A Passion For Helping Accident Victims Seek Justice
Our founder, Attorney Preet Kode, is a skilled personal injury lawyer backed by over a decade of legal experience as an attorney, and a few years prior as a legal assistant. She is committed to helping accident victims throughout Washington State seek justice and recover the compensation they need to move forward. Kode Law, where 40% of her practice is focused on litigation, is known for its aggressive-yet-compassionate advocacy as well as its focus on Speed, Communication, and of course Results!
In her personal world, Preet loves working out, is a dedicated mother, and loves skiing, fishing, camping, and hiking with her family and two Labrador Retrievers.
FROM PUNJAB, INDIA TO TACOMA, WASHINGTON
Preet was born in Punjab, India, and moved to Tacoma, Washington when she was 8 years old. Watching her parents go from a comfortable life in India to working day and night (while also going to school!) to provide for her and her brother inspired her own strong work ethic. In everything she does, Preet strives to make her parents proud and ensure their sacrifices are respected and honored.
As a high school and college student, Preet was active in various sports and always held a part-time job while studying. During this time, she worked at McDonald’s, Sears, Kenneth Cole, and the Old Spaghetti Factory! In her spare time, she volunteered at her local temple/Gurdwara, a Salvation Army soup kitchen and St. Francis Hospital in Federal Way.
She completed her undergraduate education at UW Seattle, focusing on Biology and Spanish.
DISCOVERING HER PASSION FOR THE LAW
After college, Preet planned to get her master’s degree in Public Health with the intention of attending medical school. Following this path, she moved to Philadelphia to work on her master’s. However, fate intervened when she got a job at a personal injury law firm as a legal assistant. After helping try three cases, Preet found her passion for personal injury law. Not only did she fall in love with the work, but in personal injury, she found the perfect junction between law and medicine. It was a dream come true.
While in Philadelphia, her then boss, Attorney Richard Washington, served as her mentor. From him, she learned not only how to be an effective, thoughtful attorney but also how to run a law firm in a way that truly serves client needs. With Richard’s guidance, Preet learned how to deliver great results while also achieving personal balance in her life.
Once she knew that personal injury law was the path for her, she applied and was accepted to the JD/MPH program at Widener University School of Law and Thomas Jefferson University. Throughout law school, Preet remained focused on personal injury and health law, using every opportunity to hone her trial and argument skills. She participated in all mock trial programs and spent time arguing protection from abuse orders in family law court every Friday. She also participated in research internships and served as an intern at the Philadelphia Public Defender’s Association.
After finishing law school (JD), and her master’s (MPH) thesis, Preet returned to Tacoma, where she took and passed the Washington State Bar Exam in 2012.
THE SKY’S THE LIMIT!
After passing the Bar, Preet began working at a well-established mid-size personal injury firm in Tacoma. Driven by her passion for helping people, she sought to understand every aspect of personal injury cases. From signing clients, ordering medical records, negotiating settlements to trying cases in open court—Preet jumped in with both feet. During this time, she also had the opportunity to hone her litigation skills on some of the most complex personal injury cases, including many catastrophic injury, multi-plaintiff death cases.
As she got her law career off the ground, Preet still found time to volunteer at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project, where she had the chance to work on asylum cases. She also volunteered at the free legal clinic run by the Multicultural Self-Sufficiency Movement.
Outside work and volunteering, Preet continued to pursue her athletic goals, doing Crossfit, running several half marathons and one full marathon. Is there anything Preet can’t do? We don’t think so! When she puts her mind to something, you know it will get done.
WHEN YOU KNOW, YOU KNOW
Then, Preet met the love of her life, Vishal Kode. Vishal was funny, charming, handsome, considerate, family oriented and outdoorsy – a perfect match for Preet. They met on Match.com, and it was love at first sight. They were engaged a few months later. The adage is true: when you know, you just know. Soon they were married and had their first son together.
As a new parent, Preet took another leap of faith and left her job as the Senior Litigation Associate Attorney to start her own law firm. With all she had learned from her past legal jobs, volunteer work, and education—Preet felt there was more she could do for accident injury victims. Like we said before, when you know, you know! And Preet knew the best way she could help clients was by building her own firm from scratch with her own rules, systems, and priorities: Speed, Communication, and impeccable Results! Kode Law was founded in May 2018.
Starting a new law firm was no small task, especially with an infant to care for, but Preet has never been one to shy away from a challenge. Like her parents before her, she worked day and night (and even while breastfeeding and burping her 3-month-old son!) to turn Kode Law into the thriving law firm it is today.
Preet and Vishal are now the proud parents of three beautiful boys, and Kode Law Firm is well-known for the exceptional legal services it offers its clients. The rest is history…
Keep reading for a review of Preet’s legal experience, accomplishments, and accolades.
Education
Thomas Jefferson University Master of Public Health, Public Health
Widener University School of Law Doctor of Law, Focus on Health Law
University of Washington Bachelor of Arts, Spanish
Publications
New Advanced Care Directive Option for Delaware Citizens - Widener Law, Health Law Colloquium 2009
The Low Enrollment Into the Affordable Care Act’s Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plan (2012) - Master of Public Health Thesis, Capstone Presentations 2012
Affiliations
Washington State Association for Justice, East King County – Roundtable Chair (2019 – Present)
Washington State Association for Justice, Women of WSAJ (WOW) Section – Co-Chair (2019 – Present)
American Association for Justice, Member (2019 – Present)
Washington Association for Justice, Diversity Committee Member (2018 – Present)
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Member (2015 – Present)
The National Association of Professional Women, Member (2015 – Present)
Washington Women Lawyers, Member (2014 – Present)
Washington Association for Justice, Eagle Member (2013 – Present)
Washington State Bar Association, Member (2012 – Present)
Honors
“Top 40 Under 40” by The National Trial Lawyers (2019)
Clients’ Choice Award from Avvo (2014)
Pro Bono Service Award winner from the Washington State Bar Association (2013)
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
Personal Injury Cases
We Handle
Bicycle Accidents
Bus Train Plane Accidents
Car Accidents
Dog Bites
Insurance Claims
Motorcycle Accidents
Other Personal Injury Cases
Pedestrian Accidents
Slip & Fall
Spinal Cord Injuries
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Truck Accidents
Uber Lyft Accidents
Wrongful Death