are prioritized. The high-rise office in the Pacific Building suggests a well-established and reputable practice, reflecting a commitment to providing high-quality legal services. The firm's contact details, (253) 383-3791 and +1 253-383-3791, highlight their availability for consultations and direct communication with clients. Vandeberg Johnson Gandara PS emphasizes values such as integrity, competence, creativity, teamwork, respect, and care and kindness, all of which contribute to a supportive client environment.

Scott D. Winship brings a wide range of experience to his practice, allowing him to serve clients in several critical areas of law:

• Estate Planning and Probate Litigation: This is a primary focus area for Mr. Winship. Estate planning involves the comprehensive preparation for the management and distribution of an individual's assets and healthcare decisions after death or incapacitation. This can include drafting essential documents like wills, various types of trusts (e.g., revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts), powers of attorney for financial and medical decisions, and advance directives (living wills). Probate litigation, on the other hand, deals with the disputes that can unfortunately arise during the probate process, such as challenges to the validity of a will (will contests), disagreements among beneficiaries or heirs over asset distribution, or claims of breach of fiduciary duty by an executor or trustee. Mr. Winship's expertise in this area is crucial for individuals looking to secure their legacy, ensure their wishes are honored, or resolve complex inheritance disputes that often carry significant emotional weight.
• Contested Guardianships: Guardianships are legal arrangements where a court appoints an individual (the guardian) to make personal, medical, and/or financial decisions for another person (the ward) who is deemed incapacitated or unable to care for themselves due to age, illness, or disability. Contested guardianships arise when family members or interested parties dispute who should be appointed as a guardian, or when there are concerns about the guardian's performance of their duties, including allegations of elder abuse or financial mismanagement. These cases are often emotionally charged and require a lawyer with sensitivity, a firm understanding of family dynamics, and a deep knowledge of elder law and court procedures.
• Elder Law: Closely intertwined with Estate Planning, Probate, and Guardianships, Elder Law is a critical aspect of Mr. Winship's practice. This field addresses the unique legal needs of older adults and their families. Services in this area can include planning for long-term care, understanding and navigating Medicaid and Medicare benefits, protecting assets from the costs of long-term care, addressing issues of elder abuse (financial, physical, or emotional), and ensuring proper care and financial management for vulnerable seniors. Given his work in contested guardianships and estate matters, it is highly probable that Mr. Winship provides comprehensive elder law services to ensure the well-being and rights of elderly clients.
• Business and Commercial Litigation: Mr. Winship possesses significant experience in a broad range of business and commercial litigation matters, including specialized areas like franchise litigation. His extensive professional background, which notably includes serving as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in both Pierce and King Counties and holding executive positions in the banking industry (culminating as President and CEO for North Pacific Bank in Tacoma), provides him with a unique and invaluable perspective on business disputes. This diverse background allows him to understand not only the intricate legal implications but also the practical business and financial ramifications of commercial conflicts, enabling him to craft effective and strategic solutions for his business clients.
• Real Estate Law: Mr. Winship also practices in various aspects of real estate law. This can encompass a wide array of legal issues related to real property, including commercial and residential real estate transactions (e.g., buying, selling, leasing), resolving boundary and ownership disputes, advising on environmental law matters related to real estate development or existing properties, and handling landlord/tenant issues. For individuals, businesses, and developers dealing with real property, his experience provides valuable guidance in navigating complex real estate laws and regulations.

