I focus my law practice exclusively on defending DUIs and other driving-related criminal charges. This is often a multifaceted area of law that requires a fundamental understanding of all unique consequences of a conviction. For this reason, I devote my entire practice solely to this single subset of criminal law because it is important for a client to have someone in their corner who understands every complexity and nuance of a DUI, not just the general aspects of “criminal defense.” To this end, I am a co-author of "Defending DUIs in Washington (Third Edition)," which is a comprehensive practice manual published by LexisNexis and utilized by attorneys throughout the state.
In addition to handling criminal DUI matters in SW Washington courts, a large portion of my practice is devoted to navigating the collateral licensing issues that are often associated with those charges, including Department of Licensing administrative hearings. I have argued over 600 hundred DOL hearings, successfully obtained over 250 dismissals, and I frequently litigate post-adjudication appeals in Clark County Superior Court (including commercial licensing cases). These hearings are separate from the criminal proceedings on a matter and they present an entirely different set of laws and regulations. In this regard, it is often important for a driver to address not only their criminal charge, but the administrative licensing ramifications that may arise as well.
Beyond criminal and administrative litigation, I have also worked closely with the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL) to draft statutory amendments and law changes relating to DUI licensing issues. In 2019, I testified in front of the state senate in support of these positive legislative changes, which have now simplified many aspects of the licensing process for drivers convicted of DUI-related offenses. Additionally, I was selected by the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice (WFCJ) as a conference presenter on licensing topics at the statewide DUI Defense Seminar in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. I continue to work closely with the statewide defense community to assist drivers in this complex and often overwhelming area of law. As a result of my work in both the local and statewide criminal defense community, I was awarded the “Rising Star” award by the Clark County Bar Association in 2020. In 2025, I was awarded the "Anthony Savage Award" by WACDL, which recognizes exceptional performance for a lawyer in their first ten years of practice.
