Professional Profile
Chris Henderson advises individuals, families, professional fiduciaries, and fellow attorneys on estate planning, special needs trusts, settlement planning, guardianship, and the legal needs of clients with diminished capacity. After more than a decade as a shareholder of Brothers Henderson Durkin, P.S., Chris now serves the firm as Of Counsel, continuing to represent select clients.
Chris's practice centers on the intersection of disability, aging, and resources: structuring special needs trusts and settlement plans that preserve public benefits; advising beneficiaries and professional fiduciaries on trust administration; preparing estate planning and end-of-life documents; counseling families on guardianship and its alternatives; and representing clients in related disputes and litigation at all stages.
Chris brings a background in both technology and law to his work. Before his legal career, he was a software developer and chief technology officer, with substantial experience developing technology to address the needs of people with disabilities. He began practicing law at a global law firm's Seattle office, serving emerging technology companies as a corporate associate and acting as outside general counsel to privately held businesses in transactions valued in the tens of millions of dollars. He continues to work at that intersection today as founder and CEO of SlingTech.AI, which delivers consultant-led AI analysis to legal practices under the direction of licensed counsel.
As a law student, Chris deepened his interest in disability and elder law as symposium editor of the Washington Law Review, working closely with the late Professor Paul Miller, a former Commissioner of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, to convene disability law scholars from around the world. The symposium culminated in an edition of the Washington Law Review edited by Chris: Framing Legal and Human Rights Strategies for Change: A Case Study of Disability Rights in Asia, 83 Wash. L. Rev. 435 (2008). He later returned to the law school as adjunct faculty.
Apart from work, Chris spends his time on Vashon Island with his wife, their three children, and their dog, cat, and three chickens.
Admissions
- Washington State Bar Association, 2009
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington
- Washington Super Lawyer, 2022–2026
- Washington Super Lawyers, Rising Star, 2014-2019
- Seattle Five Star Financial Service Professional 2016-2017
- Washington State Department of Social and Health Services Alzheimer’s Disease Working Group Appointed Member 2014-2015
- “Special Needs Planning for the High-Net-Worth Family”, Author and Presenter, Bernstein Private Wealth Management, Seattle, Washington, 2017
- “Special Needs Planning for the High-Net-Worth Family”, Author and Presenter, Bernstein Private Wealth Management, Seattle, Washington, 2017
- CLE Co-Chair at S.S. Guardianships: A Three-Hour Tour of APS, Family Law, Representing AIPs and Beyond, King County Bar Association, Seattle, Washington, 2016
- University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington, Adjunct Faculty, Instructor, 2014 to 2016
- “TSC Transition Age: Education, Employment and Housing”, Author and Presenter, TSC (Tuberous Sclerosis Complex) & LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis) Regional Conference Seattle, Washington, 2016
- Handbook for Washington Seniors: Legal Rights and Resources, Legal Voice, Reviewer, Seattle, Washington, 2016
- “Planning with Special Needs Trusts”, Author and Presenter, King County Bar Association – Real Property, Probate & Trust Law Section Meeting, Seattle, Washington, 2015
- “Accommodating Allergies in Schools”, Author and Presenter, The 14th National Academy for IDEA Administrative Law Judges and Impartial Hearing Officers, Seattle University, 2015
- CLE Co-Chair at Advanced Issues in Guardianship: New Paradigms for Your Guardianship Practice, King County Bar Association, Seattle, Washington, 2015
- “Advanced Planning and Legal Supports”, Author and Presenter, Alzheimer’s Association, Seattle, Washington, 2015
- "Advanced Planning and Legal Supports", Author and Presenter, Washington StateAlzheimer's Disease Working Group, Aging and Long-Term Support Administration, Lacey, Washington, 2015
- “Clients in Need: Dealing with Clients with Diminished Capacity”, Author and Presenter at 12th Annual Law of Lawyering, Washington State Bar Association, Seattle, Washington, 2014
- "Medicaid Estate Recovery", Author and Presenter at Medicaid Update 2014, National Business Institute, Seattle, Washington, 2014
- “Traumatic Brain Injury – What’s to be Done?”, Author and Presenter at Parent Advocacy Training, Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, Washington, 2014
- “Drafting Wills for Families including Guardianships and Trusts for Minors and Special Needs”, Author and Presenter at Personal Estate Planning for the 99%, King County Bar Association, Seattle, Washington, 2013, 2014, 2015.
- Alzheimer’s Association Public Policy Town Halls, Panel Member, Renton, Bremerton and Seattle, Washington, 2013
- “Autism 205: Legal Planning for Individuals with Disabilities”, Co-Author and Presenter, Part of Seattle Children’s Autism 200 Class Series, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, Washington, 2013
- “Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia Mental Health Advance Directive”, Author and Presenter at 11th Annual Palliative Care Conference, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, 2013
- “Guardianship and Alternatives 101”, Author and Presenter at ARC of King County Workshop, Seattle, Washington, 2013
- “Fundamental Principles of Will Drafting”, “Planning Methods to Control Medical Treatment”, Presenter at Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts, National Business Institute, Seattle, Washington, 2012
- “Case Law Update: Medicare Set Asides”, Co-Author of Presentation at Medicare and the Personal Injury Claim, Washington State Association of Justice CLE, Seattle, Washington, 2012
- “Introduction to Guardianship and Conservatorship”, “Introduction to Medicare and Medicaid”, Presenter at Elder Law: Basics of Elder Law From A-Z, LawReviewCle, Seattle, Washington, 2012
- “Preserving Family Assets When Qualifying for Medicaid”, Author and Presenter at Resolving Legal and Financial Issues in Elder Care, National Business Institute, Seattle, Washington, 2011
- “Guardianship and Alternatives”, “Introduction to Trusts”, Author and Presenter at Staff Training for State Chapter of a National Advocacy Group for Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors, Seattle, Washington, 2011
- Introduction Framing Legal and Human Rights Strategies for Change: A Case Study of Disability Rights in Asia, 83 WASH. L. REV 435-438, 2008
- Washington Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (WAELA)
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- King County Bar Association, Guardianship and Elder Law Section, Executive Committee
- Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
- Washington State Bar Association, Elder Law Section, Committee on Guardianship Complaints
