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Mick Woynarowski
About Mick
Biography
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.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 23 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Location
Law Office of Mick Woynarowski, PLLC
1601 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900, Seattle, WA, 98101
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Mick Woynarowski's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
9 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 9 of 9 reviews
Posted by anonymous | December 28, 2018 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Recent Civil/Criminal Case
Mick was hired to represent a close relative in a civil harassment case. Being a practicing civil litigator for Over three decades, I wanted to make sure that we had the right lawyer, and after a short time, I realized we did. Mick had a thorough grasp of the facts and the applicable law, and he show...
Posted by Tim | December 13, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Excellent service and communication
My teenage son got himself in a bit of a pickle that had the potential for some serious time. Mick was very thorough, communicated regularly with us and was able to get this kids problems to be lowered to a much lower offense. While I hope that I won't need Mick's services again, all I can say tha...
Posted by anonymous | November 27, 2018
Awesome representative
Very professional took well care of everything I needed and provided an emotional comfort about the outcomes that were ahead!
Posted by Peter | October 15, 2012 | Criminal Defense
Peter Corcoran, a client
I met Mick as public defender in my case. He srike me as very serius and knowedgeble person good lesener and responsive , deeply concern about my sytuation that I found my self in. After two or three meetings I developed a feeling of trust and feeling of being in good hands. Not having any problems ...
Mick Woynarowski's Lawyer Endorsements
"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."
Zachary Jarvis
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2000
Haywood Burns Fellowship, National Lawyers Guild
Work Experience
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
Associations
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
Sample of Legal Cases
Mitigated sentence granted in alleged child sexual abuse case
Exceptional down sentence granted saving years of incarceration
"Net nanny" felony communicating with a minor for immoral purpose charge reduced
Probation on gross misdemeanor and no obligation to register as a sex offender
Prosecutor declines to file rape charge
No charges filed
Complex violation of protection order case dismissed
Dismissed with prejudice
Trauma-informed murder case resentencing success
Sentence imposed for murder offense reduced by six years.
Won mitigated resentencing for alleged attempted child sexual abuse
Two years of prison sentence reduced for elderly client.
Interpersonal violence felony charge dismissed
Dismissed
Alleged domestic violence assault dismissed
Charge dismissed
Resentencing in 1996 murder in the first-degree case
38-year prison sentence reduced to 27 and client released
Youthful offender resentenced and given second chance at meaningful life.
41 year prison sentence reduced to 18 years upon resentencing.
Vehicular homicide and vehicular assault reduced to disorderly conduct.
Class A felony charges reduced to simple misdemeanor.
Assault, strangulation
No charges filed.
Motion for a new trial granted - Vehicular homicide & vehicular assault convictions overturned
Overturned for a new trial
Attempted rape of a child, attempted commercial sexual abuse of a minor
Charges dismissed
Domestic violence cyberstalking direct appeal
State conceded error on appeal, case dismissed, conviction vacated.
Assault, no charges filed
No charges filed.
Felony possession of illegal drugs by jail inmate
Reduced to simple misdemeanor, case closed.
Assault, student code of conduct violation
Short-term probation and no charges filed.
Harassment & criminal trespass accusation
Petition for no contact order denied; no charges filed.
Knife stabbing jury trial
Mistrial; charge reduced
Gunpoint robbery charge
Reduced to nonviolent offense; outpatient treatment ordered
Domestic violence case direct appeal
Resentencing ordered; prison term shortened
Felony indecent exposure conviction direct appeal
Reversed for a new trial
Child molestation conviction direct appeal
Sentence vacated and prison term shortened
Failure to register as a sex offender conviction direct appeal
Vacated and dismissed
Drug dealing case direct appeal
Suppression order affirmed
Murder case response to State motion for discretionary review
Favorable trial court ruling upheld
Drug manufacturing / unlawful gun possession case
Motion to suppress granted; dismissed
Shooting case
Reduced to nonviolent offense; outpatient treatment ordered
Two residential burglary charges
Charges reduced and drug diversion court application granted
Two counts of robbery in the first degree
Dismissed
Burglary first degree, felony harassment, assault second degree, felony no contact order violation case
Dismissed
Assault with a handgun jury trial
Not guilty verdicts
Domestic violence felony assault jury trial
Not guilty verdicts
Child sexual abuse of a minor felony sex offense charge
Reduced to simple misdemeanor
"Sexually violent predator" civil commitment cases
Dismissed
Sexually violent predator commitment jury trial
Not proven verdict
Domestic violence assault trial
Not guilty verdict
Theft conviction direct appeal
Reversed for a new trial
Assault of a police officer jury trial
Not guilty verdict
Education
2006
National Criminal Defense College - Trial Practice Institute
N/A
2002
University of Washington School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
State University of New York at Buffalo Honors Program
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2025
32nd Annual Criminal Justice Institute CLE
Practical Advice for Prosecutors and Defense Counsel on Making a Good Trial Court Record
2024
Defender Conference 2024 Nuts and Bolts: Law and Skills You Can Use
The Ethics and Practicalities of Working with Successor Counsel
2023
Second Look Summit
Complex resentencing practice (program co-developer)
2023
Seattle University School of Law
Invited to address first year law students on ethics & professionalism
2021
James E. Bond ABA Moot Court Competition
Appellate law (moot court judge)
2020
Mental Health 360 CLE
Mental health & criminal law training (co-chair and presenter)
2017
Criminal defense CLE
Making and preserving a record of trial court error
2016
Law school seminar
Washington State criminal law practice
2015
Criminal defense CLE
Appellate developments in 71.09 practice
2013
Criminal defense CLE
Litigating 71.09 discovery
2012
Criminal defense CLE
Effective jury selection for defending a 71.09 case
2007
Criminal defense CLE
Story telling and theory in defending 71.09 cases
Publications
2008
Defense Magazine (WACDL)
"Tales from the Criminal Courts."
Languages
French
Polish
Activity
Legal Answers