"I retained Mike several years ago to contest my divorce attorney fees, which were in the high $300,000+ range. I found Mike's command of his particular area of expertise to be unparalleled. His instincts and timing with respect to working a case are uncanny. He successfully argued against summary judgment, and the opposing party ending up voluntarily reducing its fees and costs significantly during the proceedings. His cool demeanor was much appreciated in light of opposing counsel's hostile behavior and aggressive motions and discovery practice.
I am in a profession where outside attorneys are used every day, and whenever a new one is retained, I send them a copy of Mike's website “FAQs". We have had very little problem with overcharging of fees and costs ever since. I find that many many attorneys do not understand, or choose not to follow, the ethical requirements of the Rules of Professional Conduct regarding attorney fees and costs. Mike has empowered me to assist my company in holding the line on attorney fees, and my company has saved untold thousands of dollars as a result of implementing Mike’s suggestions.
As they say in the medical profession, if you need a specialist, get the best one you can. The same would hold true for Mike in the arena of attorney's fees and ethics issues involving attorney's fees. I can think of no one as experienced and well-versed."
-Satisfied Former Client
“Mr. Caryl has the talent to straighten out unnecessarily expensive legal fees in a straightforward manner. He knows the leverage points, has an excellent expert witness network, and pulls together a comprehensive approach to dispute in a constructive manner. His exemplary work keeps the legal profession stringent and cost-effective.”
-Ruth Kunath, General Partner, Thompson River Capital
“Mike was well organized, persistent and methodical. He knew the law and all the experts in the field. He kept me appraised of his progress and made sure that we were communicating. The bottom line is that he was a rock when I needed it. In addition to that, he got us a great result.”
-Robert P. Schmitt, Law Office of Robert P. Schmitt
"Mr. Caryl is both a fierce advocate and a wise counselor, who instinctively knows the right course and how to get there most efficiently. The excellent result achieved for me was because of his determination to see justice done. His support and encouragement during difficult periods of the litigation made all the difference. His clients are in good hands."
-Truman Castle
“Michael did a phenomenal job for me in a very difficult split from my prior firm. He is truly an expert in this and I knew we would prevail. Without his sound judgment and counsel, a bad situation would have simply continued to get worse. He was put in a position of having to become a teacher, and educate opposing counsel that knew little about the law applicable to attorney departures and fee splits. Michael is the sole reason my case had a positive outcome.”
-John M. Williams, Williams Law Offices PLLC
"Without any doubt, Mike Caryl is the “go-to” guy in Washington State in litigation over attorney fee disputes and for knowledge of the ethics and practicalities of charging fees and billing clients. As an attorney, I let a difficult client get behind on paying my fees. I hired Mike to collect the delinquent fees, despite his warnings that it would be expensive, nasty, difficult and protracted. It was all of those things. But in the end, Mike recovered the vast majority of the unpaid fees plus statutory interest, in the face of a determined foe and through an extended trial and two levels of appeal. Mike’s extensive knowledge of the law governing fees and his solid judgment, tenacity, organization and preparation all contributed greatly to our success. He delivered when it really counted."
-Charles Kimbrough
"We were referred to Michael R. Caryl for his services as an attorney who represents parties who were wronged or damaged by their attorney representing them.
"Michael was a breath of fresh air. Professional and extremely knowledgeable. He jumped in to our fee dispute against our former attorney and it was handled in less than sixty days.
"We then went after the malpractice claim and won that court case as well. And after 6 years since my father's head injury there was a closure to the whole legal ordeal.
"Our family couldn't have been more impressed with Michael Caryl's services and his results. I won't say Mike has a big "S" on his chest, but it was very close!
"Thank God for finding Michael Caryl."
-Steve Breda
"I retained Mike to defend against an unspecified attorney’s lien in a contingent fee case that was moved from the prior lawyer due to personality conflict issues. Though the case was nowhere near any realistic resolution, the terminated attorney sought a significant contingency from what we were able to ultimately obtain via settlement. With Mike’s help and counsel, we were able to resolve the case for an amount that represented a reasonable hourly fee for the work actually performed and what turned out to be only a slight premium over our original offer. Quite simply, he is very, very good at what he does."
-Rich Robinson
"While the blush is still on the rose, I want to thank you again for an excellent job. I can’t think of a case that I have wanted to win more. You made that possible through an extraordinarily fine piece of lawyering."
-Fred M. Zeder
"As you will recall a few years ago you represented me in a legal fee dispute. It was my first time dealing with those issues. We went to arbitration and I felt you represented my interests at the highest level of expertise. Your legal pleadings and oral presentation were excellent.
"I recall another attorney saying “it’s not fair that Cunnane has Caryl on his side because Caryl knows more than I do.” Your superior knowledge was evident in the case. Hopefully, another legal fee dispute is not in my future, but if it is I have no hesitation in calling for your help. I feel confident in recommending your services. And thank you for your outstanding representation."
-Joseph Cunnane
"I engaged Michael Caryl in the arbitration of fee disgorgement matter. He was my client’s expert witness on the issue of the appropriateness and reasonableness of attorney fees charged to my client. The report was full of important information, well organized and to the point. He stated his opinions and backed them up with the appropriate law and rules of ethics and their applicability to the facts of our case, which he easily and completely absorbed. Most important of all, the report truly impressed the arbitrator. The opposing attorney was also an expert in this field in his own right. We were successful and I largely credit Michael’s fine work.
"If you are looking for an expert in the field of attorney fees, without hesitation, I endorse Michael Caryl."
-Ralph Maimon
"Mike Caryl represented our firm in Taylor v. Shigaki establishing the right to a full contingent fee when we substantially performed the legal services that led to the settlement offers the client tried to exclude us from by firing us at the last minute and accepting the settlement pro se. Mike’s work at the trial and appellate level was excellent and relentless securing us a 100% victory. Since then we have relied on Mike for advice and representation in all matters related to professional relationships including case associations, sharing of fees and costs, fee agreements, shareholder rights, etc. He is the expert and I trust his judgment."
-Jan Peterson
"Inquisitive, deliberate and thorough, Mike is a lawyer’s lawyer. I have worked with Mike in several capacities but most recently he served as an expert witness in a contentious fee dispute matter in which I was counsel. Our client was sued for hundreds of thousands in lawyer’s fees; we counterclaimed that the terrible result was occasioned by the law firm’s professional negligence. We hired Mike for his expertise in disputed legal fees and ethical issues relating to attorney’s fees and billing practices. I was impressed with Mike’s comprehensive approach and his ability to capture the minutiae of the matter. Mike worked diligently to understand every issue and offered careful, competent testimony about the reasonableness of the fees charged and ethical issues relating to billing and the handling of client funds. I heartily recommend Mike Caryl."
-Sims Weymuller
"Mike’s knowledge and experience in attorney fee issues sets him apart as an expert that the courts have listened to for guidance in setting attorney fee awards. Very few people have the breadth of knowledge, objectivity and credibility with the courts that Mike possesses. When Mike speaks, judges listen."
-Scott Blair
EACH CLIENT’S LEGAL MATTER IS UNIQUE. THESE TESTIMONIALS SHOULD NOT BE INTERPRETED AS A PROMISE THAT SIMILAR RESULTS CAN BE OBTAINED. RESOLUTION OF A LEGAL MATTER DEPENDS UPON ITS UNIQUE FACTS AND LEGAL ISSUES.