Brian Weinstein is a former Washington State Senator

Washington State Senate

The Washington State Senate is the upper house of the Washington State Legislature. The body consists of 49 senators, each representing a district with a population of nearly 120,000. The State Senate meets at the Legislative Building in Olympia....

 representing the 41st Legislative District.

Background

After a long career as an attorney representing mesothelioma victims nationwide, Weinstein was elected to the Washington State Senate in 2004 to represent the 41st legislative district of Washington (Seattle suburbs) as a Democrat, defeating a 16-year incumbent Republican legislator. Weinstein lives on Mercer Island with his wife (Gaylene Vaden) and children Trevor, Arielle and Madeleine. He graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin–Madison

University of Wisconsin–Madison

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is a public research university located in Madison, Wisconsin, United States. Founded in 1848, UW–Madison is the flagship campus of the University of Wisconsin System. It became a land-grant institution in 1866...

 with a BA in Economics in 1976. He then went on to attend the University of Texas Austin School of Law to earn his JD

Juris Doctor

Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...

 in 1981. He also served as the former Director of the Pike Place Market Foundation Board. In February 2009, Brian was appointed by Governor Gregoire to the Public Stadium Authority. After retiring from the legislature in 2008, Weinstein resumed the practice of law and has recently founded, as senior partner, the law firm of Weinstein Couture, PLLC (http://www.weinsteincouture.com), specializing in pleural and peritoneal mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma

Peritoneal mesothelioma is the name given to the cancer that attacks the lining of the abdomen. This type of cancer affects the lining that protects the contents of the abdomen and which also provides a lubricating fluid to enable the organs to move and work properly.The peritoneum is made of two...

, pharmaceutical induced birth defects (Paxil, Topomax) and defective medical device cases, such as DePuy Hip Replacement cases.

Legislative History

Weinstein served as Assistant Majority Whip from 2005 to 2006. After only two years in the Senate, Weinstein was chosen by the Senate Democratic Caucus to chair the Consumer Protection and Housing Committee. Weinstein is a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. In 2005 at the Governor's request, Weinstein prime sponsored the Washington Learns bill, SB 5441. Signed into law, the legislation required a comprehensive study of Washington's structure and funding of public education, including recommendations for reform. Many of the recommendations have been adopted. In 2007, he prime sponsored and helped pass the Insurance Fair Conduct Act which made it unlawful for insurers to unreasonably deny a claim for coverage or payment of benefits. The insurance industry and others tried to repeal the legislation through Referendum 67, but the voters rejected the insurance industries efforts to repeal Weinstein's law. In 2008, Weinstein sponsored and passed SB 6381 which imposes a fiduciary duty on mortgage brokers (requiring mortgage brokers to act in the best interest of the borrower). Weinstein was also instrumental in securing state funding for the Washington State Holocaust Education Resource Center.

The Legislature failed to pass Weinstein's Homebuyer's Bill of Rights which would have held builders liable for shoddy construction. In 2007 and 2008 the bill passed the Senate but was never brought to a vote before the full House of Representatives. In 2008, Weinstein announced he would return to the practice of law and not run for re-election.

Awards and recognition

Weinstein is the recipient of the 2008 Fuse "Sizzle" award for "Favorite Gunslinger." The Washington-based online advocacy group honored Weinstein for his "four years as a fearless and relentless crusader for consumer protection."

• 2008 Poverty Action Leadership Award
• 2007 Humane Society of the United States state legislator of the year award
• 2006 Outstanding Legislator, Children's Alliance
• 2005 City of Renton Award; Washington Association of School Administrators Community Leadership Award
• Planned Parenthood award for exceptional commitment and effort