MICHAEL T. ZORETIC, Founding Member

Mike’s Background:

My practice focuses on commercial and real estate-related litigation, with a special emphasis on construction law. My basic philosophy in all of my cases is Strategic Thinking -- finding innovative and carefully tailored plans that are intended to obtain the end result most desired by the client. Following this approach in the wide variety of civil litigation I have handled since becoming an attorney in 1991, I have become adept at mapping out thoughtful game plans that tend to achieve my client’s goals in a cost-effective and prompt manner.

Prior to starting my own practice at Zoretic Law in 2013, I was the Chair of the Commercial Litigation Group and a partner for many years in one of downtown Seattle’s finest law firms. I began to realize that the emergence of the internet, email and smartphone technology changed the legal world so that I could seamlessly service clients throughout the State while living outside the Seattle metro area. In fact, my clients were able to have greater access to me than ever before because my calls went directly to my cell phone! I always remember the advice a senior lawyer gave me: “They’re your clients! Pick up the phone!” By routing all of my calls to my cell phone, my clients had greater communication -- and higher satisfaction -- than ever before.

In 2010, my family and I began living full-time in the lower Methow Valley, while at the same time maintaining my practice at my downtown Seattle law firm. Three years later, after proving that I could provide clients throughout the State with top-notch legal help on a variety of cases in all levels of courts, I decided to start my own practice.

As Zoretic Law, I serve my clients in Central and Eastern Washington from my primary office in the beautiful town of Pateros, located just north of Chelan at the confluence of the Columbia and Methow Rivers. I also continue to serve my clients in the Puget Sound area – either virtually or by traveling, when necessary. My Western Washington clients still make up the bulk of my practice, and since relocating to Pateros in 2010, I have been able to effectively handle cases in virtually any County or Federal court throughout the State of Washington.

I am very proud of my track record of providing the highest level of legal services to my clients throughout my career. I am an AV-Rated lawyer by Martindale Hubbell, have been a Washington Super Lawyer for more than 10 years and am rated Excellent by Avvo. I have gone against the finest lawyers and law firms across the region during my career, across both sides of the mountains, and have consistently met the challenge. Among my many cases discussed in my Representative Cases section are disputes against the largest firms in Seattle. My clients can expect the best when they give me the privilege of representing them.

Over the last 30-plus years, I have handled a wide range of cases, which has allowed me to develop a deep knowledge base and practical experience. In the business litigation area, I have represented individuals and companies in wide-ranging disputes over the management and operation of partnerships and businesses, high-value loans and business agreements, and other complex commercial disputes. My business clients are among the most successful entrepreneurs in the region who have high expectations for their counsel. I am honored to have these individuals trust me with their most important legal matters.

A significant percentage of my practice involves property disputes, including nuisance, trespass, misrepresentation, easements, boundary disputes and other claims impacting ownership rights in land. I also provide business and litigation counsel to golf course and resort owners, land developers, wineries, vineyards, and orchardists.

A primary focus area of my practice throughout my career has always been construction law. In the construction arena, I have represented owners, general contractors and subcontractors in payment disputes in federal and state courts, and through private arbitration. I have successfully resolved hundreds of cases involving federal, state and municipal projects, as well as disputes arising from privately owned developments such as condominiums and office complexes. My representation of construction clients also includes bid protests and appearances before administrative agencies.

Regardless of the issue at hand, clients should be able to trust their lawyer to devise a strategy that gives them the best chance of reaching their goals. Skillful lawyering takes many forms, but my clients walk away at the end of their case knowing that their lawyer had a thoughtful plan that was designed to pave the way to a successful result.

Zoretic Law also provides a critical benefit relating to attorney’s fees. Clients should not have to pay high hourly rates just to receive outstanding legal services. As a solo practitioner, my overhead is dramatically less than other lawyers of my practice level. My firm also utilizes the newest cloud-based and paperless file technologies. These innovations allow me to pass on my savings to clients by offering my legal services at a reasonable price.

One of the things I found most exciting when I started Zoretic Law was that my reasonable billing rate allowed my clients more options for pursuing their case to the fullest measure. Going to trial is – and always will be – expensive. But it should not be so cost-prohibitive that it is not even an option. As the principal attorney at Zoretic Law, I always look forward to working with my clients to develop economical case budgets that allow the client full access to the civil justice system, if the case warrants it.

When not practicing law, I spend most of my time with my wife Yvonne and three beautiful daughters. I also thoroughly enjoy the great outdoors and the four seasons of North Central Washington. I am an avid runner, cyclist, tri-athlete, golfer, hunter, snow skier and waterskier -- depending on the season! I am also an enthusiastic, but very mediocre, guitar player and enjoy playing in my church worship team, and for our kids.