Atty. Ralph L. Hetzel

Atty. Ralph L. Hetzel

Ralph L. Hetzel is a lawyer practicing real estate, business, employment and 8 other areas of law.

Seattle Seattle 44 yrs experience 44 year
Call (206) 678-1371 Book Appointment

Business & More Attorney · Serving Seattle, WA · 44+ Years Experience

Profile Summary

About Ralph L. Hetzel at a Glance

Ralph L. Hetzel is a criminal defense, estate planning, employment, business, and real estate attorney based in Seattle, Washington. They have 44+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 1982. Admitted to practice in Washington (1982). Educated at Gonzaga University (J.D., 1982) and San Diego Community College (A.S. San, 1974). Serves clients in Seattle, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated November 2026

About Ralph L. Hetzel

  • Ralph L. Hetzel is a lawyer practicing real estate, business, employment and 8 other areas of law
  • Ralph received a A.S. degree from San Diego Community College in 1974, and has been licensed for 44 years
  • Ralph practices in Seattle, WA

Practice Areas Explained

Ralph L. Hetzel's Areas of Legal Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Ralph L. Hetzel handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Seattle.

Criminal Defense in Seattle

A criminal defense attorney protects your rights from arrest through trial. Find experienced lawyers handling DUI, drug, federal, theft, and violent-crime charges.

Ralph L. Hetzel is one of 212,605 criminal defense attorneys indexed nationally. Browse criminal defense attorneys in Washington →

Estate Planning & Probate in Seattle

An estate planning attorney prepares wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and healthcare directives to protect your family and pass on your assets.

Ralph L. Hetzel is one of 224,789 estate planning attorneys indexed nationally. Browse estate planning attorneys in Washington →

Employment Law in Seattle

Employment lawyers represent workers in wrongful termination, discrimination, harassment, wage & hour disputes, and severance negotiations.

Ralph L. Hetzel is one of 167,770 employment attorneys indexed nationally. Browse employment attorneys in Washington →

Business & Corporate Law in Seattle

Business attorneys advise founders and growing companies on entity formation, contracts, financing, M&A, and dispute resolution.

Ralph L. Hetzel is one of 497,491 business attorneys indexed nationally. Browse business attorneys in Washington →

Real Estate Law in Seattle

Real estate attorneys handle home purchases, sales, commercial transactions, title disputes, and landlord-tenant matters.

Ralph L. Hetzel is one of 313,729 real estate attorneys indexed nationally. Browse real estate attorneys in Washington →

Jurisdictional Context

Why Local Counsel Matters in Seattle

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 venue, 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.

Seattle Courts and Legal Process

Choosing a Seattle-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.

Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Seattle or all attorneys in Washington.

Frequently Asked

Common Questions About Ralph L. Hetzel

Where is Ralph L. Hetzel's law office located?
Ralph L. Hetzel's law practice is located in Seattle, Washington. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does Ralph L. Hetzel handle?
Ralph L. Hetzel focuses on criminal defense, estate planning, employment, business, real estate. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Washington.
How long has Ralph L. Hetzel practiced law?
Ralph L. Hetzel has 44+ years of legal experience and has been licensed since 1982.
Where did Ralph L. Hetzel go to law school?
Ralph L. Hetzel earned their education at (J.D., 1982); (A.S. San, 1974).
How can I contact Ralph L. Hetzel for a consultation?
You can contact Ralph L. Hetzel directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.

Professional Profile

Why Clients in Seattle Choose Ralph L. Hetzel

Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Ralph L. Hetzel's practice in the field of criminal defense, estate planning, employment, business, and real estate.

Decade-Tested Legal Experience

Ralph L. Hetzel brings 44+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.

Broad Practice Area Coverage

Covering criminal defense, estate planning, and employment, Ralph L. Hetzel can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.

Local Presence in Seattle

A Seattle-based practice means Ralph L. Hetzel attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.

Case Types

Common Legal Issues Ralph L. Hetzel Handles in Seattle

Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Ralph L. Hetzel has experience with under Washington law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.

Last wills and testaments
Estate Planning
Revocable living trusts
Estate Planning
Powers of attorney
Estate Planning
Probate proceedings
Estate Planning
Wrongful termination claims
Employment
Workplace discrimination
Employment
Wage and hour disputes
Employment
Non-compete agreement review
Employment
Business formation and structure
Business
Contract drafting and review
Business
Partnership disputes
Business
Merger and acquisition support
Business

This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Ralph L. Hetzel directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.

Search Reference

How People Find Ralph L. Hetzel Online

Prospective clients searching for legal help in Seattle commonly use a combination of the attorney's name and their specific legal need. The following search terms frequently lead people to this profile and to attorneys like Ralph L. Hetzel.

Ralph L. Hetzel attorney Ralph L. Hetzel lawyer Ralph L. Hetzel Seattle Ralph L. Hetzel Washington Ralph L. Hetzel reviews Ralph L. Hetzel contact criminal defense attorney in Seattle criminal defense lawyer Seattle best criminal defense attorney Seattle top rated criminal defense lawyer near me criminal defense attorney Washington find a lawyer near me how to hire an attorney

If any of the above matches what you searched for, you've found the right profile. Use the contact options at the top of this page to get in touch with Ralph L. Hetzel directly.

Education & Law School Background

J.D.
Gonzaga University
- 1982
A.S. San
San Diego Community College
- 1974

Bar Admissions & Licensed Jurisdictions

Washington
Admitted: 1982

Client Reviews & Ratings — Ralph L. Hetzel

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