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Michael John Gainer

4.7
Rating: 1.0

Licensed for 35 years

Lawyer
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2016
See Details

About Michael

Practice Areas

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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 35 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1990

Resigned in Lieu of Discipline

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2016

Location

No contact information is available for this lawyer

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Michael John Gainer's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.7 /5.0

16 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (16) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | Trustworthiness

Posted by Katie | June 09, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Uncontested Divorce

Run away

Dec 2014 I hired this lawyer to Handel my simple uncontested divorce at which time I signed a contracted stating I was going to make monthly payments until my divorce was paid for,,,I religious made payments for 14 months then Feb 2016 I contacted mr gainer at which time he stated he was having perso...nal problems but would call me back with 72 hours, he never did...6 weeks later waiting for mr gainer to call me back I fired him and asked for a refund of my $1000.00 minus 1hr of his time for my initial intake,,,I have not gotten my money back....MR GAINER STOLE MY MONEY,,,,This was the first time I have ever hired a lawyer and I got screwed over,,,,I will never trust any lawyer ever again whatever I need legally done I will teach myself to do,,,,RUN AWAY FROM THIS MAN HE WILL ONLY STEAL FROM YOU

Posted by anonymous | January 30, 2015 | Child Custody

Parenting plan change, moved to a different state with sole custody

From the moment I met Mike Gainer I knew he was going to be the perfect attorney for my situation. He was quick, but not curt, professional but not stuffy or condescending, and believed me when I described my fear of my ex and the legal system. My Ex-husband was a bully. He made a lot more money, ...and had learned how quickly he could cause costs to mount while using delaying tactics. He could afford this, but other lawyers I'd tried had underestimated how determined he was, and for years he always caused me to go broke before I could make any changes in court. He'd had supervised visitation, just once a month, and I wasn't changing a thing, but he was still fighting our move and my wedding day was fast approaching. Somehow Mike Gainer managed to cut through the delaying tactics that had always worked before, and calmly handled his frustrating behavior. In the end, it was a piece of cake... wedding cake that is! Everything went off without a hitch. Four years later the kids are still happy, and I'm still glad I trusted Mike to handle this important legal transition. I keep on recommending him from afar. Thank you again.

Posted by Bobbie Schwartzenberger | October 02, 2014 | Child Custody

Does what's right to the best of his ability

If you are looking for an attorney to hold you hand, Mike gainer is probably not for you. After meeting with him, I made the decision to trust him completely and though there are no promises, he has done his best so far to get the outcome I am hoping for. He can be gruff, doesn't always get back to m...e in the most timely fashion, and has even told me he can be a bit "a** hole-ish" at times. However, he is competent, knowledgeable and fights hard for me. I will admit that I am probably not the most desirable client, I have bad marks against me in this custody "war" that Mike is helping me fight. I can be demanding, and have bothered him on weekends, when I am sure that he would much rather be spending time with his family. But he has not once made me feel that any of this will effect the work he is willing to put into my case. Mr. gainer has spoken of sleepless nights, thinking about my case. This tells me that each client, each case he takes on means something to him. He takes his work seriously and will do his very best for each client. In a perfect world, I would have an attorney that would be able to drop everything to return that call or email right away. Unfortunately, my world is not a perfect one. Given that, I am so grateful to have Mike on my side!

Michael Gainer

Replied last October 02, 2014

Thank you Bobbie. Each case and client has to be handled differently. When we're in the fight or figuring out what to do, I'm the one doing battle and trying to keep the client off the battlefield as much as possible. I have to balance that with doing my best to be efficient and keep the costs down for my clients. Usually, that means the client letting me know if something has come up that affects the case . . . :) and me letting the client know if something has come up that affects the case, but not wasting my client's time and money communicating about things that don't matter to the legal case. It's a hard balance for a busy lawyer getting paid by the hour. My motto is "I'm here to help!" and I am. Part of that help is protecting clients from themselves. I could make a lot more money chatting a lot with my clients about general stuff, but I want to make sure they can afford my services for the long haul. Sometimes that does mean being blunt or "cutting to the chase." I purposely limit the amount of cases I take so I can give them the personal attention they deserve.

Posted by Delmar | October 31, 2013 | Divorce & Separation

Michael Gainer, the GREATEST Attorney out there!

I put myself in a tight situation, while going through a nasty divorce, thinking I could do it myself. I could not do it myself! Mike came in and did an outstanding job getting me out of the hole I had dug for myself. Lesson to be learned, don't do it yourself go to Mike! He then help me again a year... or two later to adjust my parenting plan and modify my child support to reflect my down grade in employment. He did a great job by mediating with my "ex" and things went flawlessly! I would trust Mike with my life, he has definitely been a life saver, and I cannot thank him enough for being there for me in some very tight and serious situations. THANKS!

Posted by anonymous | March 31, 2013 | Family

Mike Gainer, the "Anti-Poplawski" Solution

MIke Gainer is an attorney who seems more balanced and transparent than your typical family law attorney. Speaking with Mr. Gainer reminds me of speaking to friends or family members who were judges or attorney generals - his outlook and advice is deeply considered and designed to be useful and well ...taken. Mr. Gainer will not trick you into using his legal services as some attorneys can by tailoring their emotional responses while inferring unlikely outcomes. Mr. Gainer speaks truth from a well considered perspective of experience and hard-won legal knowledge. His dialogue is coupled with wisdom, kindness and compassion for your situation - and a straightforward bias free assessment of how the court may likely view your plea. I recommend Mike Gainer without reservation as a competent and accomplished legal tactician and man of letters.

