Is Amy Right For You?
Not every attorney is right for every case. I believe you deserve complete honesty before we ever speak — so here's the truth about what I do, what I don't do, and when someone else might actually be a better fit.
Cases I Take — And Cases I Don't
I focus on personal injury and maritime injury cases in Washington and Alaska. Here's exactly what falls inside and outside my practice.
Cases I Take
- Car crashes
- Motorcycle accidents
- Slip and falls
- First responder injuries
- Jones Act / Maritime claims
- Seaman injuries
- Wrongful death (from above case types)
No minimum threshold: I don't have a strict dollar minimum. If I believe I can help you get fair compensation and the case is within my practice areas, I'm happy to talk — even if the potential recovery is modest.
Cases I Don't Take
- Family law
- Wills and estates
- Traffic tickets
- DUI cases
- Criminal defense matters
- Cases outside Washington or Alaska (except maritime/Jones Act)
One exception: Maritime/Jones Act cases — I'll consider these even if the injury happened elsewhere because of my specialized experience in this area.
A Note on Mutual Respect
I surround myself with good people and I want to keep that energy in my practice. If someone is mean, disrespectful, or abusive during our first conversation, I will politely decline the case. I won't work with clients who treat me or my staff poorly — life is too short, and I only take cases where we can have mutual respect and trust.
When a Big Firm Might Be Better
I'm honest with every caller: I'm a solo attorney and proud of it — you get me personally on every case, no handoffs, no case managers. But there are a few situations where a larger firm might actually be a better fit.
Complex Class-Action Lawsuits
Cases that require dozens of lawyers and years of coordinated litigation need the resources of a large firm. I'm one person — I can't match a team of 50 attorneys working around the clock on document review.
Cases Outside Washington or Alaska
If your incident didn't occur in Washington or Alaska, you likely need a local attorney. One exception: Maritime/Jones Act cases — I'll consider these regardless of location because of my specialized knowledge. In fact, lawyers from other states have reached out to me specifically for maritime cases, and I've partnered with them when it made sense for the client.
Criminal Charges Alongside Injury Claims
If someone was in a crash and then arrested for a felony, they need a firm that can handle both the criminal defense and the injury claim at the same time. I do not practice criminal law. You'd need coordinated representation I can't provide alone.
If your case needs something I don't offer, I'll be the first to say so and help point you in the right direction — no ego here.
What Makes a Strong vs. Weak Case
I look at every case with the same question: "Can I prove someone else's negligence caused real harm, and can we get fair compensation for it?"
Signs of a Strong Case
Clear evidence of fault
Police report, witnesses, photos, video, or admission from the at-fault party
Serious, documented injuries
Ongoing medical treatment — surgery, therapy, long-term care, or permanent effects
Significant financial losses
High medical bills, lost wages, future earning impact
Collectible defendant
The at-fault party has insurance or assets that can actually pay a fair settlement
Reasonable post-accident behavior
You sought prompt medical care and didn't make major statements without counsel
Red Flags That Weaken a Case
No clear evidence of fault
"He said/she said" with no witnesses or video — heavily disputed liability
Minor or undocumented injuries
Soft-tissue pain with no follow-up care or imaging
Delayed medical treatment
Weeks or months before seeking care with no explanation
Significant contributory fault
Major speeding, DUI, or ignoring obvious danger on your part
Uncollectible defendant
The at-fault party has little or no insurance and no real assets
My Commitment to You
I'm always straight with you. If your case has too many red flags and low odds of meaningful recovery, I'll tell you upfront — I won't take it just to take it.
But if the facts line up and I believe we can fight for real compensation, I'll take it personally and work hard to get you the best possible outcome. That's how I've always practiced, and that's how I'll continue to serve my clients.
Still Not Sure? Let's Talk.
A quick conversation costs nothing and commits you to nothing. I'll give you an honest assessment of your situation — and if I'm not the right fit, I'll tell you.
Free consultation · No obligation · Honest answers