WHATCOM COUNTY ATTORNEY
David C. Cottingham
_________________

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES,
CURRENT AND FORMER

Attorney David C. Cottingham served as a Whatcom County Prosecuting Attorney Deputy for 10 years since his appointment January, 1980, and he has dedicated his career to the pursuit of fair administration of justice in Whatcom County. 

Dave Cottingham’s history includes service as  Senior Trial Deputy in the criminal division of the Prosecutor’s Office.  Later, as Civil Trial Deputy he served  as counsel to the Whatcom County Sheriff, Jail, Buildings and Code Administration (Land Use and Development), Public Works, Hearing Examiner, Engineer, Purchasing, Health, Planning and other departments including Support, and discharged occasional duties to the Executive and the Whatcom County Council. 

Felony Senior Trial Deputy:
      Dave Cottingham was a Felony jury and non-jury litigator in  all manner of criminal trials, with full responsibility for pretrial review, investigation and charging misdemeanor and felony crimes, including arraignments, appearances, motions practice, search warrant assistance to investigations.  Dave Cottingham faithfully discharged duties through trial and every related appeal to Superior Court, Court of Appeals, and the Washington State Supreme Court.

District Court Trial Deputy:
      Dave Cottingham was also a District Court jury and non-jury litigator at a time in which the City of Bellingham added its DWI cases to the County load as the state mandated jail time for each offense.  His responsibilities also included trial of gross misdemeanor, misdemeanor, and serious traffic matters, with felony appearances and warrant assistance of investigation by all law enforcement agencies.  Additional responsibilities included interstate extraditions and appellate argument.  During this period also he served as  Trial Attorney in the  Juvenile Department of the Superior Court, in representation of DSHS Child Welfare and Protective Service litigation, but also as trial attorney in prosecution of juvenile felony offenses in Juvenile Court. His responsibilities also included Alcohol Treatment Commitments and service as the Involuntary Treatment Act Attorney in mental commitments.

Pre-Admission Employment/Experience:
      Felony Plea Bargaining Research Intern, King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, Seattle, Washington, Trial Assistant Intern, in the King County Public Defender's Office as well.