Top best State Lawyers in Seattle | 1054 available

As a Member of Ogden Murphy Wallace, I represent hospitals, physicians and physician groups in transactional matters. A great deal of my practice is also devoted to real estate transactions, mergers and acquisitions and other business-related issues, both inside and outside of healthcare.Specialties:Healthcare TransactionsReal Esate TransactionsHospitals, Physicians and Physician PracticesMergers and AcquisitionsStark and Anti-kickbackEntity Formation and GovernanceHealthcare ITAccountable Care Organizations (ACOs)Dental Practice TransactionsBusiness TransactionsContract NegotiationsPhysician Group/Hospital IntegrationsLiquor Licensing

As a lawyer in Seattle for over 20 years, Carl Marquardt has been a successful commercial litigator and trial attorney, negotiated complex real estate and business agreements, advised business owners and investors in a wide array of matters, and served in government as the legal counsel to the Mayor of Seattle.. After growing up in Missoula, Montana, Carl graduated from Yale University (1988) and the University of Washington School of Law (1993).  He clerked for the Honorable Mary K. Becker, of the Washington State Court of Appeals, from 1994-96, and then joined the Seattle law firm of Stokes Lawrence, P.S., where he practiced from 1997-2007.. As an associate, and later a shareholder at Stokes Lawrence, Carl represented corporate defendants in class action lawsuits around the country, and many local business and real estate owners in disputes in the Seattle area.  And like many mid-career litigators, he became increasingly interested in helping clients to structure agreements and navigate problems without resorting to litigation.. In 2007, he opened his own law office, counseling owners and investors in real estate acquisitions and related issues related to closely held businesses in Washington, California, and Arizona.. In 2009, incoming Mayor Michael McGinn asked Carl to serve as his legal counsel.  As Legal Counsel for the Mayor from 2010-13, he was responsible for advising the Mayor and the Mayor’s staff on the wide array of issues related to City governance.  He served as the Mayor’s lead in overseeing the police and fire departments, negotiating union labor agreements, and in negotiating a Consent Decree with the United States Department of Justice to resolve allegations of police misconduct.. In 2013, Carl returned to private practice, focusing on real estate and business law.  In April 2013, he opened an office in the Madrona neighborhood of Seattle, where he has lived for many years.. Carl has been an active volunteer throughout his career with the King County Neighborhood Legal Clinics Program, which provides free, drop-in legal advice to King County residents.  He served as Chair of the Neighborhood Legal Clinics Committee, which oversees the clinics, from 2006-2009, and was the program’s “Volunteer of the Year” in 2008.  He currently serves on the King County Bar Association’s Pro Bono Services Committee, which supports the broader array of pro bono services to County residents.

As a law student, I served as an Editor on the Touro Law Review, spent a great deal of my time serving as a Research and Teaching Assistant to my Criminal Procedure Professor, and received the CALI award for academic excellence in Advanced Legal Research and Writing.. I went on to practice in New York and Connecticut, representing clients in civil litigation, criminal defense, and personal injury cases. I formerly acted as Lead Attorney in the Title Claims & Tax Department of an East Coast mortgage banking firm representing lenders, trustees, and investors, and handled a high-volume civil caseload. I left civil practice and joined a small firm in Connecticut where I handled a vast range of cases including, but not limited to, sexual assault, assault, harassment and stalking, larceny, burglary and robbery, driving under the influence, drug possession and sale, domestic violence and criminal mischief. I also successfully represented plaintiffs and claimants in motor vehicle accident and personal injury matters and effectively assisted clients with the pardons application process presenting to the Connecticut Board of Pardons resulting in expungement of criminal records.. While licensed in Washington, New York and Connecticut, I currently reside and practice only in Washington, representing clients in Westwood Pacific's main practice areas: litigation, bankruptcy and restructuring, business, real estate, probate, estate planning, and family law.. I spend most of my free time chasing around three children and any and all things health and fitness.

As a former chair of the firm's real estate department and the firm's business department, I focus on business, tax, and real estate matters for individuals and privately held companies as well as dental and specialty practice transitions and the attendant issues.  I am a native to Washington and hold a master's degree in taxation, which broadens my ability to advise and assist clients effectively.

