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02 May, 2018 by Bonny
Charles is honest, fair, attentive, informative and knowledgeable. Unlike other attorneys i’ve experienced, I found Charles especially client-focused and understanding. He’s not as aggressive yet smart and would open to all possibilies when helping to solve my case, given it might not be as advantageous to himself. It was definitely an great experience to have him be my attorney. Thanks once again to Charles’s great effort and I would highly recommend him!
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25 Mar, 2014 by William
Charles was willing to take a difficult case on my behalf which involved international entities. He was very attentive to the details and handled my inquires and concerns with a balance of empathy, education and attention to the details. I'm convinced that if I'd had another lawyer the results would have been less satisfactory and more difficult to get through. I highly recommend Charles without any reservations.
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25 Aug, 2010 by Betty
Charles is focused on his client, fair and dilligent.
He researched all possiblilities for resolution, reviewed my case and gave me an honest and forthright opinion. He kept me informed, talked with me on a regular basis and answered all my questions.
What information he required from me was requested on a timely basis so I could complete and meet deadlines for facts in the case. He is friendly,knowledgeble, honest and made me feel like my case was important to him,his assistants and his associates.
The case was settled satisfactorialy and within a reasonable amount of time. I would reccommend Charles as an attorney not to toyed with in any situation
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20 May, 2021 by Lance
Heather is a breeze to work with, very professional, very helpful and very cool! I give her my highest recommendation and will only work with her when it comes to all things online business and legal work.
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07 Jan, 2014 by Anonymous
I hired Heather Pearce for an issue with a lease agreement. She is so professional, and her classy style of handling the situation was very refreshing. She was very honest about my risks/rewards with our case and didn't waste anytime with helping us to an agreeable settlement. I would definitely use Ms. Pearce again!
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18 Mar, 2013 by Dina
I have thoroughly enjoyed working with Heather over the past several years. She has handled many different legal issues for our real estate investment company and each experience has been positive. Heather is very knowledgeable in a variety of areas and has many resources available to her when presented with an issue that is out of her scope. She has been responsive to our timelines and is good at keeping the client informed. I would highly recommend Heather Pearce to anyone looking for legal services.
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21 Nov, 2013 by Sandy
I own a small dry cleaners, family owned, and using perc as a solvent. When our landlord refinanced the bank required them to test for contamination. Even though I had insurance, the process became very stressful. I felt at the mercy of my landlord, the environmental companies they hired and the dept. of ecology. I sought help from a friend in the industry and he highly recommended Bill willard.
I could not be more pleased with the work Bill has done for us. As He educated me on my options I found him to be very knowledgeable. When he came to meetings with us he was obviously the most informed person in the room giving us a position of strength and confidence. His guidance was spot on and he took great pains to make sure I knew all my options. He always responded immediately and explained things to me in a way that did not make me feel small or foolish as some of the people involved had. I am so glad to have him as an advocate. I could not have navigated this situation without his help. I Highly recommend Bill Willard as an attorney.
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06 Mar, 2013 by Greg
We had a situation where the work a contractor did on our house was so bad that it had to be completely demolished and redone (by a much more trustworthy company). Bill was an excellent person to work with while we tried to recover our damages. He had extensive knowledge of the subject matter of construction law, and was a great tactician, .always planning several steps ahead to anticipate what the other side's lawyers and insurance company might try. His communication with us was always timely and detailed without being overwhelming, always making sure we understood what he was doing on our behalf, the advantages and risks of any decisions, etc.. I felt that he understood our needs and priorities well enough that we could always go with his recommendations when we had decisions to make, and those always turned out to be the correct decisions for us. I can't imagine that we could have gotten any better results with any other attorney, or that anyone else could have mitigated the stress of what we had to go through any more than he did. His fees were certainly reasonable -- to be honest, I accused him at least once of billing us for less hours than he worked, but he always denied that.. Great person to work with.
