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{{short description|American lawyer}}

{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name = Anne M. Bremner
| name = Anne Bremner
| image = Anne Bremner.jpg
| image = Anne Bremner.jpg
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Professional headshot of Bremner in 2008
| caption = Professional headshot of Bremner in 2008
| birth_name =
| birth_name =
Anne Melani Bremner
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|6|4}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1958|6|4}}
| birth_place = [[McAlester, Oklahoma]]
| birth_place = [[McAlester, Oklahoma]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_date =
| nationality = American
| death_place =
| other_names =
| other_names =
| occupation = Lawyer <br> Television personality
| occupation = Lawyer <br> Television personality
| years_active =
| years_active =
| alma_mater = [[Seattle University School of Law]]<Br>[[Stanford University]]
| alma_mater = [[Stanford University]] ([[Bachelor's Degree|BA]])<br>[[Seattle University School of Law|Seattle University]] ([[Juris Doctor|JD]])
| known_for =
| known_for =
| residence = [[Washington (state)|Washington]]
}}
}}


'''Anne Melani Bremner''' (born June 4, 1958) is an [[Americans|American]] attorney and television personality.<ref name="IATL">{{citation|url=http://www.iatl.net/i4a/member_directory/feResultsDetail.cfm?directory_id=1&detail_lookup_id=12116|publisher=International Academy of Trial Lawyers|accessdate=2011-10-08|title=Member directory: Anne M. Bremner Esq.}}</ref> She has been visible as a television commentator on a number of high-profile cases, including in the [[murder of Meredith Kercher]] in Italy as legal counsel and as a spokesperson for the Friends of Amanda Knox.
'''Anne Melani Bremner''' (born June 4, 1958) is an [[Americans|American]] attorney and television personality.<ref name="IATL">{{citation|url=http://www.iatl.net/i4a/member_directory/feResultsDetail.cfm?directory_id=1&detail_lookup_id=12116|publisher=International Academy of Trial Lawyers|access-date=2011-10-08|title=Member directory: Anne M. Bremner Esq.}}</ref> She has been a television commentator on a number of high-profile cases, including in the [[murder of Meredith Kercher]] in Italy as legal counsel and as a spokesperson for the [[Amanda Knox|Friends of Amanda Knox]].


==Early life and education==
==Early life and education==
Bremner was born in [[McAlester, Oklahoma|McAlester]], Oklahoma.<ref name="IATL"/> Bremner attended [[Stanford University]], where she studied medieval history, graduating in 1980 with honors.<ref name="EmployerBio">{{citation|url=http://www.staffordfrey.com/a_bremner.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101074321/http://www.staffordfrey.com/a_bremner.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-01-01 |publisher=Stafford Frey Cooper |title=Attorneys: Anne M. Bremner |accessdate=2011-10-01 }}</ref> She describes her student self as "a liberal, an idealist, and a Democrat" who was [[Opposition to capital punishment in the United States|opposed to capital punishment]].<ref name="PI20041207">{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/A-tough-case-to-the-very-end-1161391.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|title=A tough case to the very end|first=Susan|last=Paynter|date=2004-12-07|accessdate=2011-10-01}}</ref> She went on to [[Seattle University School of Law]], where she completed her J.D. degree in 1982.<ref name="EmployerBio"/>
Bremner was born in [[McAlester, Oklahoma|McAlester]], Oklahoma.<ref name="IATL"/> Bremner attended [[Stanford University]], where she studied medieval history, graduating in 1980 with honors.<ref name="EmployerBio">{{citation|url=http://www.staffordfrey.com/a_bremner.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090101074321/http://www.staffordfrey.com/a_bremner.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-01-01 |publisher=Stafford Frey Cooper |title=Attorneys: Anne M. Bremner |access-date=2011-10-01 }}</ref> She describes her student self as "a liberal, an idealist, and a Democrat" who was [[Opposition to capital punishment in the United States|opposed to capital punishment]].<ref name="PI20041207">{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/A-tough-case-to-the-very-end-1161391.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|title=A tough case to the very end|first=Susan|last=Paynter|date=2004-12-07|access-date=2011-10-01}}</ref> She went on to [[Seattle University School of Law]], where she completed her J.D. degree in 1982.<ref name="EmployerBio"/>


