Michael Thomas Sanders

Michael Thomas Sanders

also known as DUI Attorneys of Washington - Traffic Attorneys of Washington

4.3
Rating: 8.5

Licensed for 39 years

Speeding and traffic ticket Lawyer at Bothell, WA
Practice Areas: Speeding & Traffic Ticket, DUI & DWI

10500 Beardslee Blvd Unit 1064, Bothell, WA

About Michael

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

DUI and DWI 50%

Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, King, Snohomish, Skagit Counties. Defending Washington Motorists Charged With DUI/DWI, Traffic Offenses, and Infractions. Involved In Several Thousand DUI Cases. Conduct of Several Hundred Jury Trials.

35 years | 1,000 cases

50%
Speeding and Traffic Ticket 50%

Seattle, Bellevue, Everett, King, Snohomish, Skagit Counties. Defending Washington Motorists Charged With Driving Under The Influence, Traffic Offenses and Infractions. Charges Dismissed - Reduced - Amended. Protecting Driver's Records and Vehicle License and Insurance.

35 years | 1,000 cases

50%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 35 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1990

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in South Dakota for 39 years

State: South Dakota

Acquired: 1986

Active

No misconduct found

Location

DUI Attorneys of Washington - Traffic Attorneys of Washington

10500 Beardslee Blvd Unit 1064, Bothell, WA, 98041

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Michael Thomas Sanders's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.3 /5.0

28 Client Reviews

Posted by anonymous | September 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Straightforward, No-Nonsense, and Gets Results

Mike got my traffic ticket dismissed. He has a straightforward, no-nonsense approach and focuses on results.

Posted by Maria | July 17, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Professional & Effective

Michael Sanders got my ticket dismissed — and potentially saved my job in the process. As a nurse, I don’t have time or patience for unnecessary fluff, and I truly appreciated his direct, no-nonsense communication style. He was efficient, competent, and focused on getting the job done, which is exact...ly what I needed. I noticed some reviews criticizing his straightforwardness, but for me, that was a positive. I wasn’t looking for a friend — I was looking for a lawyer who knows what he’s doing, and that’s exactly what I got. Highly recommend if you value results and professionalism over hand-holding.

Posted by Kelly | March 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Don't be such sensitive weinies

Mr. Sanders has represented me a couple of times, and has been able to help me keep my record clean. He's a coarse and grizzled man, but works hard for his clients. Too bad the one star reviewers have such sensitive feelings, they don't understand how he can be the best advocate for them and their is...sues. I recommend him wholeheartedly.

Posted by anonymous | August 1, 2023 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Unprofessional, Discourteous, and Demeaning

I contacted Mr. Sanders after reviewing his website which contains statements such as "we take good care of our clients", "we listen to our clients", "we are ready to help you need it". Sadly, this was not my experience when speaking with Mr. Sanders. He began asking me direct questions in a somewhat... aggressive and argumentative manner, which I initially appreciated. As I am seeking legal counsel, I will admit an aggressive personality is acceptable. However, when I was unsure about a response and tried to seek clarification, he rudely stated, "just stick with yes or no answers". He stated I seemed "disorganized". I then apologized and stated it seemed as if I was "bothering him by calling", he stated "you can't expect to just call a lawyer and have them drop everything for you". At no time was that a demand or request from me, I simply was calling to inquire about representation for a DUI. My experience with Mr. Sanders is that he is extremely unprofessional, discourteous, and frankly demeaning. I am grateful he showed his true colors straightaway, so I know to seek help elsewhere.

Posted by anonymous | July 2, 2023 | Consulted Attorney

This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.

Extremely unprofessional

Rude and unprofessional, treats you like youre just a paycheque and if you don't operate on his time-line then he starts acting rude and aggressive. Avoid at all costs

See All Client Reviews

Michael Thomas Sanders's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
Noah E. Weil headshot
Noah Weil

DUI and DWI lawyer | Apr 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I knew Mike first as a prosecutor then a defense attorney. He was a professional, competent attorney then and now. I fully endorse this attorney."

Elizabeth M Carney headshot
Elizabeth Carney

Unknown lawyer | Jun 16

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Do you have a traffic or DUI issue? Michael knows the ropes. All of them. In his extensive time at the City of Seattle, Michael excelled at his work. Success is all about the details. There is no better person to defend an infraction than someone who used to prosecute."

Jeffrey D. Veitch headshot
Jeffrey Veitch

Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer | May 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Michael for almost 18 years since we were Prosecutors together and Michael is as smart as they come. Michael is extremely knowledgeable on the law and does a tremendous job handling difficult traffic matters for his clients. I am very pleased to endorse Michael and do so without reservation."

Francisco A. Duarte headshot
Francisco Duarte

DUI and DWI lawyer | May 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Michael is an outstanding lawyer. I met him many years ago when he was a prosecutor for the City of Seattle. He is very knowledgeable, experienced, and a highly skilled trial lawyer. I highly recommend him."

Matthew E York headshot
Matthew York

Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer | May 08

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I worked with Michael while we managed the prosecution of traffic infractions for the City of Seattle. I guarentee that Michael will leave no stone unturned in researching and arguing your case. I have rarely worked with an attorney who delves as in depth into a legal matter as successfully as Michael. If there is a defense to your ticket - he will find it."

James Egan headshot
James Egan

DUI and DWI lawyer | Jan 10

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"For years I knew Mike Sanders as a Seattle City Prosecutor. Mike was always well prepared and methodical in his own presentation of his cases. I knew Mike really wanted to do defense, and so I can only imagine his research and passion carries him well into the representation of his clients. I would highly endorse Mike Sanders. He is personable and among the most solid advocates I have ever seen."

View All Endorsements
Elizabeth M Carney headshot
Elizabeth Carney

Real estate lawyer

Jeffrey D. Veitch headshot
Jeffrey Veitch

DUI and DWI lawyer

Francisco A. Duarte headshot
Francisco Duarte

DUI and DWI lawyer

Stephen Wesley Hayne headshot
Stephen Hayne

DUI and DWI lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.5 (Excellent)

Honors

1983

Phi Delta Phi, Washburn Law School

Work Experience

2013 - 2014

Founder - Principal, Traffic Attorneys of Washington

1991 - 2013

Senior Assistant City Attorney, Seattle Law Department

1989 - 1990

Staff Attorney, Waitt Johnson & Martens

1988 - 1989

Trial Prosecutor, Pennington County State's Attorney

1986 - 1988

Law Clerk To Chief Justice, South Dakota Supreme Court

1980 - 1983

Captain, Ordinance Officer, United States Army

Associations

1990 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

1986 - Present

South Dakota State Bar

Sample of Legal Cases

DUI Trial Prosecutor

Undefeated On DUI Breath Cases

Local Municipal Court

Amended to reckless driving

See More Legal Cases

Education

1986

Washburn University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1981

Aberdeen Proving Grounds

Ordinance Officer Basic

1980

University of South Dakota

Bachelor of Sciences

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution