What is a Lawyer?
law·yer
noun \?l?-y?r, ?l?i-?r\
Definition of LAWYER : “one whose profession is to conduct lawsuits for clients or to advise as to legal rights and obligations in other matters.” ~ Merriam Webster
Lawyer. Attorney. Barrister. Legal Eagle. Council. Solicitor. Advocate. Regardless of what you call them, lawyers are an essential part of our day-to-day lives. So many of our life experiences require the skill of a quality lawyer to help us navigate the loopholes and uncertainties of the legal system. If you think lawyers are just for the big-wigs, or those with massive assets and holdings, guess again. From the king of the castle to the worker bee, nearly everyone has a need for an attorney.
Have you ever: written your will, planned your estate, negotiated a contract, opened a business, adopted a child, filed for bankruptcy, been sued, fought for custody of a child, filed a harassment claim, needed to be advised on a business issue or prepared business documents, gotten a DUI, set up a foundation to support a cause, needed to protect your intellectual property, purchased a rental property, been in a complicated real estate transaction….The list could go on for pages, but you get the point: lawyers are necessary in nearly every part of our lives.
Knowing the importance of these professionals, it only makes sense to make sure that you are working with the best. How to know though? Word of mouth is always a great place to start, but sometimes it helps to have something that quantifies your choice. That’s where our Top Lawyer list comes in to play. This year, we again turned to Avvo, a Seattle-based company that rates and profiles dental, legal and medical professionals. Avvo’s proprietary algorithm rates all attorneys on a 10-point scale, factoring in peer endorsements as well as experience, education, training, speaking, publishing and awards. These dynamic ratings are regularly refreshed based on new information gleaned from attorneys as well as from licensing and disciplinary authorities.
While the list in the pages that follow is wide-ranging and carefully researched, many good attorneys don’t appear on the list. This reference is best used as just one step in the careful journey toward finding the attorney who is right for you.
(please note, the number to the right of their name is their Avvo rating.
