Welcome
"In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same."
-Albert Einstein
Welcome
"In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same."
-Albert Einstein
Our Firm
From the need to protect your communities, your environment, your businesses and your families, here at The Law Office of Aaron M. Smith, we understand that many things can keep you up at night. We pride ourselves on helping you navigate that stressful and often confusing terrain in the legal world. By taking the time to get to know our clients and your unique situations we can better help you understand your options and create lasting solutions that will help you sleep better.
Environment & Land Use
Estate Planning
Small Business & Startups
Mediation
Areas of practice
Areas of practice
Areas of Practice
If you have a question regarding an area of law that you don't see below or you are unsure where your issue might fit, drop us a line or send us a message and we can hopefully find a way to help. In addition to the areas of practice listed below, we have considerable experience in personal injury, landlord-tenant and defamation issues and accept these types of cases only in certain circumstances.
We've specifically chosen each of our practice areas to better help individuals, communities and businesses have better interactions with the justice system. Whether helping you or your business plan for the future or helping you and your community through a dispute, we look for ways to help make your interaction with the legal system understandable, affordable and as efficient as possible.
Environmental and Land Use Law
Please note that many land use issues have tight deadlines and restrictive requirements concerning comments and appeals. Additionally, if you fail to raise an issue in either of those proceedings you may lose your right to address them at a later time. Consult an attorney as soon as possible!
Our services include:
Water Issues
Natural Resource Issues
State Environmental Policy Act Issues (SEPA)
Private Permitting Issues
Land Use Permit Appeals
Boundary Disputes
Shoreline Master Program Appeals
Public Disclosure Requests
Nonprofit formation
If you don't see your specific type of environmental or land use issue above, it is still possible that we can help! Shoot us a message.
Small Business, Startup & Nonprofit law
When starting a new business or organization it can be important to get off on the right foot. Unfortunately it is all too common that overlooking even one issue results in costly future litigation.
Our services include, but are not limited to:
Business/501(c) Formation
Business Governance
Copyright and Trademark
Ongoing Transactions/Contracts
Dissolution
Mediation
Litigation is costly. It also is usually a stressful, highly contentious, zero-sum game that leaves at least one party feeling very unhappy. We believe that using alternative means for resolving disputes, such as mediation, can lead to adding value to almost any situation which allows all parties to walk away content. Avoiding the litigation process can make reaching justice much more affordable.
We mediate:
Individual Disputes
Community Disputes
Land Use/ Environmental Disputes
Estate Planning
Planning for the future can sometimes seem daunting. We can help you understand what you need to know and guide you through that process in a simple and affordable way.
Our services include:
Wills and Trusts
Power of Attorney
Health Care Directive/Living Will
Community Property Agreement
Unbundled Legal Services
Sometimes you don't need a full service law firm for all of your legal needs. If that's the case we can help too. There are many situations where you might want help as you handle a legal issue yourself or need advice on one particular issue or issues. We offer multiple fee structures for our limited scope representation services as well.
About Us
About Us
About Aaron
Aaron M. Smith is our founder and managing attorney. Aaron believes that interactions with our legal system can, at times, be daunting and difficult but with good guidance and creative thinking, your situation can result in significant gains. He has experience in a wide range of legal issues, including litigation, dispute resolution, business formation and contract review which help him to provide well-founded advice. Aaron also spends a considerable amount of time donating his time to various causes he believes are important. He is a former President of the Board of Directors of the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, has advised for the Port of Seattle’s Port Community Action Team in negotiating its Community Benefits Commitment, participates in Communities Rise’s (Formerly Wayfind) Nonprofit Advocates Program, volunteers with Northwest Immigrant Rights Project and is active in finding ways that technology can enhance access to justice.
Aaron was raised in Evanston, Illinois. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Tulane University in New Orleans. Aaron then relocated to Salt Lake City and worked at a wilderness therapy program helping “at risk youth” to understand the power of choice. At University of Oregon School of Law, Aaron studied environmental law, international law and alternative dispute resolution. He then found his home in Seattle where he founded the Law Office of Aaron M. Smith.
When not advocating for his clients or working to protect the environment, Aaron enjoys hiking, skiing, kayaking, competing in triathlons, playing softball and snapping a picture or two.
Our Tweets!
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RT @SDonziger: BREAKING: The @EPA claim that water in Ohio is "safe" to drink is based on only a few tainted lab samples funded by… https://t.co/s8CGV10vun -
RT @byKateSmith: Sorry to be controversial, but maybe everyone frantically refreshing a website to figure out what rights they still… https://t.co/e9zVx38gl5
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RT @frontandcenterd: The Growth Management Act requires many WA counties & the cities in them to create plans to manage long-term popula… https://t.co/3FQVFc0ZlA
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RT @ACLU: VICTORY: CVS just announced that it will withdraw CVS v. Doe from the Supreme Court docket and end its attempt to r… https://t.co/Fydu5Dxoit
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RT @dailyTaoTeChing: Therefore benefit comes from what is there; / Usefulness from what is not there. *
Affiliations
Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)
WSBA Solo and Small Practice Section Member
WSBA Environmental and Land Use Law Section Member
Seattle Legal Tech and Innovation Group Member
Affiliations
Washington State Bar Association (WSBA)
WSBA Solo and Small Practice Section Member
WSBA Environmental and Land Use Law Section Member
Seattle Legal Tech and Innovation Group Member
What should I expect?
With many solo practitioners and small firms you will likely find catch phrases like "Big Law Firm Experience At A Reasonable Price" or "A Small Firm That Acts Big" but here we strive to give you the small firm experience.
What does the "small firm experience" mean and why choose that over a large firm?
- Every aspect of your case will be handled by your lawyer - this is the most effective way to communicate and ensures that we can get to the best possible outcome for you in your case.
- We will discuss each aspect of your case with you until you fully understand the nuances of it. Your involvement in the process is very important to us.
- We will meet with you anywhere in the greater Seattle/Tacoma area
Dealing with the legal system is often intimidating and stressful. We look forward to helping guide you.
How much is this going to cost?
We aim to keep your costs down by keeping our own overhead low. However, each matter that we handle is unique which often makes it difficult to determine the cost of your case. The legal profession as a whole has battled with this question for generations... and we still don't have a great answer for it.
Different matters lend themselves to different fee structures. We are generally flexible as to the structure that you are most comfortable with including:
Flat fees
Contingency fees
Hourly fees
Hybrid Fee Structures
Discounted rates, particularly for non-profit or public-good type issues can be discussed.
If you've got other thoughts on how you might fund your legal matter, we're also open to other ideas and structures - Just ask.
Contact Us
Contact Us
The Law Office of Aaron M. Smith
999 3rd Avenue
Suite 700
Seattle, Washington 98104