Russell M. Aoki
Russell M. Aoki's practice emphasizes criminal defense,
business litigation, and personal injury claims. During his career, Mr. Aoki has served as judge pro tem,
mediator, arbitrator, and Special Master. He has been named one of the
top 25 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Washington by Washington Law &
Politics every year from 2006 to 2010 and one of the top Criminal
Defense Attorneys in Seattle by Seattle Magazine, January
2007. Mr. Aoki is also AV rated by Martindale Hubbell, its
highest rating on legal abilities. FELONY CRIMINAL DEFENSE: Business crimes (white collar crime)
including embezzlement, environmental crimes, business license
violations, bank fraud, mortgage fraud, counterfeiting, credit card
fraud, theft in the first degree; Murder, attempted murder, assault
(including domestic violence), arson; and Sex and drug offenses. COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: Breach of contract; Conversion of property (both personal and
intellectual); and Interference with business expectancies. PERSONAL INJURY: Serious injury accidents; Professional malpractice (medical and
legal); and Wrongful death. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, WESTERN DIVISION: Special
Master. Appointed by the Court to determine discoverable materials
between an attorney and clients in a $1 billion tax evasion prosecution.
2009-2010. KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT: Special Discovery Master.
Appointed by the Court to address discovery issues and compliance with
court orders. 2002-present. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, WESTERN DIVISION: Member,
Technology Working Group. One of three working groups in the United
States created to address technology issues related to federal
litigation, including databases and electronic data discovery.
2004-2005. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, WESTERN DIVISION: Coordinating
Attorney. Appointed by the Federal District Court to oversee discovery
issues for complex fraud and racketeering cases. 2005-present. ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE, UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, DEFENDER
SERVICES: Member. Technology Expert Panel. Panel recommends policies
for technology support on complex federal criminal cases. 2008-present.
KING COUNTY DISTRICT COURT, SEATTLE DIVSION: Trial Judge, pro
tempore. Presided over civil motions and trials as well as gross
misdemeanor and misdemeanor prosecutions. Presided over felony
preliminary appearance calendar, small claims, and anti-harassment
petitions. September 1991-1993. WASHINGTON STATE BAR ASSOCIATION: Governor, Board of
Governors. One of 14 Governors who oversee policy issues pertaining to
the 33,000 lawyers in Washington. 2006-2009. Treasurer, 2008-2009. SEATTLE MUNICIPAL COURT: Trial Judge, pro tempore. Presided
over gross misdemeanor and misdemeanor trials, including Driving While
Intoxicated and Domestic Violence Assaults. 1991-1994. KING COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION: Trustee, Board of Trustees,
1996-1999; Lecturer for continuing legal education on trial advocacy,
1992; Nominating Committee, 2004; Member, Committee for Ethnic Diversity
in the Legal Profession. ASIAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON: President, 1995;
President Elect, 1994; Lecturer, Community Law Program, 1989-1993;
Vice-President, 1990; Co-Chair, Education Committee, 1989; Chair,
Judicial Evaluation Committee, 1992, 1993; Committee Member, 1989 to
present; Member, 1988 to present. AMERICAN CIVIL LIBERTIES UNION: Director, Board of Directors.
1997. Contributing Attorney. Evaluated potential civil rights claims and
juvenile incarceration policies, and handled criminal defense matters.
1989-1991, 1997. WASHINGTON STATE OFFICE OF PUBLIC DEFENSE: Member, Advisory
Committee. Appointed by Chief Justice Richard P. Guy of the Washington
State Supreme Court to oversee Indigent Appellate Defense for the State
of Washington, including evaluation of issues on the cost of dependency
defense and establishment of criteria for payment of extraordinary costs
incurred by the prosecution and defense in death penalty cases.
1997-2001. Reappointed by Chief Justice Gerry Alexander. 2002-present.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE ACT PANEL: CJA Representative for Federal
District Court criminal defense counsel for the Western District of
Washington. Appointed by Chief Judge John C. Coughenour of the United
States District Court for the Western District of Washington to assist
with issues pertinent to court-appointed counsel. 1998 to 2003. Member,
Expert Panel, Administrative Office for the United States District
Court, Defender Services, assisting with policy issues related to
technology support for complex criminal cases. 2008-2009. UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT, WESTERN DIVISION: Federal
Magistrate Merit Selection Panel. Appointed by Chief Judge John C.
Coughenour of the United States District Court for the Western District
of Washington to select new federal magistrate judges. 1991, 1999, 2004. SEATTLE POLICE DEPARTMENT: Community Representative, Complaint
Advisory Board. Appointed by Mayor Norm Rice and Mayor Paul Schell as
the mayor's representative at police misconduct hearings. 1995-1999. SEATTLE KING COUNTY DEFENDER ASSOCIATION: Director, Board of
Directors. Responsible for the operation of the largest public defense
agency in Seattle, Washington. 1988-1991. Special Assistant Defender,
lead counsel on complex murder cases. 1988-1991. NORTHWEST DEFENDER ASSOCIATION: President, Board of Directors.
Approved by King County Superior Court to preside over the Board and
assist in taking the organization out of receivership. 2003-2006. PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
Licensed,
Washington State Bar
Association 1986. Member,
King County Bar
Association,
Asian Bar
Association of Washington,
National Asian Pacific
American Bar Association,
American Civil
Liberties Union of Washington, the
Federal Bar
Association of Washington,
National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and the
Washington
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. RECENT SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS Administrative Office of the United States District Court, Defender
Services, Winning Strategies Seminar – Discovery Software
Portland, Oregon, May 7-9, 2009 National Conference of Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney District
Representatives, The Quest for Quality, Seattle, Washington,
January 31, 2009 Administrative Office of the United States District Courts Office of
Defender Services Training Branch, Winning Strategies Seminar,
Phoenix, Arizona, June 12, 2008 Washington State Bar Association, The Law of Lawyering,
Seattle, Washington, December 18, 2008 CASES OF NOTE Defense co-counsel on U.S. v. Lawrence. 114-count indictment
pertaining to a $92 million securities fraud. Oversaw the creation of
1.5 million page database. 2002-2004. Plaintiff’s counsel on JASPO v. Inaba. Represented an employer
whose bookkeeper embezzled $4.5 million. Worked with experts to
determine loss amount. Initiated a civil action to obtain assets.
2001-2002. Defense counsel on numerous Microsoft v. John Doe civil
lawsuits in state and federal court involving violations of the “Canned
Spam” laws. 2003-present. U.S. v. Barry Hammer, Multimillion dollar fraud prosecution
involving a real estate attorney.
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