Law FirmMacDonald Hoague & Bayless
705 Second Avenue, Suite 1500, Seattle, Washington, 98104
Seattle's Civil Rights Litigation Firm
MacDonald Hoague & Bayless is a Seattle-based civil rights and plaintiff's litigation firm with decades of experience representing individuals whose constitutional rights have been violated by law enforcement and government actors. Founded on a commitment to justice for the vulnerable, the firm has built a formidable reputation in the Pacific Northwest for holding police departments, municipalities, and government agencies accountable for misconduct, excessive force, and civil rights abuses.
The firm handles a broad spectrum of civil rights cases including excessive force, wrongful death at the hands of police, false arrest, unlawful detention, and violations of the Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments. MacDonald Hoague & Bayless attorneys have litigated landmark cases in federal and state courts throughout Washington, frequently appearing before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on matters of constitutional significance. Their work has contributed to meaningful legal precedents that protect the rights of Washington residents against government overreach.
Among the firm's most significant achievements are multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts against the Seattle Police Department and other law enforcement agencies across the state. The attorneys at MacDonald Hoague & Bayless bring a rigorous, investigative approach to each case, combining deep legal expertise with a genuine dedication to their clients. The firm is widely recognized by peer organizations and civil rights advocates as one of the premier plaintiff-side civil rights firms in the Pacific Northwest.
In addition to police misconduct litigation, the firm represents clients in employment discrimination, housing rights, disability rights, and other civil rights matters. MacDonald Hoague & Bayless has long served as a resource for communities and individuals seeking justice against powerful governmental institutions, and their attorneys are frequently called upon to comment on civil rights issues and police accountability in regional and national media.
Notable Results
- $15 million verdict for the family of Leonard Thomas - one of the largest civil rights verdicts in Washington history
- $1.5 million settlement for John T. Williams leading to federal investigation of Seattle PD
Key Characteristics
- Decades of experience litigating civil rights cases against law enforcement and government entities in Washington State and the Ninth Circuit.
- Regularly represents victims of excessive force and police brutality in high-profile cases against Seattle Police Department and other municipal agencies.
- Has achieved multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of individuals and families harmed by unconstitutional police conduct.
- Recognized as one of the leading plaintiff-side civil rights law firms in the Pacific Northwest by peers and civil rights organizations.
- Attorneys have argued before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals on significant constitutional issues affecting police accountability.
- Serves a diverse client base including victims of wrongful death, false arrest, and unlawful use of force by government actors.