Federal Criminal Defense

Seattle, Washington Federal Criminal Defense Attorney

Federal criminal cases are filed in United States District Courts. Some attorney websites proclaim, in ominous tones, that the differences between federal and state courts are so substantial that one would think such cases were instead filed on Mars. We do not isolate ourselves by limiting our practice to federal cases, as we believe that broad exposure to different ways of doing things is essential to the creative analysis of factual and legal issues and to becoming better lawyers who provide a better service to our clients in the process. The differences that exist between state and federal courts – in rules of procedure, rules of evidence, substantive law, and even in courthouse culture – are many, but are not so great or so complex that they cannot be leveled by experience. Moreover, while there are indeed differences between the two systems, the core ingredient for success in each is the same: outwork the other side.

Both Michael Iaria and Robert Gombiner have substantial experience handling federal cases over many years. They began working on federal criminal cases in the late 1980s as Criminal Justice Act panel attorneys appointed to represent indigent defendants. In 1993, Mr. Gombiner became an assistant federal public defender in the Western District of Washington, a position he held for seventeen years, until 2010, and in which he handled a considerable variety of federal cases at the trial and appellate levels. Over the years, Mr. Iaria developed a significant private federal practice. Now, with Mr. Gombiner acting as Of Counsel, the two work as a team on the firm’s federal cases, providing the experience and commitment that are essential to successful outcomes.