Russell M. Aoki
AREAS OF TRIAL PRACTICE FELONY CRIMINAL DEFENSE: Trial counsel in both State and Federal Court
representing individuals accused of business crimes (white collar crime) including embezzlement,
environmental crimes, business license violations, bank fraud, counterfeiting, credit card fraud,
theft in the first degree, as well as murder, attempted murder, bank robbery, assault, arson, and
sex and drug offenses. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Named Super Lawyer by Washington Law & Politics,
2001 through 2006. Named one of the top 25 Criminal Defense Attorneys in
Washington by Washington Law & Politics, 2006. Named one of the
top Criminal Defense Attorneys in Seattle by Seattle magazine,
January 2007. AV rated as being preeminent in legal abilities by
Martindale Hubbell. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES KING COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT, SPECIAL DISCOVERY MASTER: Appointed by the
Court to address discovery issues and compliance with court orders. 2002 -present. 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. CASES OF NOTE 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.
© 1999 - 2007 Aoki | Sakamoto | Grant LLP. All rights
reserved.
Russell M. Aoki is the managing partner of Aoki Sakamoto Grant LLP of
Seattle, Washington. Mr. Aoki’s practice emphasizes criminal defense and business litigation.
During his career, Mr. Aoki has served as judge pro tem, mediator, and arbitrator. He has
been trial counsel in a number of well-publicized matters. He has been named one of the top 25
Criminal Defense Attorneys in Washington by Washington Law & Politics, 2007 and one the top
Criminal Defense Attorneys in Seattle by Seattle Magazine, January 2007. Mr. Aoki is also AV
rated by Martindale Hubbell.
Mr. Aoki was a member of the United States District Court’s Technology Working Group for the
Western District of Washington. He frequently serves as the Federal Court-Appointed Coordinating
Discovery Attorney for defense counsel on large racketeering and fraud prosecutions. He is the
author of Database Defense, Law Technology News, January 2007.
Mr. Aoki currently serves as a Governor on the Washington State Bar Association’s Board of
Governors. He is also the Washington State Supreme Court’s appointee to the Office of Public
Defense Advisory Committee. He is a past president of the Asian Bar Association of Washington and a
past Trustee of the King County Bar Association. 
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION: Trial counsel in both State and Federal Court involving business
litigation such as employment disputes, breach of contract, conversion of property (both personal
and intellectual) and violations of the Uniform Commercial Code. General litigation, including
professional malpractice (medical and legal), personal injury and the representation of
corporations, corporate officers, partnerships, sole proprietorships and private individuals who
are victims of or accused of fraud, embezzlement or racketeering.
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. Oversee issues pertaining to
the admission, discipline, and continuing education of all lawyers practicing in Washington. 2006
to present.
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. 1999 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.
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.
WASHINGTON CRIMINAL JUSTICE INSTITUTE: Lecturer, Discrimination in the Courtroom. 1995.
SEATTLE REPERTORY THEATRE: Lecturer/Facilitator, audience discussion following performance
of Voir Dire. 1995.
HERITAGE INSTITUTE, Teaching the Bill of Rights: Lecturer on citizens’ rights and
police contact. 1997, 2000, 2003, 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.