Professional Biography

Richard Ottesen Prentke Of Counsel

  • Seattle

    D +1.206.359.8404

    F +1.206.359.9404

    Seattle

    1201 Third Avenue, Suite 4900

    Seattle, WA 98101-3099

    +1.206.359.8404

    RPrentke@perkinscoie.com

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Overview

Dick Prentke has decades of experience handling construction transactions, counseling, and disputes. He advises on all aspects of the design, procurement, and construction process. His work includes preconstruction; architectural; engineering; construction management; consultant; design-build; design-build-operate; engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC); turnkey; procurement; and construction transactions.

Additionally, Dick has a background in dispute resolution, including alternative dispute resolution such as mediation, intervention, dispute resolution boards (DRBs), mini-trials, and arbitration, and litigation of construction, procurement, and technical issues. Dick has worked on public and private construction projects and programs in the United States, Africa, and Asia, including:

  • Office buildings and corporate headquarters.
  • Manufacturing facilities.
  • Energy projects, including hydro, wind, geothermal, solar, nuclear, cogeneration, and waste-to-energy.
  • Green buildings, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).
  • Hotels and resorts.
  • Retail and shopping centers.
  • Mixed-use projects.
  • Planned communities.
  • Retirement and nursing facilities.
  • Communications, including wireless and satellite.
  • Historic renovations.
  • Transportation, including light rail, roads, tunnels, bridges, ports, shipping, and utilities.
  • Public-private partnerships.
  • Public facilities, including schools, universities, sports stadiums, arenas, convention centers, city halls, fire stations, theaters, performing arts centers, and concert halls.

Ranked by Chambers & Best Lawyers

Named "Litigation - Construction Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in America, 2020
Ranked by Chambers USA Five Years in a Row

Professional Recognition

  • Listed in Band One of Chambers USA as "America's Leading Lawyer" for Construction, 2019 – 2023
  • Ranked by Chambers USA among "Senior Statespeople," 2021 – 2023
  • Named "Lawyer of the Year" for Litigation - Construction by Best Lawyers in America, 2020
  • Listed in Who’s Who in American Law, 1989 – present
  • Listed in Who’s Who in America, 1990 – present
  • Listed in Super Lawyers Magazine “Super Lawyers,” 2003 – 2022
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America: Construction Law; Litigation - Construction, 2003 – 2022
  • Listed in Seattle Business Monthly "Best Business Lawyers"
  • Listed in Seattle Metropolitan "Best Lawyers"
  • Peer Review Rated AV in Martindale-Hubbell (AV®, BV® and CV® are registered certification marks of Reed Elsevier Properties Inc., used in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies.)

Professional Leadership

  • King County Bar Association, Judicial Screening Committee, 1985 – 1992; Chair, 1987 – 1991; Task Force on Judicial Selection, Chair, 1990 – 1993
  • Washington State Bar Association, Litigation Section; Construction Section, Board, 1996 – 2000
  • Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Leadership Tomorrow Program, 1985 – 1986
  • King County Superior Court, Arbitrator
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, Mediator

Community Involvement

  • Princeton University, Trustee, Princeton Varsity Club, 2004 – present
  • Princeton University Rowing Association, Trustee, 1980 – present; Vice-President, 1984 –1993; President, 1993 – 2001
  • Princeton Club of Western Washington, Trustee, 1990 – 1998; President, 1990 – 1992
  • Pocock Foundation, Trustee, 1996 – 2004
  • Seattle Country Day School, Board of Trustees, 1991 – 1994
  • Skidmore College, Athletics Advisory Council, 2003 – 2007
  • United Way of Washington, Red Feather Chair, 1993 – 1996

Related Employment

  • U.S. House of Representatives, Assistant to Congressman Max McCarthy, 1970 – 1971
  • U.S. Navy, Staff of VADM Rickover, Washington, D.C., Officer, 1967 – 1970

Experience

News

Insights

RELATED INFORMATION

Bar and Court Admissions

  • Washington
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
  • U.S. Supreme Court

Education

  • Harvard Law School, J.D.
  • Princeton University, B.S.E.