Through the Lens: Focus on Dean Lum

Judge Dean S. Lum (Ret.) is an experienced arbitrator, mediator, neutral evaluator and special master. When he was a civil defense litigation attorney, his practice concentrated on insurance coverage/bad faith, construction defect, professional liability, product liability and premises liability cases. In 1998, he was appointed by Gov. Gary Locke to the King County Superior Court, where he served for 23 years. He is known for his ability to calm contentious parties, find common ground and craft solutions to difficult problems. In mediations, he emphasizes the importance of dialogue.

"Allowing the parties to talk, express themselves and participate in fashioning a solution is incredibly important in terms of buy-in and closure."

This philosophy underlines Lum’s belief in collaborative problem-solving and the value of preparation through pre-mediation discussions with attorneys. Beyond his professional expertise, his involvement in the Chinese American community and various nonprofit and education sectors enriches his approach to ADR, making him a distinguished figure in the field.