$ 475-725 per hour
Douglas Wilson Miller
also known as Wil Miller
About Douglas
Biography
I practice under the name Wil Miller, not Douglas Miller. I am a family law attorney in Seattle, and my practice focuses exclusively on family law litigation and Collaborative Family Law (which seeks to resolve cases without litigation).
I am a graduate of Duke Law School (Class of 1988) and have more than 35 years of legal experience.
My firm is currently accepting well-qualified clients by referral only. “By referral only” means that another attorney or client has already contacted us and asked us to consider representing you.
Please make initial contact through the “Contact Wil” page at the website for Wil Miller Attorney at Law PLLC. Be sure to fill out all fields in the contact form, including your spouse’s full name and the name of the person referring you.
Since starting my own practice several years ago, I have asked clients not to leave testimonials or reviews on this website. No client should ever hire an attorney based on anonymous reviews, and no client should ever discuss their case in a public forum where their spouse or ex-spouse can see it.
I do not advertise. I do not take cold calls. I do not solicit work. My practice is 100% referral-based.
In addition to my legal practice, I also volunteer as a mentor, monitor, and recovery coach for legal professionals struggling with addiction and mental health issues. My own story of addiction, recovery, and reinvention was the cover story for the North Carolina Law Journal, the Washington State Law Journal, and 425 Magazine’s January 2019 Wellness Issue.
For more information, please click on my media links below.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Family
100%
14 years | 450 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 15 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2010
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2004. Returned to good standing in 2010
Location
Wil Miller Attorney at Law PLLC
200 West Thomas Street, Suite 510, Seattle, WA, 98119
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Douglas Wilson Miller's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
13 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 13 reviews
Posted by anonymous | September 02, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Family
Truly excellent and caring attorney
I hired Wil in a time of family crisis and he was an excellent attorney in all regards. He was extremely knowledgeable and efficient in swiftly resolving the issue in court. He is a true advocate you can trust. Highly recommend this lawyer.
Posted by David | September 20, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Best Attorney I've Ever Hired!
I hired Wil for two fairly complicated issues, both of which are now resolved, and both in my favor. I feel as if I finally have a lifelong attorney I can call whenever I need the legal expertise he practices!
Posted by anonymous | September 19, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Great lawyer you can trust
Our son was wrongly accused of rape, but no one believed us. Mr. Miller investigated the case and showed the prosecutor our son had been wrongly accused. We are so grateful Mr. Miller was our son's lawyer. Without his insight and experience our son would be a registered sex offender.
Posted by Anderson | September 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Expungement
I was a convicted felon, now I'm not. Thank you Wil!
I hired will to vacate my record of conviction for a drug offense I committed over ten years ago. Wil didn't only get the conviction vacated, he got my criminal history records with the Washington State Patrol expunged, then had my court records sealed. He even got my FBI number purged from the FBI...
Posted by Ed | February 17, 2015 | Criminal Defense
A lawyer who really gets it.
Mr. Miller represented my son in juvenile court who was accused of a very serious sexual offense. Mr. Miller's experience in that field made all the difference. He was able to assess the situation very quickly, get my son into counselling and prevented him from being a registered sex offender. Now...
Douglas Wilson Miller's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have known Wil for several years and have found him to be a smart and creative advocate. He has a wide range and depth of knowledge and experience, that allows him to look at different perspectives. He does great work as an advocate in litigation, and as an advisor in Collaborative matters. I fully endorse Wil."
"Wil Miller is smart, incredibly articulate, and a great advocate for his clients. He's also compassionate and willing to think outside the box to help parties reach a durable agreement."
"Will is an excellent collaborative attorney as well as a HIGHLY skilled litigator."
"I endorse this lawyer without reservation. Wil is an aggressive advocate for his clients. He is highly intelligent and knowledgeable and he gets great results for his clients!"
"I endorse this lawyer. I can say without a doubt that Wil is an exceptional lawyer. Not only is he smart, thoughtful, and a problem solver - he sincerely cares about his clients. And he is exceptional in the courtroom."
"I endorse this lawyer. Wil Miller has extensive criminal experience on both the prosecution and defense sides and I highly recommend him as a criminal defense attorney. The Judge on our case gave Mr. Miller glowing praise for his courtroom trial preparation and knowledge of the law. Outstanding performner"
"I endorse this lawyer. He is bright, insightful, diligent and thorough. He has performed at the highest level of competence in legal matters where I have worked with him. His writing is crisp and compelling and his legal skills are unsurpassed."
"I highly recommend Wil Miller as an extremely capable and experienced lawyer. He has poise in court, and has tried many, many cases to verdict with excellent results. This is the best evidence of the skill of a trial attorney: results. I have seen Mr. Miller in court, and he knows how to get the excellent results for his clients with efficiency and a high level of professionalism."
"I endorse this lawyer without reservation. I have known him for seven years initially through the Lawyer Assistance Program in Wilmington, NC. He was reinstated by the Washington State Bar, a process that took five years. We have spent time together traveling to LAP conferences and on numerous other occasions. Wil has openly shared his experience about his addiction and more importantly about his recovery. He was a solid member of our recovery group and was dedicated to helping other lawyers. He is very quick and intelligent in criminal and family law matters. He is extremely compassionate, understanding, knowledgeable and fiercely dedicated to being a lawyer. He has consulted with me on several sex offense cases and I found him to be insightful and creative. He is a tenacious and formidable opponent in the court room. His sense of humor,compassion, honesty and competence make him an outstanding attorney to whom I would refer anyone who needs a good attorney."
"I endorse Wil Miller without any reservation. As a North Carolina lawyer who has practiced law for over thirty years, I can state without equivocation that Wil is an exemplary person and has a keen legal mind. While pursuing the reinstatement of his law license, Wil worked as an office manager and paralegal in a civil litigation practice in Wilmington, North Carolina where we attended bi-monthly meetings of the NC Lawyers Assistance Program together (I have been in recovery for over twenty five years). Wil's recovery from addiction exemplifies his perseverance and character. If I have a client in need of assistance in a criminal, family law or personal injury matter in Seattle, Wil is my referral of choice."
"I endorse this lawyer. I am familiar with Mr. Miller's past difficulties and his recovery from them. Not only has he met his own challenges head on but he has dedicated himself to helping other lawyers recover from addiction and other problems through bar association and other activities. I have found him to be unusually open, honest and positive regarding the issues he has faced."
"I endorse this lawyer. I am the Executive Director of the North Carolina State Bar’s Lawyer Assistance Program – a program of lawyers helping lawyers with issues of addiction and mental health. Wil Miller became a volunteer with LAP in 2007 and served as a mentor, monitor, recovery coach and public speaker with our program. He is totally dedicated to his own recovery and is also dedicated to improving the lives of other lawyers who have traveled a similar path. We miss him! I know Wil’s story. While I understand that any past discipline of an attorney is something every client may want to know about, it’s important to realize that when a person like Wil overcomes the kind of challenges he faced 15 years ago, it’s a credit to his character and a reason to consider hiring him. If you have any questions about his life, I know Wil is more than willing to share his story of strength, hope and recovery. I strongly recommend him."
"Will is a colleague and my attorney in a family law matter, so I can speak to his professionalism and competence from both sides of the table. He's been absolutely top-notch as an attorney, and is an extremely experienced litigator. Because of his wide range of work and life experience, he's been able to spot issues and deal with problems other attorneys would not know how to address. Definitely recommend."
"I endorse this lawyer. Unfortunately his low AVVO rating is an example of the weaknesses of an otherwise useful system. The rating system justifiably reacts to a discipline in the lawyer's past. Its weakness is that details of what the lawyer has accomplished since his fall are not accessible like a report of a bar discipline. Were you to view a more complete picture of Mr. Miller you would find that his personal experience with disaster makes him better able to understand the problems of a client in distress, and alert to the very high standards of professionalism that a good lawyer must maintain. The kind of determination it takes to dig out of a deep hole might just be what a client needs to get justice. Jeff Steinborn"
"Will has extensive criminal experience on both the prosecution and defense sides and I highly recommend him as a criminal defense attorney."
