Michael E. McAleenan - Tacoma, WA
Attorney at Smith Alling PS
Appellate Practice Lawyers in Tacoma, WA
1501 Dock St Tacoma, WA 98402
Tacoma Appellate Practice Lawyer
Updated: 03/02/2026
Areas of Practice
- Appellate Practice
- Business and Corporate Law
- Construction Law
- Employment Law
- Land Use and Real Estate Law
- Personal Injury and Wrongful Death
Attorney Information
Overview
Michael was the youngest attorney to become a Shareholder at Smith Alling, P.S. He is currently the firm’s President and sits on the management committee.
An active litigator his entire career, Michael’s trial practice includes both state and federal courts, emphasizing all types of litigation, including construction, trade secrets, property, corporate, employment matters, and significant personal injury claims. He also is experienced in arbitrations, both as an advocate and as an arbitrator.
For over twenty-four years, Michael has tried cases to juries, judges, arbitrators, and governmental agencies, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. Locally, Michael has argued cases before the Washington Supreme Court, the Washington Court of Appeals, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, the Washington Shoreline Hearings Board, administrative law judges, and various hearing examiners. Michael has successfully represented international and Fortune 500 companies in class action litigation, racketeering, and anti-competitive practice claims. His practice has included construction law matters involving contractors, suppliers, public and private owners, developers, engineers, and architects.
Michael also has substantial experience in general business law, representing emerging and established businesses in a variety of matters, including:
- Formation and dissolution of business entities
- Contract preparation, including purchase and sale, shareholder, investor rights and voting agreements
- Employment and labor issues
- Other general business matters
His personal injury practice involves:
- Prosecution and defense of catastrophic injury
- Wrongful death
- Motor vehicle collisions
- Government liability
- Civil rights
- Professional negligence and malpractice
- Products liability
A few of the clients Michael has successfully represented include: TrueBlue, Inc.; Labor Ready Northwest, Inc.; Wells Fargo Bank; The World Boxing Association; The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs; Philadelphia Insurance Companies; United States Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee Mark Waldron; Cal Portland Company; State Farm Insurance and many others.
Michael is a longtime Pacific Northwest resident, with an Australian background. Outside of work, he devotes his time to his family, Golden Retriever, travel, and auto racing.
Education
-
Non Legal Education
-
Seattle University School of Law, 1999
J.D. -
Washington State University, 1996
B.A. - Arizona State University, 1992
-
Seattle University School of Law, 1999
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Shareholder
-
President
Representative Clients
State Farm Insurance
Labor Ready Northwest, Inc.
Wells Fargo Bank
The World Boxing Association
The Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs
Philadelphia Insurance Companies
United States Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Trustee Mark Waldron
Cal Portland Company
Rochester Farms
Bar Admissions
- Washington
- U.S. District Court Western District of Washington
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Washington
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Other Affiliations
- American Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
- Washington Defense Trial Lawyers
- Washington State Association of Justice (formerly WSTLA)
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