==Career==
==Career==


===Prosecutor===
===Prosecutor===
From 1983 to 1988, Bremner was a deputy prosecuting attorney with the criminal division of the [[King County Prosecuting Attorney]]'s Office, specializing in [[sex crimes]].<ref name="EmployerBio"/> During these years she came into contact with a number of high-profile cases, such as the [[Wah Mee massacre]] trials; this experience, along with those later in her career, began to modulate her views on the death penalty.<ref name="PI20041207"/> In 1985, she was deputy prosecuting attorney in a case against a [[University of Washington]] policeman believed to be the first person to be charged under the state's new [[computer trespass]] law; a trial court convicted the policeman of the charges, but the [[Washington Court of Appeals]] overturned his conviction.<ref>{{citation|periodical=The Spokesman-Review|date=1985-05-01|accessdate=2011-10-01|title=Ex-policeman faces computer charge|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9cRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EPADAAAAIBAJ&pg=7220,291252}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://174.123.24.242/leagle/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=198756147WnApp514_1495.xml&docbase=CSLWAR2-1986-2006|title=STATE v. OLSON|work=47 Wn. App. 514 (1987)|date=1987-04-29|accessdate=2011-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404040911/http://174.123.24.242/leagle/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=198756147WnApp514_1495.xml&docbase=CSLWAR2-1986-2006|archive-date=2012-04-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>
From 1983 to 1988, Bremner was a deputy prosecuting attorney with the criminal division of the [[King County Prosecuting Attorney]]'s Office, specializing in [[sex crimes]].<ref name="EmployerBio"/>
During these years she came into contact with a number of high-profile cases, such as the [[Wah Mee massacre]] trials. The experience, along with those later in her career, began to modulate her views on the death penalty, which she had always staunchly opposed.<ref name="PI20041207"/>
In 1985, she was deputy prosecuting attorney in a case against a [[University of Washington]] police officer believed to be the first person to be charged under the state's new [[computer trespass]] law. A trial court convicted the officer of the charges, but the [[Washington Court of Appeals]] overturned his conviction.<ref>{{citation|periodical=The Spokesman-Review|date=1985-05-01|access-date=2011-10-01|title=Ex-policeman faces computer charge|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=9cRYAAAAIBAJ&sjid=EPADAAAAIBAJ&pg=7220,291252}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://174.123.24.242/leagle/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=198756147WnApp514_1495.xml&docbase=CSLWAR2-1986-2006|title=STATE v. OLSON|work=47 Wn. App. 514 (1987)|date=1987-04-29|access-date=2011-09-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404040911/http://174.123.24.242/leagle/xmlResult.aspx?xmldoc=198756147WnApp514_1495.xml&docbase=CSLWAR2-1986-2006|archive-date=2012-04-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>


===Private practice===
===Private practice===
Bremner was a lawyer at Stafford Frey Cooper in Seattle from 1988 to 2012.<ref>{{cite news
Bremner worked as a lawyer at Stafford Frey Cooper in Seattle from 1988 to 2012.<ref>{{cite news
| author = Jennifer Sullivan and Mike Carter| title =High-profile Seattle defense lawyers quit firm to form own| quote =| newspaper =[[The Seattle Times]]| date = April 12, 2012| url =http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/high-profile-seattle-defense-lawyers-quit-firm-to-form-own/| accessdate =April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/98101-wa-anne-bremner-13738.html |title=Lawyer Anne Bremner Seattle, WA Attorney|date= |website= Avvo.com|publisher=[[Avvo]]|access-date=April 23, 2015|quote= Shareholder at Stafford Frey Cooper 1988–present}}</ref> During her career in private practice, Bremner represented law enforcement and judges in various civil and criminal cases. In 1996, she successfully defended the [[Seattle Police Department]]'s use of [[police dog]]s to find and bite suspects against an [[American Civil Liberties Union]] challenge claiming that it violated suspects' civil rights and constituted excessive force.<ref>{{citation|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S8VeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6DEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3171,2387397|title=Jury rejects suit challenging police dog policy|date=1996-12-25|accessdate=2011-10-01|periodical=Lewiston Morning Tribune}}</ref> In 2001, she represented the [[Bellevue Police Department (Washington)|Bellevue Police Department]] during the inquest into the conduct of officer Mike Hetle during his second fatal shooting that year; the jury found that Metle had reason to fear death or serious bodily harm.<ref>{{citation|title=Inquest clears policeman in fatal shooting; Officer's use of gun vindicated for the second time this year|first=Margaret|last=Taus|date=2001-11-09|accessdate=2011-10-01|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Inquest-clears-policeman-in-fatal-shooting-1071358.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref> In the 2002 case ''Vili Fualaau v. Highline School District and the Des Moines Police Department'', filed by the family of [[Mary Kay Letourneau]]'s student Vili Fualaau, Bremner successfully defended the police department against liability for damages.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Schools-police-absolved-in-Fualaau-case-1087664.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=2002-05-20|accessdate=2011-10-01|first=Sam|last=Skolnik|title=Schools, police absolved in Fualaau case}}</ref> She became acquainted with Letourneau during the course of the lawsuit, and the two remained friends afterwards.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-08-03-teacher-released_x.htm|periodical=USA Today|date=2004-03-08|accessdate=2011-10-01|title=Mary Kay Letourneau released from prison}}</ref>
| author = Jennifer Sullivan and Mike Carter| title =High-profile Seattle defense lawyers quit firm to form own| newspaper =[[The Seattle Times]]| date = April 12, 2012| url =http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/high-profile-seattle-defense-lawyers-quit-firm-to-form-own/| access-date =April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.avvo.com/attorneys/98101-wa-anne-bremner-13738.html |title=Lawyer Anne Bremner Seattle, WA Attorney|website= Avvo.com|publisher=[[Avvo]]|access-date=April 23, 2015|quote= Shareholder at Stafford Frey Cooper 1988–present}}</ref> During her career in private practice, Bremner represented law enforcement and judges in various civil and criminal cases. In 1996, she successfully defended the [[Seattle Police Department]]'s use of [[police dog]]s to find and bite suspects against an [[American Civil Liberties Union]] (ACLU) challenge claiming that it violated suspects' civil rights and constituted excessive force.<ref>{{citation|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=S8VeAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6DEMAAAAIBAJ&pg=3171,2387397|title=Jury rejects suit challenging police dog policy|date=1996-12-25|access-date=2011-10-01|periodical=Lewiston Morning Tribune}}</ref>
In 2001, she represented the [[Bellevue Police Department (Washington)|Bellevue Police Department]] during the inquest into the conduct of officer Mike Hetle during his second fatal shooting that year; the jury found that Metle had reason to fear death or serious bodily harm.<ref>{{citation|title=Inquest clears policeman in fatal shooting; Officer's use of gun vindicated for the second time this year|first=Margaret|last=Taus|date=2001-11-09|access-date=2011-10-01|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Inquest-clears-policeman-in-fatal-shooting-1071358.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref>
In the 2002 case ''Vili Fualaau v. Highline School District and the Des Moines Police Department'', filed by the family of [[Mary Kay Letourneau]]'s student Vili Fualaau, Bremner successfully defended the police department against liability for damages.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/news/article/Schools-police-absolved-in-Fualaau-case-1087664.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=2002-05-20|access-date=2011-10-01|first=Sam|last=Skolnik|title=Schools, police absolved in Fualaau case}}</ref> She became acquainted with Letourneau during the course of the lawsuit; the two would develop a friendship.<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2004-08-03-teacher-released_x.htm|periodical=USA Today|date=2004-03-08|access-date=2011-10-01|title=Mary Kay Letourneau released from prison}}</ref>


