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Michael Alexander Maxwell

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Avvo Rating9.8
  • Issaquah, WA
  • Licensed for 27 years
  • Free consultation
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About Michael

Mike Maxwell has delivered justice to his clients for nearly a decade and a half, having taken more than one hundred cases to jury. While at Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, he completed an internship for the Federal Defender in Alaska where he defended individuals accused of crime at trial. He assisted in a prisoners' federal class action litigation in Raleigh, North Carolina that forced the State of North Carolina to improve prison conditions. He also assisted with death penalty defense and investigation in Atlanta, Georgia.

Following law school, Mr. Maxwell attended the Georgetown University School of Law, where he was awarded an academic fellowship to complete a rare masters degree in law in the area of trial advocacy. While at Georgetown, he supervised third year law students as they defended the criminally accused at trial.

Mr. Maxwell worked as a criminal defense attorney for seven years in King County. There, he defended over a hundred criminal defendants at trial on charges ranging from DUI to murder in the first degree. One of his most notable wins was State v. Vigil, where his client was charged with two counts of assault in the first degree for shooting two unarmed people at close range. Mr. Maxwell's client was acquitted by invoking the defense of self defense and the jury awarded all attorney fees and costs to Mr. Maxwell.

Before joining the Bernard Law Group, Mr. Maxwell worked as a civil plaintiff and defense attorney at several offices, including Rohan Goldfarb Rafel and Shapiro in Seattle, Lucas & Lucas, PS in Bellevue, and the law office of Kenneth R.Scearce in Seattle, bringing several matters to trial. His appellate experience includes Thompson v. E. Pacific Enterprises, a product liability case where the plaintiff's allergies caused her to enter into anaphylactic shock and a coma and suffered subsequent brain damage. 115 Wn.App. 1042 (2003). He also argued Sjoegren v. Pacific Northwest Properties, a premises liability case. 118 Wn.App. 144 (2003).

Practice areas

OtherMedical malpracticeBrain injuryAnimal and dog bitesCar accident
  1. Car accident: 40%

    I have litigated nearly every kind of automobile accident, including traffic pile ups, head on collisions, tbone collisions, vehicle rollovers, etc.

    16 years, 1,000 cases

  2. Animal and dog bites: 10%

    People have contacted me with dog bite cases that other lawyers cannot litigate. I have had success sometimes where others have failed.

    23 years

  3. Brain injury: 10%

    Traumatic brain injuries are the most contentious cases, and many lawyers do not know how to handle them effectively. We bring these case and pay close attention to the needs of our clients.

    23 years

  4. Medical malpractice: 10%

    One of my medical malpractices cases was featured in the April, 2013 edition of Outside Magazine. I represented a man who was made toxic by his Seattle on a planned trip to Mt. Everest.

    16 years, 25 cases

  1. Defective and dangerous products: 10%

    I have litigated against Ford Motor Company for designing a van that tips over easily, against Sears for a defective lawnmower, against pharmaceutical manufacturers for harmful medications, including the birth control patch.

    16 years, 25 cases

  2. Wrongful death: 10%

    Several of the severe motor vehicle collisions I have litigated have included death cases.

    16 years, 15 cases

  3. Motorcycle accident: 10%

    My motorcycle injury cases have been severe. Clients have lost their legs, hips, hands, spleens, and have broken multiple bones. I am well experienced in serious motorcycle injury cases, even those with contested liability.

    21 years, 100 cases

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Contact

535 East Sunset Way
address map

Maxwell Graham, PS

535 East Sunset Way
Issaquah, WA, 98027

Maxwell Graham Website

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
AKInactive200912/06/2019
WAActive199212/29/2019
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers8
Legal guides0
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
OwnerMaxwell Graham, PS2015 - Present
Managing PartnerMaxwell Blair, PS2013 - Present
Litigation AttorneyBernard Law Group2004 - Present
OwnerMaxwell Graham, PS2015 - 2015
Public DefenderSociety of Counsel Representing Accused Persons1997 - 2004
County AttorneyKing County Criminal Defense1990 - 1997
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Washington State Association for JusticeMember2008 - Present
Alaska Bar Associationinactive member2008 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember1992 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
Washington State Association of JusticeStrategies to Defeat ERISA Reimbursement Claims2010
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
University of Washington School of LawBA - Bachelor of Arts1997
Georgetown University Law CenterLL.M - Master of Laws1992
Northeastern University School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1990
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
KOMO TelevisionWoman Sues After Clinic Gives Flu Shot instead of Birth Control2015
KIRO TVSeattle Woman Sues Clinic for Getting Flu Shot Instead of Birth Control Injection2015
KEPR TVThird Patient Alleges Mistreatment by Ob/Gyn2015
Huffington PostWoman Gets Pregnant after Clinic Mixes Up Birth Control and Flu Shot: Lawsuit2015
The StrangerWhat We Know about Use of Force by Mall Cops2014
Subrogation SeminarERISA - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly2014
Seattle TimesCity Attorney won't Charge Westlake Center Guard in Pepper-Spray Incident2014
Seattle Post Intelligencer On LineWomen Sue Rapist Attorney Danford Grant, His Wife2014
KIRO My NorthwestMan Pepper Sprayed at Westlake Center Suing Security Guard2014
NBI subrogation seminarERISA subrogation2013
Auto Cases 2013: Looking Down the Road in Your Auto CaseMIST on the windshield2013
WSAJ subrogation seminarStrategies to Defeat ERISA Reimbursement Claims2010
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Easterling v. TangSettled for a confidential amount
Easterling v. TangSettled for a confidential amount
Thompson v. E Pacific Enterpriseswon settlement
State v. Vigilawarded all attorneys fees and costs

