Michael Safren, Partner

Michael Safren’s practice focuses on helping people and businesses in three primary areas: personal injury, commercial litigation and transactions, and real estate. For personal injury clients, Michael has collected hundreds of thousands of dollars in settlements and awards in court for his clients. In working with business owners, Michael provides his clients with practical business wisdom in addition to legal advice to protect and enforce their rights.  Michael also helps clients protect and enforce their property rights in real property. 

In each of these areas, Michael specializes in guiding clients through the legal process, informing and educating clients about their rights, and advocating on behalf of his clients to ensure that they get the best results possible

Prior to joining the Law Offices of Jenny Ling, Michael was an associate at several prestigious law firms in Seattle, where he gained experience in litigation, real estate, commercial litigation, and personal injury matters.  He has appeared in courts throughout the state of Washington and represented clients in mediation, arbitration, and in Federal and Superior Court.   Michael also worked in the title and escrow industry where he served as an escrow officer where he successfully closed both residential and commercial real estate transactions worth many millions of dollars.

Michael graduated from Seattle University School of Law cum laude. While attending law school, Michael served in both the Tacoma City Attorney’s Office and the Civil Division of the Pierce County Prosecutor’s Office where he represented Tacoma and Pierce County in civil litigation matters such as personal injury and insurance claims, real property, and municipal law questions. 

Michael  takes a client focused approached to the practice of law. He believes that his job is not just to represent or advocacy for his clients, but educate his clients so that clients understand the legal process, strategy, and tactics.  It is important that clients are active partners in their representation so that they can make informed decisions about their legal rights and the steps necessary to enforce or protect them. Michael also applies practical knowledge and wisdom to addressing his clients’ problems so that the choice to employ the legal process is a valuable  and cost-effective decision for clients, and not just an exercise in legal maneuvering.  

When Michael is out of the office, enjoys spends his time with his family, cooking, and watching football.

Education
 

Seattle University School of Law, J.D.

University of Florida, Master of Arts In International Business
University of Florida, BBA;

Admissions

All Washington courts
US District Court for the Western District of Washington


Professional Associations

Washington State Bar Association

Executive Committee, Real Property, Probate and Trust

Representative Cases

Advising on Established Law

• Advised a client to avoid $50,000 in excise and transfer taxes by restructuring a real estate transaction
• Advised and assisted a client to proactively disclose an inaccurately filed tax report, which helped client avoid government audit, interest & penalties, and avoid criminal liability

Litigation/Advocacy

• Settled more than $100,000 claims for defendant client for approximately 20% of claimed balance
• Stopped a foreclosure action initiated by COA and successfully refuted COA claims of unpaid balances, penalties, and interest for client
• Stopped a partition action for defendant client, which would have forced the sale of client’s home
• Prevailed in lawsuit to obtain release of Earnest Money for client
• Achieved full payment of more than $100,000 for client’s secured loan from title company/ escrow company including past due interest, fees, and attorney fees
• Prevailed at summary judgment to dismiss claims of secured loan against client and attorney fees

Additional Languages

Spanish