Derek brings more than 20 years of criminal law experience to the Tacoma attorney team of Smith and White. His work as a prosecutor, judge, and defense attorney provide him valuable insight into Washington criminal defense law.

Derek tried hundreds of criminal defense cases, including in the state Court of Appeals and Washington State Supreme Court, as a prosecutor with the cities of Seattle and Kent. He’s worked on or negotiated more than 15,000 criminal defense cases ranging from DUI to felony crimes.

Derek served as a vice and narcotics liaison for the Seattle City Attorney’s Office and received the Seattle Police Department Chief’s Award for his handling of dozens of civil asset forfeitures. He has also presided over thousands of cases as a judge pro tem in Federal Way, Pacific and Des Moines.

He graduated with honors from Seattle University School of Law in 1996.

Derek volunteers his time to local nonprofits including serving as president of the Tacoma Art Museum Activities Council in 2010 for the museum’s 75th Anniversary Gala. He served as vice president then president of St. Mark’s Lutheran by the Narrows church council.  He currently serves on the Stewardship Council for St. Marks and assist his wife, the director of Sunday School for St. Marks.  He is a member of his sons' school PTA and is active in other local charities.

He lives in Tacoma with his family.