Bill Kirk was a rising star in the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office until being hired away by the Cowan Law Firm in 2000. Prior to beginning his career as a defense attorney, Bill interned for both the Spokane County and King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office trying 19 cases before he had even graduated from law school. His prosecutorial career began in the District Courts where his primary function was to prosecute DUIs. He quickly rose through the juvenile court, where he specialized in prosecuting sex offenses, and finally to the Drug Unit where he prosecuted felony drug offenses. Bill was hired away by Doug Cowan in May of 2000 and has dedicated his practice exclusively to defending those accused of impaired driving ever since.

Mr. Kirk was named a “Rising Star” by Washington Law and Politics Magazine in 2002 and 2003. Bill has also been named a “Super Lawyer” by Law and Politics in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Moreover, Bill was named as one of Washington State’s “Top 25 Criminal Defense Attorneys” by the same publication from 2007-2009.

Bill received certification in administering the Standardized Field Sobriety Tests in 2001. In 2003, Mr. Kirk received training from National Patent, in Mansfield, Ohio, the manufacturer of Washington’s breath test instrument.

Mr. Kirk has remained an active member of the National College for DUI Defense, graduating from its Summer Session, held at Harvard Law School, multiple times and the Winter Session on three occasions. In July of 2009, Bill was honored by being named to the Board of Regents of the National College for DUI Defense, one of only 13 lawyers in this country currently serving in that capacity. Mr. Kirk has also presented at numerous seminars state-wide, nationally and internationally on various topics related to defending those accused of DUI.

Bill is a member of the following organizations:

• The National College for DUI Defense (2000-present)
• The National College for DUI Defense Board of Regents (2009-present)
• The Washington Foundation for Criminal Justice (2001-present) Vice President (2009-present)
• The Northwest Academy for DUI Defense (2001-present) Past President (2003)
• The Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
• Washington State Bar Association
• American Bar Association

Bill is a lifelong resident of the Seattle area. He graduated from Washington State University (1992) where he served as President of his fraternity (1991) and as the Interfraternity Council President (1992). He received his Juris Doctorate Degree from Gonzaga University School of Law (1998). He is married with two sons and is ardent supporter of WSU and Gonzaga athletics as well as a season ticket holder and rabid fan of the Seattle Mariners.