Richard Ottesen Prentke

During five decades at the firm, Richard Prentke founded and chaired what became one of the largest and most respected construction law practices in the Northwest. He and the firm’s construction team were ranked in Band One of Chambers USA for many years.  

Prior to his retirement, Dick worked on projects in the United States, Asia, the Caribbean, and Africa. His major projects in the Northwest included Safeco Field (now T-Mobile Park), Benaroya Hall, The Everett Events Center (now Angel of the Winds Arena), headquarters and office buildings, transportation, tunnel, light-rail projects, museums, hotels, energy projects, manufacturing facilities, and education projects. 

Dick focused on collaborating with clients to plan successful projects and solve construction-related problems. He was intent on finding solutions—in transactions, dispute avoidance, and dispute resolution. His contracts were widely emulated, and the industry adopted his innovations in contract-based mandatory mediation. He also played a leading role in establishing the enforcement of notice provisions in contracts.  

Dick served as a member and then chair of the King County Bar Association Judicial Screening Committee, and he chaired the Task Force on Judicial Selection. He also served on numerous community and civic boards. He was the author of Construction Law in Washington and the principal author and editor of the Washington School Construction Deskbook.