David Broom ‘Futurist’ Attorney Will Lead Chamber Into New Century
David Broom is racing to keep the 104-year-old law firm he manages on the cutting edge.
He added a full-time public relations person to make the firm more media-savvy. He’s spent thousands to tap into a national legal network. And he’s removed reams of law books from the library of Paine Hamblen Coffin Brooke and Miller to make room for advanced computer-assisted research programs.
“We are desperate to make sure we serve clients with the latest technology,” said Broom, managing partner of the firm. “The average lawyer in this firm is as proud of the tradition as they are of the fact that we’ve modernized.”
That ability to respect the past but look to the future helped make Broom top pick to lead the Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce during the organization’s 100th year. He’ll be installed as chairman in September at the chamber’s annual meeting, replacing David Shea of Shea Construction.
“He’s very much a futurist,” Chris Schnug, a former chamber chairwoman, said of Broom. “It’s that issue of endurance.”
There’s also historical continuity in the fact that Broom’s firm was a charter member of the chamber when it was formed in August 1897. Rows of photos in Paine Hamblen’s lobby trace the firm’s roots back to 1889.
Paine Hamblen was one of 70 original chamber members. Of those, 15 still do business in Spokane, including Washington Water Power, Gonzaga University and Dodson’s Jewelry.
“It was only appropriate that we select a proven leader from one of the chamber’s charter members to serve as chairman during our centennial year,” said Larry Stanley, chairman of the search committee that selected Broom.
Broom has been involved in civic activities for years, and is a past president of the Spokane Art School, Spokane Public Radio, Wampum and the Inland Northwest Boy Scouts Council. He currently serves as president of the Spokane Symphony Board of Trustees.
In addition to helping plan the chamber’s 100th birthday, numerous challenges face Broom as chamber chairman. He’ll help with growth management planning, continue to forge a strategic alliance with other economic development organizations and support downtown revitalization efforts.
The rejuvenation of downtown, including the redevelopment of River Park Square, remodeling of the Davenport Hotel, and creation of a Davenport Arts and Entertainment District, is especially close to Broom’s heart.
“We have got to get our downtown issues solved,” Broom said. “We have to get positive movement on the River Park Square project.
“If it goes, this area will just be gangbusters,” he said, sweeping his hand out toward the Davenport Hotel from his 12th floor office in the Washington Trust Bank Building. “The chamber should be involved in economic development. Economics is where the chamber can help the community.”
Another challenge Broom sees is increasing the chamber’s membership. That can be done only by paying close attention to members’ needs, he said.
“That is the bottom line,” he said. “Each year, you examine the major objectives of the chamber and you change them to correspond with the major needs of business.”
Still, Broom said he thinks the chamber is headed in the right direction.
Those close to Broom said he’ll be effective at enlisting the help of other business people to achieve the chamber’s goals.
“He has the ability to attract really good people,” said Shea, the current chairman. “He has such a warm personality, that exhibits such confidence, such capability, that people like to be in his presence.”
Broom was born and raised in Spokane and is a 1956 graduate of Lewis and Clark High School. His bachelor’s and law degrees are both from the University of Washington.
“I’m a nuts Husky,” Broom said, glancing at the two Husky football posters on the walls of his office. Broom’s son and daughter also attended UW, and now live in Seattle. Broom said his wife Mary Jane, who went to the University of Idaho, is a “reincarnated Husky.”
Broom has been a practicing attorney since 1966 and joined a previous incarnation of Paine Hamblen in 1972. Primarily a litigator, he has worked extensively on Washington Water Power Co.’s legal affairs, which the firm handles exclusively.
“He’s a top drawer attorney,” said Paul Redmond, WWP chief executive. “He’s always able to look at both sides and give a fair evaluation of the issues.”
That ability will serve him well at the chamber, said Redmond. “It positions him to be a good facilitator, to work with both sides and arrive at a solution.”
Shea agreed, citing contract negotiations Broom handled as president of the Spokane Symphony Board of Trustees.
“Dave handled that very smoothly, arriving at a deal that was good for the musicians and good for the Symphony, without a lot of flap,” Shea said. “His people skills and ability to stay calm and come to decisions that benefit everybody are just remarkable.”
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo