Kent Lawyers

I have been practicing personal injury law in Seattle for more than 30 years and have successfully tried, arbitrated, and settled thousands of personal injury cases since 1986, helping clients recover millions of dollars.

The opportunity I have to serve, to help, to counsel people through their challenging times is humbling and satisfying. I love my practice and serving my clients and to make their lives better.

I’m also committed to mentoring a new generation of lawyers, and I’m proud of my work with Seattle University School of Law’s Solo and Low Bono Incubator Program and regularly speak about how to get...

Michael T. Smith advises individuals and companies of all types and sizes regarding the proper formation and structure of a business entity (corporation, limited liability company, etc.), their general business and corporate matters, issues related to the purchase or sale or lease of real property and transactions to purchase or sell their business. Michael also focuses his practice on assisting people prepare their estate plan, including wills, trusts, community property agreements, durable powers of attorney, health care directives, and helping families navigate and administer a loved one's estate in probate proceedings. Michael can also assist with guardianship proceedings for loved ones...

I am J.D. Smith, a seasoned personal injury attorney from Mercer Island, Washington. Before attending law school and during my studies, I gained valuable experience working as a claims adjuster and underwriter. Throughout my career, I have successfully tried 60 civil cases to verdict and have completed over one hundred arbitrations. I have a strong passion for working with children and actively support local arts initiatives. Previously, I served as a member of the ABA House of Delegates and held the position of President for the WSBA Young Lawyers Division. I am currently a member of the American Board of Trial...

I grew up in Enumclaw, Washington, with a close-knit family who instilled in me the values of family, faith, and hard work. Growing up, I enjoyed fishing, skiing, and being outdoors. I have wanted to be a lawyer from my youth. The allure of fighting for the little guy,speaking up for the vulnerable, and seeking justice led me to a career as a personal injury attorney. To this end, I attended the University of San Diego and graduated Cum Laude from Seattle University School of Law. After earning my degree, I served as an extern for the Seattle...

Welcome. My goal is to listen to clients and deliver effective and cost efficient high quality legal services, focusing on maximizing results either through negotiation or litigation, whichever is appropriate for the circumstance. Many cases can be resolved amicably through settlement. This office offers a free initial telephone with a lawyer to discuss your legal issue: (253) 272-1434. With over 20 years of experience in Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington, I represent clients in many other cities and states who are civilians, military servicemembers, and veterans. Because there is often so much...

Ellis McGehee Carter is a distinguished attorney specializing in corporate and tax matters for nonprofit, tax-exempt, and mission-based businesses, alongside advising donors on major gifts. With a profound dedication to serving organizations that make a significant impact, Ms. Carter leverages her extensive experience in nonprofit governance, tax law, and business transactions to provide unparalleled legal guidance. Her expertise extends to navigating complex tax issues for exempt entities, ensuring they remain compliant while advancing their mission. Ms. Carter's adeptness in handling intricate business transactions for nonprofits is evident through her work on reorganizations, the creation of affiliates and subsidiaries, and facilitating mergers,...

Before becoming an attorney, Reuben worked in the construction and building trade. He puts his prior life experience to good use in his practice areas of environmental and land use law. In addition to being a skilled attorney, Reuben is a compassionate advocate who loves working with his clients to solve problems and keep goals and objectives on track.

Reuben began his career at the Washington Supreme Court where he served as law clerk to Justice Charles W. Johnson. Prior to that, he served as an extern to Judge James L. Robart at the Federal District Court in Seattle.

I have been helping clients with DUI defense & traffic infractions for over 25 years! My understanding and knowledge of your situation with your case is what sets me apart. I work directly with you one-on-one to see your case through and get you the best possible outcome!

EXCLUSIVE PRACTICE - My practice is concentrated on Criminal, DUI, and Traffic defense cases. I am not a general practitioner who handles many different types of law. Criminal law has been my focus area since I became a lawyer over 25 years ago.

CUSTOMER SERVICE - I treat clients the way I would...

Andrea is a trial lawyer with an emphasis in business and employment litigation for both plaintiffs and defendants. She has successfully represented clients litigating shareholder, non-competition, and employment discrimination disputes, and obtained pre-trial injunctions. She has achieved jury verdicts enforcing her clients’ contract rights, represented clients in trust and estates disputes, and obtained protection for vulnerable adults. She also regularly represents clients in the areas of regulatory monitoring and advocacy, including extensive work in alcohol regulation and policy, and with Washington's Liquor and Cannabis Board.

Andrea joined GTH in 2005 after graduating from Seattle University School of Law,...

Chris Van Vechten moved to Tacoma from Portland in 2004 to attend the University of Puget Sound. He studied history, volunteered in the community, worked as a legislative staff member for a state representative and later a state senator, and even personally ran for school board before enrolling in Seattle University School of Law. Prior to launching the Law Office of Chris Van Vechten, Chris worked as a Rule 9 prosecuting attorney with the Thurston County Prosecutor’s Office and later with the Lakewood City Attorney’s Office. In addition, he interned with the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Civil Division...

Warren’s primary area of practice is labor and employment law. In this capacity, he represents employers in all aspects of labor and employment law, including discrimination, harassment, termination, wage-and-hour litigation, collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, and day-to-day advice.

If client loyalty and satisfaction are any measure of an attorney’s success, then Warren has a lot to proud of. After 30 years, he continues to represent his first legal client, a chain of locally owned grocery stores. In fact, he has worked for many of his clients for several decades. Some of his other long-term clients include Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma Housing Authority,...

Trial practice, real estate.

Elizabeth A. Hoffman-Graff is an Senior Attorney at McKinley Irvin’s Kirkland office. She practices in all areas of family law, including divorce, domestic violence, unmarried couples, LGBT family law, and more. Elizabeth has been distinguished as a Super Lawyer by Washington Super Lawyers due to her experience, reputation, and consistently exceptional client service.

Kim Schnuelle is a Senior Attorney at McKinley Irvin, one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier divorce and family law firms. Kim has a 10.0 “Superb” rating on Avvo.com and has also been selected for the honor of Washington Super Lawyers®. Kim has a reputation for putting her clients’ needs first and protecting what matters most to them.

Immigration attorney with a focus on family-based immigration law. I'm passionate about helping people of different backgrounds acquire legal status and pursue the American dream. As an immigrant myself, I understand how complex and intimidating the U.S. immigration system can be. I enjoy helping people resolve their immigration issues so they can focus on building their future. I live in Tacoma, Washington with my wife and two daughters. In my free time, I enjoy playing soccer, spending time with my family, and working on house remodeling projects.

Shelly focuses her practice on employment law and litigation, commercial litigation, products liability, construction law, insurance defense and coverage, and appellate advocacy. She represents individuals and businesses in all aspects of commercial and employment disputes and especially enjoys working with clients to help them understand the legal process. Shelly prides herself on being a tough advocate for her clients and finding strategic and creative solutions in tough cases.

Shelly joined GTH in 2011. A graduate of the University of Washington School of Law, she began her legal career in Alaska, first serving as a judicial law clerk for...

Before earning her law degree, magna cum laude, from Gonzaga University School and joining GTH in 1991, Margaret Archer was a financial analyst for Westinghouse Hanford Company. She puts her business acumen and insight into the world of finance to good use in her position as Chair of our Board of Directors and in her practice areas of land use, real estate litigation and commercial litigation.

James joined GTH after completing a clerkship for the former Chief Justice of the Washington Supreme Court. He focuses his practice pursuing trials in the areas of personal injury, catastrophic accidents, employment law, and insurance coverage.

He has briefed and argued multiple appeals, including cases before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the Washington Supreme Court. In his practice he has represented families in wrongful death cases, victims in sexual abuse cases, and many returning U.S. service members who face discrimination or retaliation in the workplace.

When he’s not working, he’s blazing trails, scaling peaks, and skiing with his...

Rita is a founding partner and CEO of McKinley Irvin. With an eye toward the future, Rita works with the firm's leadership team to maintain McKinley Irvin’s commitment to excellence in law practice, client service, professionalism, and firm management. In addition to her work at McKinley Irvin, Rita is deeply involved in the Tacoma community and has served as a director on several local and professional boards. She currently serves on the Legal Pathways Community Advisory Board and as a Dressel Scholars Mentor at the University of Washington Tacoma. Additionally, Rita founded MI’s Black Law Student Mentorship Program where she...

John is a international lawyer with multiple post graduate degrees from both U.S. and European schools. He is a certified Fraud Examiner and Certified Controls Specialist. He has extensive multifaceted experience in business law and litigation.

Patricia Pearson joined GTH in 2001 and is a member of our Labor and Employment group and Defense Litigation group where she represents and advises clients in a variety of matters including employment law and products liability. She particularly enjoys advising clients on all types of employment issues that arise and working with them to develop sound employment policies by drafting employment documents, including employee handbooks and non-compete agreements.

Kirk Davis spent fifteen years as a prosecutor. He tried one of the first "two strikes" cases in Washington State putting away a sex offender for life in prison. He brings the same level of passion and commitment in private practice helping those who have been injured in accidents or assaults. He has obtained several verdicts and settlements well into six figures.

For almost thirty years, Michael Iaria has defended clients accused by the government of serious crimes. An accomplished and successful advocate, he has received the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers President's Award for "distinguished service in the highest traditions of the criminal defense bar." His peers have voted him a "Super Lawyer" each year since Washington Law & Politics Magazine began the award in 1999 and have selected him as one of the 100 best trial lawyers in Washington. Seattle Business Monthly has listed him as one of the best lawyers in Seattle. He has a "superb"...

Stacy Heard is an attorney who practices exclusively family law in Seattle, Washington. Stacy has served clients for nearly 20 years in the Seattle area. Prior to and during law school, Stacy worked as a family law and civil litigation paralegal for 7 years. Her broad experience in family law includes cases involving complex financial issues, parenting plan/child custody issues, relocation, restraining orders, and child support issues. Prior to starting her own practice in 2005, she worked at a large Seattle civil litigation firm where she also gained valuable negotiation and litigation experience. Stacy chose to practice family law because she...

Nick is a trial attorney that joined Anderson Carey & Williams in 2015. Appearing for defendants and plaintiffs in federal and state courts throughout California, Arizona, Washington and other jurisdictions, Nick's litigation experienced includes successful resolutions of various Jones Act, food contamination, constructions defect, insurance bad faith, and product liability cases on behalf of many different businesses and individuals. Nick grew up in New Jersey and after highschool he attended New York University for undergraduate studies in music and business. After he graduated in 2007 with honors from NYU he moved over to Virginia for law school and attended...

Eric Johnson has practiced law throughout Washington, California and Minnesota for twenty-six years specializing in civil trial work. He has tried over fifty cases to jury verdict(s) in civil and criminal cases and is a top rated litigation attorney by peer review and by leading legal service directories. We defend or prosecute civil actions in the following areas of practice: Personal Injury/Wrongful Death: Claims concerning personal injury or death caused by alleged negligence; cases involving issues of product defect(s) (e.g., in motor vehicles, industrial tools, food, drugs); premises liability (e.g., claims alleging dangerous conditions...

Kristi O'Brien's practice is primarily in the area of business transactions and real estate transactions. Kristi represents business clients and medical practices in real estate, commercial, corporate planning, partnership, asset and stock purchase and sale, employment, and health law.

Do you need assistance navigating the complex probate process? Lead Attorney Sheila Ridgway from Ridgway Law Group, P.S. has more than 28 years of legal experience in this area and she can help guide you every step of the way. She focuses primarily on probate issues such as estate and trust litigation, guardianship, TEDRA, will contests, elder law, fiduciary services and mediation. Sheila has taken on very contentious and challenging cases in the past, but she has a proven track record of case victories under her belt. Attorney Ridgway provides individualized representation to her clients that are tailored to meet...

I have a different perspective than many Seattle DUI defense attorneys. After graduating in 1995 from Emory University in Atlanta, and obtaining my law degree (with honors) from Seattle University School of Law in 1999, I began my legal career as a DUI prosecutor. Working for the cities of Tukwila and Kirkland, I successfully prosecuted hundreds of DUI cases. But by 2002 I decided it would be best to focus my skills on advocating for those who have been accused of DUIs and other alcohol-related driving offenses. I joined the law firm of Stephen Hayne and by 2007 I became a named partner...

A skilled litigation attorney with more than 20 yeas of experience, Ed has achieved some of the highest verdicts and settlements in the country for victims of civil rights violations as a result of wrongful death and serious injury by police, as well as cases involving jail and prison abuse.