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08 Mar, 2011 by Anonymous
I had to speak to someone regarding the condo I am selling, and Bill lent a professional and knowledgeable ear to my woes. He made several very good recommendations and provided me with all the alternatives on how to handle an ugly situation. I know that if I have issues in Real estate I will be calling him for advice and assistance.
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21 Oct, 2014 by Angela
Courtney Ackley represented me after I suffered damages from a contaminated tattoo ink. The case, which seemed straightforward at first, became more complex and involved over time. Courtney was dedicated, hard-working, and informative throughout the process which led to a positive outcome for me, the plaintiff, in arbitration.
This was my first experience with legal proceedings and Courtney's support and competence helped me get through a very difficult and stressful process. I would highly recommend both her and Andrew Ackley to anyone looking for representation in a product liability case.
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14 Dec, 2013 by Luna
I am so glad to have been able to be represented by Courtney. She was there supporting me whenever I needed! I am blessed to have had her as my attorney. I really needed that with what I had gone through.
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30 Nov, 2013 by Erika
I just finished working with Courtney Ackley and I am so happy with the results. This was my first time dealing with anything like this so it was really nice having someone that was so helpful and patient. She was always very easy to get ahold of and never had any trouble answering my questions. She explained every thing to me in a way I could understand which made what could've been a very stressful process so much easier. Never once did I feel anything negative towards Courtney. I wouldn't hesitate at all to recommend Courtney Ackley to anybody.
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28 Jun, 2017 by Torres
Mr. Yu provided great service and excellent legal advise for our child support case. He handled our hearing very well and helped us get the results we wanted.
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19 Jun, 2017 by Lindsey
Mr. Yu had my case given to him unexpectedly when my lawyer was in court on the day of my mediation. My divorce had been messy and complicated, but Mr. Yu came to mediation well prepared and with a firm grasp of all the details. I was very pleased with the personal interest shown in me and my child, and I was very confident with him as my representative. He helped me determine how to best protect my child, and we had a very successful mediation. He continues to answer my questions in a timely and professional manner. I highly recommend Mr. Yu and Ashby Law for any family law case!
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19 May, 2017 by Tucker gilman
I was going through a divorce and hired Ashby Law to represent me. My original attorney was terrible. We only met once over several months and he missed three court dates (He is no longer employed by the firm because of this). My case was dumped on Allen the night before a court date. Allen spent most of his night reviewing my case and did a valiant job of representing me the next day in court.
Allen is thoughtful, caring, patient and does a great job of listening. We went through mediation yesterday and I couldn't be happier with the outcome! Thank you, Allen!!
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16 May, 2013 by Steve
Ms. Ek is an excellent lawyer. Her combination of fund of knowledge, communication skills and intrinsic honesty make her tops .
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05 Apr, 2012 by Jane
I highly recommend Tyna Ek as defense counsel. In the past 20 years she has defended many complex litigated cases for my company. I can count on her to analyze the issues thoroughly and provide guidance on the best course of action. She gets great results in trial, if the case gets that far. Most of our cases have been resolved successfully prior to trial because of her excellent skills in the discovery & pre-trial process.
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26 Mar, 2012 by Deborah
Over my 35 year career, I have probably hired around 100 different lawyers throughout seven western states. Tyna Ek is in my top 5 attorneys. I would unequivocally recommend Ms. Ek as a defense attorney in complex litigated matters. I have hired Ms. Ek on numerous, high-profile cases over the last twelve years with consistently outstanding results. She is cunning, strategic, prompt, articulate, and results-oriented. She either wins at every trial, or she gets the matter settled at or below my expectations, within cost.
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11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
10 Jul, 2021 by Eric tillman
This firm is absolutely amazing. Chuck Rullman is an amazing attorney. He was super helpful and very responsive. I would 100% recommend this law firm to anyone.
