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Matthew Curran Knauss
About Matthew
Biography
Matt Knauss focuses his practice on defending those accused of driving under the influence and other serious criminal charges
Repeatedly selected as a Superlawyers "Rising Star" he is a passionate advocate who consistently achieves outstanding results for his clients. He is a veteran of countless trials and numerous other traffic and criminal prosecutions, including numerous DUI cases.
Matt interned with the Bothell Prosecutor’s Office, where he was lead counsel in multiple jury and bench trials and then became an Associate Prosecuting Attorney for the City of Lynwood. As a prosecutor, it was his responsibility to prepare for the numerous legal issues and challenges that would be raised by the top DUI lawyers in the community and to respond to them in court. In early 2006 he was hired by the law firm of Moberly & Roberts, which hold the contracts to prosecute for numerous municipalities. Matt served as the lead Prosecutor for the cities of Kirkland, Medina and Clyde Hill, until he was hired by Cowan Kirk Gaston in 2008.
Matt received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration
from the University of Denver in 2001 where he was a recipient of the Provost Scholarship. Immediately following college, Matt attended the Seattle University School of law, receiving his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, in 2004. He has attended the National College for DUI Defense program at the Harvard Law School, and he is a member of the College. He is also a member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the King County Bar Association, and the Washington State Bar Association.
Practice Areas
3
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 21 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
Knauss Law Firm
4040 Lake Washington Blvd Northeast, Suite 300, Kirkland, WA, 98033
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Matthew Curran Knauss's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
143 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Criminal Defense (67)
DUI & DWI (39)
Lawsuits & Disputes (21)
Speeding & Traffic Ticket (8)
Expungement (5)
Litigation (4)
Domestic Violence (2)
Family (2)
Gun Law (2)
Administrative Law (1)
Brain Injury (1)
Divorce & Separation (1)
Employment & Labor (1)
Personal Injury (1)
State, Local And Municipal Law (1)
Violent Crime (1)
What Clients Mention
Case Results (95)
Advocacy (65)
Recommendation (65)
Professionalism (50)
Responsiveness (43)
General Knowledge (40)
Practice Area Knowledge (39)
Communication Style (37)
Character & Conduct (27)
Trustworthiness (20)
Compassion (19)
Cost of Services (12)
Staff & Support (9)
Free Consultations (5)
Punctuality (4)
Payment Plans (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 143 reviews
Posted by Jeff | December 21, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Expungement
Rights restoration
I can not speak highly enough about Matthew and his team. They handled a complex restoration of rights case and achieved a positive outcome. If I am ever in need of a lawyer in the future, they will be my first call.
Posted by anonymous | December 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Very efficient process with a positive outcome
Matt and his team are very responsive, and professional, their monthly communication is very helpful, every step is efficient and smooth. He helped my case to reach a positive outcome, and was very thoughtful to checked in afterwards. Highly recommended!
Posted by Brian | June 20, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Matt and his team were great!
Matt and his team were clear in what to expect and came thru for me. Thank you all for the help!
Posted by anonymous | June 16, 2025 | Hired Attorney
Invaluable Professional Support
Matt was excellent to work with and provided a clear path forward and guidance for our case. His professionalism and support throughout this process was invaluable. Thank you Matt and team!
Posted by Marley | May 02, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Knauss law delivers the goods
I was charged with a serious crime that I was innocent of committing. Matt Knauss and Jeff Ostrove worked diligently to achieve a not guilty verdict and were ultimately successful. Jeff Ostrove represented me in court and it was apparent from day 1 that he was both a passionate advocate and a bril...
Matthew Curran Knauss's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have faced Matt in the courtroom on more than one occasion and always found him to be a loyal advocate for his clients and talented attorney. He knowledge of DUI and criminal defense is second to none. I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer and often refer him to handle the most challenging cases."
"Mr. Knauss is a very experienced attorney who often contributes to very complicated areas of the law on AVVO."
"I have worked with Mr. Knauss on a number of occasions. His dedication to his clients and his level of knowledge was exceptional. I endorse him without reservation."
"I truly appreciated the professionalism and reasonableness of Matthew as he worked as a prosecutor for the City of Kirkland. But I was very happy to see him join the ranks of the defense, as he is an intelligent, creative, and articulate advocate for the accused. I can count on Matt to know the inside process of prosecuting DUI's, based on his years of experience. And he has a great working relationship with judges and prosecutors throughout the county, which is due to his diligence and honesty and excellent advocacy skills. I trust his judgment and I often touch base with him to brainstorm tactics and approaches on pending matters. He is a great lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Matt has a strong knowledge of Washington case law. I worked with Matt on several cases when he represented the City of Kirkland. Matt is personable and a strong advocate in the area of Criminal Law."
