Atty. Michael "Mike" Spence
Mike has been licensed to practice law since 1986 and his practice emphasizes real estate transactions, land use/zoning, alternative dispute resolution and litigation. A significant part of his practice involves waterfront properties and aquatic lands.
Profile Summary
About Michael "Mike" Spence at a glance
Michael "Mike" Spence is a real estate attorney based in Seattle, Washington, practicing at Helsell Fetterman LLP. They have 40+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1986. Admitted to practice in Washington (1986). Educated at William Mitchell College of Law (JD, 1986) and University of Wisconsin–Green Bay (—). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Real Estate Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Additional Areas of Practice: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Education Law (2026). Serands clients in Seattle, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About
- Mike has been licensed to practice law since 1986 and his practice emphasizes real estate transactions, land use/zoning, alternative dispute resolution and litigation
- A significant part of his practice involves waterfront properties and aquatic lands
- He is a certified mediator and arbitrator and has served as a court-appointed referee and expert witness on real estate matters
- Prior to joining Helsell Fetterman, Mike practiced in his own firm for 20 years and represented the Realtor® organization to local, state and federal legislative bodies
- In that capacity, he has had a hand in the drafting of many major pieces of real estate-related legislation
- Mike studied planning and economics at the University of Wisconsin and worked as a Planner and in the Title Insurance industry before becoming licensed to practice law
- Because of this combination of experience, Mike was invited to Shanghai, China to consult with Chinese housing and land use officials on real estate matters, and he subsequently took a one-year leave of absence from his former firm to serve as Lead Attorney for a United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and World Bank-sponsored land reform project in the former Soviet Republic of Moldova
- Mike is passionate about real estate education, and has been a licensed as a real estate law instructor for 31 years
- In that time, he has taught hundreds of real estate law classes to thousands of residential and commercial real estate brokers throughout Washington
- He is a frequent speaker on real estate topics in print and electronic media throughout the region
- In 2009 he was elected to the Bainbridge Island School Board and served as its President from 2012 – 2014
- Mike is a part owner of the Green Bay Packers
Practice Areas Explained
Michael "Mike" Spence's Areas of Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael "Mike" Spence handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.
Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.
Michael "Mike" Spence is one of 316,149 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Washington →
Jurisdictional Context
Why local counsel matters in Washington
Practicing law in Washington. Legal matters in Washington are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Seattle are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Washington state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Washington brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Washington courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Seattle or all attorneys in Washington.
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