About Alison
Biography
Alison Holcomb is the Criminal Justice Director for the ACLU of Washington State. Her work focuses on advancing changes to our criminal laws that recognize that not every social problem can, or should, be treated as a crime, and that funneling people into the criminal justice system actually amplifies social problems and undermines public safety. Before joining the ACLU in 2006, she was a trial lawyer in state and federal courts for thirteen years.
Alison was the chief architect of Washington State Initiative Measure No. 502, which legalized, taxed, and regulated marijuana for adults 21 and older. She also served as campaign director for New Approach Washington, the political action committee that supported I-502's passage on November 6, 2012, by a 56 to 44 percent margin.
Alison is a past vice-president of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and former chair of the Legal Frameworks Group of the King County Bar Association's Drug Policy Project. She has served on the Seattle City Council's I-75 Marijuana Policy Review Panel and its Jail Capacity Study Advisory Group, which examined the impact of alternative approaches to low-level drug offenses on jail use.
Alison received her B.A. from Stanford University and her J.D. from the University of Washington School of Law.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
20 years | 3 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
100 %
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 32 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1993
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Alison Holcomb
901 5th Ave Ste 630, Seattle, WA, 98164-2008
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Alison Holcomb's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
3 Client Reviews
Alison Holcomb's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have been familiar with Alison's work since we were both young lawyers right out of law school. From those early days, Alison always stood above the crowd. Her legal research is thorough and precise, her writing is clear and to the point, and her ability to strategize is second to none. What is so unusual about Alison, though, is that despite all these finely honed professional skills she is a down-to-earth person who understands what real people need. I recommend Alison without reservation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Alison is a tireless supporter of justice and individual rights. She did an excellent job in creating a coalition to pass Initiative 502 in Washington, and I would expect she would succeed in any of her future endeavors!"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I have both worked with Alison and sought advice from her on numerous occasions. She is a brilliant, hard-working, dedicated and very successful attorney. As all the prior endorsements indicate- anyone would be very lucky to have her as an advocate."
"Alison is a spectacular attorney. Her thoroughness and incredible attention to detail make her a formidable foe in the courtroom. She has an amazing capacity to recall insane amounts of detail and convey large amounts of infomation succinctly and clearly. She is passionate about protecting the rights of medical marijuana patients and truly cares about her clients. She is simply outstanding."
"Alison Holcomb's skill as an advocate is second to none. Her thoughtful, insightful, and intelligent counsel is a critical asset to every client she represents and every cause she champions."
"Alison is an extremely intelligent, persuasive, and well-organized speaker. I've heard her speak at attorney conferences, and was impressed and inspired."
"Alison is an outstanding lawyer and a generous and amazing person. She gives of herself endlessly: to the legal community, to new lawyers, to fellow defenders. Her insight, research, experience, attitude, and passion leave me without hesitation to recommend Alison to anyone seeking assistance. She is absolutely fantastic!"
"After more than 30 years of practicing law I believe I finally learned how to listen to a client. Really listen. Alison taught me how, and she was barely out of law school. Every client she served in our office received her complete focus. I lost track of the compliments from clients, court staff and even prosecutors. She once took on an entire herd of state and federal law enforcement officers by herself. They blinked. She didn't. We collected. Once I asked her to write an article about a sentencing issue -- the clearing of criminal records. She did. I later found that the Sentencing Commission was using her article as a part of their training materials. Alison has the strength that comes from doing what you believe in. Always well prepared, ready to be a diplomat or a warrior, she's got talent and the tenacity to find a solution to the problem. A hard-headed woman? That makes for a great lawyer. Oh! And she can dance!!"
"FANTASTIC! Yes, one word descriptions are in fact possible."
"Alison is an incredible lawyer -- smart, thoughtful, compassionate, and careful. She's one of the most talented and ethical lawyers I've known and worked with. "
Ethics and professional responsibility lawyer | Jun 11
Relationship: Worked together on matter
"Alison Holcomb has a keen mind for both policy level work and detail-oriented work. She is respected by her colleagues as evidenced by her selection to a key State Bar task force addressing the issues of ethics and attorneys fees. Her commitment to the quality of the law and legal practice is unquestionable."