Bankruptcy / Debt
Thomas Bassett, 10
K&L Gates
618 W Riverside Ave., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 241-1538
Robert Hahn, 9.3
The Law Office of Robert C. Hahn, III
2906 N Argonne Rd/
Spokane Valley, WA 99212
(509) 921-9500
Brett Sullivan, 10
Sullivan & Stromberg, PLLC
827 W 1ST Ave., Suite 425
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 413-1004
James Swapp, 9.6
Craig Swapp & Associates
16201 E. Indiana Ave., Suite 1900
Spokane, WA 99202
(801) 990-1919
Brain Injury
John Layman, 10
Layman Law Firm
1423 N GOVERNMENT WAY
COEUR D ALENE, IDAHO 83814
800-377-8883
www.laymanlawfirm.com/
Business
James Black, 10
Lukins & Annis
717 W Sprague Ave., Suite 1600
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 623-2031
Christopher Crago, 10
Paine Hamblen
717 W Sprague Ave., Suite 1200
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-6000
Robert Dunn, 10
Dunn & Black
111 N Post St., Suite 300,
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-8711
Timothy Fennessy, 10
Layman Law Firm
601 S Division St.
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 455-8883
Michael Franklin, 9.4
Lukins & Annis
717 W Sprague Ave., Suite 1600
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 623-2049
Aaron Goforth, 9.5
Reed & Giesa, PS
222 N Wall St., Suite 410
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-8341
Carol Haugen, 9.2
Virtual Counsel,
505 W Riverside, Suite 500
Spokane, WA 99201
Robin Haynes , 10
Reed & Giesa, PS
222 N Wall St., Suite 410
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-8341
Gregory Johnson, 10
Paine Hamblen
717 W Sprague Ave., Suite 1200
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-6000
Kathryn McKinley, 10
McKinley Fossum, PS
528 E Spokane Falls Blvd., Suite 502
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 324-9500
Michael NienSuitedt, 10
Witherspoon Kelley
422 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1100
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-5265
Donald Querna , 10
Randall Danskin
601 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1500
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 747-2052
Eowen Rosentrater, 9.2
Law Office of Eowen S. Rosentrater, PLLC
108 N Washington St., Suite 402
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 868-5389
Eric Sachtjen, 9.3
Workland Witherspoon
601 W Main Ave., Suite 714
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-9077
Geoffrey Swindler, 9.7
Law Office of Geoffrey D. Swindler
103 E Indiana Ave., Suite A
Spokane, WA 99207
(509) 326-7700
Charles Van Marter, 9
Lukins & Annis
717 W Sprague Ave., Suite 1600
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 623-2008
Child Custody
Glenn Tanner , 10
Glenn E. Tanner, Attorney at Law
901 N Adams St.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 244-6353
www.thecollaborativedivorce.com
Civil Rights
Jeffry Finer, 10
Jeffry K. Finer, PS
35 W Main Ave., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 474-7611
Lawrence Kuznetz, 10
Powell, Kuznetz & Parker, PS
316 W Boone Ave., Suite 380
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-4151
www.spokanelitigationlawyers.com
Susan Nelson, 10
Dunn & Black
111 N Post St., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-8711
Commercial
William Hyslop, 10
Lukins & Annis
717 W Sprague Ave., Suite 1600
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 623-2020
David Kulisch, 9.6
Randall Danskin
601 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1500
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 747-2052
Kammi Smith, 9.6
Winston & Cashatt
601 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 1900
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-6131
Contracts / Agreements
Wesley Mortensen, 10
Dunn & Black
111 N Post St., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-8711
Criminal Defense
Lewis Cooney, 9.5
Cooney Law Offices
910 W Garland Ave.
Spokane, WA 99205
(509) 326-2613
Karen Lindholdt, 10
Karen Lindholdt, Attorney at Law
901 N Adams St. Delphi Building
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 326-3502
Gloria Ochoa, 9.7