Several distinctive features define Scott D. Winship's approach to legal practice, as articulated in his professional profile and by his firm:

• Honesty and Candor: A core tenet of his practice is "Candor," meaning he engages in "real, honest, and often difficult conversations with clients to fully understand not only what brought them here today but also how they hope to realistically resolve the situation." This frankness is invaluable in building trust and setting realistic expectations for clients, ensuring they are well-informed about the potential outcomes and challenges of their case.
• Compassion: Mr. Winship aims to be known for "Honesty and compassion with my clients when attempting to resolve their issues as peacefully and respectfully as possible." This indicates a genuine concern for his clients' well-being and a profound commitment to minimizing conflict and stress during legal proceedings, particularly in sensitive family and estate matters. The firm's value of "care and kindness" reinforces this client-centered approach.
• Focus on Peaceful Resolution: His stated desire to resolve issues "as peacefully and respectfully as possible" highlights a preference for negotiation, mediation, and alternative dispute resolution methods over aggressive litigation, where appropriate. This approach can often save clients significant time, money, and emotional distress, while still achieving favorable outcomes.
• Extensive and Diverse Background: His unique career trajectory, from Deputy Prosecuting Attorney to private practice and then to a bank executive role, provides him with a multifaceted understanding of legal, financial, and business challenges. This breadth of experience enriches his legal counsel, allowing him to offer practical and insightful solutions to a wide range of client needs. He began his law career as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Pierce and King Counties before joining Vandeberg Johnson Gandara PS as a shareholder. He was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 1987, indicating over 35 years of experience in the legal field.
• Commitment to Justice and Helpfulness: When asked why he decided to be an attorney, Mr. Winship stated, "To play a small part in bringing justice to this world." His motivation for continuing to practice in his chosen areas is that it "allows me to help people every day." These statements underline a profound sense of purpose and dedication to client welfare.
• Highly Rated and Recognized: Scott D. Winship was selected to Super Lawyers for 2016 - 2025. Super Lawyers is an exclusive list of top-rated attorneys in specific practice areas who are chosen after a thorough evaluation of numerous criteria, including peer recognition and professional achievement. This prestigious recognition underscores his standing and respect among his peers in the legal community.
• Community Involvement: Mr. Winship has a strong record of extensive community service, having served on and chaired the governing boards of significant organizations such as United Way of Pierce County, MultiCare Health Foundation, The Nonprofit Center, and the Municipal League of Tacoma-Pierce County. He has also served on the boards of Faith Homes, The Tacoma Trauma Trust, Tacoma Rotary Club #8, Hilltop Artists in Residence, and Pierce County Community Development Corporation, and was a two-term Vice President of the Tacoma Planning Commission. This deep involvement demonstrates his strong commitment to the well-being and betterment of the Tacoma community.

While no direct client reviews are provided in the prompt, Scott D. Winship's comprehensive professional profile and the values of his firm, Vandeberg Johnson Gandara PS, serve as compelling promotional material. Key promotional messages that would resonate with potential clients within the "Lawyers Near Me" category include:

• "Experienced Counsel for Life's Most Sensitive Matters": Emphasizing his specialization in estate planning, probate, and guardianships, which are areas that require both deep legal acumen and genuine empathy.
• "Honest, Compassionate, and Results-Oriented": Highlighting his core values of candor and compassion, reassuring clients that they will receive straightforward advice delivered with care and a focus on effective resolution.
• "Resolving Disputes Peacefully and Respectfully": Appealing to clients who seek non-confrontational and efficient resolutions to their legal issues, particularly in family-related disputes.
• "A Trusted Advisor with Diverse Expertise": Leveraging his broad experience in prosecution, banking, and civil law to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of client needs, especially in complex business and real estate contexts.
• "Dedicated to Serving You and Our Community": His extensive community involvement can serve as a powerful testament to his character and commitment, building trust and rapport with local residents who value civic engagement.
• "Recognized as a Top Attorney by Super Lawyers": This prestigious selection provides external validation of his legal skills, ethical conduct, and professional reputation, enhancing his credibility and attracting clients seeking highly regarded legal representation.

Mr. Winship's emphasis on realistic problem-solving, coupled with his commitment to helping people navigate complex legal landscapes, makes him an approachable and highly reliable choice for anyone in the Tacoma area facing challenges related to estates, guardianships, elder law, business, or real estate. His philosophy revolves around being a guiding hand, offering clear direction, and working towards the best possible outcome for his clients while upholding the highest standards of integrity and respect.