"Wil Miller is one of the most talented trial lawyers I know. I observed his work as a colleague in the Brooklyn District Attorneys office and later as a prosecutor in the King County Prosecutor's office. He is whip-smart and creative, with a natural and witty demeanor that allows him to connect directly to witnesses, judges and juries. I highly endorse him."
"I worked with Wil for years and have seen him in court. He is an excellent advocate and excellent attorney."
"Mr. Miller is a very smart and talented lawyer with significant experience in a variety of practice areas. I wholeheartedly endorse him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Wil represented 2 defendants charged with significant and complex fraud offenses, and he was a pleasure to work with, as he understood the legal issues and communicated both with the prosecutor and his client to reach a fair and prompt resolution of the case. Wil is a very talented attorney and skilled advocate."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Wil for more than 25 years, since we were in law school together. He's smart and talented, he understands the court system better than most, and he brings a unique perspective to helping his clients navigate it."
Veronica Freitas
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Kirstyn Palmisano
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Yasmeen Abdullah
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Sarah Birkeland
Divorce and separation lawyer
Kirsten Hytopoulos
Family lawyer
Lisa Gilmore
Family lawyer
Sara Wahl
Uncontested divorce lawyer
Mary Sakaguchi
Divorce and separation lawyer
Courtney Story
Family lawyer
Tatyana Gidirimski
Family lawyer
Molly Kenny
Family lawyer
Stacey Smythe
Estate planning lawyer
Dane Scalise
Litigation lawyer
Kara Freel-Sparks
Education lawyer
Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer returned to good standing in 2010.
Reinstated from Disbarment issued in WA, 2010
updated on 01/14/2023After being disbarred, a former attorney may apply for reinstatement. He or she must comply with all readmission requirements from the Washington State Bar Association.
Douglas’s comment:
“My AVVO rating is a perfect "10" out of "10" for a reason. In the late 90's I had a drug problem that that led to my suspension from the practice of law. I overcame that drug problem over 20 years ago. Those experiences made me a much better person and a much better lawyer. See my media links and client reviews. And review the cases I have recently handled listed below.”
Disbarment issued in WA, 2004
updated on 01/14/2023This is the most serious penalty for a lawyer. If this attorney is currently practicing law, you should contact the the Washington State Bar to understand the reasons for this disbarment.
Douglas’s comment:
“My AVVO rating is a perfect "10" out of "10" for a reason. In the late 90's I had a drug problem that that led to my suspension from the practice of law. I overcame that drug problem over 20 years ago. Those experiences made me a much better person and a much better lawyer. See my media links and client reviews. And review the cases I have recently handled listed below.”
Honors
2026
Top Rated Family Law Attorney in Washington State, SuperLawyers
2022
Spotlight Award, Collaborative Professionals of Washington
2019
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2018
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2018
All "5 Star" Client Reviews, AVVO
2018
Superb Rating ("10" out of "10") - Criminal Law, AVVO
2018
Superb Rating ("10" out of "10") - Family Law, AVVO
2017
All 5 Star Client Reviews, AVVO
2017
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2017
10 Best Law Firms, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2017
10 Best Family Law Attorneys in Washington State, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2017
Superb Rating - Criminal Defense, AVVO
2017
Superb Rating - Family Law, AVVO
2016
Certificate of Appreciation, NALS - National Association for Legal Professionals - Washington Chapter
2016
All 5 star client reviews, AVVO
2016
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, The National Trial Lawyers
2015
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2015
All 5 Star Client Reviews, AVVO
2014
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2014
All 5 Star Client Reviews, AVVO
2014
Client's Choice - Criminal Defense, AVVO
2014
Client's Choice - Family Law, AVVO
2013
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, King County Bar Association
2013
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
1993
Morty Manford Award, Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays: Queens Chapter
1984
Waldo C. Peeples Award - Excellence in German Lit., Boston University College of Liberal Arts
1984
Cum Laude, Boston University College of Liberal Arts
1984
Cum Laude, Boston University College of Communications
Work Experience
2022 - Present
Owner and Principal, Wil Miller Attorney at Law PLLC
2014 - Present
Author, Self Employed
2004 - Present
Public Speaker on Issues Related to Addiction and Recovery, Self Employed
2004 - Present
Recovery Coach for Lawyers Struggling with Addiction, Self Employed Consultant
2017 - 2022
Attorney, Story Law / Eastside Collaborative Law Center
2016 - 2017
Of Counsel, Law Offices Of Molly B. Kenny
2014 - 2016
Associate, Law Office of Michele Shaw
2013 - 2014
Sole Proprietor, Wil Miller Attorney at Law
2011 - 2013
Office Manager/Litigation Paralegal, Solana, Theriault & Gross, PLLC
2009 - 2011
Office Manager/Litigation Paralegal, Law Office of Christopher Theriault
2008 - 2009
Office Manager/Litigation Paralegal, Chleborowicz & Theriault, LLP
2004 - 2008
Litigation Paralegal, Lea, Rhine, Rosbrugh & Chleborowicz, PLLC
2002 - 2004
Legal Librarian, Cedar Creek Corrections Center
1998 - 2000
Sole Proprietor, The Law Office of Douglas Wilson Miller
1995 - 1998
Deputy Prosecuting Attorney/Supervisor, King County Prosecutor's Office
1992 - 1995
Assistant District Attorney/Supevisor, Queens County District Attorney's Office
1988 - 1992
Assistant District Attorney, Brooklyn District Attorney's Office
1987 - 1987
Summer Associate, Brooklyn District Attorney's Office
1986 - 1986
Summer Associate, Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders
Associations
2024 - Present
Washington Lawyers Assisting Lawyers 501(3)(c)Board of Directors
2022 - Present
Collaborative Professionals of WashingtonBoard Member
2018 - Present
East King County Bar AssociationMember
2017 - Present
Collaborative Professionals of WashingtonMember
2017 - Present
King County Collaborative Law Professional Development CommitteeCurrent Chair - Membership Committee
2017 - Present
King County Collaborative LawMember
2017 - Present
Seattle Gay CouplesBoard of Directors
2017 - Present
International Academy of Collaborative ProfessionalsMember
2017 - Present
King County Bar Association, Collaborative Law SectionMember
2017 - Present
American Institute of Family Law AttorneysMember
2017 - Present
King County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2017 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
2016 - Present
National Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
2014 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationFamily Law Section
2014 - Present
Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP)Volunteer Attorney
2013 - Present
WSBA Lawyer's Assistance ProgramPeer Volunteer
2013 - Present
Washington Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2007 - Present
North Carolina State Bar Lawyers Assistance ProgramPeer Counselor
1995 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2021 - 2023
King County Bar Association - Collaborative Law SectionChair
2020 - 2021
King County Bar Association, Collaborative Law SectionSecretary
2018 - 2022
QLaw FoundationSecretary, Board of Directors
2018 - 2021
Washington State Bar Association, CLE CommitteeChair
2017 - 2022
QLaw FoundationBoard of Directors
2015 - 2016
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
2015 - 2016
Federal Bar AssociationMember
2014 - 2020
Washington State Bar AssociationContinuing Legal Education Committee
2013 - 2014
King County Bar AssociationFamily Law Mentor Program Volunteer
2013 - 2015
Washington Defender AssociationMember
1992 - 1995
New York City Mayor's Police Council for Lesbian and Gay ConcernsMember
Sample of Legal Cases
John Doe v. Jane Doe - King County - 2025
$188,000 Attorney Fee Award
Izhaky v. Izhaky - KIing County - 2023
$120,000+ in attorney fees and sanctions for intransigence.
Singh v. Singh - King County - 2022
$75,000 fee award for bad faith and intransigence.
Kincheloe v. Fulton - King County - 2022
$105,000 Attorney Fee Award for bad faith and intransigence.
