About Michelle

I have worked as a trial and appellate attorney my entire career. In the first half of my career, I sat with families of victims of terrible crimes, including assault, murder, and sexual assault, providing legal counsel and support during their most challenging times. Transitioning into the second half of my career, my focus has shifted towards handling complex litigation cases and implementing effective risk management strategies to help clients navigate legal challenges with confidence.

Areas of Practice

Wrongful Death

Class Actions

Police Use of Force

Government Liability

Medical Malpractice

Employment

Personal Injury

Dispute Resolution Training

  • Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University

  • Center for Dispute Resolution

  • NW Dispute Resolution Conference

  • CIT - Crisis Intervention Training

Experience

  • Tried over 60 cases to verdict

  • Argued 12 cases in Washington Supreme Court

  • Briefed and Argued over 120 matters in the Court of Appeals

  • Class Action Litigation

  • Wrongful Death, Employment Matters, Complex Personal Injury, Road Design, Water Law, Construction Defect, Police Practices, Jail Practices, Medical Malpractice, Contract Disputes

  • Manages Risk Litigation for the second largest county in the State

Presentations

  • Mediation for Attorneys

  • Homeless Encampment Policy

  • Representing Individuals in County Litigation

  • Federal Practice - Practical Considerations

  • Abstaining From Offensive Personalities

  • Ethics for Prosecutors

Professional Training

  • Washington State Judicial Institute

  • Labor & Arbitration Conference

  • Force Science Institute Certificaiton

  • Federal Simmunitions Training

  • Washington State Criminal Justice Institute Training

  • Defensive Tactics Certified

Education

  • University of Washington School of Law, JD, Order of the Coif

  • Gonzaga University, BA