Michael Gainer

Replied last May 08, 2013

I really appreciate the kind words. However, I do not condone bashing other attorneys I work with. Ms. Poplawski is an ethical, aggressive advocate on behalf of her clients. Ultimately, she fights the fights her clients have hired to fight. It may make things very expensive, but she is doing what she was hired to do. There are a lot of different approaches to resolving family law issues. Unfortunately, clients do not get to pick the other side's attorney. :)

See All Client Reviews

Michael John Gainer's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Michael
Julie Christine Watts headshot
Julie Watts

Family lawyer | May 21

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Mr. Gainer is a zealous advocate for his clients in the courtroom and a creative and tenacious negotiator. Clients will find him to be a compassionate counselor, and he is a practical and pleasant colleague who does not waste his clients' time/money by manufacturing conflict."

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 04

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"An extremely talented and well respected attorney in the legal community, I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking for a lawyer who knows the law and truly cares about protecting the rights of his clients and getting them the most favorable result possible."

Joseph Hankins headshot
Joseph Hankins

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Gainer is a top-notch family law and divorce attorney. He understands the nuances of the law, while at the same time recognizing that actual people are begin each legal issue."

Michael P. Gerace headshot
Michael Gerace

Family lawyer | Sep 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Awesome attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

Lee Alan Thompson headshot
Lee Thompson

Family lawyer | Aug 01

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Although I do not know Mr. Gainer personally, in answers questions on this site, I have had the opportunity to review many answers by him and his advice is very sound and well reasoned."

Muriel M. Burke-Love headshot
Muriel Burke-Love

Family lawyer | Jun 11

Relationship: Friend

"I endorse this lawyer. Mike is a great lawyer and I have used him in my own personal matter."

Andrea M Poplawski headshot
Andrea Poplawski

Family lawyer | Apr 26

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Mike is an excellent lawyer. He is a strong advocate for his clients.It is obvious he knows his clients and his cases; he is well prepared when arguing in court. He is very professional to other attorneys."

Mark L. Alexander headshot
Mark Alexander

Family lawyer | Jun 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Mr. Gainer's answers to questions on the Avvo site, and his responses otherwise, disclose a knowledgeable and highly ethical family law attorney. Although we practice in opposite ends of the state, I am happy to add Mr. Gainer as a recommended attorney in the Spokane area, and to give him this endorsement."

Kelly W Padgham headshot
Kelly Padgham

Family lawyer | Jun 18

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Michael is a strong advocate for his clients. He is well-prepared for hearings, and he is well-versed in family law. I send referrals to Mr. Gainer, as he works hard for his clients, while maintaining the highest integrity."

Patty L. Grossman headshot
Patty Grossman

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jun 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Michael several years. When we are on opposing sides on a family law case we try and work together to resolve the dispute knowing that doing so will be better than taking the case to court. Michael is very patient and takes his time to explain his client's position and the merits of his case. He is not full of fluff but sticks to the facts and the truth. I know that his clients trust him like I do."

Kevin William Mickey headshot
Kevin Mickey

Divorce and separation lawyer | Feb 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Mike is a very capable, compassionate and skilled advocate on behalf of his clients. I whole-heartedly recommend him to others."

View All Endorsements
Benjamin D Platt headshot
Benjamin Platt

Divorce and separation lawyer

Gregory L. Decker headshot
Gregory Decker

Divorce and separation lawyer

Julie Christine Watts headshot
Julie Watts

Family lawyer

Douglas R. Hughes headshot
Douglas Hughes

Divorce and separation lawyer

David James Crouse headshot
David Crouse

Divorce and separation lawyer

John M O'Brien headshot
John O'Brien

Personal injury lawyer

Joseph Hankins headshot
Joseph Hankins

Family lawyer

Michael P. Gerace headshot
Michael Gerace

Criminal defense lawyer

Andrea M Poplawski headshot
Andrea Poplawski

Family lawyer

Ellen M Hendrick headshot
Ellen Hendrick

Family lawyer

Mark L. Alexander headshot
Mark Alexander

Divorce and separation lawyer

Kelly W Padgham headshot
Kelly Padgham

Child custody lawyer

Patty L. Grossman headshot
Patty Grossman

Divorce and separation lawyer

Paul L. Kirkpatrick headshot
Paul Kirkpatrick

Insurance lawyer

Kevin William Mickey headshot
Kevin Mickey

General practice lawyer

Peter S Lineberger headshot
Peter Lineberger

Family lawyer

Michael Edward Little headshot
Michael Little

Divorce and separation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  1.0 (Extreme Caution)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2016.

Resignation in Lieu of Discipline issued in WA, 2016

updated on 06/20/2016

Ineligible to practice law in Washington. No longer a member of the WSBA due to resignation while disciplinary proceedings were pending. Not eligible to re-apply for admission.

Admonition issued in WA, 2015

updated on 04/20/2015

An admonition means an attorney did something wrong but may still practice law. The Bar gives the lawyer an admonition in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Sample of Legal Cases

Firefighter Dad v. Noncompliant Mom

Court found mom in contempt, awarded attorney's fees and explained how visitation should work in the future.

Abusive Threatening Dad v. Mother

My client mom got full custody and child support. Dad got no visitation until he completed anger management, domestic violence, psychological treatment, alcohol treatment and parenting classes.

See More Legal Cases

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2016
    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