Stevenson et ano v. Green - King County - 2021
$20,000 attorney fee award for bad faith and intransigence.
Hammel v. Hammel - King County - 2019
$30,000 attorney fee award for bad faith and intransigence.
Education
1988
Duke University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1984
Boston University College of Liberal Arts
BA - Bachelor of Arts
1984
Boston Univerity College of Communications
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2025
CPW - Annual Conference
Section 14 of the Collaborative Parenting Plan
2024
Teaching Fire Inspector How to Testify in Legal Proceedings
Teaching Fire Inspector How to Testify in Legal Proceedings
2023
Courtroom Testimony for Fire Inspectors
Teaching Fire Inspector How to Testify in Legal Proceedings
2019
Ch-ch-ch-changes. Law Firm Transitions
Changing Law Firms - The Rights Clients, Associates and Partners
2018
Staff Training - Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation - Newberg, Oregon
Addiction and Recovery
2018
Mother Attorneys Mentoring Association of Seattle monthly speaker's meeting
Addiction and Mental Health in the Legal Community
2018
King County Collaborative Law
Collaborative Family Law
2018
King County Collaborative Law
Collaborative Family Law
2018
Collaborative Law: A Foundation - CLE
Collaborative Law
2018
Addiction and Recovery in the Legal Community
Miller's Crossing - Documentary
2017
Washington State Bar Association
Combating Stigma in the Legal Community
2017
US Probation - Annual Drug Court Conference
Addiction, Recovery and Mental Health in the Legal Community
2017
"Sound Effect" - Radio Program with Gabriel Spitzer
Addiction and Recovery
2016
Pierce County Inn of Court
Life After Meth
2016
NALS Conference
Addiction, Recovery and Mental Health in the Legal Community
2015
Therapeutic Courts Foundation Fund Raiser
Addiction and Mental Health in the Legal Community
2015
Seattle Inn of Court
Managing the Dark Side of the Legal Profession: Alcohol/Drug Treatment and Discipline
2015
High Point Bar Association
Life After Meth: Addiction, Recovery and Mental Health in the Legal Communit
2015
Fundraising Dinner for the Spokane Therapeutic Courts Foundation
Life After Meth: Addiction, Recovery and Mental Health in the Legal Communit
2014
Washington State Office of Public Defense
Life After Meth: Addiction, Recovery and Mental Health in the Legal Community
2014
Washington State Bar Association
Life After Meth: Addiction and Recovery in the Legal Community
2014
Univerisity of Washington School of Law: Class on U.S. Drug Policy
U.S. Drug Policy
2014
Perkins Coie Litigation Group - Seattle
Addiction and Mental Illness in the Legal Community
2014
NC State Bar Lawyers Assistance Program Annual Convention
Addiction and Recovery in the Legal Community
2014
King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
Addiction and Addiction Related Crime
2012
North Carolina Advocates for Justice
Addiction and Recovery in the Legal Community
2008
Wilmington Health Access for Teens
Methamphetamine Addiction and Recovery
2007
Wilmington Health Access for Teens
Methamphetamine Addiction and Recovery
2007
Lakeside High School - Wilmington, NC
Methamphetamine Addiction and Recovery
1994
American Bar Association Annual Conference
Is the Law Male?
Publications
2019
425 Magazine
Wil Miller's Closing Argument (Cover Story)
2017
Amazon - Kindle Release
When Your Son is Accused of a Sex Offense in Washington State - A Guide for Parents
2017
425 Business Magazine
Wil Miller's Closing Argument
2017
425 Business Magazine
Wil Miller’s Brush with Fate and Fame in Prospect Park
2014
Lawerist.Com
Life After Meth
2014
North Carolina State Bar Journal (Cover Story)
Life After Meth
2014
NWLawyer
Life After Meth (Cover Story)
2005
Curriculum for the National Judicial Education Program to Promote Equality for Women and Men in the Courts
Understanding Sexual Violence
Languages
English
German
Activity
Legal Answers