===Media attention===
===Media attention===


Bremner appears on television as a legal analyst, explaining prominent cases to the general public. In 2004, she appeared on [[Court TV]] and other cable networks covering the trial of [[Scott Peterson]] for the [[murder of Laci Peterson]].<ref name="PI20041207"/> Similarly in 2005, she took an unpaid [[leave of absence]] from her job to offer television commentary on ''[[People v. Jackson]]'', stating that the publicity had brought in millions of dollars of business for her firm.<ref>{{citation|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0B11FD3A5B0C718CDDAD0894DD404482|periodical=The New York Times|date=2005-04-02|accessdate=2011-10-02|title=To Some, Jackson Trial Is Another Shot at TV|first=John M.|last=Broder}}</ref> In 2009, she appeared variously on [[CNN]] with [[Nancy Grace]] to discuss the [[death of Caylee Anthony|Casey Anthony case]].<ref>{{citation|url=http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/23/ng.01.html|periodical=CNN|date=2009-03-23|accessdate=2011-10-08|title=New Search in Natalee Holloway Disappearance|first=Nancy|last=Grace}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/11/ng.01.html|periodical=CNN|date=2009-06-11|accessdate=2011-10-08|title=Missing Ohio Mom Spotted in Wal-Mart|first=Nancy|last=Grace}}</ref>
Bremner appears on television as a legal analyst, explaining prominent cases to the general public. In 2004, she appeared on [[Court TV]] and other cable networks covering the trial of Scott Peterson for the [[murder of Laci Peterson]].<ref name="PI20041207"/> Similarly in 2005, she took an unpaid [[leave of absence]] from her job to offer television commentary on ''[[People v. Jackson]]'', stating that the publicity had brought in millions of dollars of business for her firm.<ref>{{citation|url=https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0B11FD3A5B0C718CDDAD0894DD404482|periodical=The New York Times|date=2005-04-02|access-date=2011-10-02|title=To Some, Jackson Trial Is Another Shot at TV|first=John M.|last=Broder}}</ref> In 2009, she appeared variously on [[CNN]] with [[Nancy Grace]] to discuss the [[death of Caylee Anthony|Casey Anthony case]].<ref>{{citation|url=http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0903/23/ng.01.html|periodical=CNN|date=2009-03-23|access-date=2011-10-08|title=New Search in Natalee Holloway Disappearance|first=Nancy|last=Grace}}</ref><ref>{{citation|url=http://edition.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0906/11/ng.01.html|periodical=CNN|date=2009-06-11|access-date=2011-10-08|title=Missing Ohio Mom Spotted in Wal-Mart|first=Nancy|last=Grace}}</ref>


In October 2008, Bremner took up the cause of Amanda Knox, a [[University of Washington]] student charged with the [[murder of Meredith Kercher]] in Perugia, Italy.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Prominent-Seattle-lawyer-to-help-Knox-1287241.php|title=Prominent Seattle lawyer to help Knox|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=2008-10-03|accessdate=2011-10-02|first=Levi|last=Pulkkinen}}</ref> She was contacted by family members of Knox's classmates, including Mike Heavey, a superior court judge with whom she was previously acquainted.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/12/08/focus7.html?page=all|periodical=Puget Sound Business Journal|first=Heidi|last=Dietrich|date=2008-12-05|accessdate=2011-10-01|title=Questions for Anne Bremner, trial lawyer, Stafford Frey Cooper}}</ref> The group subsequently held fundraisers to pay for Knox's defense, lobby lawmakers, and conduct public relations activities, turning media focus toward the conduct of the prosecution, especially Perugia chief prosecutor [[Giuliano Mignini]].<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/6736512/Amanda-Knox-Foxy-Knoxy-was-an-innocent-abroad-say-US-supporters.html|title=Amanda Knox: 'Foxy Knoxy' was an innocent abroad, say US supporters|first=Philip|last=Sherwell|first2=David|last2=Harrison|date=2009-12-05|accessdate=2011-10-01|periodical=The Telegraph}}</ref> Bremner made various television appearances regarding the case, describing Knox as "naive" and comparing her to the title character in the French film ''[[Amélie]]''.<ref>{{citation|periodical=MSNBC|url=http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34206605/ns/today/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103010633/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34206605/ns/today/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2011-11-03|title=Lawyer: Alleged killer Knox 'naive, imprudent'|date=2009-11-30|accessdate=2011-10-01}}</ref>
In October 2008, Bremner took up the cause of [[Amanda Knox]], a [[University of Washington]] student charged with the [[murder of Meredith Kercher]] in Perugia, Italy.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Prominent-Seattle-lawyer-to-help-Knox-1287241.php|title=Prominent Seattle lawyer to help Knox|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=2008-10-03|access-date=2011-10-02|first=Levi|last=Pulkkinen}}</ref> She was contacted by family members of Knox's classmates, including Mike Heavey, a superior court judge with whom she was previously acquainted.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2008/12/08/focus7.html?page=all|periodical=Puget Sound Business Journal|first=Heidi|last=Dietrich|date=2008-12-05|access-date=2011-10-01|title=Questions for Anne Bremner, trial lawyer, Stafford Frey Cooper}}</ref> The group subsequently held fundraisers to pay for Knox's defense, lobby lawmakers, and conduct public relations activities, turning media focus toward the conduct of the prosecution, especially Perugia chief prosecutor [[Giuliano Mignini]].<ref>{{citation|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/6736512/Amanda-Knox-Foxy-Knoxy-was-an-innocent-abroad-say-US-supporters.html|title=Amanda Knox: 'Foxy Knoxy' was an innocent abroad, say US supporters|first=Philip|last=Sherwell|first2=David|last2=Harrison|date=2009-12-05|access-date=2011-10-01|periodical=The Telegraph}}</ref> Bremner made various television appearances regarding the case, describing Knox as "naive" and comparing her to the title character in the French film ''[[Amélie]]''.<ref>{{citation|periodical=MSNBC|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna34206605|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103010633/http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/34206605/ns/today/|url-status=live|archive-date=2011-11-03|title=Lawyer: Alleged killer Knox 'naive, imprudent'|date=2009-11-30|access-date=2011-10-01}}</ref>