"Alison is an innovative, intelligent and tenacious lawyer. Alison works long hours to ensure that her client’s rights are protected. Her incredible work ethic can be seen in the results she obtains for her clients. I’d be proud to work with her again."
"Alison is intelligent, works hard and most importantly is tenacious. "
"Alison is an excellent lawyer. She is one of the preeminent attorneys in the complex area of the Washington State marijuana laws and rights. "
"Alison is a fantastic attorney and generous mentor. I have a tremendous amount of respect for her intelligence, wit and dedication to justice. She is definitely someone that I count on for great ideas and advice and would recommend her to anyone."
"Alison is tenacious, detail-oriented and knows her stuff. She is a tireless advocate for her clients. She has the kind of integrity that wins the respect of clients, colleagues and even her opponants."
"Alison is a leader in the criminal defense community. I support her without reservation."
"Alison Holcomb is one of the most talented and hard-working attorneys I know. She is an asset to many attorneys, providing guidance and legal advice. Having seen the contributions she makes of her time, energy and talent to the cause, I can most certainly give her the highest recommendation possible."
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Experience
Honors
2008
Pauline Sabin Award, National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws
2007
Super Lawyer,
2006
Certificate of Appreciation,
2004
Certificate of Appreciation,
2001
Certificate of Appreciation,
1991
American Jurisprudence Award, Lawyer's Cooperative Publishing Co. & Bancroft-Whitney Co.
Work Experience
2008 - Present
Drug Policy Director, ACLU of Washington
2006 - 2008
Marijuana Education Project Director, ACLU of Washington
2005 - 2005
Instructor, University of Washington School of Law
2003 - 2006
Lawyer, The Law Office of Alison Holcomb, PLLC
2002 - 2002
Partner, Steinborn & Holcomb, PLLC
1995 - 2001
Associate, The Law Office of Jeffrey Steinborn
1993 - 1995
Associate, Mundt, MacGregor, Happel, Falconer, Zulauf & Hall
Associations
2009 - Present
Seattle City Council Jail Capacity Study Advisory GroupMember
2008 - Present
WSBA Pro Bono and Legal Aid CommitteeMember
2003 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2000 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
1995 - Present
National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana LawsLegal Committee Member
1993 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
1993 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2006 - 2007
KCBA Drug Policy Project, Short-Term Options GroupMember
2006 - 2006
WACDL Fee Agreements Task ForceMember
2006 - 2007
WSBA Trust Account Responsibilities and Retainers Task ForceMember, WACDL Liaison
2006 - 2007
WACDL Fees Task ForceChair
2005 - 2006
Washington Association of Criminal Defense LawyersVice-President West
2005 - 2006
WACDL RPC 1.5 Task ForceMember
2005 - 2006
KCBA Drug Policy Project, Legal Frameworks GroupChair
2005 - 2007
WACDL Criminal History Records Task ForceMember
2004 - 2005
WACDL Listserv Task ForceMember
2004 - 2007
Seattle City Council Marijuana Policy Review PanelMember
2003 - 2005
Washington Association of Criminal Defense LawyersBoard Member
2002 - 2004
KCBA Drug Policy Project, Legal Frameworks GroupMember
2000 - 2001
KCBA Drug Policy Project, Criminal Sanctions Task ForceMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Client's felony convictions reversed on appeal.
Education
2003
1993
JD - Juris Doctor
1990
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2010
2010
2010
2010
2009
2009
2009
War on Drugs
2009
Racial Disparities in Drug Law Enforcement
2008
Trial Law and Ethics
2008
2008
2008
Washington's Medical Use of Marijuana Act
2007
Trial Law and Ethics
2007
2007
2007
Washington's Medical Marijuana Law
2007
2006
Law Office Management: Practicalities and Ethics
2006
2006
Handling the Sentencing Phase
2005
Motions to Suppress Client Statements
2005
Handling Informants
2003
Firearms Cases
2001
Publications
2009
2007
2007
1999
Activity
Legal Guides