Top Best Criminal Defense Lawyers | 26132 Available

Tom has significant experience with very serious cases such as homicide, sex offenses, drug cases, and three-strikes cases. His jury trial experience far exceeds that of most lawyers in our community.. Tom has had a number of successful jury verdicts on serious charges, including homicide, rape, felony drugs (in federal court) and a third strike charge. He has also successfully tried numerous DUI cases. He has a powerful reputation with the prosecutors and can negotiate a favorable plea bargain if you do not want to go to trial.. While Tom has focused much of his legal career litigating criminal cases, he has also built a strong reputation in Bellingham for his work on personal injury claims. Tom enjoys helping personal injury clients recover financially from medical bills, lost wages, and property damage that result from accidents of all types including car, bicycle, pedestrian, and motorcycle accidents.. Tom is a graduate of Western Washington University and Gonzaga University School of Law. He is a past President of the Whatcom County Bar Association, a member of the Federal Bar Association, and the Washington State Bar Association. He is an avid cyclist and skier.

I was born and raised in Washington State and love living in the Northwest.  I attended the University of Washington where I studied politics and philosophy and earned my Bachelor of Arts degree.  I continued on to law school at the University of Idaho College of Law in Moscow, Idaho where I recieved my Juris Doctorate degree.. I went to law school to become a criminal defense attorney and am dedicated to what I do.  I can truly say the most rewarding part of my job is standing up for my clients when the State's prosecutorial powers are bearing down on them. My practice focuses on DUI and other vehicle or alcohol/substance related accusations but I have worked nearly every type of criminal case.. Additionally, I try to use both knowledge and creativity to solve problems associated with being accused with crimes and the very numerous consequences that evolve from such accusations or convictions.  Whether it be cleaning up a criminal record or figuring out how to get access to Canada so you can enjoy a family vacation at Whistler I am here to help you.. If I'm not in my office or answering emails on my iPhone you'll find me playing with family, hiking in the Cascades, or listening to my music louder than my mother would allow.

David Nelson has been practicing criminal law for 28 years in Whatcom County. He  handles DUI cases, Domestic Violence cases (all types of misdemeanor matters), Sex Offenses, all Felony charges and Murder cases.. In September 2013 Dave and his defense team successfully resolved a murder case by having the charges totally dismissed.. Dave has taught legal education courses to fellow attorneys in the area of criminal law and domestic violence.. Dave is a former Whatcom County Bar President.  He has served on local charity boards as a board memeber and President.

Mark Bratlien started his criminal justice career in 1976 as a military policeman in the U.S. Army.  He was stationed in Germany for his three year tour of duty.  After being honorably discharged, Mark worked his way through college.  He earned a Bachelor of Science degree with honors in Business Administration/Finance from California State University at Dominguez Hills.In addition to his military police experience, Mark worked for two years as a civilian contract military police officer for the U.S. Air Force while attending college, followed by several years as a police officer in So. California.  Mark was assigned to patrol and made thousands of traffic stops and hundreds of DUI arrests.  Mark finds this experience extremely valuable in his representation of clients charged with DUI and traffic related offenses.  It is real world experience that cannot be learned in law school or from a book.Mark graduated from Seattle University School of Law in 2002.  He worked for the Whatcom County Public Defender for over five years.  Through his skill and hard work, he achieved a winning record of trial victories.Mark Bratlien lives in Bellingham, enjoys running, and golf.

Ryan Swinburnson grew up in Northwest Washington.  He went to Central Washington University were he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1996.  In 1999 he graduated  from Willamette University College of Law.   Ryan first passed the Oregon State Bar. Directly out of law school he worked for a mid-size law firm in Albany, Oregon.  He then passed the Washington State Bar and moved to the Tri-Cities.   He served in the Benton County Prosecutor's Office for two years.  He started his own practice in 2002, where he prosecuted for the City of Pasco and did criminal defense in Benton County.  Contemporaneously, he also cultivated a personal injury practice.  Morrow County retained his services as County Counsel in 2006 through 2015.   As a personal injury attorney, he vigorously represents those who have been harmed or injured and seeks full compensation for their injuries.  As a criminal defense attorney, he advocates zealously for his clients and readily goes to trial.  Over the last 20 years, he has successfully obtained numerous dismissals, not-guilty verdicts and acquittals and is a proven trial attorney.  Perhaps, most refreshing is his ability to communicate and relate with his clients but still aggressively and effectively represent his clients in the courtroom.. In 2020, Ryan took his experieence back to the place he grew up . . . . Whatcom County.  Since returning, Ryan has successfully defended on the simplest of misdemeanors to the most severe felonies.     If you need a smart and competent attorney to provide a vigorous defense, Call Ryan Today!

