Top review highlights

AI generated excerpts from the customers reviews
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Pros
1
Highly knowledgeable and expert in employment, labor, discrimination, and sexual harassment laws
“Elizabeth is clearly a well-read expert in her field, but also quick and agile on her feet in the moment.”
2
Compassionate, caring, and genuinely invested in her clients' best interests
“Elizabeth genuinely cared about me and my case and I couldn't have been more pleased with the legal representation she provided me.”
3
Excellent communication and responsiveness, keeping clients informed throughout the process
“The communication with Elizabeth and her team was superb.”
4
Tenacious and effective negotiator, able to achieve favorable settlements for clients
“She negotiated on my behalf and I was able to move forward.”
5
Supportive and empowering, helping clients navigate difficult situations with confidence
“She advised several points I never would have considered, and knew how to leverage them for maximum benefit.”
Cons
As a result of the analysis of reviews about this lawyer, no significant cons were found.

All reviews

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20 Nov, 2023 by Linda
I met with Elizabeth in November 2019. I had been recently let go from my dental job shortly after being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer. I had worked in the dental field for 35 years and was 61 years old. I had received an email from my former employers letting me know that I was no longer employed at their dental practice. You can only imagine the panic I felt not to mention the deep betrayal from a group of doctors that I thought were supporting me during my battle. In my consultation, I knew imediately that Elizabeth would be the attorney to represent me. Her professionalism was above and beyond what would be expected from an attorney of her caliber. However, it was her unwavering compassion and fierceness that let me know she would fight to the end to right the wrong that had been undeservedly done to me. Elizabeth put me at ease and let me know that under no circumstance was this appropriate behavior and totally unacceptable, that having a disability I had rights and they had disregarded these rights. There was absolutely no reason to warrant tossing me aside as if I didn't matter or assuming that I would not be able to continue doing my job to the fullest extent. Or the fact that I was a person who worked hard for them every day and took pride in my position. I represented their practice with integrity and made sure that my treatment of our patients and fellow team members was always with upmost respect. After all we are in healthcare and that's what we do, take care of our patients. They didn't even take into consideration that they fired me during breast cancer awareness month. Elizabeth stood by my side and empowered me to stand up and let my former employers know that I matter and no one deserves to be treated this way! So, together we walked through this battle to defend my personhood and send the message that you cant treat me this way. Due to Covid and multiple delays on their end this walk together went nearly 4 years. Elizabeth kept in contact with me at all times. She kept me updated when even the smallest of information came to her. Elizabeth checked in on me on a regular basis and wanted to know how I was doing and how my treatment was going. Making sure if I needed anything to help me during my fight. She expressed her concerns that I was taking care of myself and celebrated with me as I continued to beat this. Elizabeth always made sure that I knew she was there for me and if I needed anything she would help me in anyway she could. She encouraged me as I went through this journey and on many occasions she let me know how proud she was of me as I faced many challenges. My former employers were not willing to settle out of court because they felt they had done nothing wrong and the jury would side with them. So off to court we went. Another amazing attorney from SGB Joe Solseng joined forces along with an impressive support team. All I can say is they should have settled out of court. It was impressive beyond to have this legal team show them that you are not allowed to treat an employee this way. After a long 8 day trial, the jury deliberated for a mere 90 minutes. They awarded me handsomely, way beyond my wildest dreams. I was vindicated and the message was sent loud and clear. This was unacceptable and you simply can not treat your employees this way. If you are in need of legal representation, you will be hard pressed to find a better attorney along with an extremely impressive group of individuals, than Elizabeth Hanley and her legal team at SGB. Thank you Elizabeth, your dedication has meant the world to me. Linda
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19 Jul, 2022 by Anonymous
You have suffered a life-changing injury. Ms. Hanley will embody intellectual agility, ethical sensibilities, and a deep commitment to set you up for success while you navigate the complicated process of trying to recover physically, mentally, emotionally, financially, socially, professionally, and personally. Ms. Hanley is mindful of the intangible compensation a personal injury client desperately seeks: justice and accountability. With swift critical thinking skills, Ms. Hanley is thoughtful, efficient, and logical whether it is nuanced knowledge of previous case law or understanding how to defend and prepare the complex layers of your life before, during and after the injury. Ms. Hanley has a magnetic balance of determination, wisdom, and fearlessness. Ms. Hanley was patient and responsive to medical providers, giving her a degree of thoroughness and humility about my case. Ms. Hanley is intuitive, proactive, and purposeful with her time, effort and energy. As a client who required accommodations because of a disability, I was concerned if the extra support, guidance and flexibility that I needed would become burdensome. Instead, Ms. Hanley empowered me during each step of the process, expressed appreciation for my comments and questions, and through effective communication showed me she was a sophisticated communicator on my behalf. Ms. Hanley articulates legal jargon and processes in a way that clients can synthesize and appreciate. Every client should have the honor of being represented by Ms. Hanley.
