Michael Austin Stewart

PRO

Michael Austin Stewart

5.0
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 31 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Tacoma, WA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI

1105 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma, WA

Free Consultation

About Michael

Biography

We are defined by how we meet life's challenges. Let's meet and traverse these challenges together!

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 75%

75%
DUI and DWI 25%

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2019 2018 2014
Notable Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 31 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1994

Active

No misconduct found

Location

The Law Office of Michael Austin Stewart

1105 Tacoma Avenue South, Tacoma, WA, 98402

michaelaustinstewart.com/

Michael Austin Stewart's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

39 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (39) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 21 - 25 of 39 reviews

Posted by Steve | August 21, 2018 | Hired Attorney

Thank You Michael!! He will take care of you!

I found myself in a stupid situation and needed a good attorney to solve things. A friend sent me to Michael and he was awesome to work with in resolving my issue. Thank you Michael for helping me out!! I would use him again in a heartbeat, but hopefully I don't need too. He will definitely do all h...e can to resolve your situation in the best way possible.

Posted by anonymous | August 16, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Hands down, the best attorney..... period!!!

If you are being accused of any crime, this guy will help you immensely. he is not only an excellent attorney in the court house, Mr. Stewart also cares about you as a person. He is approachable and easy to reach, he will promptly return your calls and or texts. He makes you feel as if you're not ...alone in your fight. He wants whats best for you, and will not hesitate to fight for for the best outcome for you and your family. Unfortunately, I required his services recently because I was facing many serious charges. I had hired another attorney who wanted me to plead guilty to a higher felony and do prison time. It didn't seem like my attorney wanted to hear the extracurricular facts of the case, facts that were very important, and he just brushed off all of the information I was trying to give him. It seemed as if he wanted to lead me and plead me. I spent a lot of time in the Pierce county courthouse over the next few months, and saw Mike in action on several occasions, and during that time I talked to a few people he defended and they mentioned him to be the best lawyer around. I was able to get his card one day while I was sitting outside of room 260. That very moment, when I received that card, was when my case took a turn for the better. The very next day, I went down to meet with Mr. Stewart at his office, I was so impressed with his immediate attention to my case and his openness to explore other avenues, I fired my current attorney and hired Michael Stewart on the spot. My case plodded through the legal maze of our justice system for the next 5 months, and Michael expertly navigated every aspect making me feel extremely confident in his knowledge of the law. He fought very hard for me and we (My attorney, myself and the prosecutor) finally came to an agreement both parties could appreciate. Mr. Stewart negotiated a lesser plea and no prison time!! I couldn't have been more pleased with the outcome, and Mike gave me back my life and kept my family together, he never gives up. If you have the resources to hire Michael, or even if you don't, at least talk to him, as I mentioned before.... hands down the best attorney... period!!! Thank you so much Mr. Stewart

Posted by Michael K | May 02, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Fought 3 felonys

Best attorney ever!!!! Worked very hard for me to fight 3 felonys and I had prior felonys in the past. I was facing 3 years in prison, he got the prosecutor to drop it to 60 days home monitoring. He saved my life and I'm very grateful for getting 2nd chance in life. He is worth EVERY penny. I will de...finitely recommend him to all my friends if they ever get into trouble. Thanks Mike!!!!

Posted by Carmen | March 25, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

Best Lawyer In WA

Our family highly recommends Michael Stewart Criminal defense Lawyer. He went above and beyond for our case. He has great communication and customer service skills which are a combination of results-oriented. Michael Stewart was very patient with us, he guided us throughout our son's case. We are so... grateful for all that he did.

Posted by Alee | March 22, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense

I AM GRATEFUL BEYOND WORDS

Last year I found myself in jail charged with 2nd degree assault. I was facing prison time and a strike. I'm a single father with a 10 year old daughter. The King County Prosecutor's Office was trying to take me away from my daughter and take away everything I've worked for in life. I've dealt w...ith a lot of adversity and struggles in life, but nothing compares to this injustice that my family and I were subjected to. I was wrongfully and falsely accused and I wasn't going to let them do this to me, and that's why I hired Mike. I knew that Mike would fight for me. Mike had previously represented me back in the late 90s when I was a kid and he got my ridiculous conviction for auto theft vacated. His courtroom performance on that day 20 years ago had left a lasting impression on me. I never forgot it. So when I found my life turned upside down last year I knew that I had to get Mike. Mike absolutely destroyed the prosecutor (Luke Larson). It was a blowout like the Seahawks over the Broncos in Super Bowl 48, but even worse. The prosecution didn't even score a single point. The jury came back with a verdict in about 25 minutes: not guilty to 2nd degree assault, and not guilty to the lesser included 4th degree assault. The end, right? No, it gets even better. When acquitted by reason of self-defense, the accused can ask the jury if the State of Washington should be ordered to reimburse them for their legal expenses. You can already guess what the jury decided to do. If anybody got up to use the bathroom they wouldn't have made it back in time to hear the jury's verdict on the compensation. THIS IS WHAT MIKE WAS BORN TO DO. IF YOU'RE IN A JAM, YOU WILL HIRE MIKE IF YOU KNOW WHAT'S GOOD FOR YOU.

See All Client Reviews

Michael Austin Stewart's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
Harry Shipley Steinmetz headshot
Harry Steinmetz

Criminal defense lawyer | May 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Michael and I have represented co-defendants together in a number of cases. We are also friends. Michael is a fierce advocate for his clients and always has the bigger picture in the back of his mind. He is tough, smart and very articulate. Everything you would want in an attorney. You could not do better."

Edmund P. Allen Jr headshot
Edmund Allen

Criminal defense lawyer | May 11

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Mr. Stewart for over twenty years. Initially, we worked together as prosecuting attorneys. Since that time I have had several cases against Mr. Stewart, and we have worked together on many cases over the years. Mike is tenacious and highly skilled. He works tirelessly to maximize every advantage in his case. He is an extremely effective negotiator, and achieves outstanding results for his clients."

Jared Ausserer headshot
Jared Ausserer

Criminal defense lawyer | Jan 04

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Heather Z Bliss headshot
Heather Bliss

Unknown lawyer | May 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Michael is a fierce advocate for his clients and always has the greater picture in mind. He is tough, smart and very articulate. Michael is extremely personal and effective in representing his clients. I endorse this lawyer."

Mark Compton Wagner headshot
Mark Wagner

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 08

Relationship: Friend

"I want to take a moment and write to you about Michael... He is a great trial lawyer but also a great father and husband. I have seen him in both settings and am very impressed. In court, he is an old school Warrior who fights aggressively for his clients. If you are considering hiring him, please go meet him and then make your decision..."

Dennis Edward Schroader JR headshot
Dennis Schroader

Criminal defense lawyer | May 18

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Brett Andrews Purtzer headshot
Brett Purtzer

Unknown lawyer | May 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mike is extremely personal and effective in representing his clients. I highly endorse this lawyer"

Elizabeth A McMullen headshot
Elizabeth McMullen

Unknown lawyer | May 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Kripa Upadhyay headshot
Kripa Upadhyay

Criminal defense lawyer | May 15

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of working with Michael on several Criminal matters that raised Immigration consequences for the client. Michael has always been extremely thorough in his work and takes great pains to ensure that his clients are getting the best possible advice. He goes out of his way to ensure that he does all he needs to in order to get the best result for his clients."

Michael R Frans headshot
Michael Frans

Criminal defense lawyer | May 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Daniel Garrett Wilmot headshot
Daniel Wilmot

Criminal defense lawyer | May 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mike Stewart is the genuine article in criminal defense law practice. He is a relentless, unflinching advocate for his clients and he routinely delivers positive results. If you are confronted by a predicament in the criminal justice system, you will want Mike by your side. I endorse this lawyer without hesitation."

Michael Gregory Malaier headshot
Michael Malaier

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mike is an aggressive, highly competent advocate for his clients. I endorse him wholeheartedly."

Ephraim William Benjamin headshot
Ephraim Benjamin

Criminal defense lawyer | Jun 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. A superb and aggressive criminal defense attorney."

View All Endorsements
Conor Emery McCarthy headshot
Conor McCarthy

Unknown lawyer

Dennis Edward Schroader JR headshot
Dennis Schroader

Unknown lawyer

Michael R Frans headshot
Michael Frans

Unknown lawyer

Harry Shipley Steinmetz headshot
Harry Steinmetz

Unknown lawyer

Kripa Upadhyay headshot
Kripa Upadhyay

Unknown lawyer

Elizabeth A McMullen headshot
Elizabeth McMullen

Unknown lawyer

Brett Andrews Purtzer headshot
Brett Purtzer

Unknown lawyer

Edmund P. Allen Jr headshot
Edmund Allen

Unknown lawyer

Daniel Garrett Wilmot headshot
Daniel Wilmot

Unknown lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2017

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers

2016

Rated Attorney, Lead Counsel

2016

department of pediatrics, courtroom preparation for Doctors, Madigan Army Medical Center

2015

Rated Attorney, Lead Counsel

2014

Lead Counsel Rated, Thomson Reuters

2014

Rated Attorney, Lead Counsel

2013

Certificate of Appreciation, National Association of Legal Secretaries

2013

Rated Attorney, Lead Counsel

Work Experience

1994 - Present

Attorney, Law Offices of Michael Austin Stewart

1995 - 1995

Attorney, Deparment Of Assigned Counsel

1994 - 1995

Prosecuting Attorney, City Of Kent

Associations

2004 - Present

Rotary International

2000 - Present

Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

Member

1995 - Present

Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association

CLE Committee

1994 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Membership

Sample of Legal Cases

USA v. Tate

Dismissal

State v. Dockstader

Dismissal

State v. Sakellis

Not Guilty

State v. Nemetz

Manslaughter

See More Legal Cases

Education

1994

Seattle University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1991

University of Washington

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2013

NALS of Pierce County

Emerging Issues in DUI

2013

Marijuana Pot-Pourri I-502

Marijuana DUI Under I-502

2011

DUI CLE

DUI

2010

TCPBA Year End Pot-Pourri

Developments in Criminal Law

Languages

English

Spanish

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution