Steven Witchley Steven Witchley graduated from New York University School of Law in 1990. Following graduation, he moved to Seattle, where he has practiced criminal defense since that time. Mr. Witchley is admitted to practice in the State of Washington, as well as in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington and the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. He is one of about 50 lawyers statewide certified by the Washington Supreme Court to represent trial-level clients who are facing a possible death sentence. Mr. Witchley worked at The Defender Association from 1990 to 2003. During that time, he represented both adults and juveniles in cases at both the trial and appellate level. During his last four years at The Defender Association, Mr. Witchley worked exclusively on complex felony cases, including many "Three Strikes" and murder cases. Mr. Witchley is proud to have been part of the team that convinced Norm Maleng not to seek the death penalty in a high-profile aggravated murder case involving the death of a King County deputy. Mr. Witchley has also helped many clients avoid a life sentence under the "Three Strikes" law. In one case, he and his partner, Jeff Ellis, convinced the Court to vacate a previously-imposed life sentence, and succeeded in negotiating a resolution to a non-life sentence. Currently, Mr. Witchley's practice with Ellis, Holmes & Witchley, PLLC, consists of a variety of criminal defense cases at the trial level, on appeal, and in post-conviction proceedings. Mr. Witchley is a member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association and the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Mr. Witchley is an avid fan of the Red Sox, Celtics and Patriots. In his leisure time, Mr. Witchley enjoys running. As a younger man, he twice finished the Boston Marathon.