Vito R. De La Cruz

Vito R. De La Cruz

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 39 years

Personal injury Lawyer at Bellevue, WA
Practice Areas: Personal Injury, Civil Rights, Criminal Defense

2200 112th Avenue, NE, Suite 200, Bellevue, WA

About Vito

Biography

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Civil Rights 45%

41 years

45%
Personal Injury 45%

Our firm focuses on personal injury cases representing the victims of other peoples wrongful acts and negligence. When others violate the safety rules of conduct whether they are the rules of the road, professional medical diagnosis and treatment, or the other safety rules of a civil and ordered society, we help.

41 years

45%
Criminal Defense 10%

I have extensive experience defending those accused of federal and state criminal offenses. I have tried numerous cases to jury verdict and have had success at all levels of practice.

41 years

10%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Contingency

33%-45%


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Montana for 13 years

State: Montana

Acquired: 2012

Resigned/Retired

No misconduct found

Licensed in Oregon for 13 years

State: Oregon

Acquired: 2012

Retired

No misconduct found

Licensed in Washington for 34 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1991

Voluntarily Resigned

No misconduct found

Licensed in California for 39 years

State: California

Acquired: 1986

Resigned

No misconduct found

Location

Tamaki Law

2200 112th Avenue, NE, Suite 200, Bellevue, WA, 98004

Tamaki Law

1340 N.16th Ave., Suite C, Yakima, WA, 98902

Tamaki Law

8900 W Tucannon Ave., Kennewick, WA, 99336

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Vito R. De La Cruz's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

11 Client Reviews

5 star (11)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by anonymous | October 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Review for Vito de la Cruz

Mr. De la Cruz treated me very fair and was direct with his questions. I felt confident having my case in his hands. He was direct in providing my status at all times and provided some much needed encouragement. I felt very satisfied with the outcome of my case. In fact, I feel he played a major ...role. Vito represented me with professionalism and with power while in court. He is the best.

Posted by Latosha | May 6, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Knight in a nice suit

During the duration of my case, Vito was kind, and compassionate, but also very driven and he fought for me more than some of the people closest to me. Vito was my voice when I felt like I didn't have one. I would want to Vito represent me if ever I needed to someone to again.

Posted by Jackie | January 1, 2013

My endorsement of Vito De La Cruz

Vito De La Cruz has been my attorney in two separate cases and settled one case favorably while the other is still in mediation. When I first met Mr. De La Cruz, I was impressed with his attentiveness, listening skills and ability to make me feel totally at ease. He's a man of integrity and the le...gal skills to follow through. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for an outstanding person and attorney to represent them and anyone in need of a bilingual attorney authorized to practice law in several States. Call him.

Posted by Lisa | December 7, 2012

Awesome Representation!

Vito De La Cruz is an excellent lawyer and awesome person. I met Vito during the worst time in my life when a mistake from the past gave me no hope for the future. He took the time to treat me as a person and represented me with great success. Vito treated me with compassion and represented me wit...h obvious knowledge of the law and understanding of my situation. His ability to maintain a positive outlook and negotiation skills resolved my situation and gave me confidence to move past the legal situation and move on with my life. Vito is a passionate lawyer with the knowledge and drive to win.

Posted by Moni | June 12, 2012

Ethical, Experienced, Effective

Vito's passion for justice is revealed in every step he takes as a hard-hitting litigator. He is thorough and attentive to every detail. He consulted on cases and assisted in preparing one of my cases in a mock trial. He conducted one of the most remarkable cross-examinations that I've ever seen. He... is a brilliant writer and advocate with a wide range of skills and extensive experience in civil and criminal cases in state, federal and tribal court. In addition to being one of the best lawyers anywhere, he also is one of the kindest, most compassionate and authentic people that I know. You can trust him with your life and your case. I highly recommend him.

See All Client Reviews

Vito R. De La Cruz's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Vito
Alexander Elias Ackel headshot
Alexander Ackel

Civil rights lawyer | Mar 03

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Vito is a talented attorney who works hard for his clients. We worked together on a trial in which we obtained a substantial jury verdict. I highly endorse this lawyer."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Personal injury lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Vito. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Jeffrey Martin Kreutz headshot
Jeffrey Kreutz

Personal injury lawyer | Nov 14

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. Vito is an outstanding advocate for his clients."

Christian K. Lassen II headshot
Christian Lassen

Unknown lawyer | Sep 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Michele Nina Carney headshot
Michele Carney

Litigation lawyer | Jun 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Vito De La Cruz is a compassionate, dedicated attorney who trul fights for his client's rights. He is one of the most respected litigators in the state of Washington. He is brilliant in his analysis of a case and an aggressive advocate for his clients."

Craig Stephen Denney headshot
Craig Denney

Litigation lawyer | Jun 04

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Vito is top notch. He is an exceptional trial lawyer and advocate for his clients. For federal and state litigation, he is outstanding."

Michael Estrada headshot
Michael Estrada

Litigation lawyer | Jun 03

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer, without reservation. I have known Vito for over 25 years, since we were in law school togehter. I know him to be a careful and thorough attorney, and an excellent strategist. Within the limits of what is legally and ethically permissible, Vito is a forceful advocate, dedicated to obtaining the best results for his clients."

Tammy Marie Riggs headshot
Tammy Riggs

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Vito is a brilliant and aggresstve criminal defense advocate. We worked together on a federal white collar criminal case, in which he obtained a dismissal for his client. I look forward to working with him again."

Bryan Gregory Smith headshot
Bryan Smith

Personal injury lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. He is a dogged advocate, and he employs scholarship, erudition, and compassion to achieve incredible results for his clients."

View All Endorsements
David Christopher Mason headshot
David Mason

Criminal defense lawyer

David Burton Trujillo headshot
David Trujillo

Litigation lawyer

Blaine Leon Tamaki headshot
Blaine Tamaki

Personal injury lawyer

Jeffrey Martin Kreutz headshot
Jeffrey Kreutz

Personal injury lawyer

Nicholas Wright Marchi headshot
Nicholas Marchi

Criminal defense lawyer

Michele Nina Carney headshot
Michele Carney

Immigration lawyer

Steven J W Heeley headshot
Steven Heeley

Native peoples law lawyer

Michael Estrada headshot
Michael Estrada

Real estate lawyer

Megan Elizabeth Hale headshot
Megan Hale

Personal injury lawyer

Scott Nathaniel Freeman headshot
Scott Freeman

Criminal defense lawyer

Tammy Marie Riggs headshot
Tammy Riggs

Criminal defense lawyer

Bryan Gregory Smith headshot
Bryan Smith

Personal injury lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

1993

Outstanding Defender, Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Attorney, Tamaki Law Offices

1998 - 2011

Assistant Federal Defender, Federal Public Defender District of Nevada

1995 - 1998

Owner, Law Office of Vito De la Cruz

1991 - 1995

Assistant Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender

1989 - 1991

Assistant Federal Public Defender, Federal Public Defender District of Nevada

1987 - 1989

Assistant Public Defender, Monterrey County Public Defender

1985 - 1987

Staff Attorney, California Rural Legal Assistance

Associations

2012 - Present

Oregon State Bar

2012 - Present

Montana State Bar

2011 - Present

Washington State Association for Justice

2008 - Present

Hispanic National Bar Association

2003 - Present

National Institute for Trial Advocacy

Instructor

1999 - Present

National Judicial College

Adjunct Professor

1993 - Present

National Criminal Defense College

Instructor

1991 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

1991 - Present

Washington State Bar Association, Indian Law Section

1985 - Present

State Bar of California

Sample of Legal Cases

Acosta, et al. v. YHMA, et al.

Settled.

Bell v. Michelsen

Settled before trial. $310,000

L.R. v. DSHS, et al.

Setted - $1,135,000

S.R. v. State of Washington, et. al.

Total settlement 1.4 million.

In re: Baby Boy Contreras

Settled pre-litigation for combined total of insurance maximums of 2.3 million.