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15 Mar, 2018 by Natasha d
22 Sep, 2017 by Emerald city
09 Dec, 2013 by Anonymous
Zac was hired by our association to guide us through a difficult and complex case. He served as part of a team that worked with our association on a regular basis. His expertise, specifically on matters of insurance were top notch. He did a great job explaining complicated insurance concepts in a way that we as a Board could understand so we could make educated decisions. He and the rest of the legal team also would attend meetings with owners to help clarify the more challenging issues and answer questions. This was a huge support of the association Board. Zac is very personable and easy to work with which made the experience over the couple of years on this case much easier.
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11 Nov, 2011 by Sue
I was suffered with hiring bad lawyers many years, spent too much money and time. After met Zak, He is the best lawyer I ever have. He handle my real estate property insurance, easement, tenant argument, and trading company - employee agreement. He is very smart, good for negotiation, reasonable charge. I feel very comfortable to work with him. And trust him.
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25 Jul, 2008 by Anonymous
Unfortunately, we needed an attorney. Fortunately, we found Zak. I can't say enough good stuff about this guy! He's exceptionally bright, knowledgeable and really sharp. I felt very comfortable trusting his judgment, and would immediately hire him again if the need arose.
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29 Nov, 2021 by Jennifer
Susan went above and beyond to help with such a difficult situation dealing with private insurance. She’s reached out to me immediately to help me during such a stressful situation that’s affected my health. I was so impressed with her wanting to help
me and listened to my concern. What a professional and wonderful law office whom is so concerned about my well being. I highly recommend. I was moved by how their office is driven to have my best interest at heart. I’ll always be grateful for Susan and her office staff. Thank you very much Jennifer
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11 May, 2014 by Kelly
She let me know honestly how things would most likely progress in my case, so that I wouldnt get my hopes up. She prepared me for the important things, and both her and her paralegal Kathryn helped me with all the little things with my case and insurance and all that. made my life so much easier. I will recommend to anyone who asks.
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16 Feb, 2011 by Anonymous
Susan Machler is the best attorney, she gave me great advice and I appreciate her steering me through a difficult time in my life.
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11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
21 Mar, 2024 by Josh
Tom and Meredith were the best people imaginable to help with my mother's estate. Walked me through the whole process in a caring and personal way. No one else I'd rather have represent me or my mother's estate. One of these days I'm going to stop procrastinating and get my estate planning done and know exactly who to go to.
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08 Nov, 2021 by Mstislav seligman
11 Dec, 2019 by Denise “dee†dees raymond
11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
10 Feb, 2011 by Cathi
Tim is the best lawyer I have ever worked with.
I would recommend him to anyone who wants to find the best. He is sincere, professional, and goes that extra mile to make sure you have ever possible bit of information to get what you need. He is truly amazing. Excellence defines his practice.
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09 Feb, 2011 by Linda
Tim is very professional and diligent with his work. I would recommend him to friiends.
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09 Feb, 2011 by Dallas
I have found Tim to be very knowledgeable, honest, and straightforward in his assessments regarding legal issues he has assisted me with. Having known Tim for approximately 15 years, and knowing his integrity to be what it is, I trust his advice and would not hesitate to refer others to him.
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03 Feb, 2015 by Dave
I am a retired attorney myself, so like to think I have pretty good insight into good legal services.
Couple years ago I got myself in a difficult situation (due to my own foolish screwup) and asked Mr, Haggart to help me get through the complications as best as could be done. He reviewed the legal and factual situation carefully and advised me to be less defensive --- which was very good advice, it turns out. Over the next year he worked carefully and prudently to bring the mess to a happy conclusion in my favor, and the bills were always fair and reflective of productive effort. He has my permission to have other people contact me for further questions about his performance, but what I have said here pretty much says it all -- trustworthy, practical, knowledgeable.
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28 Jan, 2015 by Duane
I was in a tractor trailer accident in 2007, I was injured and ticketed by the police.
I called Mr Haggart to protect me from any claims that may be filed against me.
The long and short of my story is that he thought I had a case against the other driver and company and I was awarded a large settlement.
