Who We Are

In 1990, Paul Delay and Dan Thompson founded Thompson & Delay. Thompson & Delay specializes in maritime injuries, longshore worker’s injury claims, state workers’ compensation, personal injury, and ERISA litigation. Thomas Thompson joined the firm in 2025 and is of counsel. Top Rated Mercer Island, WA Workers' Compensation Attorney | Thomas Thompson | Super Lawyers

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Meet the Team

Our attorneys have a combined 60+ years of experience solving complex cases.


  • Founding Partner

    Dan Thompson is a partner and founding attorney of Thompson & Delay. He was born and raised in Seattle, and received his B.A. from University of Washington; his M.A. from National University of Ireland, University College, Dublin in 1984; and went on to receive his J.D. from University of Washington in 1988. After graduation, he joined Seattle’s largest law firm and practiced civil law, including working on the Exxon Valdez litigation.

    In 1990, he co-founded Thompson & Delay with Paul Delay. The firm has been located in the historic Smith Tower since its founding in 1990. Thompson & Delay focuses on maritime injuries, longshore workers’ injury claims, state workers’ compensation, personal injury, and ERISA litigation.

    Dan’s main practice area is administrative law, specifically longshore injury and state workers’ compensation claims. He regularly appears before the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries, the Office of Administrative Law Judges, the Benefits Review Board, and the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs, where he advocates for fair settlements for his clients.

    Dan has practiced state workers’ compensation law since 1990 and has argued seminal cases before the Washington State Supreme Court. His cases have involved serious injuries related to longshore, shipyards, and dockworkers. Additionally, Dan is familiar with the criteria for Social Security Disability Application and pension service credit requirements for ILWU-PMA benefits.

    In conjunction with his practice, Dan guest lectures for various unions, including Local 19 (Longshore, Seattle), Local 52 (Longshore Clerk’s Union), and the Regional Council of Cerpenters (Tacoma and Seattle). Along with his partner Paul, he regularly guest lectures at Seattle University School of Law regarding longshore and maritime injuries. Dan was named a Top 100 Injured Workers’ Attorney by the Workers’ Injury & Law Advocacy Group, a national association.

    Dan is married to Emily, who was born and raised in Chimacum, WA. Together they have two children. He enjoys spending time with his family outdoors, including skiing, hunting, fishing, hiking, and regularly spends time with his family on Whidbey Island. He is active in local land use policies concerning urban development and mass transit.


  • Founding Partner

    Paul Delay is a partner and founding attorney at Thompson & Delay. He was born and raised in Spokane, Washington. Paul received his BA from the University of Washington in 1983 and his JD from Gonzaga University in 1986.

    Paul began his career working for an insurance defense firm. He represented defendants at the request of insurance companies. He developed a background in medical malpractice, worksite/premises liability, wrongful death cases and commercial litigation. In 1990, Paul moved to Seattle and cofounded Thompson & Delay with Dan Thompson. The firm has been located in the historic Smith Tower since 1990.

    Paul represents minors and adults in serious personal injury cases, including underinsured and uninsured motorist claims, worksite/premises liability, electrocution, brain injury and wrongful death cases. He also represents seamen on Jones Act maritime claims, and shore based maritime workers, on Longshore & Harbor Workers Compensation Act cases and 905(B) cases. In addition, Paul’s area of practice includes representing business owners in commercial litigation.

    Paul is rated “A/V” by Martindale-Hubbell. This is the highest rating and the gold standard in attorney’s ratings, recognizing lawyers for their strong legal ability and high ethical standards. Attorneys looking to refer a client, as well as individuals researching lawyers for their own legal needs, use these ratings to identify and select the most appropriate lawyer for their legal issue.

    Paul’s admitted to practice in all state and federal courts in the state of Washington and has frequently handled cases for injuries occurring in Alaska. He is a guest lecturer at Seattle University Law School.

    Paul and his wife, Joan, have three children.