John Stephen Kapuza
John Kapuza is a lawyer and co-owner of Kapuza Lighty, PLLC - Accident Injury Lawyers in Yakima, Washington. He has been practicing personal injury law for 22 years and has represented injured persons across the state of Washington. John graduated from The State University of New York at Buffalo in 1992 with a dual major in History and Political Science. He is a 1995 cum laude graduate of Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he graduated at the top of his class and served on the Scholastic Review Board.
In 2017, John settled an automobile accident case for $2.5 million. In 2015, he recovered $1.2 million for a Yakima man who was seriously injured in an industrial explosion. That same year, John also recovered $350,000 for a man viciously attacked by pit bull dogs. Later that year, John became a member, by invitation only, of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
John is a listed member of The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 as one of the premier lawyers in Washington state for exemplifying superior qualifications as a trial lawyer. He is also recognized nationally by Martindale-Hubbell with its top mark, an “AV Preeminent” for outstanding legal ability. He was named a “Rising Star” by Washington Law & Politics magazine. Finally, John is rated 10 out of 10 “Superb” the highest rating given by AVVO, an independent online lawyer rating system.
John has served on the Washington State Association for Justice Board of Governors, is past chair of the Washington State Association for Justice Yakima Tort Roundtable, a past officer of the John Gavin Inn of Court and a past member of the Washington State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division on Continuing Legal Education.
John and his wife Lisa are active in the United Way of Central Washington. He is a frequent presenter at local Yakima schools encouraging students to pursue careers in the law. John currently serves on the Board of Directors for Yakima’s Capitol Theatre.
- Personal Injury
- Animal & Dog Bites, Brain Injury, Car Accidents, Construction Accidents, Motorcycle Accidents, Premises Liability, Truck Accidents, Wrongful Death
- Products Liability
- Drugs & Medical Devices, Motor Vehicle Defects, Toxic Torts
- Insurance Claims
- Bad Faith Insurance, Business Insurance, Disability Insurance, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Motor Vehicle Insurance, Property Insurance
- Car Accidents
- Free Consultation
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Contingent Fees
33%-40%
- Washington
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- Washington
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- English: Spoken, Written
- Arbitrator
- Yakima County Mandatory Arbitration Program, Yakima County Superior Court
- - Current
- Western Michigan University Cooley Law School
- J.D. (1995)
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- Honors: cum laude - top 15% of graduating class; received the American Jurisprudence Award for Constitutional Law
- Activities: served on the Scholastic Review Board
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- State University of New York - Buffalo
- B.A. (1992) | Political Science, History
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- Honors: Outstanding Student Award for Political Science
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- Top 100 Trial Lawyers - Civil Plaintiff
- The National Trial Lawyers
- The National Trial Lawyers recognizes attorneys across the country who exemplify superior qualifications as civil plaintiff trial lawyers.
- AV-Preeminent - High Ethical Standing
- Martindale-Hubbell
- AV-Preeminent ratings are the highest mark granted by Martindale-Hubbell to nationally recognized attorneys who are peer rated for the highest level of professional excellence. John Kapuza was listed in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and received a superior AV Peer Review Rating in 2013 and 2014.
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Rising Star
- Washington Law & Politics Magazine
- Rising Star awards are granted to outstanding attorneys either 40 years old or younger or in practice for 10 years or less. While up to 5 percent of the lawyers in a state are named to Super Lawyers, no more than 2.5 percent are named to the Rising Stars list. Kapuza was honored as a Rising Star in 2007 and 2008.
- The Capitol Theatre
- Board Member
- - Current
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- Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- Member
- - Current
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- The National Trial Lawyers
- Member
- - Current
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- United States District Court, Western District of Washington
- Member
- - Current
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- Association of Trial Lawyers of America
- Member
- - Current
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- United States District Court, Eastern District of Washington
- Member
- - Current
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- Washington State Bar Association # 25928
- Member
- - Current
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- Yakima County Bar Association
- Member
- - Current
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- American Red Cross, Yakima Chapter
- Board Member
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- Washington State Association for Justice
- Board of Governors; Chair, Yakima County Tort Roundtable
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- Activities: Board of Governors, 2004-2011; Chair, Yakima County Tort Roundtable, 2001-2003
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- Washington State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
- Continuing Legal Education Committee
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- John Gavin Inn of Court
- Secretary
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- "Subrogation & Liens - A Basic Overview", Annual Paralegal Seminar 2009, Washington State Convention Center, Seattle, WA
- Washington State Attorney General
