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Terry William Church

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Avvo Rating10
  • Olympia, WA
  • Licensed for 30 years
  • Free consultation
Terry William Church
Terry William Church
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About Terry

Strong Advocacy For Injury Victims

I have been practicing law in the South Puget Sound since 1990.  I am a Puget Sound native and graduated from Washington State University in 1984.

 

I am currently a member of the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ), have served as a chair of the WSAJ Thurston County Roundtable, and have been an Eagle member of WSAJ for many years.

 

I am a member of the Washington State Bar Association, and the Thurston and Pierce County Bar Associations.   I am currently serving on the Thurston County Bar Association Board of Directors.  I am contributing author to the Washington State Bar Association publication Washington Civil Trial and Evidence Manual, Voir Dire to Verdict (Fifth Edition, 2004).

 

In addition to being an advocate for injured people, I am also active in local civil courts as an arbitrator and mediator, and am regularly selected as an arbitrator to perform mandatory arbitrations in Thurston County Superior Court.  I have also served as a Judge Pro-Tem and Settlement Conference Judge for Thurston County District Court.

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Practice areas

Car accidentPersonal injuryLitigation
  1. Litigation: 34%

    30 years

  2. Personal injury: 33%

    30 years

  3. Car accident: 33%

    30 years

Languages spoken

English

Contact

202 Central St Ne Ste 200
Olympia, WA, 98506-4480

Website
http://www.olyinjurylaw.com/ 

      Resume

      License
      StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
      WAActive199007/08/2021
      We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
      Avvo Contributions
      Legal answers0
      Legal guides0
      Awards
      Award nameGrantorDate granted
      DistinguishedMartindale-Hubbell2020
      Peer Review RatedMartindale-Hubbell2018
      BV RatedMartindale-Hubbell2015
      Outstanding Journalism GraduateSociety of Professional Jourrnalists1984
      Work Experience
      TitleCompany nameDuration
      PartnerChurch Rietzke PLLC1998 - Present
      PartnerMorris & Church1990 - 1998
      Associations
      Association namePosition nameDuration
      Thurston Volunteer Legal ServicesPresident2020 - Present
      Thurston County Bar AssociationBoard Member2011 - Present
      Tacoma Pierce County Bar AssociationMember1998 - Present
      Washington State Bar AssociationMember1990 - Present
      Washington State Association for JusticeEagle Member1990 - Present
      Thurston County Bar AssociationPresident2015 - 2016
      Thurston County Bar AssociationTreasurer2013 - 2014
      Publications
      Publication nameTitleDate
      Washington Civil Trial and Evidence ManualContributing Author2004
      Education
      School nameDegreeGraduated
      University of Puget Sound School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1990
      Washington State UniversityBA - Bachelor of Arts1984
      Speaking Engagements
      Conference nameTitleDate
      Two Tracks: "Real Estate" -or- "Personal Injury"Don't Forget the Subro!2012

      Reviews

      (33)
      5 Star
      		100%
      4 Star
      		0%
      3 Star
      		0%
      2 Star
      		0%
      1 Star
      		0%
      Review Terry Church

      Praise for Terry Church

      Posted by

      My wife and I came to Terry after we had the misfortune of being hit by distracted drivers. We had never been in an accident before. We were nervous about litigation, but our insurance company was bullying us into prematurely wrapping up our medical treatment. Terry explained the litigation process in simple terms. He was readily available to answer our questions. He got our insurance company to pay our medical bills. He prepared us for arbitration and trial. However, thanks to his expertise and skill, we were able to settle everything outside of court. Our settlement was more than double what we anticipated. Working with Terry Church and the Church Rietzke firm was an absolute pleasure. Terry and his staff alleviated our stress. Terry’s calm, kind demeanor was extremely refreshing. However, Terry has the tenacity and assertiveness to yield big results. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude. I recommend Terry Church to anyone who has been in a car accident, and I strongly encourage anyone who has retained his services to relax and let Terry and his team handle everything. I trust his discretion, expertise, and professionalism.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Excellent and Professional Service

      Posted by

      I contacted the office of Church Rietzke Johnson for assistance due to being involved in an accident and the insurance company was refusing to help me because they were claiming that they were not responsible. I am extremely pleased with their Professional service. They were very friendly, understanding and fought hard for me. I was also pleased with their communication, I was never in the dark about what was going on with my case and that made me feel at ease. Hopefully I don't need an attorney again, but if I do then I am contacting Terry Church and Joey first.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Highly Recommend!

