$ 320-350 per hour
Michael Allan Spence
also known as Mike Spence
About Michael
Biography
Mike has been licensed to practice law since 1986 and his practice emphasizes real estate transactions, land use/zoning, alternative dispute resolution, litigation and school law. A signifncant part of his practice involves advising property owners on waterfront property issues. He is a certified mediator and arbitrator, a licensed real estate law instructor and 2012-2013 President of the Bainbridge Island School Board. He frequently serves as a Court-appointed referee on real estate matters. Prior to entering private practice, Mike represented the Realtor® organization to local, state and federal legislative bodies, and in that capacity, he has had a hand in the drafting of many major pieces of real estate-related legislation.
Mike studied planning and economics at the University of Wisconsin and worked as a Planner and in the title insurance industry before becoming licensed to practice law. Because of this combination of experience, Mike was invited to Shanghai, China to consult with housing and land use officials on regulation of real estate markets, and he subsequently took a one-year leave of absence from Harrison, Benis & Spence to serve as Lead Attorney for a USAID and World Bank-sponsored land reform project in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova.
Mike’s passion is education, and since 1994 he has taught real estate law and related topics to brokers and others for North Seattle Community College, the Rockwell Institute, the Seattle-King County and Washington State Realtor® organizations and every major brokerage in Puget Sound. In 2009 he was elected to the Bainbridge Island School Board. Mike lives on Bainbridge Island and is part owner of the Green Bay Packers.
MIke is available for the following:
- Residential and Commercial Transactions
- Real Estate Litigation
- Seller and Private Financing
- Land Use Entitlements and Land Use Petitions
- Consultation on waterfront property issues
- Code Enforcement matters
- Court-appointed referee services
- Real Estate Arbitrfation and Mediation
- Business entity formation, operation and dissolution
- Real Estate Expert Witness Services
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 39 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1986
No misconduct found
Location
Helsell Fetterman LLP
800 5th Ave Ste 3200, Seattle, WA, 98104
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Michael Allan Spence's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
2 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (2)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Kim | July 03, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Real Estate
The "go to attorney" for real estate issues!
Mike was the second lawyer we hired for an adverse possession claim we had against the commercial neighbors next door after our first counsel was....disappointing... in his advocacy. Mike has been both a thorough and very knowledgeable advocate as well as an incredibly nice guy throughout the whole ...
Posted by Nancy | May 23, 2014 | Real Estate
Outstanding King County, WA State Real Estate Attorney
Not only is Mike the first attorney I call about real estate legal issues, but he is also the first attorney I continue to recommend to others! He is very knowledgeable, trustworthy and tells it like it is which my friends, family, students and I greatly appreciate!! Thank you, Mike, for excelling in...
Michael Allan Spence's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Mike for the past twenty years as a colleague. We have occasionally been opposing on some cases, which we typically have been able to get resolved. Mike is smart and easy to work with. When I have conflicts, I confidently refer them to Mike."
"I met Mike in 1995 during my first year of law school. His firm hired me as an intern and I had the chance to practice alongside him in the years that followed. Mike is a superb attorney, zealous advocate and good friend. I have referred many clients to him over the years, and he has always done a great job. I recommend Mike without reservation."
"I first met Mike as opposing counsel in a case many years ago. I was impressed both by his effective advocacy, but also by his professionalism. I've referred a number of people to him over the years, and always hear compliments about his work. Finally a few years ago a client of mine needed help with a small construction problem (fighting with a city agency over a permit issue). We hired Mike to help us sort through that issue. He gave good, practical, cost effective advice. I'd hire him again, and recommend him without hesitation."
"I don't do land use law, and I don't have to because I know Mike. Whether I was remodeling my house or building a tower downtown, he would be my choice."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Mike is an experienced real estate attorney. I have great confidence in him and refer many tough real estate matters to him that I do not handle. "
"I have used Mike as my personal counsel on real estate matters. He is diligent and knows the area well. I would not hesitate to use him."
Randall Cornwall
Real estate lawyer
Paul Drayna
Real estate lawyer
Experience
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Partner, Helsell Fetterman, LLP
2012 - 2015
Of Counsel, Helsell Fetterman, LLP
1994 - 2012
Principal, Harrison, Benis & Spence, LLP
1987 - 1994
Governmental Affairs Director / Legal Counsel, Seattle-King County Association of Realtors
Associations
2010 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
Bainbridge Island School BoardPresident
2009 - Present
Washington State School Directors AssociationMember
Washington State Bar Association
Member
Education
1984
William Mitchell College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
N/A
University of Wisconsin, Green Bay
Speaking Engagements
2016
Washington State Association of Commercial Realtors
The Law of Waterfront Property
2016
Special Seminars
Washington Commercial Core
2016
Special Seminar
Waterfront Property Law
2016
North Puget Sound Annual Conference
10 top mistakes brokers make
2016
KKOL Radio
Waterfront Property
2016
Housing and Mixed Use Development in Washington - Cashing in on the Boom
Housing and Mixed Use Development
2016
Battle of the Barristers
Legal Update
2015
Legal Update on Financing Issues
Real Estate Financing
2015
CBA Commercial Core
Commercial Real Estate Law
2015
Battle of the Barristers
Real Estate Law
2015
Attorney Survivor
Real Estate Law
2014
Legal Update
Real Estate Financing
2014
Battle of the Barristers
Real Estate Law
2014
Attorney Survivor
Real Estate Law
2014
Attorney Survivor
Real Estate Law
2013
Seattle King County Realtors
Legal Update
1997
Adjunct Faculty
Real Estate and Land Use Law
Publications
2016
Helsell Blog
Five Things to Consider on Waterfront Property
2016
Helsell Blog
Court of Appeals Authorizes Tree Root Cutting
2015
Helsell blog
New Interpleader Statute
2013
King County Bar Bulletin
Trust and the Real Estate Transaction
2013
2013
Helsell Blog
New Case Signals Return to "Buyer Beware"
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers