After a long career as an attorney representing mesothelioma victims nationwide, Weinstein was elected to the Washington State Senate in 2004 to represent the 41st legislative district of Washington as a Democrat, defeating a 16-year incumbent Republican legislator. Weinstein lives on Mercer Island with his wife and children Trevor, Arielle and Madeleine. He graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin–Madison with a BA in Economics in 1976. He then went on to attend the University of Texas AustinSchool of Law to earn his JD in 1981. He also served as the former Director of the Pike Place Market Foundation Board. In February 2009, Brian was appointed by Governor Gregoire to the Public Stadium Authority. After retiring from the legislature in 2008, Weinstein resumed the practice of law.
Legislative History
Weinstein served as Assistant Majority Whip from 2005 to 2006. After only two years in the Senate, Weinstein was chosen by the Senate Democratic Caucus to chair the Consumer Protection and Housing Committee. Weinstein is a member of the Judiciary Committee and the Early Learning and K-12 Education Committee. In 2005 at the Governor's request, Weinstein prime sponsored the bill, . Signed into law, the legislation required a comprehensive study of Washington's structure and funding of public education, including recommendations for reform. Many of the recommendations have been . In 2007, he prime sponsored and helped pass the which made it unlawful for insurers to unreasonably deny a claim for coverage or payment of benefits. The insurance industry and others tried to repeal the legislation through , but the voters . In 2008, Weinstein sponsored and passed which imposes a fiduciary duty on mortgage brokers. Weinstein was also instrumental in securing state funding for the The Legislature failed to pass Weinstein's which would have held builders liable for shoddy construction. In 2007 and 2008 the bill passed the Senate but was never brought to a vote before the full House of Representatives. In 2008, Weinstein he would return to the practice of law and not run for re-election.
Awards and recognition
Weinstein is the recipient of the 2008 Fuse "Sizzle" award for "Favorite Gunslinger." The Washington-based online advocacy group honored Weinstein for his "four years as a fearless and relentless crusader for consumer protection."
