Business Details
36 Years
experience
Civil Rights & Government Accountability Lawyers
At Yvonne Ward Law, we have dedicated our practice to defending civil rights and holding institutions accountable since 1990. Our founder, Yvonne Kinoshita Ward, brings decades of experience in advocating for victims of school bullying, police misconduct, DSHS neglect, and Second Amendment violations. Recognized as a leading voice in Western Washington, we combine strategic litigation with community engagement to protect vulnerable individuals and families. Our track record includes landmark settlements in cases involving student safety, government accountability, and constitutional rights.As a former President of the Asian Bar Association of Washington and recipient of the Carl Maxey Award, we uphold a legacy of diversity and justice in legal practice. We approach each case with personalized attention, ensuring clients receive both compassionate support and aggressive representation. Our work extends beyond individual cases to systemic change, as demonstrated by our successful advocacy in high-profile civil rights matters. With deep roots in Auburn and the broader Puget Sound region, we remain committed to serving communities through accessible, results-driven legal counsel.
Services
School Bullying Cases
Police Misconduct Claims
DSHS Neglect Litigation
Gun Rights Protection
Civil Rights Advocacy
Details
- Year established: 1990
Highlights and features
- We have over 30 years of experience in civil rights litigation.
- Our attorney secured landmark settlements in school safety cases.
- Recognized by legal peers for civil rights and diversity contributions.
- We combine courtroom experience with community-focused advocacy.
- Proven success holding government agencies accountable for negligence.
Services
School Bullying Cases
We represent families seeking justice for students subjected to bullying, harassment, and institutional inaction. Our firm has secured significant settlements and safety reforms in cases involving Enumclaw, North Shore, and Issaquah school districts. By combining legal expertise with educational policy knowledge, we ensure schools fulfill their duty to provide safe learning environments while advocating for both immediate protections and long-term systemic changes.
Police Misconduct Claims
Our practice focuses on holding law enforcement accountable for constitutional violations including excessive force and racial profiling. We represented plaintiffs in the landmark WTO demonstration misconduct case against Seattle police. Through strategic litigation, we challenge inadequate training protocols and systemic abuses while protecting clients' rights during investigations and disciplinary proceedings to ensure justice for victims of police misconduct.
DSHS Neglect Litigation
We advocate for victims of state agency failures in child protection and foster care placements. Our firm obtained a $400,000 settlement for a child placed with a pedophile and challenged unsafe sex offender housing policies. By combining courtroom experience with policy advocacy, we ensure DSHS fulfills its legal obligations while providing compassionate representation to families harmed by systemic government negligence and bureaucratic oversights.
Gun Rights Protection
We defend Second Amendment rights against unlawful harassment and discriminatory enforcement. Our firm represents clients facing firearm-related civil rights violations, including wrongful arrests and discriminatory regulations. Through strategic legal challenges, we protect law-abiding citizens' constitutional rights while educating clients about responsible gun ownership and navigating complex state and federal firearms laws to ensure their rights remain protected.
People
Yvonne Kinoshita Ward
Attorney
Practicing law since 1990, Yvonne specializes in civil rights, school safety, and government accountability. She has secured multiple six-figure settlements in bullying and DSHS neglect cases. A former Asian Bar Association President and Carl Maxey Award recipient, she combines courtroom expertise with community advocacy to protect vulnerable populations through strategic litigation.
Questions
What types of cases does Yvonne Ward Law handle?
We specialize in civil rights cases involving school bullying, police misconduct, DSHS neglect, and Second Amendment violations. Our practice focuses on holding institutions accountable for systemic failures while protecting individual rights through strategic litigation.
How do I know if I have a valid school bullying case?
If your child faces ongoing harassment that school officials have failed to address despite notifications, you may have a case. We evaluate evidence of institutional inaction and its impact on the student's education and well-being to determine legal viability.
What areas do you serve?
While based in Auburn, we handle cases throughout Western Washington including Seattle, Tacoma, and surrounding counties. Our practice focuses on communities where we can effectively advocate for institutional accountability and client protections.
How are legal fees structured?
We offer initial consultations to evaluate your case. Fee arrangements vary by case complexity - some matters are handled on contingency basis while others require hourly billing. We discuss all payment options during your initial consultation to ensure transparent legal representation.
Can I file a complaint against DSHS?
Yes, we help clients file formal complaints and pursue legal action against DSHS for negligence in child protection cases. Our firm has successfully challenged unsafe foster placements and systemic failures through both administrative processes and civil litigation.
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