Andy’s practice spans many disciplines including environmental, real estate, land use, and construction law. He advises clients on regulatory compliance and litigation of cost recovery and contribution actions under the Washington Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) and the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Andy has successfully managed the environmental remediation and regulatory closure of several complex contaminated sites. He regularly counsels clients on the risks and opportunities of buying, selling, and redeveloping contaminated property, assisting with environmental and geotechnical due diligence and negotiating transactional documents such as real estate purchase and sale agreements, asset sale agreements, leases, construction contracts, and easement agreements.. Andy’s environmental experience also includes work on issues involving industrial storm water permit compliance, the National and State Environmental Policy Acts, wetland issues, development code compliance, construction defect cases, condemnation actions, and the Endangered Species Act.

Andrew provides sophisticated estate, gift, generation skipping, and other tax-optimized wealth transfer strategies, business succession planning, trust administration, as well as customized “family office” solutions to high-net worth individuals, families, and private businesses across the Pacific Northwest. He serves as outside general counsel to many private businesses, guiding legal strategy for significant and complex matters associated with the business and legal affairs of businesses and their owners, including corporate, limited liability company, real estate, and employment work.. In his multi-disciplinary practice, Andrew advises on a variety of business matters, including purchases and sales of businesses and ongoing corporate and employment law issues. His real estate practice regularly includes residential and commercial property transactions for many millions of dollars, as well as complex commercial leasing.. Overall, Andrew is recognized and appreciated by his clients for providing high value, strategic and discreet solutions while rendering extraordinary client service on highly confidential matters important to his clients’ interests.

An experienced negotiator and litigator, Karolyn’s practice focuses primarily on trust and estate disputes, complex business disputes, and disputes between members of closely held companies.. Clients come to Karolyn for her compassionate advocacy and insightful counsel while working in their best interest. Highly regarded as a top trust and estate litigator in Washington, Karolyn uses her long-standing, well-established relationships with other leading attorneys in her field to avoid litigation and resolve matters early. When a case cannot be settled, she is a seasoned litigator--with a demonstrated track record on behalf of her clients.. In her 22 years of private practice, Karolyn has handled cases on behalf of fiduciaries, beneficiaries, charities, major corporations, closely held businesses, and individual parties.. Karolyn also serves as a mediator in numerous and varied cases, helping attorneys achieve settlements for their clients and avoid ongoing fees, costs, trials and appeals.

An experienced estate planning and probate attorney, Kristina’s practice involves analyzing, preparing, and helping clients implement estate plans.  She also counsels clients on charitable giving, prenuptial agreements, estate and gift tax issues, estate and trust administration, and guardianships.  She represents fiduciaries and beneficiaries in negotiating settlements of trusts and estates, as well as preparing and filing gift and estate tax returns. Prior to establishing her own law firm, Kristina was a member in theSeattle office of Williams, Kastner & Gibbs PLLC.  Kristina’s work history includes her role as the Assistant Dean of Development and Community Relations for the University of Washington School of Law and the Executive Director of the Washington Law School Foundation.. Affiliations: Kristina is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the Estate Planning Council of Seattle, and Washington Women in Tax.  She is also a member of and past-chair of the University of Washington Estate Planning Advisory Committee, and serves on the Estate Planning Council of Seattle Executive Committee.  She is a past member of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center Planned Giving Board and the Editorial Board of the Washington State Bar Association Real Property Probate & Trust Newsletter, and past-president of the Financial Planning Association of Puget Sound. Kristina was recognized as a Super Lawyer for the years 2001 through 2014 by Washington Law & Politics magazine.  Kristina has also been recognized by Seattle Magazine as one of the best estate planning lawyers inSeattle.. Education:. Kristina received her J.D. from theUniversity ofWashington in 1990 and her B.A. from theUniversity ofMontana in 1986.. This link tells my "personal" story regarding surviving cancer and raising two small children.  #axzz21g1sr3sV

