GORDON & SAUNDERS - Key Persons
Having argued more than 400 cases in the three divisions of the state Court of Appeals and the state Supreme Court, Jason Saunders is one of the most experienced appellate practitioners in Washington State. Judges, prosecutors, and other defense lawyers recognize him as an authority on appellate procedure and substantive criminal and constitutional law. Elegant in his writing and creative in how he presents his case at oral argument, Jason is respected as a master of his craft.
At the firm, Jason represents clients trying to overturn their convictions on direct appellate review and those pursuing post-conviction relief. Jason is an expert in post-conviction practice including Personal Restraint Petitions, CrR 7.8 motions, and writs of habeas corpus in federal court. He is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court and the federal Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals where he has worked tirelessly on both direct appeals as well as state and federal habeas corpus claims. Fellow attorneys regularly seek his advice in these procedurally intricate areas of the law.
Jason's work has been covered in the press and on television, including by the true crime documentary series "The Confession Tapes." Two of the show's episodes featured a high-profile case of his where the police used a controversial interrogation technique to manufacture a confession.
Some of what Jason has done for individual clients has helped reform the criminal justice system overall. For example, he recently persuaded the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals to overturn a conviction for unlawful possession of a firearm by calling into question the motivation of officers who stopped and searched his African American client. In general, The law gives police great leeway in such decisions - and this client had run from the police - but Jason still convinced the Court that the police acted unlawfully: "Given that racial dynamics in our society… we are particularly hesitant to allow flight to carry the day in authorizing a stop." United States v. D.B., 925 F.3d 1150 (9 th Cir. 2019). In light of the ruling, Jason's client was freed and the King County Sheriff's Office changed how it trains all its deputies. Mr. D.B. wrote:
He is the most caring and diligent attorney that I've ever encountered… He listened to me and went all out of his way to argue on my behalf… I really respect how he took the time out to fully explain to me all of my options and he was very patient as well. I praise Jason highly for his level of expertise and his professional manner.
Jason brings real empathy to all his cases. He knows that his best work requires him to listen to his clients, address their concerns, and guide them through stressful and complex litigation. His clients appreciate Jason's personal dedication and the results it brings. This is what one client's loved one said after an appellate win in 2019:
Jason Saunders came highly recommended at the time when a loved one and his family were in need of representation that was precisely accurate in detail and passionate about justice. Jason is extremely well versed in Washington State law and personally goes above and beyond for his clients. He holds a deep awareness of social justice issues having previously fought for the underrepresented. Jason's background has shown him to be a professional as well as a very personable attorney. He was able to achieve a conviction reversal at the Court of Appeals level with both his written and oral argument defense, and a loved one was able to return home.
Even in law school, Jason worked for social justice by helping individuals unlawfully denied housing, employment and health care because of their race, age, sex, sexual orientation or the perception of living with HIV. After law school, he joined the state's leading appellate public defense firm, the Washington Appellate Project, where he handled the appeals for adult and juvenile felony clients on a variety of issues ranging from drug offenses to premeditated murder. In 2008, Jason and his law partner Kim founded the Law Offices of Gordon & Saunders, PLLC. He has remained involved with the Washington Appellate Project as the President of the non-profit organization's Board of Directors.
Jason Saunders's former theft client, who was released from jail following a successful appeal Recommends Jason B. Saunders
"Thank you, thank you, thank you for winning my case. No attorney has ever cared so much about me. I've never had an attorney believe in me before."
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Kim Gordon 's Co - Counsel
Kim Gordon's co-counsel in a motion to dismiss drug charges for racially biased enforcement by the Seattle Police Department Recommends Kim Gordon
"I wanted to let you know how impressed I was with your discovery motion before the Honorable Richard Jones several weeks ago. Your demeanor, your presentation and your knowledge of the case law were truly awesome. You riveted me and many others who watched you that afternoon argue your position ...
Kim Gordon is a stellar advocate who provides the highest quality representation to people in federal, state, and misdemeanor courts. Her satisfied clients refer her to friends and loved ones. Lawyers (be they judges, prosecutors, or fellow defense attorneys) trust her to represent family members in need of counsel. State and national criminal defense and justice advocacy organizations regularly select her for leadership roles. Washington's governor and legislators have sought out her input - as the representative of the criminal defense bar - when considering major criminal justice system reform. Colleagues seek her advice in their difficult cases. Colleagues also give her outstanding reviews when she trains at local and national continuing legal education seminars. She is known for her decades of expertise, hard work, creative thinking, powerful advocacy, deep compassion and respect for her clients, and love of her job.
In 2011, Kim was awarded the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers' "President's Award," for distinguished service to the highest traditions of the criminal defense bar. She has also served as the organization's elected president. She has been continually recognized since 2012 as a "Super Lawyer" and one of the "Top Women Attorneys in Washington."
In 2008, Kim and Jason formed Gordon & Saunders, PLLC. Some of her cases are high-profile, receiving attention on a local, national, or even international stage. While Kim is capable of successfully defending such publicly-litigated matters, many of her clients remain unknown, their lives uninterrupted by criminal charges or conviction. In every case, Kim continues to give her clients comfort in uncertain times, the support and communication needed to make informed and thoughtful decisions, confidence that she will outwork and outperform the most skilled opponents, and certainty that she will give every client the clearest chance at the best possible outcome. As a former client noted:
Kimberly Gordon saves lives. Period. … Very simply, we could not recommend Kimberly Gordon more highly.
Kim brought her lifelong passion for justice to Gordon & Saunders. In college, Kim led human rights and anti-death penalty advocacy efforts. She began criminal defense work while she was a student at Tulane University School of Law. As a lawyer at the Washington Appellate Project, she handled the appeals for hundreds of adult and juvenile felony clients and argued numerous cases in the State of Washington's Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Kim then moved to trial work with The Defender Association, where she handled hundreds of misdemeanor and felony cases, including complex frauds, sex assault allegations, murder cases. She also trained and supervised young lawyers in the Misdemeanor Division.
Before opening her own firm, Kim worked in the criminal defense division at Schroeter, Goldmark and Bender, where she successfully represented juveniles and adults. In this time, she was selected to join the Criminal Justice Act attorney panel where she represented clients in federal court. In her last case with the firm, the jury acquitted her client of murder and determined that the State must reimburse him for legal expenses and lost wages.
Kim is available to bring her passion and commitment to criminal defense work in all types of serious matters, including at the trial court, appellate, or post-conviction levels, both in state and federal courts. Kim also successfully represents clients in quasi-criminal cases, such as those involving student conduct violations and protection orders.
Education
Tulane Law School, J.D., 1995
National Criminal Defense College 2002
Hastings College, B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1992