W. Theodore Vander Wel was born in Newton, NJ; admitted to the bar, 1988, Washington, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington and U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit; education: Dordt College (B.A., 1985); Drake University (J.D. with honors, 1988). Member: King County and Washington State Bar Assocation; National Lawyers Association. --- Whether before or after litigation erupts as a result of a dispute, I am committed to providing my clients with excellent legal representation for a reasonable cost. I have handled disputes in most of Western Washington for a wide variety of clients. Most of these disputes are resolved by settlement before a trial or an arbitration occurs. If litigation occurs, however, I rigorously advocate my client's position. In the past twenty years, I have served as counsel in hundreds of cases in the Washington superior and appellate courts and arbitrations. In addition to the satisfaction of resolving disputes by adjudication or settlement, I enjoy the intellectual challenge practicing law affords. Because no two disputes are identical, my work rarely is routine. Away from the office, I enjoy spending time with my family and running, biking and hiking. I serve as an elder of my local church.