PRO
Michelle Teresa Dellino
also known as Michelle Dellino, Michelle T. Dellino
Virtual Consultation Available
About Michelle
Biography
Dedicated. Prepared. Accessible. Compassionate.
I believe there is a solution to every problem and that people should not be defined by their worst moments. Humans are resilient and with the right advocacy, anything can be accomplished. Working with me and my team you will know you got the best result possible and will never be in the dark about the status of your case. Our practice is results oriented and focused on client communication. We provide non-judgmental and efficient representation with an emphasis on achieving client goals. My practice focuses on complex family law including cases involving tech workers, professionals, business owners, and those with closely held businesses. I also spend signficant time working with clients in cases involving domestic violence and on prenuptial, postnuptial, and cohabitation agreements. As a former criminal trial lawyer, my experience representing clients in both criminal and family law gives me a unique perspective that is advantageous when there are charges pending, protection orders in place or being sought, and/or a family law case happening simultaneously. I understand how to best protect your interests in all of these arenas. My team will work with you to make sure you know what decisions to make at every juncture to achieve the best possible outcome for you, your family, and your future. Whether you are negotiatinga resolution, in mediation, or litigating, family law is stressful. I aim to act as a buffer between you and that stress. Listen, court can be stressful for clients. I make sure all of my clients know what to expect and if we are litigating, go in to court prepared and with the security of experience on their side. Careful and well-informed negotiation is critical to securing successful resolutions. We offer the flexibility of experience to litigate aggressively on your behalf when needed or reach solutions borne of a more collaborative approach, dependent upon your needs. If you have a problem, we can help you find your solution so please reach out.
Prior to starting Dellino Law Group, I worked for a large public defender office and other law firms in the greater Seattle area gaining extensive experience defending criminal charges and handling family law matters. Prior to private practice, I srved as a judicial staff attorney in Washington State Superior Court for Kitsap County. As an attorney providing support to four busy trial court judges, I analyzed legal motions in all areas of law, especially in cases involving complex issues, and recommended how a judge should rule on the motion. My work at the Court helped me understand how judges respond to arguments made by attorneys. This makes me an extremely effective advocate in the courtroom. When not working, I stay active in the community through my volunteer work with the King Co. Bar Association Neighborhood Legal Clinic program and various animal rescues. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, my four dogs (yes, I said four), getting outdoors, travel, and New York Yankee baseball. I abhor apathy.
Experienced and Compassionate Attorney. High Caliber Representation.
Work with an experienced and compassionate family law team.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
18 years
18 years
18 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Sometimes
Payment Methods
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Washington for 16 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
Dellino Family Law Group - Downtown Seattle
Mobile
Fax
1011 Western Avenue, Suite 910, Seattle, WA, 98104
dellinolaw.comDellino Family Law Group - University Village/North Seattle
Fax
5000 30th Ave NE, Suite 105, Seattle, WA, 98105
dellinolaw.comDellino Family Law Group - Bellevue - Skyline Tower
Fax
10900 NE 4th St., Suite 2300, Bellevue, WA, 98004
dellinolaw.comDellino Family Law Group - Bainbridge Island
Mobile
Fax
755 Winslow Way E, Suite 306, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110
dellinolaw.comGallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Michelle online.
Michelle Teresa Dellino's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
51 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Kalyan | May 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Highly Recommend
I reached out to Michelle Dellino during one of the most stressful periods of my life—a divorce that felt overwhelming and uncertain. From the very beginning, Michelle was incredibly responsive, honest, efficient, and effective. She brought clarity to a difficult process and made me feel supported ev...
Posted by Bailey | March 26, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Great experience working with Michelle
Working with Michelle and team was great - at least as great as one going through an acrimonious divorce can expect! The team was very responsive, helped me understand what was and wasn't worth holding my ground on (legally), and ultimately helped me settle the divorce and move on with my life. I wou...