Amy N. Spitzer advises professional guardians, fiduciaries, and healthcare institutions in legal matters involving guardianships, conservatorships, and patient discharge issues. Her work often involves assisting acute-care facilities with legal petitions when patients cannot provide informed consent. With over ten years of experience, she offers consistent legal support to professionals managing vulnerable individuals and complex care-related decisions.Amy graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law and was a member of the Seattle University Law Review. She has held leadership roles within the King County Bar Association Guardianship and Elder Law Section, including Chair, and continues to serve on its Executive Committee. Her insights are frequently sought by both legal and healthcare professionals, and in 2023, she presented to the Washington State Senate Law & Justice Committee on barriers hospitals face when discharging patients lacking capacity. Amy has been recognized as a Super Lawyers “Rising Star” in Elder Law annually since 2021 and contributes her time to the Washington Medical-Legal Partnership, which promotes access to legal help in healthcare settings. Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog Dill, especially while exploring Georgetown or making fresh pasta at home.

Amit’s practice focuses on litigation and bankruptcy. He represents clients in a broad range of litigation matters including commercial contracts, real estate, lending, employment, civil rights and liberties, environmental and land use, and construction. Amit has worked with a wide variety of clients including local municipalities, large and small private entities, and individual developers.

Amber Quintal is a member in the Business Department at Ogden Murphy Wallace, PLLC. Her practice focuses on federal, state and local taxation, estate planning and probate, and general business.Ms. Quintal received her B.A. in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of Washington in 2001. In 2005, she received concurrent J.D. and M.B.A. degrees from the University of Washington Schools of Law and Business, and received an LL.M. in Taxation, also from the University of Washington School of Law, in 2006. During law school, Ms. Quintal served as a student attorney in the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic at the University of Washington School of Law, a graduate intern with King County Metro Accessible Services and was appointed as a teaching assistant in graduate courses on corporate governance as well as computer programming and technology. Ms. Quintal was the 2005-2006 recipient of the Washington State Bar Association Tax Section Scholarship. Ms. Quintal is a part - time lecturer at the University of Washington School of Law teaching Federal Tax Research and Writing. She also teaches Federal Tax Research and Decision Making in the Master of Tax program at Golden Gate University.Ms. Quintal's professional memberships include the Washington State Bar Association and the American Bar Association. She serves as President of the WSBA Tax Section and on the Tax Council.  Ms. Quintal is a former American Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section Fellow (2010-2012) and now holds leadership poisons in the Section. She has also been named a 2010, 2012-2014 Rising Star (Tax) by Washington Law and Politics.

Allie Sisson is a real estate and business associate at Ryan, Swanson & Cleveland, PLLC. She enjoys helping clients solve complex legal issues with creative and simple solutions for their questions. Allie prides herself on efficient and cost-effective results that allow people to focus on what matters most – successfully running their business.. Allie represents clients with real estate and business matters involving:. • Representing developers and owners in the acquisition and disposition of real estate, including drafting and reviewing purchase and sale agreements, contractor and subcontractor agreements, and loan agreements. • Reviewing, negotiating, drafting, and updating commercial leases. • Formation of corporations, limited liability companies, and professional limited liability companies including business licenses, operating agreements, and other formation documents. • Assisting nonprofit corporations with applications for tax exempt status. • Initial security filings and annual updates with the S.E.C. and multi-state filings through NASAA Electronic Filing Depository. • Reviewing and drafting easements, licenses, deeds, and other real property documents. • Due diligence review during real property and business transactions. Before law school, Allie received her B.A. in Marketing, with minors in Spanish and Leadership Studies from the University of Denver. During her third year, she lived in Buenos Aires, Argentina where she became fluent in Spanish.. Allie attended Seattle University School of Law and worked as a summer associate at Ryan Swanson in 2018 and as a legal intern at Ryan Swanson until graduating cum laude in 2019. During law school, Allie served as the Managing Editor for the Seattle Journal for Social Justice and Case Manager for the International Refugee Assistance Project. During her final year of law school, she externed for Inspire Corp., a Moroccan based mental health organization. She was also a semi-finalist in the James E. Bond ABA Moot Court Competition and recipient of the CALI Excellence for the Future Awards in her Youth Advocacy Clinic.. Outside of work, Allie enjoys traveling, camping and backpacking, spending time with her family, and snuggling her two cats.