She represents the parents of [[Disappearance of Susan Powell|Susan Powell]], a homemaker who went missing in Utah in 2009, in their lawsuit for insurance money. The lawsuit ended in a settlement in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news| author =| title =Settlement ends court battle for Susan Powell insurance money| quote =| newspaper =The Salt Lake Tribune| date =March 26, 2015| url =http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/03/26/3710847/settlement-ends-court-battle-for.html| accessdate =April 22, 2015}}</ref>
She represents the parents of [[Disappearance of Susan Powell|Susan Powell]], a homemaker who went missing in Utah in 2009, in their lawsuit for insurance money. The lawsuit ended in a settlement in March 2015.<ref>{{cite news| title =Settlement ends court battle for Susan Powell insurance money| newspaper =The Salt Lake Tribune| date =March 26, 2015| url =http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/03/26/3710847/settlement-ends-court-battle-for.html| archive-url =https://archive.today/20150423222812/http://www.thenewstribune.com/2015/03/26/3710847/settlement-ends-court-battle-for.html| url-status =dead| archive-date =April 23, 2015| access-date =April 22, 2015}}</ref>


In 2011, Bremner was hired by family of [[Death of Rebecca Zahau|Rebecca Zahau Nalepa]], a woman who committed suicide after being present in a house during an incident where her boyfriend's young son died.<ref>{{cite news| author =Elliot Spagat| title =Woman's death at mansion was suicide | quote =Zahau, 32, was discovered dead six hours after she retrieved a voice mail that said the condition of her boyfriend's 6-year-old son had suddenly worsened and that he was unlikely to survive, investigators said.| newspaper =[[Associated Press]] via [[Seattle Times]]| date = September 3, 2011| url =http://old.seattletimes.com/text/2016096147.html| accessdate =April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| author =| title =Rebecca Zahau suicide likely tied to boy's injuries, officials say| quote =Rebecca Zahau, the girlfriend of pharmaceutical executive Jonah Shacknai who committed suicide at his Coronado mansion, was distraught over injuries his son suffered in her care and that is apparently why she decided to hang herself, authorities said Friday.| newspaper =[[Los Angeles Times]] blog| date =September 2, 2011| url =http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/rebecca-zahaus-suicide-likely-triggered-by-boys-injuries-authorities-say.html| accessdate =April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{citation|work=NBC San Diego|title=Attorney: Zahau Death Might Not Be Suicide|first=Tony|last=Shin|date=2011-09-22|accessdate=2011-10-01|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/New-Details-In-Mansion-Death-Revealed-130329173.html}}</ref> Bremner, representing Zahau's family, sued the deceased boy's parents, Jonah and Dina Shacknai, claiming that Zahau had actually been murdered, contrary to the conclusion of the police investigation which ruled Zahau's death a suicide with no foul play.<ref>{{cite news| author =Tony Perry| title =Woman killed herself after learning that boy would die| quote =| newspaper =[[Los Angeles Times]]| date = September 3, 2011| url =http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/03/local/la-me-coronado-death-20110903| accessdate =April 23, 2015}}</ref> Bremner went on many television shows and made statements such as, "this doesn't pass the smell test" and claimed that "This would be the first case in the history of the world that a woman killed herself like this ... It's ridiculous on the face of it"; however, officials said that the way Zahau killed herself is "not unprecedented and there is no evidence that there was foul play".<ref>{{cite news| author =| title =Rebecca Zahau suicide likely tied to boy's injuries, officials say| quote =Although how she killed herself may seem unusual, it is not unprecedented and there is no evidence that there was foul play, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said at a Friday morning news conference.| newspaper =[[Los Angeles Times]] blog| date =September 2, 2011| url =http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/rebecca-zahaus-suicide-likely-triggered-by-boys-injuries-authorities-say.html| accessdate =April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="USAToday20110902">{{citation|periodical=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-09-02/Coronado-mansion-death-ruled-suicide-family-objects/50233234/1|title=Coronado mansion death called suicide; family objects|first=William M.|last=Welch|first2=Donna Leinwand|last2=Leger|date=2011-09-02|accessdate=2011-09-09}}</ref>
In 2011, Bremner was hired by family of [[Death of Rebecca Zahau|Rebecca Zahau Nalepa]], a woman who committed suicide after being present in a house during an incident where her boyfriend's young son died.<ref>{{cite news| author =Elliot Spagat| title =Woman's death at mansion was suicide | quote =Zahau, 32, was discovered dead six hours after she retrieved a voice mail that said the condition of her boyfriend's 6-year-old son had suddenly worsened and that he was unlikely to survive, investigators said.| newspaper =[[Associated Press]] via [[Seattle Times]]| date = September 3, 2011| url =http://old.seattletimes.com/text/2016096147.html| access-date =April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title =Rebecca Zahau suicide likely tied to boy's injuries, officials say| quote =Rebecca Zahau, the girlfriend of pharmaceutical executive Jonah Shacknai who committed suicide at his Coronado mansion, was distraught over injuries his son suffered in her care and that is apparently why she decided to hang herself, authorities said Friday.| newspaper =[[Los Angeles Times]] blog| date =September 2, 2011| url =http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/rebecca-zahaus-suicide-likely-triggered-by-boys-injuries-authorities-say.html| access-date =April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{citation|work=NBC San Diego|title=Attorney: Zahau Death Might Not Be Suicide|first=Tony|last=Shin|date=2011-09-22|access-date=2011-10-01|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/New-Details-In-Mansion-Death-Revealed-130329173.html}}</ref> Bremner, representing Zahau's family, sued the deceased boy's parents, Jonah and Dina Shacknai, claiming that Zahau had been murdered, contrary to the conclusion of the police investigation which ruled Zahau's death a suicide with no foul play.<ref>{{cite news| author =Tony Perry| title =Woman killed herself after learning that boy would die| newspaper =[[Los Angeles Times]]| date = September 3, 2011| url =https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-sep-03-la-me-coronado-death-20110903-story.html| access-date =April 23, 2015}}</ref> Bremner went on many television shows and made statements such as, "this doesn't pass the smell test" and claimed that "This would be the first case in the history of the world that a woman killed herself like this ... It's ridiculous on the face of it"; however, officials said that the way Zahau killed herself is "not unprecedented and there is no evidence that there was foul play".<ref>{{cite news| title =Rebecca Zahau suicide likely tied to boy's injuries, officials say| quote =Although how she killed herself may seem unusual, it is not unprecedented and there is no evidence that there was foul play, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said at a Friday morning news conference.| newspaper =[[Los Angeles Times]] blog| date =September 2, 2011| url =http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2011/09/rebecca-zahaus-suicide-likely-triggered-by-boys-injuries-authorities-say.html| access-date =April 23, 2015}}</ref><ref name="USAToday20110902">{{citation|periodical=USA Today|url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/story/2011-09-02/Coronado-mansion-death-ruled-suicide-family-objects/50233234/1|title=Coronado mansion death called suicide; family objects|first=William M.|last=Welch|first2=Donna Leinwand|last2=Leger|date=2011-09-02|access-date=2011-09-09}}</ref>


In 2013–2014, Bremner represented true crime author [[Ann Rule]] in a defamation suit against ''[[Seattle Weekly]]'' and lost.<ref>{{cite news| author =Levi Pulkkinen| title =Judge tosses Ann Rule defamation lawsuit| quote =| newspaper =[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]| date = February 26, 2014| url =http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Judge-tosses-Ann-Rule-defamation-lawsuit-5270728.php| accessdate =April 22, 2015}}</ref> The state Supreme Court reversed a matter that reinstated Ann Rule's case.
In 2013–2014, Bremner represented true crime author [[Ann Rule]] in a defamation suit against ''[[Seattle Weekly]]'' and lost.<ref>{{cite news| author =Levi Pulkkinen| title =Judge tosses Ann Rule defamation lawsuit| newspaper =[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]| date = February 26, 2014| url =http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Judge-tosses-Ann-Rule-defamation-lawsuit-5270728.php| access-date =April 22, 2015}}</ref> The state Supreme Court reversed a matter that reinstated Ann Rule's case.


===Other activities===
===Other activities===


In 2003, Bremner was one of the founding members of the Committee for a Two-Newspaper Town, along with Washington Supreme Court justice [[Phil Talmadge]]. The group was formed to pressure the [[Hearst Corporation]] and [[The Seattle Times Company]] to continue printing their respective newspapers, the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'' and ''[[The Seattle Times]]'', under their [[Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970|joint operating agreement]] signed in 1982.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2003/06/30/daily18.html|periodical=Puget Sound Business Journal|date=2003-06-30|accessdate=2011-10-01|title=Citizens group formed to maintain P-I, Times}}</ref> The group specifically opposed an attempt by the ''Times'' to dissolve the JOA and permit Hearst to close the ''Post-Intelligencer'' in exchange for 32% of the ''Times''' profits for 80 years.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Group-will-seek-close-look-at-Seattle-papers-1210782.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|title=Group will seek close look at Seattle papers' finances|first=Dan|last=Richman|date=2006-08-02|accessdate=2011-10-01}}</ref> However, in March 2009, the ''Post-Intelligencer'' printed its last paper edition and moved to an [[online newspaper|online-only]] format. In an e-mail about the event, Bremner stated: "What a terribly sad day this is. Only tomorrow will be worse."<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march162009/pi_online_3-16-09.php|date=2009-03-16|accessdate=2011-10-01|title=Seattle P-I to Publish Last Edition Tuesday|first=Dan|last=Richman|first2=Andrea|last2=James|periodical=Salem News}}</ref>
In 2003, Bremner was one of the founding members of the Committee for a Two-Newspaper Town, along with Washington Supreme Court justice [[Phil Talmadge]]. The group was formed to pressure the [[Hearst Corporation]] and [[The Seattle Times Company]] to continue printing their respective newspapers, the ''[[Seattle Post-Intelligencer]]'' and ''[[The Seattle Times]]'', under their [[Newspaper Preservation Act of 1970|joint operating agreement]] signed in 1982.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/stories/2003/06/30/daily18.html|periodical=Puget Sound Business Journal|date=2003-06-30|access-date=2011-10-01|title=Citizens group formed to maintain P-I, Times}}</ref> The group specifically opposed an attempt by the ''Times'' to dissolve the JOA and permit Hearst to close the ''Post-Intelligencer'' in exchange for 32% of the ''Times''' profits for 80 years.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/default/article/Group-will-seek-close-look-at-Seattle-papers-1210782.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|title=Group will seek close look at Seattle papers' finances|first=Dan|last=Richman|date=2006-08-02|access-date=2011-10-01}}</ref> However, in March 2009, the ''Post-Intelligencer'' printed its last paper edition and moved to an [[online newspaper|online-only]] format. In an e-mail about the event, Bremner stated: "What a terribly sad day this is. Only tomorrow will be worse."<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march162009/pi_online_3-16-09.php|date=2009-03-16|access-date=2011-10-01|title=Seattle P-I to Publish Last Edition Tuesday|first=Dan|last=Richman|first2=Andrea|last2=James|periodical=Salem News}}</ref> Bremner was a regular contributor to ''[[Women in Crime Ink]]'', which the ''[[Wall Street Journal]]'' called "a blog worth reading."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052970203771904574173874199242710|title=Blogs Worth Reading - WSJ|author=beckey bright|date=2 June 2009|work=WSJ}}</ref>


==DUI case==
==DUI case==
On June 3, 2010, Bremner had automobile difficulties and called [[9-1-1]]. A [[King County Sheriff's Office|county sheriff]] suspected she was intoxicated and arrested her.<ref name="SeattleTimes20100804">{{citation|periodical=The Seattle Times|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012537195_bremner05m.html|last=Green|first=Sara Jean|title=Lawyer Anne Bremner tries to block records about DUI arrest|date=2010-08-04|accessdate=2011-10-01}}</ref><ref name="PI20100902"/> She pleaded guilty to DUI on September 1<ref name="PI20100902">{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Report-Bremner-called-cop-a-Nazi-during-DUI-895610.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|title=Report: Bremner called cop a 'Nazi' during DUI arrest|first=Scott|last=Gutierrez|first2=Levi|last2=Pulkkinen|date=2010-09-02|accessdate=2011-10-01}}</ref> and was sentenced to two days in jail.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Bremner-I-represent-Seattle-police-you-can-t-884288.php|title=Bremner: 'I represent Seattle police, you can't arrest me'|date=2010-09-06|accessdate=2011-10-01|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref>
On June 3, 2010, Bremner had automobile difficulties and called [[9-1-1]]. A [[King County Sheriff's Office|county sheriff]] suspected she was intoxicated and arrested her.<ref name="SeattleTimes20100804">{{citation|periodical=The Seattle Times|url=http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2012537195_bremner05m.html|last=Green|first=Sara Jean|title=Lawyer Anne Bremner tries to block records about DUI arrest|date=2010-08-04|access-date=2011-10-01}}</ref><ref name="PI20100902"/> She pleaded guilty to DUI on September 1<ref name="PI20100902">{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Report-Bremner-called-cop-a-Nazi-during-DUI-895610.php|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|title=Report: Bremner called cop a 'Nazi' during DUI arrest|first=Scott|last=Gutierrez|first2=Levi|last2=Pulkkinen|date=2010-09-02|access-date=2011-10-01}}</ref> and was sentenced to two days in jail.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Bremner-I-represent-Seattle-police-you-can-t-884288.php|title=Bremner: 'I represent Seattle police, you can't arrest me'|date=2010-09-06|access-date=2011-10-01|periodical=Seattle Post-Intelligencer}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==External links==
==External links==
*{{IMDb name|2003274}}
*{{Official website|http://www.annebremner.com}}
*{{Official website|http://www.annebremner.com}}
*[https://lawtally.com/lawyers/anne-bremner/ Anne Bremner Lawyer Profile On LawTally]
*[https://lawtally.com/lawyers/anne-bremner/ Anne Bremner Lawyer Profile On LawTally]
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[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:1958 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:American women lawyers]]
[[Category:21st-century American women lawyers]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Seattle]]
[[Category:Lawyers from Seattle]]
[[Category:Seattle University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Seattle University School of Law alumni]]
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[[Category:Washington (state) lawyers]]
[[Category:Washington (state) lawyers]]
[[Category:People from McAlester, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:People from McAlester, Oklahoma]]
[[Category:21st-century American lawyers]]

Latest revision as of 18:15, 18 August 2024

Anne Bremner
Professional headshot of Bremner in 2008
Born
Anne Melani Bremner

(1958-06-04) June 4, 1958 (age 66)
McAlester, Oklahoma, U.S.
Alma materStanford University (BA)
Seattle University (JD)
Occupation(s)Lawyer
Television personality

Anne Melani Bremner (born June 4, 1958) is an American attorney and television personality.[1] She has been a television commentator on a number of high-profile cases, including in the murder of Meredith Kercher in Italy as legal counsel and as a spokesperson for the Friends of Amanda Knox.

