Bar Number: 1348
George Lundin has had a distinguished 68-year legal career. Shortly after being born in St. Louis, he and his family moved to Haiti with the U.S. Marine occupation of the island. After that ended, his family moved back to the Chicago area where he lived for two decades until the Navy brought him to Seattle, where he never left. His legal career includes service as a U.S. Navy Legal Officer, assistant U.S. attorney, and private practice attorney, as well as unwavering dedication to professionalism, mentorship, and the integrity of the legal profession. Besides practicing law, Lundin participated in 13 Boston Marathons and countless other distance runs. Often his daily practice runs were with one of his large dogs.
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What is the most interesting case you have handled in your career so far and why?
I retired in December 2025, after 68 years in practice. The most interesting case that I can recall handling was a counterfeit case when I was an assistant U.S. attorney in Seattle years ago. Defense counsel was a prominent Seattle attorney who had been court-appointed when he chanced to walk into court when arraignments were taking place.
The case was well investigated for the prosecution, and the prosecution went smoothly. The defendant chose not to take the stand in his defense, which rested without calling any witnesses. In arguments to the jury, the defense counsel picked up the counterfeit money which was in evidence. He held the bills up in front of the jury and asked: “Have any of you or your children ever played the game of Monopoly?” The jury’s attention was riveted. Then counsel said, “If you tried to buy a beer in the tavern involved in the case with Monopoly play money, Mr. Lundin would want to haul you into this court and prosecute you for counterfeiting.” All of the jury burst out laughing.
When the jury went out to deliberate, the judge ordered both counsel NOT leave the courthouse, as a guilty verdict would be returned in short order. Well, the verdict was returned quickly. Despite what the judge had thought and what I as prosecutor believed was assured, the jury foreman read the verdict: “We find the defendant not guilty on all counts.”
The best case can be lost due to something not possible to anticipate.
Did you end up practicing in the area of law you expected? If not, where did you end up and why?
I started my career by serving our country in the U.S. Navy. I was a legal officer on staff of the admiral of the 13th Naval District in Seattle. After I completed active military duty, I then entered the U.S. Justice Department, where I was an assistant United States attorney for three years. After working for the U.S. Justice Department, I then went into private practice, where I have maintained an active practice since—assisting those with bankruptcy, estate, and other civil legal needs.
LIGHTNING ROUND
Have you had a pro bono or other volunteer experience that resonated with you? If so, please describe. Working as a volunteer at a crisis clinic and assisting those in need. In fact, I may have saved a young woman from committing a homicide/dying by suicide.
If you had to give a 10-minute presentation on one topic other than the law, what would it be and why? In any conversation with a client or friend, try to be an “active listener” rather than dominating the conversation. The client/friend may contribute more than anticipated.
What is one thing your colleagues may not know about you? I ran full and half marathons when I was younger—probably more than 50. I ran several miles a day well into my 80s!
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