Kenneth Wendell Masters

Kenneth Wendell Masters

also known as Ken Masters

4.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 33 years

Appeals Lawyer at Bainbridge Island, WA
Practice Areas: Appeals

241 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island, WA

About Kenneth

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Appeals 100%

Civil appeals in all state and federal appellate courts, in all areas of the law.

34 years

100%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 33 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1992

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Masters Law Group, PLLC

241 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island, WA, 98110-1811

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Kenneth Wendell Masters's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.0 /5.0

8 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (8) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Mark | July 26, 2021 | Appeals

Ken Masters is simply the best

On my appeal, Ken Masters proved to be exactly what I’d been told he is – the best appellate attorney in Washington State. In just an hour of his time, he showed me exactly how to fix my brief, and he clarified several key procedural issues in the appeal. My brief would’ve been far weaker without his... insights from years of appellate practice. His efficient, expert help was the decisive factor in my winning appellate decision.

Posted by Mike | March 29, 2021 | Appeals

I was disappointed with this lawyer

I contacted Mr. Masters because I was told that he had a high reputation. We had a good conversation and he told me that I had a "very good case" and assured me that I will "get justice on appeal." He asked me questions about my jobs, which initially I did not realize the purpose of this conversation... until later - his purpose was to understand how much I earned. when I told him that my salary was not over 100k, he ceased the conversation and told me that he would send me a letter soon. I now had his letter, with one sentence that he declined to help me. This lawyer will not help you if you do not earn over 100k, you do not need to consider him.

Kenneth Masters

Replied last March 29, 2021

I am sorry that you are disgruntled by my inability to accept your appeal. I cannot recognize you from the name "Mike." In any event, ethics rules would prevent me from responding here regarding your specific situation. If you want a further explanation, please call me. You should not disclose any personal, confidential, or privileged information in this public forum. Beyond that, your stated assumptions about my motivations would be incorrect. While a potential client's income may be relevant to the merits of their potential appeal (for example, a trial court's property distribution, maintenance, and child support awards, all may depend upon the parties' incomes) I have never turned down any potential client on the basis of their income. On the contrary, I routinely handle pro bono (free-of-charge), low-bono, and flat-fee appeals, for those who cannot afford my services. Unfortunately, however, I do get many calls, so I must turn down many appeals, for many reasons, including everything from being too busy to handle another appeal, to being unable to find a way to win a particular appeal. I simply cannot take on every potential appeal. That is not, however, a fair basis for giving anyone a poor review.

Posted by Junhua | September 24, 2018 | Appeals

Ken will not fight for you if he thinks that you might lose

I am very disappointed at Ken that he wouldn't take my case after I paid him $2,500. I was referred to him by another attorney and did some online research before contacting him. He seems had a good reputation as one of the best appellate lawyers in Seattle. However, now I don't think he is worth his... reputation at all. He would just give up your case when other party's legal errors are hidden in plain sight. I could not believe that the best appellate lawyer in Seattle couldn't even find 1 legal error from court orders after spending time evaluating the case, when the so many legal errors were just hidden in plain sight on paper practically everywhere. I paid him $2,500 the next day after discussing my case with him on the phone with all the details, under the impression that he would represent me. However, 2 days laters he just sent an cold email telling me that he won't take my case without even mentioning refunding me. I now have no lawyer, and the time and money which I spent on him yielded basically nothing for me. I should have talked with a much better lawyer who would fight for me to get justice served instead.

Kenneth Masters

Replied last September 24, 2018

I regret you are disgruntled I could not accept your case. As you may know, ethical duties preclude me from speaking publicly about it. If you desire a further explanation, please call me.

Posted by Michaela | February 07, 2017 | Appeals

He's a great man!

If I could only travel back in time! Even if only just enough to have consulted with (then hired) Mr. Masters at very least for my appeal, life would be even better. After doing research (too late for myself though). I know that not only is he a GREAT TRIAL LAWYER that delivers but in the almost 45... minutes we were on the phone for the consultation (he didn't even charge me for the very direct, completely honest and extremely useful advice he gave me. I could absolutely tell that he is a GREAT MAN that is very committed and passionate about his work. He is absolutely the lawyer that you brag about after you happily pay him whatever he requires to represent you!

Kenneth Masters

Replied last February 07, 2017

I very much appreciate this enthusiastic endorsement, but I do need to point out that I am NOT a trial lawyer, but an appellate lawyer. I will leave this very nice person's other generous comments for others to judge, except to say that I'm very happy to have been of assistance to her.

Posted by Edward | August 10, 2015 | Appeals

Simply the Best Appellate Attorney in Washington State

Ken Masters is arguably the best appellate attorney in the State of Washington. He is the attorney who other attorneys hire when they simply need the best appellate attorney. I know because Ken is my personal attorney. He is the person I hire to handle all of my appellate work, which have been nu...merous. As an example, I had a “bet the firm” case years ago where winning was simply not a choice, but absolutely necessary. Not only were our firm’s financial future at risk, so was our reputation. Ken and his partner, Shelby Lemmel, handled the case with aplomb and were masterful, both in their brief and in oral presentations. The case was appealed twice to the Washington Supreme Court twice, each time resulting in resounding wins. As a person and attorney who has personally observed Ken argue on numerous appeals now, I can attest that his oratory skills are mesmerizing and his analytical skills are simply unmatched. Remarkably, despite his reputation and deep skill set, Ken remains one of the most “down to earth” and humble attorney I know. He is as comfortable before a panel of judges as he is having coffee with a client. All attorneys and clients would be well served by his representation.

See All Client Reviews

Kenneth Wendell Masters's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kenneth
Stephen Louis Bulzomi headshot
Stephen Bulzomi

Appeals lawyer | Aug 12

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"have worked with Ken Masters for over 25 years. Ken always has taken time to listen to my questions and give me valuable advice regarding legal and appellate issues that frequently crop in my my complex case practice. Ken has helped me navigate thorny issues more times than I can count, and has helped me stay out of the appellate courts on countless occasions. When I need to retain counsel to handle an appeal for me, Ken is my "Go To" guy. He has capably handled numerous appeals for my clients, usually involving cutting edge issues involving reversals of trial court dismissals. He has skillfully helped me protect the rights of my injured clients with passion, vigor and a high level of resolve. Ken and Shelby present a powerful voice in the appellate courts for the cause of our clients. I give Ken my highest recommendation as a lawyer."

Gary Lee Raaen headshot
Gary Raaen

Appeals lawyer | Nov 06

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I wholeheartedly endorse Ken Masters. I have worked with Ken on a number of matters, and he is an excellent appellate lawyer. When a client needs someone to handle an appeal, Ken is always my first recommendation. In addition, Ken is very generous with his time and expertise in answering questions on appellate issues and procedures."

Jean E. Huffington headshot
Jean Huffington

Appeals lawyer | Jun 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I heartily endorse Ken Masters. Several times I have retained Ken's assistance in defending an appeal of a successful judgment . In each occasion, Ken's help and advice has been invaluable. He is supremely knowledgeable about his field of practice. His professionalism and responsiveness are excellent. Lastly, but perhaps most important, Ken is simply a lawyer with whom it is a pleasure to work."

View All Endorsements
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Vernon Harkins

Personal injury lawyer

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David Horton

Litigation lawyer

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Gary Raaen

Litigation lawyer

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Michael Caryl

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2022

Lawyer of the Year (Seattle appeals), Best Lawyers in America

2021

TOP 10 LAWYERS IN Washington State, Super Lawyers

2019

TOP 10 ("ranked #1), SUPER LAWYERS

2016

Lifetime Acheivement Award, America's Top 100 Attorneys

2016

Top 100 Attorneys, Law & Politics Media

2016

Best Lawyer, Appellate Practice, Best Lawyers in America

2015

Top Teir Metro., Appellate, Best Lawyers in America

2015

Best Lawyer, Appellate Practice, Best Lawyers in America

2015

Top 100 Washington Lawyers, Law & Politics Magazine

2014

Top 100 Washington Lawyers, Law & Politics Magazine

2014

Top Teir Metro -- Appellate, Best Lawyers in America

2014

Best Lawyer, Appellate Practice, Best Lawyers in America

2013

Appellate Practice, Best Lawyers in America

2013

Top 100 Super Lawyer, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2013

Top Teir Appellate, Best Lawyers

2012

Top Lawyers in Washington, Seattle Business Monthly

2012

Top Teir Appellate, Best Lawyers

2012

Super Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2012

Top 100 Super Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2010

Fellow, American Academy of Appellate Lawyers

2009

Top 10 Appellate Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2008

Top 100 Washington Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2007

Super Lawyers, Washington Law & Policitcs Magazine

2006

Super Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2005

Super Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2004

Super Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2003

Super Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2002

Super Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2001

Super Lawyers, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

2000

Rising Stars, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

1999

Rising Stars, Washington Law & Politics Magazine

1992

Am. Jur. Awards (x3), Amercian Jurisprudence

Work Experience

2011 - Present

Founder, Masters Law Group, PLLC

1998 - 2010

Owner, Wiggins & Masters, PLLC

1995 - 1998

Attorney, Edwards, Sieh, Smith & Goodfriend, P.S.

1994 - 1995

Judicial Clerk to Judge Elaine Houghton, ret., Washington State Court of Appeals

1993 - 1994

Attorney, Burgess Fitzer, P.S.

1992 - 1993

Attorney, Albertson & Smith

Associations

2016 - Present

Washington State Bar Foundation

Trustee

2005 - Present

KCBA Appellate Law Section

Member

2003 - Present

Washington Appellate Lawyers Association

Member

1998 - Present

Washington State Association for Justice

Member

1998 - Present

Kitsap County Bar Association

Member

1995 - Present

King County Bar Association

Member

1992 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Member

1992 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2014 - 2015

Washington State Bar Association

Treasurer

2012 - 2015

Washington State Bar Association

Governor, 1st Dist.

2009 - 2012

Washington State Bar Association

Chair, Rules & Procedures Commitee

2008 - 2009

KCBA Appellate Law Section

President

2007 - 2013

Washington Appellate Lawyers Association

President

2004 - 2005

KCBA Judicial Screening

Co-Chair

2001 - 2003

Washington State Bar Association

Chair, Amicus Committee

2001 - 2015

American Judicature Society

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Jaimes v. NDTS Const., Inc., Washington State Court of Appeals No. 73148-3-I (June 6, 2016)

Won

In re Custody of S.F.-T.C., Washington State Court of Appeals No. 32367-6-III (Feb. 9, 2016)

Won

Arp v. Riley, Washington State Court of Appeals No. 72613-7-I (Dec. 28, 2015)

Won

In re Adoption of H.L.S., Washington State Court of Appeals No. 46807-7-II (Dec. 15, 2015)

Won

Dept. of Lab. & Indus. v. Rowley, Washington State Supreme Court No. 91357-9 (March 17, 2016)

Won

Gould v. North Kitsap Bus. Park, LLC, Washington State Court of Appeals No. 46358-0-II (Jan. 19, 2016)

Won

LIghtner v. Shoemaker

Reversed and remanded

ADA Motors v. Butler,

Reversal and remand.

Crews v. AVCO Corp., Washington State Court of Appeals No. 70756-6-I (2015)

affirmed

Tan v. Le, 177 Wn.2d 356 (2013), cert. denied (Jan. 13, 2014)

Win

In re Parentage of Infant Child F.

Win

PACCAR v. Lisby

Win

City of Seattle v. Jones

Win

Piel v. City of Federal Way

Win

See More Legal Cases

Education

1992

University of Puget Sound School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1984

Metropolitan State College of Denver

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2016

Advanced Appellate Seminar

Chair, and Moderator re: Settlement on Appeal

2016

AAAL Annual Meeting, Seattle

Brief Writing Moderator

2015

Judges and Lawyers in Conversation

Chair, Appellate Practice

2015

From Runnymede to the Temple of Justice – the Continued Relevance of Magna Carta and Tips on Appellate Advocacy

The Purpose of Each Brief on Appeal

2015

Family Law 101

Ethical Challenges in the Family Law Case

2014

Tacoma Pierce County Bar Convention

Appeals -- Everything You Wanted to Know

2014

SU Ready for Trial Siminar

Great Legal Writing

2014

Kitsap County Bar Convention

Appellate Update

2013

Advanced Appellate Seminar

E-Briefing & Court Rules

Publications

2016

WSBA Appellate Practice Deskbook Contributing Editor

2005

WSBA Appellate Practice Deskbook (3rd ed. & 2010 Suppl.) Contributing Editor

1998

Wash. Prac., Appeals Co-author

Languages

English

Activity

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