Early life and education

[edit]

Bremner was born in McAlester, Oklahoma.[1] Bremner attended Stanford University, where she studied medieval history, graduating in 1980 with honors.[2] She describes her student self as "a liberal, an idealist, and a Democrat" who was opposed to capital punishment.[3] She went on to Seattle University School of Law, where she completed her J.D. degree in 1982.[2]

Career

[edit]

Prosecutor

[edit]

From 1983 to 1988, Bremner was a deputy prosecuting attorney with the criminal division of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, specializing in sex crimes.[2]

During these years she came into contact with a number of high-profile cases, such as the Wah Mee massacre trials. The experience, along with those later in her career, began to modulate her views on the death penalty, which she had always staunchly opposed.[3]

In 1985, she was deputy prosecuting attorney in a case against a University of Washington police officer believed to be the first person to be charged under the state's new computer trespass law. A trial court convicted the officer of the charges, but the Washington Court of Appeals overturned his conviction.[4][5]

Private practice

[edit]

Bremner worked as a lawyer at Stafford Frey Cooper in Seattle from 1988 to 2012.[6][7] During her career in private practice, Bremner represented law enforcement and judges in various civil and criminal cases. In 1996, she successfully defended the Seattle Police Department's use of police dogs to find and bite suspects against an American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) challenge claiming that it violated suspects' civil rights and constituted excessive force.[8]

In 2001, she represented the Bellevue Police Department during the inquest into the conduct of officer Mike Hetle during his second fatal shooting that year; the jury found that Metle had reason to fear death or serious bodily harm.[9]

In the 2002 case Vili Fualaau v. Highline School District and the Des Moines Police Department, filed by the family of Mary Kay Letourneau's student Vili Fualaau, Bremner successfully defended the police department against liability for damages.[10] She became acquainted with Letourneau during the course of the lawsuit; the two would develop a friendship.[11]

Media attention

[edit]

Bremner appears on television as a legal analyst, explaining prominent cases to the general public. In 2004, she appeared on Court TV and other cable networks covering the trial of Scott Peterson for the murder of Laci Peterson.[3] Similarly in 2005, she took an unpaid leave of absence from her job to offer television commentary on People v. Jackson, stating that the publicity had brought in millions of dollars of business for her firm.[12] In 2009, she appeared variously on CNN with Nancy Grace to discuss the Casey Anthony case.[13][14]

In October 2008, Bremner took up the cause of Amanda Knox, a University of Washington student charged with the murder of Meredith Kercher in Perugia, Italy.[15] She was contacted by family members of Knox's classmates, including Mike Heavey, a superior court judge with whom she was previously acquainted.[16] The group subsequently held fundraisers to pay for Knox's defense, lobby lawmakers, and conduct public relations activities, turning media focus toward the conduct of the prosecution, especially Perugia chief prosecutor Giuliano Mignini.[17] Bremner made various television appearances regarding the case, describing Knox as "naive" and comparing her to the title character in the French film Amélie.[18]

She represents the parents of Susan Powell, a homemaker who went missing in Utah in 2009, in their lawsuit for insurance money. The lawsuit ended in a settlement in March 2015.[19]

In 2011, Bremner was hired by family of Rebecca Zahau Nalepa, a woman who committed suicide after being present in a house during an incident where her boyfriend's young son died.[20][21][22] Bremner, representing Zahau's family, sued the deceased boy's parents, Jonah and Dina Shacknai, claiming that Zahau had been murdered, contrary to the conclusion of the police investigation which ruled Zahau's death a suicide with no foul play.[23] Bremner went on many television shows and made statements such as, "this doesn't pass the smell test" and claimed that "This would be the first case in the history of the world that a woman killed herself like this ... It's ridiculous on the face of it"; however, officials said that the way Zahau killed herself is "not unprecedented and there is no evidence that there was foul play".[24][25]

In 2013–2014, Bremner represented true crime author Ann Rule in a defamation suit against Seattle Weekly and lost.[26] The state Supreme Court reversed a matter that reinstated Ann Rule's case.

Other activities

[edit]

In 2003, Bremner was one of the founding members of the Committee for a Two-Newspaper Town, along with Washington Supreme Court justice Phil Talmadge. The group was formed to pressure the Hearst Corporation and The Seattle Times Company to continue printing their respective newspapers, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and The Seattle Times, under their joint operating agreement signed in 1982.[27] The group specifically opposed an attempt by the Times to dissolve the JOA and permit Hearst to close the Post-Intelligencer in exchange for 32% of the Times' profits for 80 years.[28] However, in March 2009, the Post-Intelligencer printed its last paper edition and moved to an online-only format. In an e-mail about the event, Bremner stated: "What a terribly sad day this is. Only tomorrow will be worse."[29] Bremner was a regular contributor to Women in Crime Ink, which the Wall Street Journal called "a blog worth reading."[30]

DUI case

[edit]