Ochoa Law, PLLC
1528 W Carlisle Ave.
Spokane, WA 99205
(509) 328-3771
Phillip Wetzel, 10
Phillip J. Wetzel, Attorney at Law
901 N Adams St.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 326-3502
Debt Collection
Patti Jo Foster, 10
Layman Law Firm
601 S Division St.
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 455-8883
Domestic Violence
Laurie Powers , 9
Gonzaga University Law School Center for Law in Public Service
PO Box 3528
Spokane, WA 99220
(509) 313-3688
Elder Law
Patrick Johnson, 10
Patrick T. Johnson, Attorney at Law
1100 W Mallon Ave.
Spokane, WA 99260
(509) 477-2877
http://lawyers.law.cornell.edu/lawyer/patrick-t-johnson-jr-816539
Lynn St. Louis , 9.7
Lynn St. Louis Law Office, PLLC
207 W Nora Ave.
Spokane, WA 99205
(509) 468-0551
Employee Benefits
Timothy Quirk, 10
Pain Hamblen
717 W Sprague Avenue, Suite 1200
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-6000
Employment / Labor
Mary Giannini, 9.9
Witherspoon Kelley
422 W. Riverside Avenue, Suite 1100
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-5265
Erin Jacobson, 9.6
Assistant City Attorney for the City of Spokane
808 W Spokane Falls Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 625-6225
Elizabeth Kennar, 9.6
Summit Law Group
10202 E. Ferret Dr.,
Spokane, WA 99206
(206) 676-7000
Thomas McLane, 10
Randall Danskin
601 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1500
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 747-2052
Ryan Yahne, 10
Winston Cashatt
601 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1900
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-6131
Estate Planning
Angel Base, 10
Angel Base, Attorney at Law
1312 N Monroe St., Suite 117
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 328-1773
K Connolly, 9.2
Witherspoon Kelley
422 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1100
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-5265
Patty Grossman, 9.9
Burke Law Group, PLLC
7307 N Division St., Suite 203
Spokane, WA 99208
(509) 466-7770
Gair Petrie, 10
Randall Danskin
601 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1500
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-6000
Family
Teresa Border, 10
Border Law Firm
827 W 1st Ave., Suite 306
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 599-2676
Julie Twyford, 10
Twyford Law Office
430 W Indiana Ave.
Spokane, WA 99205
(509) 327-0777
Foreclosure
Michael Paukert, 10
Paukert & Troppmann, PLLC
522 W Riverside Ave., Suite 560
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 232-7760
Spencer Stromberg, 10
Sullivan Stromberg, PLLC
827 W 1st Ave., Suite 425
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 413-1004
GAMING
Brian McClatchey, 10
K&L Gates
618 W Riverside Ave., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 241-1538
Government Contracts
Robert Crick, 10
Robert Crick Law Firm, PLLC
421 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1555
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 747-0977
John Guin, 9.2
Law Office of John H. Guin, PLLC
220 W Main Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 747-5250
Nicholas Kovarik, 9.1
Dunn & Black
111 N Post St., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-8711
Guardianship
Mark Iverson, 10
Mark R Iverson, PS
921 W Broadway Ave., Suite 301
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 462-3678
Insurance
Ashley Richards, 9.1
Layman Law Firm
601 S Division St.
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 455-8883
Landlord / Tenant
James Studt, 10
James L. Studt, Attorney at Law
901 N Monroe St., Suite 356
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 327-2549
Lawsuits / Disputes
J Keyes, 10
K&L Gates
618 W Riverside Ave., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-2100
John Nelson, 9.9
Foster Pepper, PLLC
422 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1310
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 777-1604
Kenneth Zigler, 9.5
Ken Zigler Jr., Attorney at Law
1304 W College Ave., Lower Level
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 327-2000
Limited Liability Company (LLC)
Lisa Dickinson, 10
Dickinson Law Firm, PLLC
1320 N Atlantic, Suite B
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 326-0636
Litigation
Keller Allen, 10
Law Firm of Keller W. Allen, PC
4102 S Regal St., Suite 102
Spokane, WA 99223
(509) 777-2211
John Black, 10
Dunn & Black
111 N Post St., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-8711
Kevin Curtis, 10
Winston Cashatt
601 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1900
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-6131
Carl Hueber, 10
Winston Cashatt
601 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1900
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-6131
Thomas Jarrard, 9.5
Service Member Law
1020 N Washington St.
Spokane, WA 99201
(425) 239-7290
Jason Piskel, 10
Dunn & Black
111 N Post St., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-8711
Brian Rekofke, 10
Witherspoon Kelley
422 W. Riverside Ave., Suite 1100
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-5265
Kevin Roberts, 10
Dunn & Black
N 111 Post St., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-8711
Eric J. Roth, 9.8
Roth Law Offices
PO Box 511
Spokane, WA 99209
(509) 413-1000
William M. Symmes, 10
Witherspoon Kelley
422 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1100
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 755-2026
William D. Symmes, 9.1
Witherspoon Kelley
422 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1100
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-5265
Susan Troppmann, 10
Paukert Troppmann, PLLC
522 W Riverside Ave., Suite 560
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 232-7760
Michael Tucker, 10
Dunn & Black
111 N Post St., Suite 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-8711
Leslie Weatherhead, 9.5
Witherspoon Kelley
422 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1100
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-5265
Michelle Wolkey, 10
McKinley Fossum PS
528 E Spokane Falls Blvd., Suite 502
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 324-9500
Mediation
Frank Hoover, 9.2
Law Offices of Frank Hoover, PS
1402 W Broadway Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 323-9595
Kenneth Kato, 9.2
Kenneth H. Kato, Attorney at Law
1020 N Washington St.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 220-2237
Medical Malpractice
Ryan Beaudoin, 10
Witherspoon Kelley
422 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1100
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-5265
Edward Bruya, 10
Keefe Bowman & Bruya, PS
601 W Main Ave., Suite 1102
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-8988
Patrick Cronin, 9.6
Winston Cashatt
601 W. Riverside, Suite 1900
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-6131
James Domanico, 9.1
Crary, Clark & Domanico, PS
9417 E Trent Ave.
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
(509) 926-4900
Richard Eymann, 10
Law Offices of Eymann Allison Hunter Jones
2208 W 2nd Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 747-0101
Patrick Fannin, 9.1
Fannin Litigation Group, PS
1312 N Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 328-8204
Stephen Haskell, 9.3
Stephen Haskell Law Offices, PLLC
222 N Wall St., Suite 402
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 443-9909
Kathleen Paukert, 10
Paukert Troppmann
522 W Riverside Ave., Suite 560
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 232-7760
Mary Schultz, 10
Mary Schultz Law, PS
111 S Post St., Suite 2250
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 458-2750
Native Peoples Law
William Schroeder, 9.5
Paine Hamblen
717 W Sprague Ave., Suite 1200
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-6000
Patent Application
Steven Bertone 9.5
K&L Gates
618 W RIVERSIDE AVE SUITE 300
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 624-2100
Deepak Malhotra, 9.4
Malhotra Law Firm
PO Box 1433
Spokane, WA 99210
(509) 869-8289 |
Public Finance / Tax Exempt Finance
Jeffrey Nave, 10
Foster Pepper, PLLC
422 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1310
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 777-1601
Social Security
Thomas Doran , 9.4
Law Offices of Thomas L. Doran
1212 W Sharp Ave.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 777-0600
Michael Pontarolo, 10
Delay, Curran, Thompson, Pontarolo & Walker, PS
601 W Main Ave., Suite 1212
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-9500
Michael Thompson, 9.3
Michael G. Thompson, Attorney at Law, PLLC
1212 N Washington St., Suite 212
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 328-2040
Speeding / Traffic Ticket
Jeremy Benson, 9.6
Benson Law Office, LLC
1312 N Monroe St.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 994-9787
Scott Staab, 10
Andersen Staab, PLLC
1020 N Washington St.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 327-6100
Trusts
Frederic Emry, 9.9
Paine Hambeln
717 W Sprague Ave., Suite 1200
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-6000
Rial Moulton, 9.7
Moulton Law Offices
1220 N Mullan Rd.
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
(509) 328-2150
Karen Sayre, 10
Sayre & Sayre, Attorneys at Law
201 W North River Dr., Suite 460
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 325-7330
Richard Sayre, 10
Sayre & Sayre, Attorneys at Law
201 W North River Dr., Suite 460
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 325-7330
Wills / Living Wills
William Buckholdt, 10
Randall Danskin
601 W Riverside Ave., Suite 1500
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 747-2052
www.randalldanskin.com
Michael Gainer, 10
Michael J. Grainer, Attorney at Law
1320 N Atlantic St., Suite B
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 456-4993
Levi Liljenquist, 9
Paine Hamblen
717 W Sprague Ave., Suite 1200
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-6000
Wrongful Death
Breean Beggs, 10
Paukert Troppmann, PLLC
522 W Riverside Ave., Suite 560
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 232-7760
Dean Brett, 10
4400 NE 77th Ave., Suite 275
Vancouver, WA 98662
(800) 925-1875
Robert Crary, 10
Crary, Clark & Domanico, PS
9417 E Trent Ave.
Spokane Valley, WA 99206
(509) 926-4900
Richard Lewis, 10
Richard E. Lewis, PS
421 W Riverside Ave., Suite 830
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 838-4148
J Thompson, 10
Layman Law Firm
601 S Division St.
Spokane, WA 99202
(509) 455-8883
Matthew Zuchetto, 10
The Scott Law Group, PS
926 W Sprague Ave., Suite 680
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 455-3966
www.thescottlawgroup.com
