Defending DUIs in Washington

With 39 years of experience defending and prosecuting DUIs, Douglas L. Cowan is one the country's most respected and experienced DUI defense lawyers. He is a founding member of the National College for DUI Defense, served on its Board of Regents from 1994-2000, served as Dean of the College for the 1996-1997 academic year, and is Board Certified in DUI defense by the College. In July, 2000, the College presented Doug with the Richard Erwin Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of a career committed to excellence in the representation of his clients, and for his many contributions to the betterment of the DUI Defense Bar. It was only the second time that honor had been bestowed. He is also a founder of the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice, a state organization dedicated to DUI defense, and served as President of the Foundation from 1989-1998. Doug is a Founding Member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (Board of Governors, 1987-1989).

Doug is a frequent contributor to local and national legal publications on the subject of DUI defense, is regularly called upon to serve on legislative and other governmental task forces considering DUI issues, has appeared on numerous local radio and television news programs and shows and is regularly quoted in the local press. Doug was named a state of Washington "Super Lawyer" by the publication "Washington Law & Politics" for the years 2000, 2001, 2003-2007 and has been listed in both Kingston's National Registry of Who's Who in America (2002 ed.) and Marquis' Who's Who in America (2002 ed.).

A nationally recognized authority on DUI defense, Doug has lectured or conducted workshops for other lawyers in 16 states on such diverse topics as "Cross-examination of the Arresting Officer," "Pre-trial Litigation, "Opening Statements in a DUI Case," "Jury Selection in DUI Cases," "Opening Statements," "The DataMaster," "Cross-examination of the State's Breath Test Expert," "Bench Trials in DUI Cases," "Legal Ethics in DUI Defense," "Closing Arguments in DUI Cases," and "Demonstrative Evidence in DUI Defense." Doug received certification in administering Standardized Field Sobriety Tests in 1996, and again in 2001.

Jon Scott Fox is Principal in the Fox Law Firm, Bellevue, Washington, providing leading DUI defense services. Mr. Fox has a national reputation as one of the most knowledgeable critics of alcohol breath testing machines in the United States. He has repeatedly been recognized as one of the state's "Super Lawyers" by Washington Law and Politics magazine and has been named to Seattle Magazine's list of King County's "Top Lawyers." Washington Law and Politics magazine has also honored him as one of the "Top 25" criminal defense lawyers in the state of Washington.

Mr. Fox devotes his practice exclusively to DUI defense. He is a founding and faculty member of the National College for DUI defense, with seminars held at Harvard Law School, and a founding member and first chair of the Northwest Academy of DUI Defense. He also is a founder and former board member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, a founding member of the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice, and has served as Chair of the Washington State Bar Association Criminal Law Section. Mr. Fox is an active author and seminar speaker on issues and developments in DUI law, frequently speaking at DUI trial practice seminars, including annual engagements at the Washington State Bar Association's Criminal Justice Institute, the annual trial practice seminar of the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice, and the National Institute for Trial Advocacy.

Bill Kirk is the Managing Partner at Cowan Kirk Kattenhorn. He currently serves on the Board of Regents to the National College for DUI Defense as Assistant Dean and is the President of the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice. After beginning his career as King County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney, Mr. Kirk joined the Cowan Law Firm in 2000. He has practiced exclusively in the defense of those accused of impaired driving or boating ever since. Mr. Kirk has repeatedly been recognized as one of the state's “Super Lawyers” by Washington Law & Politics magazine and was named a “Rising Star” by Washington Law & Politics in 2001 and 2002. Mr. Kirk was selected as one of Washington's “Top 25” criminal defense attorneys on three separate occasions. A frequent contributor to television, radio, and print media, Mr. Kirk is considered one of the State's foremost experts on DUI and BUI laws.

Jason Lantz is a seasoned DUI trial attorney in Seattle, Washington who has a reputation for taking difficult cases to trial. Mr. Lantz has gained national recognition for litigation surrounding the Draeger Alcotest 9510 breath test machine. His work in this area has been featured on the New York Times television news program "The Weekly," GQ magazine, and CBS News online.

Mr. Lantz obtained his B.S. in Life Science from Kansas State University and graduated from Seattle University School of Law with honors. He enjoys the challenge of researching and litigating the scientific and technical aspects of DUI defense. Mr. Lantz has been recognized as a Rising Star by Washington Law and Politics magazine.

Mr. Lantz is a legislative committee chair for the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers and has a seat at the table where most Washington impaired driving law is proposed. He is also a member of the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice and is a regular speaker at DUI seminars and continuing legal education programs.

Alex Uskoski is a partner at Wheeler Boyd PLLC located in Vancouver, Washington. His entire legal career has focused exclusively on defending DUIs and other driving-related criminal charges. A large portion of his practice is also devoted to navigating the collateral licensing issues that are often associated with those charges, including Department of Licensing administrative hearings. Alex has earned a reputation as one of the leading experts regarding driver’s license consequences in the context of both criminal and administrative litigation, and he is a frequent speaker at DUI seminars and continuing legal education programs. Alex is an active member of the Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice (WFCJ) as well as the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (WACDL).

Beyond criminal and administrative litigation, Alex also works closely on legislative issues relating to DUI offenses and licensing issues in Washington. He is well-known throughout the state for working across the aisle with the Department of Licensing and other agencies to formulate pragmatic legal approaches to often complex issues. Alex earned his B.A. from the University of Washington and graduated magna cum laude from Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon.