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Leah Altaras was born in Los Angeles and raised in South King County. She is the second oldest of her parents' eight children. Her father worked as a janitor, and her mother worked as a full time parent. Ms. Altaras attended Seattle Christian School on scholarship, graduating in 1997. She then attended the University of Washington, graduating in 2002 with bachelor’s degrees in both Journalism and American Ethnic Studies. In 2004, she returned to her Alma Matterfor law school. During law school, she participated in moot court and was writer and editor for the Schidler Technology Law Journal as well as the Vice President of Student Programming for the Student Bar Association. She was involved in the Latino Law Student Association as well as the Jewish Law Student Association. She also served as a Rule 9 Intern for both the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and the City of Seattle Attorney’s Office, and also worked as an Infraction Hearing Officer for the University of Washington Police Department. During her internship with King County, she worked in the Fraud Unit, prosecuting misdemeanor crimes with a focus on Unregistered Contractors and Department of Fish and Wildlife Offenses. She prosecuted all manner of civil infractions, including traffic and animal control offenses, for the City of Seattle.
Ms. Altaras graduated from the University of Washington School of Law and was admitted to the Washington State Bar in 2007. On admission to the bar, Ms. Altaras transitioned from intern to Prosecuting Attorney for King County, and worked as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney from 2007 through 2012. In that capacity, Ms. Altaras litigated hundreds of criminal cases from misdemeanors to serious violent felonies. In the course of her work, she prosecuted many jury trials in both District and Superior Courts. She also practiced appellate work in both King County Superior Court and Division I Washington Appellate Court. Since she began her practice in 2012, after leaving the Prosecutor's Office, Ms. Altaras has defended and resolved all levels of criminal offenses, from simple misdemeanors to third strike cases. She has expanded her practice to include civil rights defense in the employment and criminal justice arenas, and has sued the government for discrimination and excessive use of force. She also practices family law, specializing in high conflict child custody battles.
Ms. Altaras is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys, who recently recognized Ms. Altaras as one of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys in Washington State based upon client satisfaction. She is a former board member, chair of the Criminal Law Section, and member of the Judicial Evaluation Committee for the King County Washington Women Lawyers Association. She is dedicated to serving her community and has advised Seattle mayors Nickels and McGinn as a member of the Citizen’s Telecommunications and Technology Advisory Committee and the Technology Matching Fund Grant Review Committee. She has also served as a judge for Mock Trial Competitions at both the Seattle University School of Law and the University of Washington School of Law.
7
Practice Areas
18 years | 500 cases
18 years | 20 cases
18 years | 20 cases
18 years | 25 cases
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Chat withState: Washington
Acquired: 2007
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2024
701 5th Avenue, Ste. 4200, Seattle, WA, 98104-2385
Showing 1 - 5 of 7 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Gayle | November 13, 2024 | Hired Attorney
I was very LUCKY to find her and having had a bad experience before I read her resume and was very impressed. I also have had a positive experience with 3 Attorneys in the distant past so for me it was how hard she tried. I was in the most VULNERABLE position of my 75 years as I'm 3/4 of a century ...
Posted by anonymous | August 5, 2024 | Hired Attorney
I recommend Leah Altaras , on every social post I see on social media in regards to anything they’re going through. Leah is an Advocate for righting wrongs, I met her as a Prosecuting Attorney, and when my life was altered in an MVA I called Her for advice, and she was willing to take on my Pers...
Posted by Deja | July 26, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Leah is my family’s attorney, legal advocate, & #1 referral to my clients seeking legal advice. She is professional, hard working, kind natured & a great communicator. I rely on Leah for legal advice to make sure my small business successful & my children are supported. Thank you Leah!
Posted by Melissa | July 25, 2024 | Hired Attorney
Leah came highly recommended by another lifesaving attorney I had worked with prior and we began working together over a year ago. These are some of the highlights you can expect working with her: 1) She jumps right in. While many attorneys want all this pomp and circumstance before actually getti...
Posted by James | January 27, 2024 | Hired Attorney
I’ve always had an awesome experience with Leah. Her legal expertise, attention to detail, and dedication to my business and real estate matters have been truly impressive. She navigates the complexities with ease, providing clear communication and strategic guidance. I highly recommend Leah for anyo...
"Leah gets results. Period. She is strong, experienced, brave, and effective. She is not afraid of trial, having been a felony prosecutor for quite some time with numerous trials under her belt. She cares deeply about her clients and fights with passion for their rights."
"I highly endorse Ms. Altaras. She is very knowledgeable in the area of criminal defense. She has personally helped me on finding answers to very specific legal questions. She represents her clients zealously and diligently. I recommend her services with confidence."
"Ms. Altaras has served as opposing counsel in a number of cases in which I served as defense counsel. She provided zealous and effective advocacy on behalf of the people of King County in the juvenile court. She did so with character and compassion. We will miss her."
Criminal defense lawyer
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2024.
Suspension issued in WA, 2024
updated on 10/01/2024This means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.
2015
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2012 - Present
Managing Attorney, Altaras Law PLLC
2007 - 2012
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, King County Prosecutor's Office
2005 - 2007
Rule 9 Legal Intern, King County Prosecutor's Office
2005 - 2007
Rule 9 Legal Intern, City Of Seattle Attorney's Office
2007
J.D.
2002
B.A. Journalism, B.A. American Ethnic Studies
2009
2007
English