Robert M. Hill

Rob Morgan Hill is a founding member and managing attorney of the Morgan Hill Law Firm. Raised in New York, he has been an Olympia resident since 1987. He earned his B.A. in Journalism and Broadcasting at the State University of New York College at Buffalo in 1987 and completed his education at the University of Washington School of Law in 1992. Prior to entering private practice he worked in public information and as a budget and policy analyst under Governors Gardner and Lowry.

Rob's practice includes family law, criminal law and personal injury law. He works primarily in five Washington counties - Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pierce and Grays Harbor - and has litigated cases before the Washington Court of Appeals Divisions I and II as well as the Washington Supreme Court. He serves as a substitute family court commissioner in Thurston County and has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Thurston County Bar Association, where he has acted as the editor of the Association's newsletter and proudly compiled the worst meeting attendance record of any Board Member in the organization's history.

Rob says his practice style is a client-focused one.

"People often come to me saying that they have heard that I am an aggressive litigator," he says, "and I have to clarify that. I am aggressive when the client's objectives are best advanced by being aggressive. But in reality, the client's interests are often advanced by negotiation and compromise, and sometimes even by charm and humor. The trick is to know my client, know my client's goals, and to figure out how best to advance those goals."

In some cases, of course, there is no room for compromise. For years, Rob has represented Washington teachers accused of criminal conduct with students. Teachers are extremely vulnerable to such accusations, he says, because a mere allegation by a student can result in substantial damage to career and reputation. If proven, the allegations can result in permanent loss of professional credentials and often severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment. Rob has worked hard for his educator clients who have been faced with such accusations, placing the Morgan Hill law firm among the leaders in defending Washington teachers.

When not practicing law, Rob is a husband to Jane and father to three daughters. He is a singer/guitarist and award winning songwriter (Song of the Year finalist 2004, Christian/Gospel category), whose original songs are featured on two CDs, including his most recent release with his band Game Six, the 2009 album God, Love & Mexico, winner of a 2009 GrIndy Award from . He is also an award winning humorist (Best Humor Column 1995, Washington Press Association), screenwriter (Finalist, Washington State Film Commission Screenplay Competition, 2000), and standup comic who has appeared at Caroline's on Broadway in New York City and The Comedy Store in West Hollywood.