Larson Hart & Shepherd, PLLC

Business in the Real World

After working for several years in the highly regulated transportation industry and getting a law degree from the University of Oregon, Mike Larson’s entrepreneurial instincts prompted him to co-found his own practice with Larson Hart & Shepherd in 1997.

Going through that risk and challenge has made Mike appreciative of the business transactional work he does for his clients. The real business world is the exact opposite of the former heavily regulated transportation industry. “People want to get things done. They’ll get advice, weigh the risks, then make a decision and do what it takes to succeed. It’s really rewarding working with smart people dealing with exciting challenges. I love what I do. It’s a good life.”

One of the most gratifying parts of building a successful practice is the amount of new business referred to LHS by current clients. “It’s great that we have a reputation of integrity. Many of our clients are referred to us from people or companies that we have worked for in the past and have been pleased with our services. We’re working really hard to build a legacy of respect. We have a great staff and everyone’s door is always open. It makes us feel good when we hear from a client: ‘We’re so glad we chose Larson Hart & Shepherd to do our business legal work . . . it allowed us to quickly end a dispute.’”

Mike compares legal services to putting on your seat belt when you get in your car: “You want to avoid a risk that you can’t see right now. It’s important to get your business set up correctly right from the start. We can start from zero documentation through incorporations and partnerships. Then there are outside factors like vendor relations, payment disputes, warranty issues, leases and real estate transactions that need to be clear and specific up front so they don’t come back and give you unforeseen problems later.”

In addition to business transactional work, Mike provides a full range of estate planning services. He is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell, the highest peer-review ranking possible.

Community Involvement

Mike and his wife Barbara are community activists with a long volunteer list that includes Casa Latina and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. That outlook carries over to the firm’s goal of being a positive force in the community by volunteering time, resources, and speeches on legal issues and serving in many committee positions with legal associations. He also served the city as chair of the Mayor’s Small Business Task Force from 1998 to 2000.

In his free time Mike enjoys music, the arts, sports, and other cultural opportunities available in a great cosmopolitan city like Seattle. He is an avid competitive tennis player and a member of the Bellevue Club. Mike and his wife Barbara have combined traveling the world with attending many of the Grand Slam Tennis Championships.

Professional Affiliations

Admitted to practice:

• State of Washington
• US District Court, Western and Eastern Districts of Washington
• US Claims Court
• US Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit

Memberships:

• Washington State Bar Association
  • Executive Committee for Real Property and Probate & Trust, 2009- Present
  • Treasurer, 1993-1994
  • Board of Governors, King County at-large position, 1991–1994
• Estate Planning Council of Seattle, 2009- Present
• King County Bar Association
  • Young Lawyers Division, vice-chair and treasurer
• Board of Directors Komen Foundation Puget Sound, 2006- Present
• Board of Directors and Vice President for Casa Latina, 2002-2003, member 2001-2005
• Chairperson for Mayor's Small Business Task Force, 1998-2000

Awards:

• Young Lawyer of the Year, Seattle-King County Bar Association, 1988

Education:

• University of Washington, BA, business administration, 1977
• University of Oregon, MBA, 1979
• University of Oregon, JD, 1983

“Mike is the best business lawyer I've met, hands down. His business background means he can really understand where I'm coming from when I discuss my transactional issues and mold a solution that works well. He's easy to talk to, listens carefully, and cares about his clients as people.”
John Brown
Redmond, WA

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