Richard always told me the truth and was always ready and working for me. Thank you CRichard
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27 Jan, 2015 by Anonymous
Dick assisted me with two insurance claims arising from a motor vehicle accident. He was clearly extremely familiar with the world of insurance and knew just how to present my claim to result in a quick and favorable outcome. He was patient with my questions and followed up regularly to keep things on track. I could not have been more pleased with how things worked out, and I give Dick full credit for that.
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11 Apr, 2023 by Junior brooks
Best attorneys I have ever worked with in my life.
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19 Apr, 2022 by Jimmy harris
Will has been our attorney for several small businesses over about 5 years. He is thorough, knows his stuff, and gets back to you quickly when you have urgent issues. I highly recommend him.
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20 Oct, 2020 by Wendy daum
07 Jul, 2017 by Lee
Paul honestly is the best attorney I have ever had. His knowledge, professionalism, communication skills have surpassed not only my expectations but that of any other attorney I have used in the past. His willingness to take the time to listen to his clients and the level of research he does to be prepared for cases is always on point.
He was the only attorney to take on my case that other attorney's said that I did not have a case and the irony is we had an amazing victory.
I highly recommend Paul.
Lee
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17 Aug, 2015 by Joe
Paul is a great person to work with and he is very good at his craft. The issue was resolved to my satisfaction and in a stress-free manner. I would not hesitate to use Paul again in the future.
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14 Aug, 2009 by Automotive conversions
Paul handled our contract cases (two) and settled them, netting us a significant amount of money without trial, two times in one year. We were very pleased with his work, and professionalism.
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19 Jul, 2011 by Anonymous
Tereza is a fantastic young lawyer (but don't let that fool you). She is extremely bright yet very down to earth. I felt she gave 100% to me and my case; that it was as important to her that the case went well as it was to me. She was able to make me feel comfortable in a situation that was not easy, she was supportive and provided encouragement and information throughout the process. I would suggest anyone who is in need of legal representation consider using this excellent attorney (her paralegal was also excellent).
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18 Jun, 2011 by D.
Tereza Simonyan is a superlative attorney. Her personable approach to client concerns was why I initially chose her to represent me. She's smart, knowledgeable, and exceptionally good at providing just the right solutions. I would recommend her to anyone in need of counsel for debt and bankruptcy issues.
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25 May, 2011 by Jennifer
We had a very difficult situation with our finances and with a health matter of a family member. Tereza helped us navigate through some very difficult decisions and advised us on the best course, even when we didn't think so at the time. I'm happy that she kept bringing up issues for us to think about, because we eventually came around to see things as we should have not emotionally and we made better decisions for our family. She was very responsive to any of our questions, and at times had to be the hand holder for nervous situations and times. I am very happy we had her on our case, and would not hesitate to contact her again for any matter even if she had to refer us to another attorney due to the issue because she always considers what is best for you and your family.
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21 Feb, 2012 by Fr
Not your average attorney. Stacie is extremely helpful, smart. A person of integrity - not like other attorneys who will try to rip you off. Solved my case back in 2010 easily. :):):)
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13 Jun, 2011 by Anonymous
Stacie is an outstanding combination of common sense and legal know-how.
She loves to negotiate (even with the most loathsome examples of her profession) and never takes her eyes of getting the best possible outcome for her client.
More importantly we received closure and a positive outcome on a very complex case due mainly to Stacie's continued hard work and determination.
I could not recommend her more highly.
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02 Feb, 2009 by Anonymous
One of the very best lawyers I have ever worked with!
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15 Jun, 2022 by Sam
Chris has effectively handled a variety of business matters for me. Most recently, he successfully negotiated a residential eviction in Seattle. This was by no means a simple matter because of eviction moratorium restrictions, winter eviction restrictions, conflicting laws, and other barriers. The process went much more smoothly than anticipated. Further, his fees are extremely reasonable. He also doesn't hesitate to refer when outside his areas of expertise. He will expend considerable effort to find a quality referral. You will be pleased with his work.
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29 Sep, 2020 by Joyce
Christopher worked with me on a business contract breach where the customer owed my company significant money. Engaging in legal action was daunting as my company is a small boutique size firm, up against a large public company. Litigation costs for them would have been a drop in the bucket, but for my company, it would have been monumental. I brought the case because the contract was clear on the terms and conditions. What gave me confidence and conviction was Christopher Reed's experience and capabilities as an attorney. He is highly recommended for the following reasons:
-Out of the gate, professional and interested in my case.
-He listened and has the business savvy to connect the dots of the issue quickly. He made sure he communicated the issue back so we were in sync. He let me know what type of data he needed in support of my position, and we tackled more evidence as the issue was pulled into different directions. I felt it was an efficient and organized process—money well spent.
-Professional and timely in all of his communications, even to let me know, there's a delay from the opposing counsel. I was never left on hold wondering what the next action item was or who owned it. When they were stonewalling, he showed appropriate assertiveness to get them to want to engage but always unwavering in his ethics. Christopher had my full confidence.
-He was strategic with me in discussing the negotiation, and had great execution in presenting our position and arguments to opposing counsel. He answered my questions swiftly and helped me understand their arguments and how we could overcome their position.
-Christopher has excellent intuition, interpersonal, legal and negotiating skills. If x language in the agreement didn't work for the opposing side, he had another workaround to achieve our goal in the language. His writing skills are impressive.
-I believe his ability to be firm yet fair, and knowledgeable of my contract and the law, was vital in achieving not only their attention and engagement, but a 90% payment on the total due! (Yeah!) He far exceeded my initial expectation which was to be largely ignored by this public company. I fully expected they’d draw it out so I incurred significant legal expenses and gave up. I was going to be content with half of the total amount they owed.
I highly recommend Christopher Reed. He’s an excellent attorney. He loves the legal field, problem solving, writing, negotiating and helping me navigate the laws without getting too deep into the weeds. He doesn't waste your time, he presents options and pros/cons. He tells you the honest facts. He’ll fight for you. He guided and taught me so I was understanding both the process, our strategy and application of the law.
I have to believe the East Coast big city opposing attorney was (secretly) equally impressed with Christopher. The arguments he presented gave the opposing counsel strong data to take back to his customer that compelled them to settle substantially higher than the puny settlement they originally proposed.
I not only highly recommend Christopher but will use him again in the future to create business contracts, and also if a situation/issue arises where I need legal counsel.
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30 Mar, 2018 by Madoka
A fair settlement with the previous contractor seemed very hard for me as English is my second language. But I was lucky to have support from Christopher. For the whole process, he focused on how I “ Feel” and what I “Expect”. Language didn’t become a barrier because we were sharing the exact same goal. Thanks to Christopher effort, we had a fair deal in such a short term. I highly recommend him!
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12 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
She presented me in a medical license issue, and because of her expertise it all turned out well. Don't go it alone, hire the best.
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11 Sep, 2020 by Darrell
Recently, I was in need of Admin Law help to deal with a State Agency. After reviewing several law firms I decided to go with Seattle Litigation, and I am glad I did. Jessica Creager was assigned my case. She had a very good handle on my issues and was very proactive. She balanced my needs with the system and provided an answer to the state that included no less than 4 issues that needed to be taken into account. She always listened to my message and I always felt she had my back. I followed her lead 100% of the time. It was definitely her pro-actions that got us to a very good solution. Also, when I reviewed my invoices I never felt that they were padding the charges. Bottom line I would have no hesitation to recommend Seattle Litgation/Jessica Creager for any of your litigation needs.
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16 Jan, 2020 by Cary
Ms Creager helped me through an extremely stressful legal situation. Her guidance was clear minded and empathetic. I was shored up by her careful listening and attentiveness during a time I had difficulty thinking objectively. I could not be more pleased.i would recommend her and the Seattle Litigation Group without reservation.
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15 Apr, 2019 by David
I didn't even end up needing Carl in the end but he still listened and helped me and advised me through my issue during the brief phone call we shared. I would not hesitate using him again and was by far the most helpful lawyer I contacted regarding my issue.
