Denise Chen

Denise was born and raised in Washington, where her interest in law first took root during high school through the YMCA Mock Trial program. The experience of building cases, stepping into the courtroom, and advocating for others sparked a deep interest in the legal field that continued to grow throughout her education and career.

Before joining PCVA, Denise practiced insurance coverage law, where she advocated for individual and corporate policyholders, holding insurance companies accountable for bad faith claims-handling misconduct. One of her most meaningful cases involved representing a family-owned restaurant, where Denise secured a favorable settlement after the family’s insurer failed them in the aftermath of vandalism. The family’s story—immigrants navigating complex insurance processes—deeply resonated and reinforced Denise’s dedication to standing up for people facing institutional barriers with an eye towards social justice. Denise brings years of trauma-informed advocacy from working with survivors, victims of crime, and incarcerated individuals.

Denise’s professional journey ultimately led to her true calling: advocating for survivors of child sexual abuse. Her work is deeply personal, driven by her own experience as a survivor. Denise is committed to holding schools and institutions accountable, ensuring that no red flag is ignored and that proactive measures are taken to protect children. For Denise, every case represents an opportunity to challenge systemic failures and to help survivors reclaim their power. Denise’s primary goal in her cases is to advocate for clients in a way that makes them feel heard and respected.

Beyond her legal practice, Denise is deeply passionate about social justice. Denise has worked with the ACLU and the Korematsu Center to author briefs challenging discriminatory housing practices. She is a volunteer attorney with the Sexual Violence Law Center and an active member of the Washington State Association for Justice. She is also a volunteer mock trial coach and mentor to students from underrepresented backgrounds who are interested in pursuing a career in law.

Outside of work, Denise enjoys exploring Seattle’s diverse food scene, caring for houseplants, and cooking and baking. If not practicing law, she would have likely pursued a career in event planning—a field that aligns with her love of logistics, organization, and bringing ideas to life.