Posted by Mikhail | October 18, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Michelle is wonderful
Michelle has taken me through a very difficult divorce involving multiple kids and multiple continents. Both her and her office have been wonderful to work with. Most highly recommended.
Michelle Dellino
Replied last October 19, 2022Thank you, Misha! It has been a true pleasure to work with you.
Posted by Julie | May 31, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Superb, expert and caring. The BEST!
Superb! Words are inadequate to express my gratitude for Michelle and her team. I was dissolving a Committed Intimate Relationship (CIR) and found out that expertise with CIRs is a rarity. Michelle is the 3rd attorney I consulted. I knew I was in the best hands possible from the first moment we conne...
Michelle Dellino
Replied last June 01, 2022Thank you so much for the kind words for me and the team, Julie. I truly enjoyed working with you and am so happy we could get you the settlement you deserved and be a part of your new start.
Posted by Sara | February 17, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Forever grateful
I can’t say enough good things about Michelle, her paralegal Lisa, and the entire practice. They helped me navigate the scariest year of my life. Last year I was absolutely blindsided by my husband leaving. I had given up my career to be a stay at home mom for the last 4 years. I had no access to fin...
Michelle Dellino
Replied last February 22, 2022Thank you so much for the kind words for me and our team, Sara! It was a true pleasure to work with you and see you leave this process in a great position.
Michelle Teresa Dellino's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Whether it's a criminal charge or a family law matter where everything is at stake, no one is better than Michelle Dellino. She is a first rate attorney, the best in her field in the state of Washington. You can't afford not to hire her."
"I honestly can't say enough about Michelle. She is single-handedly the absolute hardest working attorney I have ever known. Not only is she beautiful, intelligent, and dedicated, but you can really tell that she truly cares about her clients. She takes the time to get to know her clients and will go the distance to get the best results she can for them. I would hire her in a heartbeat if I needed help with a criminal charge. She also has a lot of experience in family law and if you are lucky enough to be able to hire her for a family issue you will not be disappointed. I frequently go to her for advice and help with some of my cases and she seems to always know the best way to get something done."
"I endorse this lawyer. I refered a family member to Michelle for a messy family law situation. Her team did a great job. I will never hesitate to refer future clients and friends to her firm."
"Ms. Dellino is exteremely knowledgeable in all criminal defense matters. I look to her as a mentor and someone I can go to when I cannot find an answer anywhere else. I fully endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Dellino is a skilled and respected member of the legal community. She is a zealous advocate for the rights and interests of her clients"
"I endorse this lawyer. She is experienced, knowledgeable and highly respected in the legal community."
"A truly excellent attorney well respected in the legal community. I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Michelle Dellino of Dellino Law Group is an amazing attorney. Her passion for the law, coupled with her unwavering dedication to advocate on behalf of her clients, makes her the complete package when seeking representation. She is an effective communicator, giving the client a realistic expectation based on her experience and knowledge. You also get the benefit of having consistent contact with your attorney, when choosing Michelle. Yet another compliment to her dedication to the client!"
"I have worked with Michelle on several matters and found her to be the most competent, ethical, and hard working attorney I know. She goes the extra mile for clients and is always prepared for the unexpected."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I strongly endorse this attorney. Ms Dellino is a very ethical attorney who works hard for her clients. I have the highest respect for her as a person and would not hesitate to recommend her."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've had the opportunity to see Michelle in a number of court situations and have been consistently impressed. I would not hesitate to refer and/or ask for coverage from her - in other words - I trust her enough to take care of my clients. From a lawyer there's almost no higher compliment."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Dellino is an outstanding attorney with an exceptional reputation as one of the top criminal defense Attorneys."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Excellent lawyer. Very well respected."
"Michelle is knowledgeable and professional. Having worked in many courts in the area, she knows what procedures are followed in different courts and how to adapt to new situations. She is committed to her clients and willing to go the extra mile to get the best outcomes."