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20 Jun, 2018 by Angela
For a business legal matter, I called 4 different attorneys to get quotes and free consultation. I decided to work with Carl right away for the honestly, patience, and knowledge he showed during the consultation. Carl took the time during our consultation to understand the situation and background. He answered all my questions, and provided knowledgeable advises and fair quotation. For a lawyer letter, Carl charged very fairly and completed the job within 12 hours! The final work showed great attention to detail and was exactly what I needed. I highly recommend Carl and will work with him again for future projects!
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18 Apr, 2014 by Aaron
Carl recently assisted me with a real estate transaction. Throughout the process he kept me informed, was easy to talk to, knowledgeable of the relevant laws and codes and was meticulous in his attention to detail. He discovered that the tax due was less than the County thought it was and convinced them of our position, thus reducing the amount of taxes I had to pay. I would absolutely hire Carl again and recommend him to others.
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05 Aug, 2015 by Ingrid
Jena was absolutley great and caring helping me thru a very difficult family estate situation. She showed knowledge and compassion and kept me focused during the whole time and at the end it worked out great. I would recommend Jena anytime she was there for me anytime when I had any questions, great attorney very caring and most of all getting it accomplished.
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23 Jul, 2015 by Sarah
Jena was there for me every step of the way during my divorce. She helped me resolve the issue quickly which saved me a ton of money. I would highly recommend Jena to anyone who wants personalized service and fast results!
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19 Jul, 2015 by Kimberly
Jena Robinson Law handled a real estate dispute for us. Through her zealous advocacy we quickly reached settlement on the matter without having to spend money on a costly trial.
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FAQs
Questions? We have answers
What a Litigation Lawyer Can Do for You
A litigation lawyer specializes in representing individuals, businesses, or organizations involved in legal disputes. Whether you're the one filing a lawsuit or you're being sued, a litigation attorney will advocate on your behalf throughout the entire legal process. Their goal is to resolve disputes, either through negotiation, settlement, or trial. Litigation lawyers can help with a wide range of disputes, including contract disagreements, real estate issues, employment disputes, personal injury claims, and more.
Litigation lawyers provide strategic legal advice and manage all aspects of your case, from filing motions to representing you in court, ensuring that your rights are protected and that you have the best chance of achieving a favorable outcome.
When Should I Hire a Litigation Lawyer?
You should consider hiring a litigation lawyer if you're involved in a legal dispute that you cannot resolve on your own. Common situations include:
- Breach of contract disputes: If a party to a contract fails to fulfill their obligations, a litigation lawyer can help you seek damages or enforce the agreement.
- Business disputes: Litigation lawyers can represent you in cases of partnership disagreements, intellectual property disputes, or business fraud.
- Employment disputes: If you're facing issues like wrongful termination, workplace discrimination, or wage disputes, a litigation lawyer can help resolve these matters through negotiation or court action.
- Personal injury claims: If you've been injured due to someone else's negligence and are seeking compensation, a litigation attorney can help you pursue your case.
- Real estate or property disputes: When there are conflicts over property ownership, boundary issues, or lease agreements, a litigation lawyer can assist in resolving the dispute.
Hiring a lawyer early in the process is beneficial, especially if a lawsuit seems imminent or you have already been served with legal documents.
What Does a Litigation Lawyer Do?
A litigation lawyer handles all aspects of your case, from the initial investigation to the trial and even the appeals process, if necessary. Their role includes:
- Case assessment and investigation: Analyzing the facts of your case and advising whether it’s worth pursuing or defending.
- Pleadings and motions: Drafting and filing documents to initiate or respond to a lawsuit, including complaints, motions to dismiss, and answers.
- Discovery: Gathering evidence, including depositions, interrogatories, and document requests, to build your case.
- Negotiations and settlement discussions: Attempting to resolve disputes through mediation, arbitration, or settlement talks before going to trial.
- Trial representation: Presenting your case in court, examining witnesses, introducing evidence, and making legal arguments before a judge or jury.
