Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
Christopher Michael Small
About Christopher
Biography
We do estate planning and probate, and we are GOOD at it. Our firm rests on three core pillars:
1. Family protection
2. Elimination of barriers to entry (we make it easy for you)
3. Estate tax reduction/elimination
If you need estate planning or probate help, we should talk. The easiest way to do that is to click the link below and choose a date and time that work for you (over the phone or in person).
Estate Planning -
Probate -
Christopher Small is the owner of CMS Law Firm LLC. He created it with one goal - help YOU live a great life and leave a great legacy.
You'll find information here on estate planning, probate, revocable living trusts, irrevocable trusts, life insurance trusts, charitable giving, wills, trusts, power of attorney, medical power of attorney, trustee selection, and everything in between.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 16 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Licensed in Missouri for 18 years
State: Missouri
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Licensed in Kansas for 20 years
State: Kansas
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
Location
CMS Law Firm LLC
811 Kirkland Ave. Suite 201, Kirkland, WA, 98033
CMS Law Firm LLC
15 S Grady Way, Suite 524, Renton, WA, 98057
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Christopher Michael Small's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 47 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Raymond | November 4, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Ultra-responsive estate planning
I hired CMS Law Firm after an unexpected loss of access to a prior estate planning professional triggered a schedule challenge for a time-sensitive estate plan update. The CMS Law Firm staff worked cooperatively to rapidly achieve all unique aspects of my estate plan requirements. The rate quoted i...
Posted by Victor | July 11, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
A wonderful attorney and human being
I can't speak more highly of Chris and his staff. I live in Arizona and he initiated and handled probate for me after my sisters sudden passing in Washington. They kept me regularly informed of the progress and went the extra mile navigating some difficult situations. I will use his services again wh...
Posted by Ryan | June 14, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Highly Recommended Estate Planning
My wife and I needed to do an estate plan, create a will, and set up a trust. Having completed the process, I would highly recommend Chris to help with yours. He is very professional, knowledgeable, and tactful estate planning professional. He was able to guide us through the process and give us al...
Posted by Anthony | April 14, 2015
Excellent service from an excellent firm!
It's a pleasure to know that there is a firm and a good group of people behind you when you need them. Emerald City Law Group is that and more! I would highly recommend Chrisopher and his team to any friends or family.
Posted by Keri | December 19, 2014
THE BEST FOR SURE!!!!!
This firm is AWESOME! Chris Small will work as hard as possible to get the best results! The entire firm is GREAT! I feel very confident with any case he takes knowing he knows his stuff!!!! Thank you for helping my family :)
Christopher Michael Small's Lawyer Endorsements
"Chris is a knowledgable and innovative attorney. He is great to work with and willing to educate others and share what he knows. If I needed an estate planning attorney in Washington, I would definitely use Chris Small."
"I endorse this lawyer. He provides excellent advice through his podcast and website."
"Christopher is a passionate, innovative, highly competent attorney who will not rest until his clients are 100% satisfied. Anyone retaining his services will be in good hands."
"Chris is someone that cares about the people that he works for, and has a high level of integrity."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is extremely knowledgeable and competent in the areas of DUI, Criminal Law, Personal Injury and Traffics laws. I also know him to be a highly ethical individual with a reputation for the highest integrity as well as legal ability."
"I endorse this lawyer. I know of Chris' work and he is an excellent lawyer. If I have any clients in the Seattle area that get in trouble, they will see Chris."
"I endorse this lawyer. Great communicator and works diligently on behalf of his clients. Very responsive."
"I endorse Christopher. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I've had the pleasure to get to know Chris over the past several months and learn more and more about his DUI practice. Chris truly cares about his clients and will do whatever he can to help them with their case. His DUI podcast is excellent. If you run into trouble with the law in Seattle, I highly recommend you at least contact Chris before going in to see another attorney for a consultation."
"Chris and I met each other a few years ago as a result of our shared background and interest in marketing. Chris has done an excellent job growing his firm and has been an inspiration to me. I don't normally have the chance to hire other local lawyers, but I hired Chris to help a friend with a traffic ticket. He was extremely professional and got the job done timely and with little anxiety on the part of my friend. He has a solid firm with great advice and client services. Chris is someone on the top of my recommendation list for his counsel and as a speaker on marketing. I strongly endorse this lawyer."
"I've sent multiple clients who've (unfortunately) needed Chris Small's assistance. Literally every one of them has come back with glowing recommendations, even when these clients were given a number of other attorneys to choose from and/or met with."
"Chris Small is a rising star in the Seattle defense community. I've gotten to know Chris a bit over the past year and I've been impressed with his knowledge and energy. His use of social media and skills in that medium are laudable; I don't know anyone else in our industry who is as effective with this as he is. And more importantly, he's a great advocate for his clients. He knows his stuff. (He's a bit hard on us former prosecutors but hey - no ones perfect) Chris is a great lawyer and a great guy. I endorse him without reservation."
"I worked with Chris in the past and from that personal experience I can tell you that he works very hard for his clients and is very passionate about what he does. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Chris is passionate, dedicated and organized. His office staff is incredibly friendly and on top of it. He is a pleasure to work with and any client would be very fortunate to have him as their attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Chris a a great guy and generous with his time. If you are need of assistance with a criminal, DUI or traffic matter you should definitely give Chris a call."
"I endorse this lawyer. I recently attended a seminar with Attorney Small. He is dedicated and passionate about DUI defense."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Carol Brent
Social Security & Disability lawyer
Douglas Baier
Criminal defense lawyer
Cary Smalley
Chapter 7 bankruptcy lawyer
Richard Symmes
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Nathan Dineen
DUI and DWI lawyer
Chloe Anderson
Criminal defense lawyer
Mindy Carr
Appeals lawyer
Daniel Covington
Business lawyer
Dan Samas
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
David Benowitz
Criminal defense lawyer
Lauren Wegener
Criminal defense lawyer
David Fuller
Bankruptcy and debt lawyer
Experience
Honors
2014
Top 40 Under 40 Criminal Defense, The National Trial Lawyers
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Owner, CMS Law Firm LLC
2014 - 2015
Co-Owner, Emerald City Law Group Inc.
2009 - 2014
Owner, CMS Law Firm LLC
2007 - 2008
Staff Attorney, Kansas Department of Transportation
2006 - 2007
Associate Attorney, Fairchild & Buck
2004 - 2006
Law Clerk/ Associate Attorney, Anderson & Byrd, LLC
Associations
2010 - Present
King County Bar Association, Young Lawyers DivisionCo-chair
2009 - Present
Washington Association of Criminal Defense AttorneysMember
2009 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Assault 4 Dismissed
Case Dismissed
DUI
Reduced to Neg 1
I-405 DUI Charge
Reduced to Negligent Driving 1st Degree
Education
2005
University of Kansas School of Law
Juris Doctor
2002
University of Kansas
Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2013
Your Law Practice as a Business
Your Law Practice as a Business
2010
Presentation - How to Survive a Police Stop
DUI Defense | Criminal Defense
2010
Presentation - How to Survive a Police Stop
DUI Defense | Criminal Defense
2009
WSBA Monthly Job Seekers Group
Online Marketing and Networking for Attorneys
Publications
2016
Rich Life Lawyer Blog
Rich Life Lawyer Blog
2013
Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Blog
Seattle Car Accident Lawyer Blog
2010
DeNovo - Washington State Bar Association
Transitioning Between Practice Areas
2009
Seattle DUI Attorney Blog
Seattle DUI Attorney Blog
2009
Seattle Traffic Lawyer Blog
Seattle Traffic Lawyer Blog
Languages
English