"I have known Matt since his days as a prosecutor. He is a top-notch DUI defense attorney and well respected by his peers in the defense community."
"Matthew Knauss is a talented and skilled DUI Defense practitioner and a a compassionate advocate for his clients. I have know Matthew both as a prosecutor and defense attorney and endorse him without reservation."
"I have known Matt since he was a prosecutor and appeared in opposition to him numerous times. When our law firm needed another DUI defense lawyer, the first person we thought of was Matt. In the yeaars that he has worked with us we were not only not disappointed. Matt went far beyond our expectations and our hope. If I were to pick the most important asset he has brought to our firm it is his creativity, both in litigation but in recognizing and articulating legal issues. We are proud to have him practicing with us."
"Matt is a talented lawyer who vigorously fights for his clients and is highly respected among the legal community and his clients. I have referred multiple clients to Matt, all of which have been very satisfied with his work."
"Matt is well respected by prosecutors, judges, and most importantly, his clients."
"I have known Matthew for years as he prosecuted misdemeanor cases for the cities of Bothell, Lynnwood and Kirkland. Matthew was a very good prosecutor in that he was able to balance what the law was and what the right outcome should be in any given case. These are traits that will make him a great defense attorney. He had very good command of the law and the courtroom as a prosecutor. Having joined one of the premier DUI firms our state has to offer, I expect that he will continue to have such command from the defense side. I would recommend Matthew without hesitation."
"I had the pleasure of working with Matt on several DUI cases when he was the Kirkland Prosecuting Attorney. His knowlege of the law was only surpassed by his ethics and the respect he paid everyone in the court including the accused. Mr. Knauss demonstrated outstanding courtroom ability and demeanor. His maturity in handling very difficult, and often contentious matters, was a real pleasure to see. I have no doubt that he will continue to develop into a top flight trial attorney."
"I have known Matt for the past three years, both as a prosecutor and now as a defense attorney. I am thoroughly impressed with his knowledge of the law and his courtroom skills. He is an excellent advocate for his clients."
"Matt is a tenacious advocate for his clients. He is well respected in the community and has a pit-bull like quality to get the best results. Any client represented by Matt will be well served."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. While I will miss Matt on the prosecutor's side of the table, knowing he's now a DUI Defense lawyer makes me all the happier for him. The defense bar has gained a great ally. Matt is sharp as a sword, and I have no doubt will quickly rise to the upper eschelons of the defense bar."
Angela Griffin
Criminal defense lawyer
Quita St. John
Criminal defense lawyer
Briteney Mercer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Shira Stefanik
Criminal defense lawyer
Cara Starr
Criminal defense lawyer
George Bianchi
DUI and DWI lawyer
Andrea Robertson
Criminal defense lawyer
Karlie Valdez
Criminal defense lawyer
Mark Blair
Criminal defense lawyer
Christopher Kattenhorn
Criminal defense lawyer
Enrico Leo
DUI and DWI lawyer
Jeannie Mucklestone
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
Aaron Wolff
DUI and DWI lawyer
Experience
Honors
2019
Client's Choice, Avvo
2015
Listed in Who's Who Top Lawyers, Global Directory of Who's Who
2014
Client's Choice Award, Avvo
2014
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers Association
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2011
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2010
Rising Star, Washington Law & Politics Magazine
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Principal, Knauss Law Firm
2008 - Present
Attorney at law, Cowan Kirk Gaston
2006 - 2008
Senior Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Moberly & Roberts, PLLC
2005 - 2006
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Zachor & Thomas
2003 - 2004
Intern - City Attorney's Office, City of Bothell
Associations
Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
National College of DUI Defense
Education
2011
National College for DUI Defense
2008
LaPier and Associates
Certified to administer Field Sobriety Tests.
2008
Kirkland Police Department
Trained in RADAR/LIDAR operation.
2004
Seattle University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor, cum laude
2001
University of Denver
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2011
DUI Strategies For Defense
Making Sense of IIDs, CDLs, and IILs: What a DUI Conviction Means For Your Client
2007
Washington State Criminal Justice Institute
Pretrial release conditions in DUI cases.
Publications
2011
Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers DUI Case Update
The DOL and Police Jurisdiction In DUI Emphasis Patrol Cases
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Does the state have a DUI case or any case at all?
24 Aug 2018
Q&A
I got a speeding ticket in school zone going 25 in 20 zone. I know the crossing guard there and talked to her after the ticket.
20 Nov 2014
Q&A
Car Towed; Washington State issued temp expired tag.
20 Nov 2014