Asking the Right Questions
If you are not a lawyer it is as hard to pick a good one as to find a surgeon you would trust for a family member. What would you look for? A good education is a start. How did the professional do in his studies? Was he or she at the top or the bottom of the class? What practical experience does the professional have; just starting out or shaped by years of experience? How do members of the profession regard him or her? Is he a respected leader in professional groups who is chosen to teach other members of the profession? What about his or her practice? Are you likely to have that person’s attention or will you be handed off to someone else? Can you afford a first rate professional or will you have to settle for someone else?
How Does Robert J. Wayne Measure Up?
Education: Top 10% of his Class at UCLA Law School. Member of UCLA Law Review. California State Champion in Moot Court. Winner of the B.A.R. prize. Roscoe Pound Outstanding Advocate. Graduation speaker.
Practical Experience: 45 years in practice. Robert Wayne has tried numerous criminal and civil cases before juries in state and federal court, winning acquittals and judgments for clients. One jury unanimously entered a special verdict in a sex abuse case, adding to the verdict form that not only was Mr. Wayne’s client not guilty. but that “the charges were unfounded.” In another case, a federal judge refused the Government’s request to impose a $6 million dollar restitution obligation on a former mortgage broker and. after hearing from Governments FBI expert, imposed no restitution at all. Largest civil judgment entered for a client exceeded $1 million. Formerly with Washington’s largest law firm. Formerly with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office (1976-1978). Law Clerk on United States Court of Appeal for D.C. Circuit (1974-75). Independent practice since 1978.
Professional Standing: Board of Trustees, King County Bar Association (officer 2013-2014), Past Chair KCBA Judiciary & Litigation Committee & KCBA Judicial Conferencing Committee. Past Chair NACDL and WACDL Lawyers’ Assistance Strike Force. Part-time Instructor at Univ. of Washington Law School teaching Trial Advocacy (30 years), Teacher of Deposition skills and Trial Skills (39 years) for National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA), NITA Team Leader (lead instructor) in both subjects, NITA Program Director in Trial Skills Program (7 years). Past Special District Counsel for Washington State Bar Association. Washington “Super Lawyer, Multiple years (Selected by other lawyers). Has been listed as one of the 25 Best Criminal Defense Lawyers in Washington. AV Rated ( Martindale-Hubbell ) for 40 years — Preeminent Rating. AVVO Rating of 10.0 (Highest Possible Rating). Has been listed in Who’s Who in American Law. President’s Awards from both the National and Washington State Criminal Defense Organizations, NACDL & WACDL
Who Will Represent Me: Legal Services and all appearances in Court by Robert J. Wayne personally.
Robert J. Wayne in Court:
To see Mr. Wayne argue an actual case in the Washington Supreme Court, Click on the picture above.
On May 13, 2010 Robert Wayne argued a case involving the protection of property from forfeiture before the Washington Supreme Court in Guillen v. Contreras. The Argument concerns the right of property owners to attorneys’ fees when they substantially prevail. Mr. Wayne represented the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL) as a friend of the Court (amicus curiae).
The Supreme Court ruled unanimously in favor of the right of the property owner to recover attorney’s fees, and in an 8-1 decision agreed with the arguments put foward in Mr. Wayne’s brief for WACDL, incorporating a direct quotation from his amicus brief. The lower courts that had denied fees to Mrs. Conteras were reversed. The decision of the Supreme Court should make police departments think twice before over-reaching and seizing more property than is justified.
