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Sunshine Bradshaw

Throughout my life, I have seen that by and large, the justice system does not care about people.

It’s my job to care, but it is not just my job; it is my calling.

Sunshine Bradshaw

Throughout my life, I have seen that by and large, the justice system does not care about people.
It’s my job to care, but it is not just my job; it is my calling.
“Sunshine and her team blew away my expectations of what it means to have a good lawyer. She took the time to listen and always made sure that I felt heard and 100% supported throughout the course of my case, and she was fierce in fighting for me. Knowing I had her in my corner made it possible for me to focus on my own healing. If you want the best lawyer you can get, Sunshine is the real deal.”

- Sherri L.

“Sunshine and her team blew away my expectations of what it means to have a good lawyer. She took the time to listen and always made sure that I felt heard and 100% supported throughout the course of my case, and she was fierce in fighting for me. Knowing I had her in my corner made it possible for me to focus on my own healing. If you want the best lawyer you can get, Sunshine is the real deal.”

- Sherri L.

I wanted to be a lawyer for as long as I can remember.

Growing up in Arizona, I witnessed many people, including my own family members, get victimized by the justice system.

I watched as loved ones were arrested, sent to prison, and even murdered.

I saw how a lack of resources can make working families targets for harassment from law enforcement in ways that keeps them in cyclical and generational poverty.

I knew I wanted to fight back – to go into the legal field to help people like my family, but first I wanted to build a stronger foundation of traditional structure and discipline for myself.

I joined the United States Air Force right out of high school. I was on active duty from 1993 to 2002. I spent time everywhere from South Korea and Canada to Germany, Crete, and Kuwait.

Even while serving in the Air Force, my thoughts remained with the justice system. I graduated from Park University with a degree in Criminal Justice Administration while serving on active duty. Throughout my time on active duty, I was exposed to people of all different cultures and walks of life. I was also fortunate to be exposed to different systems and different ways that “justice” could be administered.

My final duty station was Moody AFB in Valdosta, Georgia. Upon completing my enlistment term and graduating with my Bachelor’s degree, I began to look for law schools. I was blessed to have been accepted to Florida Coastal School of Law and offered a substantial scholarship that helped greatly with the incredible expense of attending law school.

Even from the beginning, I knew I wanted to be in court litigating.

But the path I took after passing the bar led me in a direction I had not expected, to plaintiff’s personal injury representation.

I quickly began to realize just how much the insurance industry had indoctrinated so many of us into naively thinking that insurers were fair when someone was injured. The reality is that insurance companies and their lawyers will stop at nothing to save the insurer money.

After more than 15 years practicing personal injury law, I can say it has only gotten worse. Every day, I see good, hard-working people dragged through the mud and called liars by insurance companies. It is that very real imbalance of power that draws me to stand up alongside my clients and fight back for what is right.

A bit later in my career, I finally had the opportunity to develop a practice in criminal defense. My belief that most people caught up in the criminal justice system are not inherently bad people has only been solidified.

On the contrary, so many victims of the justice system have addiction problems, undiagnosed mental health issues, and have experienced considerable trauma. But they have never had someone who really listened to them or took the time to hear their story.

That’s what I’m here for – because I’ve been there, too.

In August 2020 I went to rehab for alcoholism.

Since I have been sober, I have been confronted again and again by the old saying “There but by the grace of god[dess] go I.”

I’m honest about my experience with my clients, many of whom are facing similar struggles.

And I’m honest with the courts, too. It’s important to me and my clients to make sure the truth about the difficulties of addiction isn’t glossed over by overzealous prosecutors or an unfeeling justice system.

I’ve been lucky enough to have another shot at life without addiction, but I don’t take this chance lightly.

I know the system gets it wrong time and time again and leaves a trail of victims in its wake. That’s why I’ve made it my mission to be a warrior in the courtroom, ready to fight for my clients – no matter how big the battle is that comes our way.
Education
  • Florida Coastal School of Law, J.D.
  • Seattle University School of Law, Visiting Student 3L
  • Park University, B.S. in Criminal Justice Administration
Accolades and Memberships
  • National Criminal Defense College – Trial Institute Graduate, 2021
  • Super Lawyer 2020, 2021, 2022
  • Super Lawyers Rising Star 2018, 2019
  • Trial Lawyer’s College Graduate, 2015
  • Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Washington State Association for Justice

“Sunshine was handed my case and worked hard until we had the best offer possible. We were able to settle quickly, and she was upfront and honest about everything that was going on. She is extremely nice and knows how to do her job well. I highly recommend her!”

- Joleisa

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