In re Arriaga

Settled pre-litigation for a total of 1.1million.

Estate of Roberts

Settled pre-litigation

Estate of Zarate v. [Four defendants]

2.25 million dollar total settlement from four defendants.

Francis v. PPMC. et. al.

500,000 settlement.

Davila v. City of Pasco

100,000 settlement.

Hanson v. Yakima County

Settled for $1,150,000.

Pierre-Schuster v. US

350,000 settlement.

M.P. v. Yakima Diocese

Settled for almost $500,000.

Powell v. Hill

Settled for $100,000.

United States v. McKee, Dist. Nevada

Not guilty jury verdict.

United States v. TCID, Baker, et.al, Dist of Nevada

Indictment dismissed against client.

United States v. Scott, 450 F.3d 863 (9th Cir. 2006)

Won at trial and won at the Ninth circuit Court of Appeals when government appealed.

U.S. v. Davila, Federal District of Nevada

Jury verdict in favor of my client.

United States v. Washington, 387 F.3d 1060, 1070 (9th Cir. 2004)

Won on appeal.

United States v. Davis, 332 F.3d 1163, 1167 (9th Cir. 2003)

Won on appeal.

United States v. McCook, Dist. of Nevada

Won.

C.S. v. Calhoun

5 million dollar judgment.

D.P., et al, v. Washington State DSHS

Settled before trial for $300,000.

United States v. Herrera-Castanola, CA No. 07-17334

Won at trial; filed habeas corpus petition in immigration court.

U.S. v. Thompson, E.D.Washington

Not guilty verdict on the gun charge. Client conceded the marijuana charge.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1985

University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1981

Yale University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2012

Federal Defenders of Eastern Washington and Idaho, Panel Training

Aggressive Motions in Limine

2011

Tribal Court Trial Advocacy

Tribal Court Trial Advocacy

2011

Trial Advocacy, Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico

Trial Advocacy

2010

Tribal Judges: Running the Gauntlet

Evidence: Practice and Procedure

2009

Tribal Trial Advocates

Effective Cross-Examination

2009

Trial Advocacy, Quito, Ecuador

Trial Advocacy

2009

Association of Teacher Educators, Summer Conference

The Cost of Education Failure, Keynote Speaker

2008

Tribal Court Trial Advocacy

Trial Advocacy

2008

Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Annual Conference

Keynote Speaker

2007

Trial Advocacy, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico

Trial Advocacy

2007

Native American Leadership Summmit

Native American Educational Achievement

2007

Latino Convocation, 2007

Keynote Speaker

2007

Federal Public Defender, National Conference

Indian Country Cases

2005

National Institute for Trial Advocacy: Tribal Advocacy

Trial Advocacy

2004

Tribal Court Advocates

Trial Advocacy

2004

Federal Public Defender, National Conferencce

Defenses That Work

2003

Oregon Criminal Defense Lawyers Association, Annual Conference

The Patriot Act

2003

Federal Public Defender, National Conference

Indian Country Jurisdiction

2000

Trial Advocacy, Venezuela

Trial Advocacy

2000

NDIA/REgional Conference/Las Vegas

Investigating Illegal Reentry Cases

2000

Federal Public Defender, National Conference

Creative Sentencing Solutions

2000

Advanced Trial Skills College

Trial Advocacy

1999

Tribal Judges Skills

Constitutional and Procedural Issues in Tribal Court

1999

NDIA National Conference/New Orleans

Effective Investigation in Indian Country Cases

1999

Advanced Trial Skills

Trial Advocacy

1998

Advanced Trial Skills

Trial Advocacy

1997

Advanced Trial Skills

Advocacy

1996

Advanced Trial Skills

Trial Advocacy

1995

Advanced Trial Skills

Trial Advocacy

Publications

2011

Huffington Post The Right to Jury Trial

2011

Washington State Association for Justice David Ball on Damages; Book Review

2010

Reno Gazette Journal Guest Columnist

Languages

Spanish

Portuguese

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
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Avvo Rating Levels
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