On June 3, 2010, Bremner had automobile difficulties and called 9-1-1. A county sheriff suspected she was intoxicated and arrested her.[31][32] She pleaded guilty to DUI on September 1[32] and was sentenced to two days in jail.[33]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Member directory: Anne M. Bremner Esq., International Academy of Trial Lawyers, retrieved 2011-10-08
  2. ^ a b c Attorneys: Anne M. Bremner, Stafford Frey Cooper, archived from the original on 2009-01-01, retrieved 2011-10-01
  3. ^ a b c Paynter, Susan (2004-12-07), "A tough case to the very end", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2011-10-01
  4. ^ "Ex-policeman faces computer charge", The Spokesman-Review, 1985-05-01, retrieved 2011-10-01
  5. ^ "STATE v. OLSON", 47 Wn. App. 514 (1987), 1987-04-29, archived from the original on 2012-04-04, retrieved 2011-09-30
  6. ^ Jennifer Sullivan and Mike Carter (April 12, 2012). "High-profile Seattle defense lawyers quit firm to form own". The Seattle Times. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  7. ^ "Lawyer Anne Bremner Seattle, WA Attorney". Avvo.com. Avvo. Retrieved April 23, 2015. Shareholder at Stafford Frey Cooper 1988–present
  8. ^ "Jury rejects suit challenging police dog policy", Lewiston Morning Tribune, 1996-12-25, retrieved 2011-10-01
  9. ^ Taus, Margaret (2001-11-09), "Inquest clears policeman in fatal shooting; Officer's use of gun vindicated for the second time this year", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2011-10-01
  10. ^ Skolnik, Sam (2002-05-20), "Schools, police absolved in Fualaau case", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2011-10-01
  11. ^ "Mary Kay Letourneau released from prison", USA Today, 2004-03-08, retrieved 2011-10-01
  12. ^ Broder, John M. (2005-04-02), "To Some, Jackson Trial Is Another Shot at TV", The New York Times, retrieved 2011-10-02
  13. ^ Grace, Nancy (2009-03-23), "New Search in Natalee Holloway Disappearance", CNN, retrieved 2011-10-08
  14. ^ Grace, Nancy (2009-06-11), "Missing Ohio Mom Spotted in Wal-Mart", CNN, retrieved 2011-10-08
  15. ^ Pulkkinen, Levi (2008-10-03), "Prominent Seattle lawyer to help Knox", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2011-10-02
  16. ^ Dietrich, Heidi (2008-12-05), "Questions for Anne Bremner, trial lawyer, Stafford Frey Cooper", Puget Sound Business Journal, retrieved 2011-10-01
  17. ^ Sherwell, Philip; Harrison, David (2009-12-05), "Amanda Knox: 'Foxy Knoxy' was an innocent abroad, say US supporters", The Telegraph, retrieved 2011-10-01
  18. ^ "Lawyer: Alleged killer Knox 'naive, imprudent'", MSNBC, 2009-11-30, archived from the original on 2011-11-03, retrieved 2011-10-01
  19. ^ "Settlement ends court battle for Susan Powell insurance money". The Salt Lake Tribune. March 26, 2015. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  20. ^ Elliot Spagat (September 3, 2011). "Woman's death at mansion was suicide". Associated Press via Seattle Times. Retrieved April 23, 2015. Zahau, 32, was discovered dead six hours after she retrieved a voice mail that said the condition of her boyfriend's 6-year-old son had suddenly worsened and that he was unlikely to survive, investigators said.
  21. ^ "Rebecca Zahau suicide likely tied to boy's injuries, officials say". Los Angeles Times blog. September 2, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2015. Rebecca Zahau, the girlfriend of pharmaceutical executive Jonah Shacknai who committed suicide at his Coronado mansion, was distraught over injuries his son suffered in her care and that is apparently why she decided to hang herself, authorities said Friday.
  22. ^ Shin, Tony (2011-09-22), "Attorney: Zahau Death Might Not Be Suicide", NBC San Diego, retrieved 2011-10-01
  23. ^ Tony Perry (September 3, 2011). "Woman killed herself after learning that boy would die". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  24. ^ "Rebecca Zahau suicide likely tied to boy's injuries, officials say". Los Angeles Times blog. September 2, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2015. Although how she killed herself may seem unusual, it is not unprecedented and there is no evidence that there was foul play, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore said at a Friday morning news conference.
  25. ^ Welch, William M.; Leger, Donna Leinwand (2011-09-02), "Coronado mansion death called suicide; family objects", USA Today, retrieved 2011-09-09
  26. ^ Levi Pulkkinen (February 26, 2014). "Judge tosses Ann Rule defamation lawsuit". Seattle Post-Intelligencer. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  27. ^ "Citizens group formed to maintain P-I, Times", Puget Sound Business Journal, 2003-06-30, retrieved 2011-10-01
  28. ^ Richman, Dan (2006-08-02), "Group will seek close look at Seattle papers' finances", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2011-10-01
  29. ^ Richman, Dan; James, Andrea (2009-03-16), "Seattle P-I to Publish Last Edition Tuesday", Salem News, retrieved 2011-10-01
  30. ^ beckey bright (2 June 2009). "Blogs Worth Reading - WSJ". WSJ.
  31. ^ Green, Sara Jean (2010-08-04), "Lawyer Anne Bremner tries to block records about DUI arrest", The Seattle Times, retrieved 2011-10-01
  32. ^ a b Gutierrez, Scott; Pulkkinen, Levi (2010-09-02), "Report: Bremner called cop a 'Nazi' during DUI arrest", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2011-10-01
  33. ^ "Bremner: 'I represent Seattle police, you can't arrest me'", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 2010-09-06, retrieved 2011-10-01
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