Serving the Eastside Seattle Metropolitan Area
The process of litigating cases takes time and can be stressful. Howard Stein at Stein, Lotzkar & Starr, P.S., will ensure that you remain grounded, and feel secure in the knowledge that he is watching out for your best interests. That means less stress and better results.
Click the image to view more about each practice area
Contact Howard Stein for your Private Case Matter
Call (425) 576-0026 or fill out the form to schedule your free consultation.
HOWARD S. STEIN JD, AAFS
STEIN, LOTZKAR & STARR P.S., INC.
2840 Northup Way, Ste. 140, Bellevue, Washington 98004 • (425) 576-0026 • [email protected]
Education
Seattle University School of Law (Formally, University of Puget Sound) 1980-1983
Juris Doctor; top of graduating class
Advanced Course Studies in Constitutional Law and Criminal Law.
University of Colorado
Boulder, CO. 1978 B.A. English, Creative Writing Program
Advanced entry into freshman class; overseas study, Florence, Italy
Professional Experience
American Academy of Forensic Scientists
2017 to Present
Member, Jurisprudence Section.
Stein, Lotzkar & Starr, P.S. Inc., Bellevue, WA
2006 – Present
Shareholder, Eight Attorney Law Firm emphasizing
Criminal Defense, Appellant and Plaintiff's Personal Injury Representation
Tucker & Stein P.S., Inc., Bellevue, WA
1986-2005
Shareholder, Six-Attorney Law Firm emphasizing
Criminal Defense, Plaintiff's Personal Injury, and Small Business Representation
The Law Offices of Kirshenbaum & Combs, Renton, WA 1985-1986
Associate Attorney
Emphasis on Criminal Prosecution and Defense
Represented Cities of Buckley and North Bend
The Law Office of Janet Jordan Dillon, Tacoma, WA 1984-1985
Associate Attorney
General Practice with emphasis on Federal Indian Law
Pierce County Prosecutor's Office 1983
Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Intern
Criminal Prosecution
Admissions, Memberships, Awards & Activities
Admitted to Washington State Supreme Court
Admitted to U.S. District Court, Western Division
Member of the American Academy of Forensic Scientists
Member, Washington State Bar Association
Member, Washington State Criminal Defense Lawyers Association
Member, National Assoc. of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Member and Faculty, Washington Criminal Justice Foundation
Member and Committee Member, National DUI Defense College
Judge Pro Tem, King County District Court
Former Member of the King County Judicial Screening Committee
Former Faculty King County Trial Advocacy Program
Champion of Justice, Washington State Criminal Defense Lawyers
Major Litigation
Appellate Litigation
State v. Keller, Case No 101171-7 (2023) Washington State Supreme Court. Co Author Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice, amicus curiae.
Blomstrom v. Tripp, 189 Wn. 2d 379, 402 P.3d 831 (2017) Washington State Supreme Court Co Author, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice amicus curiae
State v. Baird, 187 Wn. 2d 210, 386 P.3 239 (2016). Co Author, Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice amicus curiae.
State v. Flanigan, et al., Snohomish County District Cause No. 5303A-15D (2015) Litigation challenging the foundation and admissibility of the Drager breath testing instrument.
Bellevue v. Shin Lee, 166 Wn.2d 581, 210 P.3d 1011 (2009), of counsel in a challenge to the Dept. of Licensing suspension process, a follow-up challenge to the successful challenges to Department of Licensing driver's license suspensions in City of Redmond v. Moore, 151 Wn.2d 664, 91 3d 875 (2004)
Seattle v. Clark Munoz, 152 Wn.2d 39, 93 P.3d 141(2004), successful challenge to breath test admissibility: NIST traceability of measurement issue. (Lead Counsel) Washington Supreme Court, successful challenge to the admissibility of a breath test result which lacked traceability to NIST standards
State, Dept. of Licensing v. Randhawa, Cause No. 48613-6-1 (2003)
Washington State Court of Appeals Division I, challenge to the jurisdiction of the Department of Licensing in an administrative appeal.
Grewal v. Dept. of Licensing, 108 Wn.App. 815, 33 .3d 94, Div. I (2001)
Washington State Court of Appeals challenge to the Dept. of Licensing Jurisdiction
State v. Crediford, 130 Wn.2d 747, 927 P.2d 1129 (1996)
Of Counsel with the Washington Appellate Defender in this Washington State Supreme Court successful challenge to criminal statute (unpublished decision 1993)
Seattle v. Carnell, 79 Wn. App. 400, 900 P.2d 186 (1995) Discretionary Review of Dept. of Licensing action. Washington State Court of Appeals
Guy Williams v. Dept. of Licensing, 46 Wn.App 453 (1986); 731 P2d 531 Substitute Counsel for Eric Hoyer. Washington State Court of Appeals (1986)
Significant Civil Trial Litigation
Seattle v. Millay, Successful multi-day DUI and Suspended Driver's License Trial with acquittals on all counts
Seattle Municipal Court (2021)
State v. Hamack, one week DUI Accident Trial
Snohomish County District Court (2017)
Myers v. Lustino, Successful one-week personal injury trial
Snohomish County Superior Court (2009)
Fournet v. Providence Medical Center, Complex Medical-Legal Litigation,
Snohomish County Superior Court (1999)
Vaughn v. Christianson, Civil fraud/ sale of a business two-week trial
King County Superior Court (1992)
Lyons v. Stansberry, et al, Personal Injury Action one-week jury trial
King Superior Court (1991)
In Re Janette and Glenn Sampson, Removal of Guardians and Appointment of Custodian
King Superior Court (1989)
City of Kirkland v. Craig A. Salins, successful Writ of Habeas Corpus.
King County Superior Court (1988)
James Hess, et. ux. v. Burlington Northern Railroad, Pierce County Superior Court Plaintiff's Personal Injury/Multiple Tortfeasors Complex Litigation
King County Superior Court (1988)
Flow Industries, Inc. v. Yie, King County Superior Court
Successful Defense of Employment Contract Violation Claim and Related Patent Assignment
King County Superior Court (1987)
In Re: Natasha Webb, Successful contested guardianship three-week trial.
action litigated for three weeks
King County Superior Court (1986)
Speaking Engagements
2023 WFCJ Subpeona Practice, Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue WA
2022 WFCJ Motions in DUI cases, Meydenbauer Center, Bellevue WA
2020 AAFS Conference; Moderator Digital Forensics and Multimedia Sciences, Los Angeles, CA
2016 NCDD Conference Metrology II Science as Our Best Defense, San Diego, CA
2016 WFCJ Defending DUIs - Blood Warrants, Seatac, WA
2015 NCDD Annual Metrology Seminar “Navigating the Legal Landscape” Atlanta, GA
2014 NCDD Annual Metrology Seminar “Navigating the Legal Landscape” Phoenix, AZ
2014 National Chemical Dependency Professionals Conference, Lynnwood, WA
2013 Washington State Firefighter's Annual Union Conference, Bremerton WA
2012 Washington State Firefighter's Annual Union Conference, Yakima, WA