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I have been zealously representing people accused of criminal wrongdoing for over 20 years. I like trying cases to juries and I like making legal arguments to judges. I have a proven track record of defending complicated of cases, at trial, on appeal, and in post-conviction proceedings. I demand that my clients' legal rights be honored to their fullest, and when appropriate, I call out police and prosecutorial overreach and misconduct, including instances of racial bias. I am based in Seattle, but I do take on cases in jurisdictions other than King County, including during pre-charging investigations.
My expertise is in defending serious violent crimes (like murder, assault, rape, robbery) and other matters that involve expert witness testimony, especially regarding mental disorders, or standards of criminal defense practice. My peers look to me for help with those types of cases. As a trial lawyer, I've secured dismissals, reductions, and not guilty jury verdicts. As an appellate defender, I have been able to get my clients’ convictions overturned, win them new trials, or re-sentencings.
At present, a lot of my work focuses on Personal Restraint Petitions (PRPs) and CrR 7.8 motions to vacate, as well as complex "second chance" resentencing hearings (be it under State v. Blake, SB6164, In re Monschke, State v. Houston-Sconiers). I find great satisfaction in creatively working with a client to meet their goals in such challenging cases, especially those involving youthfulness as mitigation.
I look forward to connecting with potential clients, or their families, to see if my skillset is a good fit for your needs.
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Chat withState: Washington
Acquired: 2002
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1601 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, WA, 98101
9 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews
Posted by anonymous | October 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Terrific attorney and highly recommended
Mick is an exceptional attorney who guided me through the criminal justice system with skill, knowledge, dedication, and compassion. He supported me through several serious criminal charges, helped achieve a fair and reasonable resolution, and continued to stand by me as I returned to work. Mick is n...
Posted by anonymous | July 07, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Client
Mick helped me through a difficult time in my life...He was professional, responsive, and most importantly good at what he does...Count yourself lucky if you have him as your advocate!
Posted by Jennifer | November 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
A big win!
Picking Mick to represent my husband was the best choice we ever made. He fought to get my husband back in the courtroom and was granted a life changing re-sentencing from 41 years to 18! His work and dedication has provided my husband an opportunity at life again! When My husband and I first hir...
Posted by G | September 29, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellent Defense Attorney
Mick was consulted in our son's criminal case that was intially managed by a different attorney. His thorough and thoughtful approach made the choice to change representation a very easy and logical decision. His communication style was open, non judgmental and he quickly laid out options for proced...
Posted by Brian | April 29, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Appeals
Mick exceeded all expectations
I hired Mick as my appellate attorney after what I felt certain was a wrongful conviction in a lengthy and complicated case, and he exceeded all expectations in what was ultimately a successful appeal. At every turn Mick was proactive, thorough, knowledgeable, and highly detail oriented - but it was...
"I have known Mick and observed his work for something like twenty years. The compassion and care with which he approaches his clients and cases has consistently impressed me. Mick is a skilled, tenacious, and creative attorney who is able to move difficult cases toward favorable results even when the odds are solidly against him. I am happy to endorse Mick and his work."
"I would refer friends and family to Mick; he is an excellent defense attorney. I highly recommend him."
"I supervised Mick when he was a young attorney. Even then, his compassion, dedication, and fierce legal skills impressed me. Over the years, I saw the results he got for his clients and the relationships he built with them. When my partner and I decided to add a third lawyer to our firm, we chose Mick. He is one of the finest advocates I know. I trust him to provide each Gordon & Saunders client the best defense and support. You should also place your confidence in him. It will not be misplaced."
"Mick is a highly analytical and creative lawyer. He cares about his clients, and fights tirelessly for them. Mick has a wide range of experience in trial and appellate work which informs his thorough legal approach. He is well respected in the legal community. I highly recommend him."
"Mick is one of the best lawyers I have worked with in over 30 years. He is a zealous advocate, a brilliant legal thinker, and a compassionate counselor at law. I heartily endorse this lawyer."
"Mick was the lead counsel in several complex litigation matters that I second-chaired with him in our previous employment together. He is one of the best trial lawyers I know. He is highly intelligent, charismatic before the jury, and passionate when it comes to representing his clients' interests. I highly recommend him for anyone who needs a strong, intelligent and compassionate advocate in the court."
"Mr. Woynarowski brings an unparalleled tenacity and attention to detail to bear in each of his client's cases. Both from my own observations while working roughly contemporaneously to Mick at the public defender, as well as from working with some of the same clients he previously represented, I know the level of diligence he applied to the circumstances of each case. I endorse Mr. Woynarowski and consider him a role model in the field."
Criminal defense lawyer
2000
Haywood Burns Fellowship, National Lawyers Guild
2024 - Present
Owner, Law Office of Mick Woynarowski, PLLC
2018 - 2024
Attorney, Gordon & Saunders, PLLC
2017 - 2018
Staff Attorney, King County Department Of Public Defense - The Defender Association Division
2016 - 2016
Consultant, Washington State Office of Public Defense
2016 - 2016
Adjunct Professor, Seattle University School Of Law
2014 - 2017
Staff Attorney, Washington Appellate Project
2002 - 2014
Staff Attorney, The Defender Association
2025 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Criminal Law SectionExecutive Committee Member
2024 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Criminal Law SectionMember
2004 - Present
Washington Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2002 - Present
Washington Defender AssociationMember
Exceptional down sentence granted saving years of incarceration
Probation on gross misdemeanor and no obligation to register as a sex offender
No charges filed
Dismissed with prejudice
Sentence imposed for murder offense reduced by six years.
Two years of prison sentence reduced for elderly client.
Dismissed
Charge dismissed
38-year prison sentence reduced to 27 and client released
41 year prison sentence reduced to 18 years upon resentencing.
Class A felony charges reduced to simple misdemeanor.
No charges filed.
Overturned for a new trial
Charges dismissed
State conceded error on appeal, case dismissed, conviction vacated.
No charges filed.
Reduced to simple misdemeanor, case closed.
Short-term probation and no charges filed.
Petition for no contact order denied; no charges filed.
Mistrial; charge reduced
Reduced to nonviolent offense; outpatient treatment ordered
Resentencing ordered; prison term shortened
Reversed for a new trial
Sentence vacated and prison term shortened
Vacated and dismissed
Suppression order affirmed
Favorable trial court ruling upheld
Motion to suppress granted; dismissed
Reduced to nonviolent offense; outpatient treatment ordered
Charges reduced and drug diversion court application granted
Dismissed
Dismissed
Not guilty verdicts
Not guilty verdicts
Reduced to simple misdemeanor
Dismissed
Not proven verdict
Not guilty verdict
Reversed for a new trial
Not guilty verdict
2006
N/A
2002
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2025
2024
2023
2023
Invited to address first year law students on ethics & professionalism
2021
2020
2017
2016
2015
2013
2012
2007
Story telling and theory in defending 71.09 cases
2008
French
Polish
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