Attorney Liz Gagley

I am Liz Gagley, and I have worked alongside Joyce Heritage since 2013. After earning my bachelor's degree from Western Washington University, I completed the Washington State Rule 6 Law Clerk Program in December 2017, qualifying me to sit for the Washington State Bar Examination. I was sworn in as an attorney in January 2019.

I continue to practice alongside Joyce and plan to eventually take over the firm when she retires. I am grateful not only for the professional mentorship Joyce has provided throughout my career, but also for the opportunity to work alongside my mother. Having the opportunity to learn from her and continue the practice she built is particularly meaningful to me. Joyce is also a grandmother to my children, making our professional relationship an important part of our family as well.

Local Experience and Commitment

I live in Cle Elum with my husband and our two children. Living and practicing in the community where I work gives me a personal connection to the people and communities we serve.

My practice focuses primarily on traffic and criminal defense, including DUI, CDL and commercial driving violations, and other traffic-related matters. I understand that a traffic or criminal charge can have consequences far beyond the courtroom, particularly when a person's driver's license, employment, or livelihood is at stake.

My goal is to provide clients with knowledgeable, practical, and honest representation while taking the time to understand their individual circumstances.

Continuing Education and Specialized Training

Because traffic and DUI laws and procedures continue to change, I regularly participate in continuing legal education and specialized training to stay current on issues affecting our clients.

DUI Defense Training

I regularly attend DUI defense seminars and continuing legal education programs, often multiple times each year. These programs allow me to stay current on changes in Washington DUI law, emerging legal issues, and developments in DUI investigation and defense.

CDL and Commercial Driver Training

I have attended CDL masking seminars presented by the National District Attorneys Association, most recently in 2020. These seminars were attended primarily by judges, prosecuting attorneys, and law enforcement, and I was the only defense attorney attending those programs.

Participating in these seminars gave me the opportunity to learn about the issues, training, and perspectives being presented to the other side of a CDL case. Understanding what prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement are being taught helps me better anticipate the issues involved in CDL cases and prepare a stronger defense for our clients.

Standardized Field Sobriety Testing

In 2023, I completed training and certification in Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST).

This training provides an important perspective when reviewing DUI investigations and video evidence. It allows me to evaluate how field sobriety tests were administered and identify whether an officer followed the appropriate procedures when conducting and interpreting the tests.

Washington State Rule 6 Law Clerk Program

I also have a personal connection to Washington's Rule 6 Law Clerk Program because it was the path I took to become an attorney.

In 2026, I hosted a continuing legal education program discussing the Washington State Rule 6 Law Clerk Program, including its advantages, challenges, and practical considerations. The program explained how college graduates can pursue legal education through 48 months of supervised study and practical training under the guidance of an attorney or judge as an alternative to traditional law school.

Because I personally completed the Rule 6 program, I was able to share firsthand experience about the benefits and challenges of this nontraditional path to becoming an attorney. The program's emphasis on practical, hands-on legal experience was particularly valuable in preparing me for the practice of law.

Bar Admissions

• Washington, January 2019

Education

Washington State Rule 6 Law Clerk Program
Completed December 2017

Western Washington University, Bellingham, Washington
B.A., 2009
Major: Anthropology

Seattle Central Community College, Seattle, Washington
A.A., 2005

Life Outside the Office

Outside of practicing law, I live in Cle Elum with my husband and our two children. I enjoy spending time outdoors with our dogs and spending time with family and friends.

Much of my free time revolves around my children, including attending and participating in sports with them. Our family also enjoys traveling together and spending time outdoors.

I am proud to practice law in the community where I live and to continue building the firm that my mother established. My goal is to provide each client with the same personal attention, honest advice, and commitment to their case that have been central to Heritage Law Office from the beginning.