You do not have to arrive with all the answers

No. You can begin without choosing a practice area. The first conversation can help identify what has happened, who is involved, and what needs attention next.

Start with the type of legal process or matter you are facing. Please do not include confidential, privileged, or highly sensitive information in an initial website inquiry.

If the firm determines that a more detailed consultation is appropriate, Costello can arrange a secure way to discuss the underlying facts.

Yes. Call Costello at 206-775-4381.

Yes. If Costello takes your matter, you will work directly with the lawyers responsible for your strategy and representation.

Government investigations and enforcement matters operate differently from ordinary civil litigation. Costello often works alongside existing civil, business, employment, or other counsel as consulting counsel or co-counsel, adding white-collar and government-investigations experience where needed.

No. Representation begins only after conflicts are cleared and an engagement agreement is completed.

The firm will review the information you provide and determine whether a consultation is appropriate. If so, Costello will contact you about scheduling.

Representation begins only after conflicts are cleared and an engagement agreement is completed.

“White-collar crime” generally refers to nonviolent allegations involving fraud, financial misconduct, concealment, abuse of trust, or other conduct arising in business or professional settings.

Examples can include fraud, embezzlement, securities violations, money laundering, bribery, tax offenses, false claims, intellectual property matters, and other financial or business-related allegations.

White-collar matters can also carry civil, regulatory, licensing, employment, or reputational consequences.

White-collar defense is a focused area of criminal defense involving government investigations and allegations arising in business, financial, professional, or regulatory settings, including conduct connected to a person’s work, position, or professional responsibilities.

These matters frequently begin before charges are filed and may involve subpoenas, grand jury proceedings, government agencies, large document productions, or related civil, regulatory, and licensing issues.

Civil litigation generally involves a dispute between private parties that proceeds through the state or federal court system.

A government investigation involves scrutiny by an agency, regulator, prosecutor, or other government authority and may begin before any lawsuit or criminal charge is filed. These matters can involve subpoenas, interviews, records requests, or enforcement activity under procedures that differ from ordinary civil litigation.

A Civil Investigative Demand, or CID, is a formal investigative tool that certain government agencies may use to require documents, written responses, testimony, or other information before an enforcement action is filed.

A CID generally identifies the subject of the inquiry and the information being sought. Counsel can help assess the scope of the demand, the company’s obligations, and any related civil, regulatory, or criminal exposure.

This means the DOH received a complaint with allegations that, if true, would constitute a violation of the laws or regulations administered by the DOH that govern your profession. Violations include, among other things, several types of “unprofessional conduct” as defined in statute. See RCW 18.130.180. When DOH investigates complaints, it works with DOH investigators, DOH staff attorneys, and the Office of the Attorney General to gather and analyze evidence. The DOH’s investigation file must include your responses, and experienced legal counsel can assist you and represent you during this process. Failing to cooperate with a DOH investigation is itself an independent basis for finding a violation. Not every investigation will result in the initiation of a formal DOH disciplinary proceeding against your credential.

A letter from the Department of Financial Institutions may relate to a consumer complaint, regulatory investigation, compliance review, or other agency inquiry involving your business.

Counsel can help assess the scope of the inquiry, organize relevant information, prepare a response, communicate with the agency, and evaluate whether the matter creates broader regulatory, civil, licensing, or criminal exposure.

A Department of Revenue audit may involve sales tax, use tax, gross income, excise taxes, business and occupation taxes, or other state tax issues depending on the business and the scope of the audit.

Counsel can help evaluate the legal issues raised by the audit, coordinate with accounting professionals where appropriate, and manage communications with the agency.

A demand letter from a lawyer generally sets out a potential legal claim against a company and may signal that a dispute has entered a pre-litigation stage.

Counsel can evaluate the claims, relevant facts and law, potential defenses, and options for responding, settlement, or litigation.