- Appeals: If necessary, filing appeals to challenge or defend the outcome of the trial.
Litigation lawyers are also skilled negotiators and often work to resolve disputes outside of court to save time, money, and stress for their clients.
How Are Litigation Lawyers Paid?
Litigation lawyers typically use a variety of fee structures depending on the type of case, the complexity of the legal matter, and the financial circumstances of the client. Common payment arrangements include:
- Hourly rates: Many litigation attorneys charge by the hour, with rates varying based on experience and geographic location.
- Flat fees: For specific, predictable legal tasks (such as filing a motion), lawyers may offer a flat fee.
- Contingency fees: In personal injury or other cases where you seek damages, a lawyer may work on a contingency basis, taking a percentage of the settlement or award if you win.
- Retainer: Some clients pay a retainer fee upfront to secure ongoing legal services. The lawyer then bills against this retainer as work is done.
The exact structure should be discussed in the initial consultation to ensure you understand how and when you'll be charged.
How Much Does a Litigation Lawyer Cost?
The cost of a litigation lawyer varies significantly depending on the nature of the dispute and the lawyer’s experience. Factors affecting the cost include:
- The complexity of the case: More complex litigation involving extensive discovery, expert witnesses, or multi-party suits typically costs more.
- Time spent: Litigation cases can be time-consuming, especially if they go to trial. The longer the case, the higher the legal fees.
- Type of fee arrangement: Hourly rates can range from $200 to over $1,000 per hour, depending on the lawyer’s reputation and location. Contingency fees generally range from 25% to 40% of the settlement or award.
- Stage of litigation: Cases that settle early in the process are often less expensive than those that proceed to trial or appeal.
It’s crucial to ask about cost estimates during your initial consultation to avoid surprises.
Top Questions to Ask a Litigation Lawyer
Before hiring a litigation lawyer, it's essential to ask key questions to ensure you're choosing the right representation:
-
What is your experience with cases like mine?
Ensure that the lawyer has experience handling your specific type of dispute, whether it's a contract issue, personal injury, or business matter. -
What are the potential outcomes of my case?
Ask for an honest assessment of your case's strengths, weaknesses, and the likelihood of success. -
What is your fee structure?
Clarify how you'll be charged, whether by the hour, a flat fee, or on a contingency basis. -
How long do you expect my case to take?
While it's hard to predict, an experienced lawyer can give you a rough estimate based on similar cases. -
How often do you settle cases versus going to trial?
Some lawyers are more inclined to settle, while others may be more experienced in the courtroom. It’s important to understand their strategy. -
What is your approach to resolving disputes?
Some lawyers prefer aggressive litigation, while others focus on settlement or mediation. Choose one whose approach aligns with your goals.
How to Check the Credibility of a Litigation Lawyer
To verify a litigation lawyer’s credibility, consider the following steps:
- Check bar association records: Ensure the lawyer is in good standing with the state bar and has no history of disciplinary actions.
- Read client reviews and testimonials: Online reviews can provide insight into the lawyer’s professionalism and track record.
- Look for litigation experience: Review the lawyer’s website or professional profile to ensure they have handled cases like yours and have a record of success.
- Request references: Ask the lawyer to provide references from past clients who can speak to their effectiveness and approach.
- Research their trial experience: If your case is likely to go to trial, ensure the lawyer has a history of courtroom success.
What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?
To make your first consultation with a litigation lawyer productive, you should prepare the following:
- A clear outline of the dispute: Provide a timeline and key details about the legal issue you're facing.
- Any relevant documents: Bring contracts, emails, letters, or any other documentation that pertains to the case.
- A list of key players: Provide the names of individuals or companies involved in the dispute.
- Questions about fees and the litigation process: Make sure you understand how the lawyer plans to approach your case and how you will be charged.
- Your goals and expectations: Be clear about what outcome you're hoping for, whether it's a settlement, compensation, or another resolution.
By coming prepared, you can ensure that your initial meeting with the lawyer is both efficient and insightful, giving you a better sense of how to proceed with your case.