Alison is an experienced trust and estate attorney who focuses her practice in trust and estate litigation. With a legal career spanning over 20 years and a background in tax, Alison brings a unique perspective to her practice that enables her to navigate the complexities that arise in matters where personal and financial issues are deeply intertwined.. Alison is known for her strategic, compassionate advocacy, and she has successfully represented clients in a wide range of trust and estate disputes, including will contests, breach of fiduciary duty claims, financial exploitation, and other matters brought under the Trust and Estate Dispute Resolution Act (TEDRA) and the Vulnerable Adult Protection Act. Her dedicated approach to her client’s needs is matched by her fierce representation in court, ensuring that her client’s interests are fully protected. Alison also appreciates the value of avoiding litigation where appropriate. A key component of her practice is to advise and represent clients who seek alternatives to litigation, such as mediation, and she strives to find creative solutions to help her clients achieve their goals while minimizing the emotional and financial toll of the legal process.. Alison received her Juris Doctorate degree in 2002 from American University, where she graduated magna cum laude. After spending the first decade of her legal career practicing criminal defense at Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons in Seattle, Washington, she earned her LL.M. in taxation from the University of Washington School of Law. Since 2013, Alison has focused her work solely in the area of trusts and estates.. Outside of her legal practice, Alison is an active member of the Seattle community. She is a past president and past board member of the QLAW Association and is a contributing editor to the Real Property Probate and Trust Newsletter published by WSBA. She also speaks regularly on trust and estate topics at legal conferences and continuing legal education seminars.Alison was born and raised in Oklahoma and is proud to be an enrolled member of the Osage Nation.

Alexa Cancilla is an Associate Attorney at Dellino Family Law Group. She is committed to guiding her clients through the complexities of the divorce process with empathy and compassion. Alexa understands that the legal proceedings can be daunting, particularly for families with children, and she strives to be a supportive and forward-thinking advocate for each client. Her detail-oriented approach ensures that the resolutions she helps clients reach will positively impact their families for years to come. Alexa is dedicated to protecting her client’s best interests and believes in diligently advocating on behalf of each client to achieve the best possible outcome.. My Approach. I understand that the divorce process is complex and often leads to feelings of uncertainty for parents and children. It is my goal to help my clients feel grounded throughout the legal process by being a compassionate and empathetic advocate for each of my clients. Having focused on many cases that involve children, I know how important it is to be forward thinking and detail oriented when helping clients reach a resolution that will have a lasting impact on their family.. Background. I am an Arizona native and moved to Washington in 2018, happy to trade the desert heat for the ocean breeze. Outside of the office, you can find me reading, spending time near the water, exploring my creative side by crafting soaps, blending teas, and bookbinding.. Education. J.D., Seattle University School of LawB.A., Arizona State University, Management EntrepreneurshipProfessional Associations & Affiliations. Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section

Alex's practice focuses on civil litigation involving a wide range of subject matters. He has represented national, regional, and local financial institutions in commercial litigation, real estate litigation, and bankruptcy cases. He has also represented businesses and individuals in disputes involving contracts, insurance, investments, loans, leases, real estate, employment, and enforcement of judgments. Before attending law school and joining HCMP, Alex worked in the biotechnology industry as an entrepreneur and research scientist working on computational biology, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical target discovery, and development of biological threat detection devices for defense and national security applications.

Al Wallace is a Member in the Seattle office and leads Williams Kastner’s Land Use practice area. Mr. Wallace focuses his practice on Real Estate Development, Land Use, and Environmental Law. He has vast experience in obtaining entitlements for residential, commercial, industrial developments, and mineral resource projects. He complements his land use practice with prior experience as a practicing urban planner for the cities of Redmond, Mercer Island and Tacoma.

After over a decade as a litigator with the State of Washington and one of the top 100 largest law firms in the United States, Michael G. Ballnik joined Phinney Estate Law as a partner in 2009.  While he excelled as a litigator, Michael made the move to an estate planning practice in order to use his extensive legal background for the benefit of individuals, families, and small businesses and to spend more time with his own wife and daughter.. At Phinney Estate Law, Michael serves as the Complex Drafting Partner.  In this position, he utilizes the skills he developed while interpreting and drafting complex insurance agreements and settlement documents for large commercial entities to draft trust agreements and other complex estate planning vehicles for Phinney Estate Law clients.. Michael joined the Seattle office of international law firm Cozen O’Connor as a litigation associate in October of 2001, and was promoted to partner in 2004.  Michael was named a 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2008 Rising Star attorney by Washington Law & Politics magazine.  Michael received a Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation from the Washington State Bar Association in 2004.  Along with the Seattle office of Cozen O’Connor, Michael also received the 2005 Amicus Award from the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project due to ongoing pro bono efforts on behalf of immigration and asylum clients.Prior to working at Cozen O’Connor, Michael served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington.  In that capacity, he represented the Washington Department of Corrections in civil litigation and appeals and argued before the Washington Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. Michael received his bachelor of arts degree in Criminology from the University of Manitoba in 1993 and earned his law degree, with distinction, from the University of North Dakota School of Law in 1997, where he was a member of the North Dakota Law Review.. When not working or spending time with family, Michael is an avid hockey player and fan.

After being in private practice for 6.5 years, Lisa W. Gafken has returned to the Washington Attorney General's Office, where she began her career in 2001. Her initial assignment with the AGO was with the Utilities and Transportation Commission Division, where she spent four years representing Commission Staff in rate proceedings, telecom proceedings, and compliance proceedings.  In addition, Ms. Gafken represented the Commission in court proceedings to enforce Commission orders. She left the AGO in 2005 to enter private practice.  During her time in private practice, Ms. Gafken focused on litigating trust and estate matters under TEDRA, protecting vulnerable adults under Chapter 74.34 RCW, and representing clients in both contested and uncontested probate and guardianship matters. She began as an associate attorney, and then opened a law firm with a partner.. Ms. Gafken returned to the AGO in April 2012, and now serves as an Assistant Attorney General in the Public Counsel Section, where she represents customers of investor-owned utilities in proceedings before the Utilities and Transportation Commission.. She is a member of the Washington State Bar Association.  Ms. Gafken served as a board member of MAMA Seattle, the Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle, from 2008 to 2014. In addition, she was a founding member of the Lawyers Fostering Independence team, a group of lawyers offering legal assistance to foster children aging out of the foster care system, and she served as a board member for a nonprofit child care center.. Ms. Gafken obtained her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Politics and Government (political science) from the University of Puget Sound.  She graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2001.

A practicing lawyer for 24 years, Ron handles a broad range of real estate and general business transactions for both individuals and institutions.. In the real estate area, Ron regularly represents purchasers, sellers, developers, landlords, tenants and lenders in commercial real estate transactions. He has extensive experience counseling clients on site acquisition, entity selection, financing, construction, leasing and re-sale. He frequently advises clients in connection with real estate with known or suspected environmental risks, including allocating environmental risk among buyers and sellers. Ron has handled transactions involving retail, office, industrial, multifamily, and mixed use projects, including condominium developments and conversions.. In the business area, Ron handles the full spectrum of corporate and business transactions, including asset and equity transfers, entity structure (including joint venture structuring and financing in the real property development context) and governance. He has lived, studied, and worked in Japan; traveled extensively in Asia; and represented a number of Asian investors with U.S. business interests.. Ron’s achievements have been recognized by Super Lawyers® magazine, which has named him as a Super Lawyer® each year from 2004-2015. This is a designation reserved for fewer than five percent of all lawyers in Washington State. Ron was named as a Top 40 Real Estate Super Lawyer® from 2007 through 2012 and has received the AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbel Law Directory.

A big issue in law and technology right now is client confidentiality:. I take all precautionary measures to protect confidences, and at the same ensure that the client's hardship is clearly outlined to the opposing side.  While being guarded, the client's story must be told to make it known that he/she deserves an award of monetary or other relief.  This is how I achieve cost-efficient results and resolution of  casework in any forum.

A 1994 graduate from the University of Montana School of Law, and a recipient of a Masters of Law in Taxation from the University of Washington School of Law, Derek has 14 years of experience practicing law in Washington State. He enjoys helping people achieve their estate planning goals. He resides in Seattle with his wife and three daughters.