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21 Jun, 2021 by Marisa
Elizabeth Hanley is driven, knowledgeable and was extremely attentive. She out performed opposing counsel at every step. I would highly recommend her.
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01 Mar, 2021 by Anonymous
I hired Elizabeth Hanley when an employment situation became untenable and I consider myself extremely lucky to have found her. I could not have been better served by Elizabeth and her team. After working at a company for many years I was diagnosed with a serious illness. I was discriminated and retaliated against because the medical treatment impacted the company’s insurance costs. Friends and coworkers encouraged me to speak with an attorney and I was fortunate to be able to meet with Elizabeth. Her expertise combined with deep knowledge and genuine empathy helped me navigate a very stressful, difficult time. I was supported and felt I had a true advocate in Elizabeth. We did file suit and a few months before our court date, Elizabeth negotiated a settlement that I was very happy with. Elizabeth was always impeccably prepared and knew my case details inside and out. Her support made me feel as though she was personally offended by how I’d been treated and my emotional well-being was always her priority. My only regret for settling was not being able to see Elizabeth argue the case in court! She is incredibly impressive in depositions and mediation – I can only imagine her courtroom mastery. I cannot recommend Elizabeth Hanley highly enough.
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24 Feb, 2021 by Anonymous
Elizabeth represented me in a personal injury case. Though the case took a long time to eventually resolve, as these things sometimes do (the legal system being what it is and all), Elizabeth consistently kept me in loop on what was going on and fought vigorously and intelligently on my behalf from beginning to end, eventually concluding with a very healthy settlement. I always felt well informed of the risks, rewards, options, and situation throughout the entire time -- and I've had experiences with other lawyers where this was definitely not the case, where I was kept in the dark, or wasn't ever really sure what to expect. I also felt like she genuinely cared about my case, and I think her attention to detail and level of communication throughout the entire process is a testament to that. I don't think I could have asked for a better lawyer to represent me and my interests in that case.
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29 Apr, 2024 by Lisa shimoi
I recently had the privilege of working with Matthew Cunanan to draft my living will, and I must say, the experience was nothing short of excellent. From start to finish, Matthew demonstrated unparalleled professionalism, efficiency, and empathy, making the entire process smooth and stress-free. One of the standout qualities of Matthew's service was his remarkable ease to work with. He guided me through each step of the process, ensuring that I understood all aspects of my living will and addressing any concerns or questions I had along the way. His clear communication and willingness to listen made me feel heard and understood, fostering a sense of trust and confidence in his expertise. Matthew's thoughtfulness and understanding were evident throughout our interactions. He took the time to truly understand my wishes and priorities, tailoring the living will to suit my specific needs and circumstances. His compassionate approach made a potentially daunting task feel manageable, and I appreciated his genuine care for my well-being and that of my loved ones. Thanks to Matthew's expertise and dedication, I now have peace of mind knowing that I have a comprehensive living will in place to protect my sons in the event of unforeseen circumstances. His attention to detail and commitment to ensuring thorough documentation instilled in me a sense of security, knowing that my wishes will be carried out as intended. I wholeheartedly recommend Matthew Cunanan to anyone in need of living will services. His professionalism, efficiency, and compassionate approach make him a standout choice in this field. Working with Matthew was not only easy and quick but also reassuring and empowering. I am grateful for his assistance and would not hesitate to seek his expertise again in the future.
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15 Mar, 2024 by Sukh bains
Quick, efficient, and professional ser ice. Very happy with the work done.
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02 Nov, 2023 by Jeffery wheat
Relentless, to be sure.
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12 Nov, 2008 by Anonymous
Sarah has taken us from incorporation through investment trademarking and every other thing that has come up. She is smart, fast, responsive and has the answers you need. She is also ably assisted which is really important when it comes to saving money and getting great service. She only gets involved when real legal decision making is required, otherwise everything runs smoothly under her review. Working under the auspice of Davis Wright Tremain (DWT.COM) means you have instant credibility with investors because you are working with a blue chip firm and you have access to specialist resources (IP etc) whenever you may need them. I originally looked at the least expensive way to get legal help and after some research happily discovered that this was it.
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24 Jun, 2008 by Anonymous
Sarah is a solid asset to any deal team doing work domestically or internationally. As outside counsel for a fast growing company, Sarah was the primary point person for multiple strategic transactions including: fundraising, cross-border M&A, sensitive regulatory dealings, and managing through constantly changing corporate/market demands. I've worked with Sarah multiple times over a 4-5 year period and I look forward to our next engagement.
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star star star star star
30 Sep, 2022 by T t
Really hands on helpful and worth every cent.
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What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a Lawyer?

Hiring the right lawyer is crucial for the success of your case. Here are some important questions to ask during your initial consultation:

  1. What experience do you have with cases similar to mine?
    Ensure the lawyer has relevant experience in the specific area of law pertaining to your case.
  2. How do you charge for your services, and what are the estimated costs?
    Understand the fee structure, including hourly rates, flat fees, retainer fees, and any additional expenses.
  3. Who will be handling my case?
    Find out if the lawyer will handle your case personally or delegate tasks to other attorneys or paralegals.
  4. What is your approach to resolving cases like mine?
    Learn about their strategy, whether they prefer negotiation, mediation, or litigation.
  5. What potential outcomes can I expect?
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  6. How will you communicate with me throughout the process?
    Establish expectations for updates, preferred communication methods, and response times.
  7. What is the expected timeline for my case?
    Get an estimate of how long the process may take from start to finish.
  8. Do you have references from past clients?
    Testimonials or references can provide insight into the lawyer's professionalism and effectiveness.
  9. What challenges do you foresee in my case?
    Understanding potential obstacles helps you prepare and sets realistic expectations.
  10. Are there alternative ways to resolve my legal issue?
    Discuss options like mediation, arbitration, or settlement to resolve the issue efficiently.

Can a Lawyer Represent Me in Courts Outside of Seattle, Washington?

Whether a lawyer can represent you in courts outside of your city or state depends on their licensure and the jurisdiction of the court:

  • Within the Same State:
    Lawyers licensed in a particular state can typically practice anywhere within that state, including all cities and counties. They can represent you in both state and federal courts located in that state.
  • Outside of Their Licensed State:
    If your case is in a different state, the lawyer must be licensed in that state to represent you. However, there are exceptions:
    • Pro Hac Vice Admission: An out-of-state lawyer can request special permission to represent a client in a specific case in another state. This requires filing a motion with the court and often working in conjunction with a local attorney.
    • Federal Courts: If your case is in federal court, a lawyer licensed in any state may be able to represent you, provided they are admitted to practice in that particular federal court.
  • International Representation:
    For cases outside the United States, different rules apply, and the lawyer may need to comply with the foreign country's legal requirements or collaborate with local counsel.

It's important to discuss your specific situation with the lawyer to determine if they can represent you in the desired jurisdiction and what steps may be necessary to do so.

How to Check the Credibility of a Lawyer

Before hiring a lawyer, it's crucial to verify their credibility and ensure they're qualified to handle your case:

  • Verify Their License:
    Check with your state's bar association to confirm the lawyer is licensed and in good standing. Most state bar websites have an online directory for this purpose.
  • Experience and Specialization:
    Ensure the lawyer specializes in the area of law relevant to your case. Review their website, professional profiles, and case history.
  • Disciplinary Record:
    Look up any history of disciplinary actions or complaints through the state bar association's records.
  • Client Reviews and Testimonials:
    Read reviews on legal directories like Avvo, Martindale-Hubbell, Google, or Yelp to gauge client satisfaction and experiences.
  • Professional Memberships:
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    Honors from reputable organizations reflect expertise and a positive reputation in the legal community.
  • Consultation Assessment:
    Use the initial consultation to evaluate their communication skills, responsiveness, and willingness to address your concerns.
  • Ask for References:
    A credible lawyer should be willing to provide references from past clients who can speak to their abilities and professionalism.

What Should I Prepare for My First Consultation?

To make the most of your initial meeting with a lawyer, come prepared with:

  • Relevant Documents:
    Bring all documents related to your case, such as:
    • Contracts or agreements
    • Correspondence (emails, letters, texts)
    • Legal notices or court papers
    • Financial records (if applicable)
    • Evidence (photos, videos, receipts)
  • Written Summary:
    Prepare a concise written summary of your situation, including key dates, events, and parties involved. This helps the lawyer quickly understand the context.
  • List of Questions:
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  • Financial Information:
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  • Personal Identification:
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  • Pen and Notebook:
    Take notes during the consultation to remember important points discussed.
  • Budget Constraints:
    Be ready to discuss your budget and any financial limitations so the lawyer can provide appropriate guidance on fees and payment options.
  • Openness and Honesty:
    Be prepared to discuss your case candidly. Full disclosure allows the lawyer to give accurate advice and anticipate potential challenges.
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