Fred Burnside

Practice Areas

Fred Burnside concentrates his complex civil litigation practice on matters related to class-action defense, consumer financial services, and commercial litigation. His more than two decades as an attorney is distinguished by significant victories in state and federal trial and appellate courts, particularly in actions challenging banking fees and services.

Since successfully defending a pioneer class action lawsuit over insufficient funds (NSF) fee practices, Fred has represented dozens of major financial service providers facing similar claims. He also has the rare experience of taking a financial services class action through a jury trial—and winning. With an established track record of securing outright victory or favorable settlements, Fred has become the go-to attorney for consumer financial service providers facing class action lawsuits challenging fees charged by banks and credit unions.

His leadership at DWT includes serving as the co-chair of the Class Action Defense group and co-chair of the Consumer Financial Services Litigation industry team, and he previously served as the firm's Deputy Chair of the Litigation Department, Executive Committee member, and on the firm's Share (Compensation) Committee. He is a co-chair of the ABA's Annual National Institute on Class Actions, editor of the ABA Class Action Committee's Annual Survey of State Class Action Litigation, and a member of the American Law Institute.

Professional Memberships

Co-chair, Davis Wright Tremaine's Class Action Defense Group

Member, Davis Wright Tremaine's Share Committee

Board Member of The William L. Dwyer American Inn of Court

Co-chair, National Institute on Class Actions, Class Action and Derivative Suits Committee, American Bar Association

Washington State Liaison, Class Action and Derivative Suits Committee, American Bar Association

American Law Institute, Principles of Aggregate (Class Action) Litigation, Members Consultative Group

Executive Committee, Davis Wright Tremaine, 2025