Franzen Rod

Information may not be reliable

Welcome to my website. I have lived and worked in Thurston County, Washington State, since 1981. I grew up and went to school in the Seattle area. My Bachelor of Arts degree was received from the University of Washington in 1978 and my Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington, School of Law, in 1981. I interned at both the U.S. Attorney's Office and the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, both located in Seattle. I was admitted to the Washington State Bar and the Federal Bar for the Western District of Washington in 1981.
After being admitted to the Bar in 1981, I immediately started working as a Thurston County Deputy Prosecuting Attorney under Patrick D. Sutherland. I remained a prosecutor for 13 years and prosecuted all types of criminal cases from traffic offenses to an aggravated murder case with the death penalty. I successfully prosecuted the first jury trial on a charge of Homicide by Abuse in the State of Washington. I was assigned and successfully prosecuted several high profile murder cases in the mid 80s through the early 90s. I was also in charge of screening all felony referrals from law enforcement and either rejecting them or assigning them for prosecution. My experience in the prosecutor's office also included work in District and Superior Court and at the Court of Appeals and the Washington State Supreme Court. There are several published legal opinions on cases that I handled at trial and on appeal.
In 1994, after the election of a new Thurston County Prosecuting Attorney, I decided I did not wish to work for this person and started my own practice. I started defending persons charged with crimes in both Municipal, District, Superior, Appellate, and Federal Courts throughout Western Washington. I have defended persons on charges ranging from Traffic Offenses to Murder in the Second Degree. I view defending people charged with a crime as the opposite side of the same coin. The ultimate goal of the criminal justice system is to see to it that everyone is treated fairly, that law enforcement officials are put to the test, and that justice ultimately prevails. I have zealously advocated for every client I have represented, whether as a public defender or as a privately retained attorney. My clients have always received the highest quality legal representation that I could provide.
In addition to my criminal experience, I have worked continuously in the area of family law and personal injury since starting my practice in January of 1995. I have helped numerous clients through the difficulty of divorce, child custody, and child support cases. I have also handled step-parent adoptions and dependency matters. I have successfully handled numerous personal injuries, primarily in the area of auto accidents, but including civil right claims and other injuries.
Since entering private practice I have continued to work in the District and Superior Courts of Thurston County as well as the Court of Appeals. I have expanded my experience to include the municipal courts of Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino, Lakewood, Tacoma, Fife, Elma, Montesano, McCleary, Shelton and Ocean Shores. I have also appeared in the Superior and District Courts of Grays Harbor, King, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, and Pierce Counties.
I look forward to serving the legal needs of clients throughout Southwest Washington. Please feel free to browse my website and learn more about my areas of practice. For a consultation, please E-Mail me at rodfranzen@hotmail.com or call at the number given above. I look forward to using my years of experience to help you with your legal problems.