Russell M. Aoki is the managing partner of Aoki Sakamoto Grant LLP of Seattle, Washington. Mr. Aoki’s practice emphasizes criminal defense, business litigation, and personal injury claims.

During his career, Mr. Aoki has served as judge pro tem, mediator, and arbitrator. He has been named one of the top 25 Criminal Defense Attorneys in Washington by Washington Law & Politics every year from 2006 to 2009, and one 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:

COMMERCIAL LITIGATION:

• Breach of contract;
• Conversion of property (both personal and intellectual); and
• Interference with business expectancies.

• Serious injury accidents;
• Professional malpractice (medical and legal);
• Wrongful death.

PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES

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 electronic discovery issues for complex fraud and racketeering cases. 2005-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 to 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 to present. 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 to 1994.

KING COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION: Trustee, Board of Trustees, 1996 to 1999; Lecturer, 1992 for continuing legal education on trial advocacy. Nominating Committee, 2004. Member, Ethnic Diversity in the Legal Profession.

BELLEVUE COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Instructor, 1994. College credit Business Law course.

ASIAN BAR ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON: President, 1995; President Elect, 1994; Lecturer, Community Law Program, 1989 to 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, American Civil Liberties Union of Washington, 1997; Contributing Attorney. Evaluated potential civil rights claims and juvenile incarceration policies, and handled criminal defense matters. 1989 to 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 to 2001. Reappointed by Chief Justice Gerry Alexander in 2002 to 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 to 1999.

SEATTLE KING COUNTY DEFENDER ASSOCIATION: Director, Board of Directors. Responsible for the operation of the largest public defense agency in Seattle, Washington. 1988 to 1991. Special Assistant Defender, lead counsel on complex murder cases. 1988 to 1991.

NORTHWEST DEFENDER ASSOCIATION: President, Board of Directors. Approved by King County Superior Court to preside over board and assist in taking the organization out of receivership. 2003 to 2006.

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.

National Conference of Criminal Justice Act Panel Attorney District Representatives, The Quest for Quality Seattle, Washington, January 31, 2009

Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts Office of Defender Services Training Branch, Winning Strategies Seminar, Phoenix, Arizona, June 12, 2008

Washington State Bar Association, The Law of Lawyer, Seattle, Washington, December 18, 2008

Defense co-counsel on U.S. v. Lawrence. 114 count indictment pertaining to a $92 million securities fraud. Oversaw the creation 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.