      Posted by

      I got into a car accident in October of 2019. I was hit from behind by a company car driven by someone with a suspended license! It wasn't a horrible accident, thank you Jesus, but it did give me whiplash and some soft tissue damage in my shoulders. My chiropractor has worked with Church Rietzke Johnson before and recommended them. They were incredibly responsive, even during the pandemic, and kept me updated during the whole process. My case just settled last month and I'll be receiving the amount soon. I'm so glad I went to them and I highly recommend them to anyone seeking legal help with personal injury!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      True professionals

      Posted by

      My experience with Mr. Church and his staff was very positive. He is very also very kind and supportive. I highly recommend this firm.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Professional

      Posted by

      Terry Church was recommended to me by a trusted friend. I am impressed with Mr. Church’s professionalism and quick responses. His team is equally great. They are all professional yet personable.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Highly Recommend

      Posted by

      I highly recommend Terry Church and his team at Church Rietzke Johnson. They helped me with my recent auto accident personal injury case. Terry & Joey made the process smooth and easy to understand, even during Covid. Hiring them put my mind at ease that my doctor bills would be covered without me fighting tooth and nail. I am also confident that I would never have been able to receive the settlement total that I was awarded if I had tried on my own. The whole group was kind, professional, and personable. Don’t hesitate to call Church Rietzke Johnson!
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Terry the best.

      Posted by

      It was in2012 that Terry helped to change our lives for the better. I waa in a bad car accident that changed my life. I was declared unable to work anymore in my field of Nursing and it broke my heart. Terry and his crew helped us get through this and got us the top amount we could get from the Insurance. He was very compassionate and kind and never lost patience. He was honest about amount of time and money it was going to be. He has kept sending me his magnetic calendars every year that I requested and we just love him and his crew. He also has assisted when I have called about other things, even outside of his perview. I thank God we have honest lawyers like Terry Church. Thanks Judy and Steve Leppell.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Terry Church Review

      Posted by

      I was at a complete stop in my car, rear-ended and injured. My insurance company stopped paying my medical bills shortly after treatments started. I was far from healed at that point and knew I had to continue my medical care. I needed a good lawyer to represent me. I knew of Terry Church's ethics and integrity in fighting for his clients. Terry fought my own insurance company through an arbitration process and got all of my medical bills paid. But he didn't stop there. He then fought for recovery and won against the at-fault driver for pain and suffering so my medical treatments could continue as needed until my injuries stabilized. Because of his principles Terry goes the extra mile and does everything possible to resolve the claim in the best interest of his clients. It was a privilege to work with him and his paralegal Joey. This is a 5-star review for Terry's professionalism, experience and commitment, his unwavering skill communicating with the insurance companies, and negotiating a settlement and last but not least - his incredible staff. I highly recommend Terry and the Church Rietzke Johnson law firm.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Highly skilled, professional, and extremely responsive

      Posted by

      I was in an accident and was attempting to resolve the matter myself, however quickly realized I would be better off enlisting the help of a professional. Because of my job, I tend to work with many personal injury firms and have seen how awful some can be to work with - so I knew from the start that I did not want to use 90% of the larger firms that you see advertised. After doing some research on different smaller offices (that could offer a personal touch and not make you feel like a cog in an assembly line), I decided to reach out to Church, Rietzke, and Johnson. From the time of my first meeting with Mr. Church, and until the final disposition of my case, all of the staff there have been pleasant, informative, professional, and most importantly responsive. I frequently worked with Joey and he was incredibly patient and helpful. They were able to settle my case for much more than I ever anticipated and I know I would not have had the same results if I had anyone else handle my case. I hope I never need the same services in the future, but if I do, I know that I will reach out to Mr. Church and his team.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney

      Terry Church in Olympia Washington

      Posted by

      Terry Church and his team worked with me on my personal injury case for over 2 1/2 years, with a very satisfactory conclusion. I had physical injuries and a brain injury caused by being in a car accident. He treated me with respect and patience throughout the process. He never over promised anything - in fact, he was always a stickler for being realistic and conservative in dealing with potential financial outcomes. Most importantly, he continually urged me to get the medical care that I needed in order to reach maximum medical recovery and encouraged me to seek out the doctors that would be the best for me, based on my true medical needs. I am very grateful that I was encouraged to find medical professionals who were excellent in their respective specialties. Through Terry I found an attorney who cared for me as a person and also medical professionals who were caring and respectful. Terry is extremely competent, experienced, knowledgeable, a great listener, has much wisdom, advocates for clients and their best interests. He also has a wonderful team and partners. I highly recommend him.
      This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
      Hired attorney
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      Attorney endorsements

      (10)
      Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

      Matthew Van Gieson, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 16, 2017
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I endorse this lawyer. I have known Terry for several years and have arbitrated several cases in front of him. I have always found him to be thoughtful and professional in hearing matters and providing fair results. He understands the plight of the injured and does them justice. I highly recommend him!

      Sofia Miguel

      I endorse this lawyer.

      John Kesler, Personal injury Attorney on Apr 13, 2015
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Terry is an excellent attorney and an asset to the local bar as well as the community.

      Frank Morris, Personal injury Attorney on Oct 17, 2014
      Relationship: Worked together on matter

      I endorse this lawyer. Terry is one the best PI attorneys in Washington. He is thorough and aggressive for his clients. And a good guy

      Jonathan Peirce, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 12, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Terry is a well-known, established lawyer in the South Puget Sound area, who has a strong command of personal injury law. He cares about his clients and works tirelessly to get the best results possible for them. He does not hesitate to litigate when necessary, and gives sound, experienced advice to his clients. I whole-heartedly endorse him.

      Jeffrey Caffee, Litigation Attorney on Mar 13, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community.

      John Bonin, Personal injury Attorney on Jan 20, 2013
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. My son was injured in an animal attack years ago and the insurance company handling the matter had an adjuster who literally seemed to be discounting the monetary value of my son's damages because my wife and I happen to be attorneys. Terry was appointed my son's GAL at time of settlement and he effectively worked to force a fair and unbiased settlement for my son. My wife and I continue to this day to recommend him for GAL services. AVVO puts high value on "peer endorsement" but the reality is Terry Church has more than my respect as a peer - he has my respect as the father of one of his client's.

      Lani Sockle, Personal injury Attorney on Apr 13, 2012
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I endorse this lawyer. Terry is a smart and skilled attorney who is totally committed to obtaining the best possible recovery for his clients.

      Stuart Shelton, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 23, 2011
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      I have known Terry Church for many years. I've observed Terry in action as he represents his clients who have suffered personal injuries and he does an excellent job for them. Terry and his staff always go the extra mile in helping others.

      Avelin Tacon, Personal injury Attorney on Apr 23, 2010
      Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

      Terry is an experienced personal injury lawyer who connects with his clients and is always well prepared. He is a tough and effective negotiator respected by his peers and those in the insurance industry, I endorse his competence and integrity.

      Cost

      RATES
        • Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs
          30 minutes
        OTHER BILLING TYPES
        • Contingency A contingency fee is the percent of the final award a lawyer will receive as compensation. For some of these cases, lawyers will only be paid if there is a successful outcome.
          33%-33%
        PAYMENT METHODS