History of Our Firm

The Law Firm of
Dunn, Toole, Carter & Coats, LLP

The law firm of Dunn, Toole, Carter & Coats, LLP, originated in 1917 when Robert C. Bradshaw began practice in The Dalles.  His father, William Bradshaw, died that year, having served as Circuit Judge in The Dalles since 1892.  It remains to be verified that Robert C. Bradshaw was associated with W.H. Wilson, a lawyer who had practiced in The Dalles since the 1890s.

Bradshaw was joined by F.L. Phipps in 1924 and they practiced together until Bradshaw left to join a leading Portland law firm.  Bradshaw’s son, Winston Bradshaw, became District Attorney, and then Circuit Judge in Clackamas County after World War II.  F.L. Phipps was County Judge of Wasco County for a period of time.  He was joined in the practice by his son, Charles A. Phipps, in 1946.  Donald F. Dunn joined the firm in 1954 as an associate.  In 1960 Don became a partner, and the firm name became Phipps, Phipps & Dunn.

F.L. Phipps retired in 1967 and died in 1970.  F.L. Phipps (1887-1970).   The firm name then became Phipps & Dunn.  Keith Mobley joined the firm in 1971, when the firm name became Phipps, Dunn & Mobley.  Keith left the practice of the law in 1983 to pursue a career as an assistant to the president of Oregon State University.

Charles K. Toole joined the firm as an associate in June 1982, and became a partner in 1986, when the firm name was changed to Phipps, Dunn & Toole.

Andrew Carter joined the firm as an associate in 1987, after having the position of Deputy District Attorney of Wasco County for three years.

Charles A. Phipps retired in 1989.  He passed away in 1998.  Charles A. Phipps (1917-1998).

Don Dunn became “of counsel” to the firm on January 1, 1998.

Andrew Carter became a partner on January 1, 1990, and at the same time Tom Coats joined the firm as a partner, and the firm name was changed to Dunn, Toole, Coats & Carter.

Alex Sosnkowski joined the firm as an associate on January 1, 1997, and became a partner on January 1, 1999, and the firm was changed to Dunn, Toole, Coats, Carter, and Sosnkowski, LLP.

Tom Coats left at the end of 1999.  On January 1, 2000, the firm name became Dunn, Toole, Carter & Sosnkowski, LLP.  Alex Sosnkowski became “of counsel” to the firm and was no longer a partner on January 1, 2001, and the firm name was changed to Dunn, Toole & Carter, LLP.  Alex Sosnkowski left the firm sometime in 2003.

Chad Holloway joined the firm as an associate in August of 2006.

Tom Coats returned and as of January 1, 2008, the firm name became Dunn, Toole, Carter & Coats, LLP.

Up to about 1930, the firm was located in the old French & Company Bank Building at the southeast corner of Second and Washington Street. From 1930 to 1931, it was located in the old U.S. Bank Building, at the northwest corner of Third and Washington Street.

From 1931 to 1933, it was again located on the site of the French & Company Bank Building, which is now known as the Gayer Building.

From 1933 to 1964, the office was located upstairs in the Pioneer Building at the northeast corner of Second and Washington Streets, which later became the office of Larry Kuttner, accountant.

From 1964 to December of 1977, the firm was located in the Minnick Building at the northwest corner of Fourth and Washington Streets.

In 1977, the partners at that time constructed the building at 112 West Fourth Street, and, from that time on, the firm has been located there.

As of 2008, the firm has been in existence and has served its clients for 91 years.