Community Involvement

At Dean Standish Perkins & Associates, giving back to the legal community is a cornerstone of our values. Founding attorney Stan Perkins has spent decades not only advocating for clients but also mentoring the next generation of lawyers and supporting initiatives that promote access to justice.

Speaking Engagements with the Bar

Stan regularly contributes to the legal profession through speaking engagements with the Solo and Small Law Firm Section of the Washington State Bar Association.

He shares practical guidance, business strategies, and hard-earned wisdom from his own path, building a successful law practice.

His next scheduled talk with the section is coming up in November, continuing his tradition of helping solo and small-firm attorneys thrive.

Adjunct Professor & Incubator Program Director

Stan is also an adjunct professor at Seattle University School of Law, where he plays a hands-on role in supporting new attorneys.

He serves as the founder and director of the school’s Incubator Program, which helps recent graduates launch and grow sustainable solo and small-firm practices, especially those committed to serving clients of moderate means.

Since its launch in 2014, the program has empowered young attorneys with mentorship, resources, and a strong foundation for long-term success.

CLE Speaker at the Inns of Court: Promoting Low Bono Access to Justice

In recognition of his leadership in mentoring new lawyers through the Seattle University School of Law’s Incubator Program, Stan Perkins was recently invited to present a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program at the Inns of Court.

His presentation focused on the power and importance of low-bono legal practices, an often-overlooked model that bridges the gap between pro bono and full-fee services to increase access to justice for underserved communities.

The American Inns of Court is a prestigious legal association committed to professionalism, ethics, civility, and mentorship. Stan’s alignment with this mission is evident in his decades of mentorship, education, and community advocacy.

Through his CLE and continued support of solo and small firm attorneys, Stan helps guide lawyers exploring new, service-oriented practice models that both sustain their careers and expand legal access in their communities.

2025 WSBA Solo & Small Firm Conference

In November 2025, Stan Perkins was invited to speak at the Washington State Bar Association’s Solo & Small Firm Conference, held at the Kitsap Conference Center. Drawing on his nearly four decades of practice and his leadership of Seattle University School of Law’s Incubator Program, Stan offered insights from the mentor’s perspective on how attorneys can build meaningful professional communities.

His presentation emphasized the variety of mentoring models available to lawyers, ranging from practice-specific guidance to business development and coaching, and underscored the mutual benefits of mentorship, including for mentors themselves. Stan also addressed common misconceptions about mentorship, dispelling myths around time commitments and seniority, and encouraged attorneys to see mentorship as a two-way exchange of knowledge and support.

Through his remarks, Stan reinforced the importance of mentorship in sustaining the vitality of solo and small firm practice. By sharing his experience, he continues to champion the role of mentorship as a cornerstone of professional growth, community building, and innovation in the legal profession.