"Ms. Dellino is a stellar criminal defense attorney. She is a compassionate and aggressive advocate for her clients and is very well-versed in the law. She is extremely knowledgeable, articulate, and is an attorney with heart. I would recommend Ms. Dellino to anyone without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is an aggressive DUI attorney not afraid to take on the most difficult case. She vigorously defends her clients and it shows with her success rate."
"Michelle is incredibly personable and hard working. She is experienced in the courtroom, and diligently advocates on behalf of her clients. I endorse Ms. Dellino."
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Personal injury lawyer
Family lawyer
Mediation lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Family lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
Family lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Speeding and traffic ticket lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Unknown lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
DUI and DWI lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Pro Bono Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2019
Recipient, America's Top 100 Attorneys
2013
Criminal Justice Excellence in Instruction, Arizona State University
2012
Pro Bono Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2012
summa cum laude honors, Arizona State University
2011
Distinguished Scholar, Alpha Phi Sigma, The National Criminal Justice Honor Society
2009
magna cum laude honors, Seattle University School of Law
2007
CALI Award of Excellence - Criminal Law, LexisNexis
2006
CALI Award of Excellence - Civil Procedure, LexisNexis
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Managing Partner, Dellino Family Law Group PLLC
2012 - 2013
Associate Attorney, Whalley Law PLLC
2012 - 2013
Attorney, Callahan Law
2010 - 2011
Staff Attorney, Washington State Superior Court for Kitsap County
2009 - 2012
Attorney / Of Counsel, Greater Puget Sound Legal PLLC
2008 - 2009
Rule 9 Public Defender, Associated Counsel For The Accused
Associations
2019 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionaMember
2017 - Present
Domestic Relations Attorneys of WashingtonMember
2016 - Present
Citizens for Judicial ExcellenceMember
2013 - Present
Washington Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2013 - Present
Association of Family and Conciliation CourtsMember
2012 - Present
Washington Defender AssociationMember
2010 - Present
American Society of CriminologyMember
2010 - Present
Western Society of CriminologyMember
2010 - Present
Alpha Phi Sigma, The National Criminal Justice Honor SocietyMember
2009 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2009 - 2013
Washington State Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
All charges dismissed
Charges dismissed
All Charges Dismissed
All Charges Dismissed
Reduced to Neg 1
All charges dismissed.
Reduced to Negligent Driving 1st Degree
DUI Dismissed
Suspension Dismissed
All charges dismissed
DUI reduced to non-criminal traffic infraction
DUI (second offense/blood draw) reduced to Negligent Driving First Degree
Enhanced DUI (.173) reduced to Reckless Driving
Overweight Infraction Dismissed
DUI (Blood/Ambien) Reduced to non-criminal traffic infraction
Obstruction charge from Occupy Seattle protest dismissed. Court found defendant was exercising constitutional right to free speech by engaging in peaceful protest and City had no compelling interest in clearing Westlake Park for cleaning.
Enhanced DUI (>.15) reduced to Negligent Driving 1
DV Assault 4 charge Dismissed w/Prejudice
Negligent Driving 2, HOV & FTC Dismissed
Blood DUI reduced to Negligent Driving 1st Degree
Education
2012
MS - Masters
2011
Certificate
2009
JD - Juris Doctor
2005
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2003
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2020
2020
2014
Understanding DUI Laws in Washington
2014
Careers in Law & Criminal Justice : Making a Difference and a Living
2013
Understanding DUI Laws in Washington
2013
Traffic Infraction Defense: The Importance of a Clean Driving Record
2013
Estate Planning: Preparing for the Future and Providing Peace of Mind
2012
Practical Approaches to Public Order Crimes
2011
The Land Use Protection Appeal: Impact on Local Community
Publications
2020
2014
2012
2011
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Top Contributor
Michelle earned significant contribution points in 2013.
Legal Answers
Do courts and PO check AA slips?
02 Mar 2015
June 2013 I got a DUI reduced to Neg 1. What are my options? Can i get this off my record at some point?
13 Jun 2014
I got a traffic infraction today, none was hurt. will i be able to get it deferred?
15 Jun 2014