Reviews

(13)
5 Star
92%
4 Star
8%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Review Michael Maxwell

Easy and smooth work!

Posted by

Mike Maxwell and team worked to maximize my payoff after a car accident that left me with lasting medical issues. They were easy to work with, friendly to talk with, and professional in every respect. I recommend him!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

The best

Posted by

My Husband and I want to personally thank Michael Maxwell for his wisdom and expertise in our injury case. Mr. Maxwell helped us to see our case through to the end with a favorable settlement and he did so with honesty and integrity. Not only was he the best pick to represent us, he lightened the load and made it easier to get through. He truly was a blessing to us.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
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Attorney endorsements

(11)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Edwardo Morfin, Car accident Attorney on Jan 7, 2019
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I gladly endorse Mike Maxwell. He is an incredibly smart attorney and I frequently refer complex medical malpractice cases over to Mike because I know that he will do a great job.

Chong Ye, Car accident Attorney on Jun 29, 2017
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Mike works tirelessly when it comes to representing his clients. He is experienced, compassionate, and professional with his work.

J. Becker, Litigation Attorney on Mar 3, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Mike's an experienced litigator who compassion for his clients and passion for their case. I first met him more than 20 years ago and still keep him in my contacts list for referrals. Top notch!

Ray Brooks, Personal injury Attorney on Aug 28, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Mike Maxwell. He has constantly shown a thorough knowledge of the law, and he truly cares about his clients. I would never hesitate to send him a client.

Terence Traverso, Personal injury Attorney on Apr 9, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. I can vouch for Michael's determination and compassion on behalf of his clients, as well as his vast legal knowledge and experience, no doubt resulting in the great outcomes for his clients.

Eric Hoort, Car accident Attorney on Jul 25, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Mike is a fantastic attorney and I highly endorse him.

George Tamblyn, Wrongful termination Attorney on Jan 13, 2013
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Excellent mind and follow through. Substantial experience, really cares about his clients, gets very good results.

Arthur Leritz, Car accident Attorney on May 24, 2011
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I met Mike Maxwell several years ago when I was an insurance defense attorney. I had several cases against Mr. Maxwell and on every one of them I found him to be an extremely knowledgeable and hardworking attorney. He was always professional and his word was his bond. His clients were lucky to have him and I highly recommend him to anyone who has been injured.

Diana Zottman, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 10, 2010
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work. I know Michael to be a strong advocate for his clients and a talented negotiator. His skills make him one of the most effective lawyers in the field. Mr. Maxwell communicates well with his clients, his staff and those from the opposing party. Michael is always well prepared and organized and his advice is practical. Unlike many in this area of practice, Michael is punctual and often ahead of schedule. In my experience, he gets results that I don't think other attorneys can ever hope for and his clients are always pleased with his work. I do not hesitate to refer clients to Michael.

Rebeccah Graham, Personal injury Attorney on Nov 25, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer's work. Mike Maxwell is a highly experienced, concientious, hard-working lawyer. He has a passion for protecting the rights of the injured and will fight hard to make sure that your interests are protected. I highly recommend Mike.

Mona Smith, Business Attorney on Nov 19, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer's work. Mike and I worked together for approximately two years and he is a great advocate for his clients. Mike is compassionate yet is a tenacious litigator who fights hard for his clients. I would not hesitate to work with him in the future and I refer personal injury clients to him. In fact, when I had a personal injury claim, I immediately turned to Mike to represent me and was pleased with how he handled my case and the results we obtained.

Cost

RATES
    • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs30 minutes
    OTHER BILLING TYPES
    • Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.33%-40%
    PAYMENT METHODS

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