Michael John Tario
Founding Personal Injury Lawyer with over 40 years of experience
Over the past four decades, Michael John Tario has become one of the most highly respected and experienced practicing personal injury attorneys in Washington State. He opened his Bellingham practice in 1979, followed by his Mount Vernon office in 1988, and has earned the respect of his peers and the gratitude of the clients he has helped as shown by his many awards, reviews, and high ratings.
Mr. Tario practices plaintiff personal injury law with a passion for negotiating the maximum possible settlement for his injured clients. During his career, Mr. Tario has successfully represented over 6,000 clients and recovered more than $600 million in damages for people injured through no fault of their own. He has negotiated thousands of favorable out-of-court settlements, but where settlement was not possible, he has taken hundreds of cases to trial; fighting hard to protect the rights and interests of his clients.
Michael is known for his hard-fighting tenacity, his determination, and his commitment to providing his clients with “top notch” representation while keeping them informed of the process along the way. While no lawyer can win every case they handle, Mr. Tario has a very favorable win/loss record. You could say that he has a “proven record of success” based upon the results obtained in and out of court in over 40 years in practice. He is truly #1 in Bellingham and Mount Vernon for experience and proven client satisfaction.
Mr. Tario has resided in Bellingham, Washington since 1979 after he graduated from the University of Puget Sound Law School (now Seattle University Law School). Mr. Tario has made guest appearances or has been interviewed or appeared on various local, national and international television, radio, and news programs, including “The O’Riley Factor” (Fox News), “Court TV”, NPR, PBS, MSNBC, CNN, ABC, and NBC.
- Personal Injury
- Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Medical Malpractice
- Birth Injury, Medical Misdiagnosis, Pharmacy Errors, Surgical Errors
- Maritime Law
- Products Liability
- Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts
- Car Accidents
- Wrongful Death
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Free Consultation
Up to 45 minutes -
Credit Cards Accepted
Cash, Check or credit card -
Contingent Fees
33%-40% -
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information
Fixed (Sometimes), Hourly ($240-$275/hour), Retainer (Sometimes)
- Washington
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- 9th Circuit
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- Federal District courts for the Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
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- U.S. Supreme Court
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- English: Spoken, Written
- French: Spoken, Written
- Attorney, Owner
- Tario & Associates, P.S.
- - Current
- Judge
- Judge ProTem - Part time at Whatcom County District Court
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- Legislative & Statute Analyst
- Washington State Counsel on Crime and Deliquency
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- Seattle University School of Law
- J.D. | Law
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- University of Wisconsin - Superior
- M.A. (1976) | Communication
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- Honors: Graduated with honors
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- University of Minnesota - Duluth
- B.A. (1975) | Communication Psychology
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- Honors: Cum Laude
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- Silver Client Champion Award
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Award for high customer ratings.
- Distinguished Peer Rating for High Professional Achievement
- Martindale-Hubbell
- Award for high peer ratings
- Client Champion
- Martindale-Hubbell
- The Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Member
- - Current
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- Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Founding Member
- - Current
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- National Association Of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Member
- - Current
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- Washington State Bar # 10845
- Member
- - Current
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- American Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- American Trial Lawyers Association
- Member
- - Current
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- Federal Bar Association Western District Washington
- Member
- - Current
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- Washington State Association for Justice
- Member
- - Current
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- NPR
- The Fourth Amendment and Privacy Interests
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- O'Reilly Factor - No Spin Zone - Bill O'Reilly - Fox News
- Privacy and Eavesdropping
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- Law Advocates - Whatcom County
- Board of Directors
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- Jury Selection
- Criminal Defense Seminar
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- Alaska Fishing Boat Murders
- People Magazine - Interview
- Jury Selection, Criminal Defense Seminar
- Privacy and Eavesdropping, O'Reilly Factor - No Spin Zone - Bill O'Reilly - Fox News
- The Fourth Amendment and Privacy Interests, National Public Radio
Personal Injury Attorney