Jeffrey Lustick is an lawyer, former military JAG attorney, and part-time judge in Northwest Washington State. He is currently providing citiminal defense in Whatcom and Skagit Counties and aviation-related legal services to the aviation community nationwide. Jeffrey's services include:. -Defending individuals and corporations in actions by the FAA, NTSB, TSA and U.S. Customs.-Representation of individuals and corporation under investigation for alleged FAR violations.-DUI and Misdemanor Criminal Case Defense.-Establishment of aviation business entities, including airplane based partnerships and LLCs.-Assistance and advice regarding aircraft rental and leasing agreements.-Drafting aviation related purchase and sales agreements.-Drafting powers or attorney and wills and estates for pilots.. Originally from Mount Vernon, WA, Jeffrey graduated from Mounit Vernon High School and was a class valedictorian in 1989.  He is a 1997 honor graduate of Gonzaga Law School in Spokane, WA. He served as a commissioned officer in the U.S. Air Force and the Washington Air National Guard from 1997 to 2009.. Jeffrey is a provider member of the AOPA Legal Services Panel. He also volunteers as a Legal Officer and Public Information Officer for the Civil Air Patrol. He is a member of the American Leigon.

I currently work as a full-time associate attorney at Beschen Law PLLC, where the majority of my caseload is dedicated to handling conflict public defense cases in Whatcom and Skagit counties. My primary areas of practice are criminal defense, juvenile delinquency and civil litigation of protection orders.. I am committed to expanding access to justice for underserved communities. My academic and professional career has been dedicated to helping people navigate the legal system while protecting their fundamental rights.. I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Juris Doctor from Willamette University College of Law, where I honed my legal skills and developed a passion for advocating on behalf of those in need. My professional background includes diverse experience in criminal justice, civil rights, immigration law, estate planning, and education

Jennifer Stewart was born in Puyallup, Washington. She spent her youth in Thurston and Lewis Counties, except for a six month period when she lived in Chicago, Illinois, where, before moving back to the state of Washington, she was briefly a fan of Walter Payton, Jim McMahon and William "the Refrigerator" Perry. In the early 1990's, as a single mother, Jenn enrolled at Centralia Community College, then briefly transferred to Yakima Community College, before ultimately receiving her Associates of Arts Degree from Centralia. In 1996 she moved to the Seattle area and, in 1998, was admitted to the University of Washington.. During her years at the UW Jenn began working at Stewart Beall & MacNichols P.S., as a Law Clerk. In 2000, she received her Bachelor of Sciences Degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences. Following her graduation, Jenn continued working at the firm and, after much thought decided to enroll in the Washington State Bar Association's Rule Six Program. Stephen Rochon, Municipal Court Judge for the cities of Pacific and Maple Valley, served as her initial program tutor. Scott Stewart tutored her through the final years of her program.. Two and one-half years into the Rule Six Program Jenn was authorized to engage in the limited practice of law as a Rule Nine Legal Intern. In her work as an intern she served as a public defender in the cities of Kent, Kenmore, North Bend, Sammamish and Lakewood. During this period, and prior to taking the bar exam, Jenn won four of five criminal jury trials.. After successfully completing the Rule Six Program, Jenn took the August 2006 bar exam, passing on her first attempt, and was admitted as an attorney by the Washington State Bar in early 2007. As an attorney she has continued to develop a reputation as a tenacious and aggressive advocate on behalf of each of her clients. Within the firm Jenn is recognized as both shrewd litigator, for her ingenuity in developing unique legal arguments, and a fearless trial attorney, for her willingness to try the difficult cases to a jury. For Jenn, each client's situation is personal and she works hard to ensure the very best outcome in each of their cases.. Since becoming an attorney, Jenn has added the cities of Milton, Seatac and Kirkland to the jurisdictions in which she has worked as a public defender. She has represented accused persons in most of the Municipal, District and Superior Courts throughout King and Pierce County, as well as numerous other courts throughout the state of Washington. Jenn has represented thousands of persons accused of crimes ranging from Driving Under the Influence to Assault Domestic Violence, from Reckless Driving to Patronizing a Prostitute, from Shoplifting to Robbery, and from Misdemeanor charges of Possession of Marijuana to Felony charges of Violation of the Uniform Controlled Substances Act (VUCSA), as well as numerous other criminal offenses prohibited by the laws of both the State and the local municipalities.. Jenn resides in southeast King County with her husband and their four children, ages four to sixteen.

I am a criminal defense attorney at Beckwith Law, a Tacoma and Seattle based firm that is devoted to criminal defense. Our firm handles a variety of criminal defense cases, specializing in Domestic Violence, DUI, Assault, and Juvenile offenses.. Beckwith Law zealously advocates for its clients. I am passionate about criminal defense - as is every attorney in our firm - which translates to success both in and out of the courtroom.. I am committed to advocating for my clients at all stages of the criminal justice system. I believe in compassion, empathy, and communication when working with clients.