Partner
Early Life & Formative Experiences
Peter J. Hess grew up in Walla Walla, Washington. He is a 1996 graduate of Walla Walla High School and a 2000 graduate of the University of Washington, with a B.A. in Business Administration/Information Systems.
After graduating from UW, Peter worked a temporary job for Alaska Airlines and saved enough money to fund an extensive trip throughout Southeast Asia. When he returned, he worked a series of odd jobs (including Pike Place Fishmonger, and Legal Assistant) in order to fund subsequent trips all over the globe.
Although Peter values his formal education, he believes that traveling provided the most intensive learning experience of his life. One of the many lessons that Peter learned abroad is that we, as Americans, are blessed with a relatively efficient and safe system of roads and highways.
Although most other countries in the world have traffic rules, they are rarely enforced – creating dangerous and chaotic traffic in most of the world. Peter believes that our jury system, which allows community members to enforce the rules of the road, plays a large role in the continuous effort to keep travel upon our roadways safe for everyone.
Legal Career
Peter graduated from Willamette University College of Law, with honors, in 2007. While at Willamette, he was an Associate Editor of the Willamette Law Review, he was a Teacher’s Assistant for a Legal Research and Writing professor, and he worked as a Personal Injury Law Clerk at Swanson, Lathen, Alexander & McCann in Salem, Oregon. After graduation from Willamette, Peter began working here at Hess Law Office. In 2012, he became a partner in the firm. He is licensed to practice law in both Washington and Oregon.
Professional Associations & Personal Life
Peter’s wife, Amy, is also an attorney here in Walla Walla. He enjoys spending time with Amy, their two active young daughters, and their equally active son. Dan Hess, Peter’s father, is the founding partner at Hess Law Office. Peter follows in Dan’s footsteps, not only professionally, but also in the spirit of giving back to the community. He serves as a volunteer board member for the Providence Saint Mary Medical Center Foundation and is a member of the Walla Walla Rotary Club. His practice is focused exclusively on representing injured people against insurance companies and insurance lawyers.
The majority of his clients have been injured in auto collisions. He is a Guardian member of the Oregon Trial Lawyers Association and an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice, which “works hard to ensure that Washingtonians have access to a fair and effective system of justice, where wrongdoers are held accountable for their actions.”
