Summer Rife

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Summer Rife

I am a dedicated attorney with a deep personal commitment to justice. I bring both professional expertise and a unique perspective to every case I handle. 

My journey into the law began when my husband was wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit. During the years leading up to his trial (2007–2010), I volunteered extensively at the Federal Public Defenders Office in Portland, Oregon, assisting his attorneys in preparing for trial. He lost his trial and served the majority of his prison sentence before his conviction was overturned on appeal and the case ultimately dismissed. The tireless advocacy and skill of those federal public defenders inspired me to pursue a career in criminal defense, where I could fight for those facing similar injustices.

My path to becoming an attorney was built on a strong foundation of hands-on legal experience. I spent four years working as both a legal assistant and paralegal, gaining invaluable insight into the intricacies of case preparation, research, and courtroom strategy. In 2018, I had the privilege of interning as a paralegal with the Alaska Innocence Project. There, I contributed to the preparation for the pivotal five-week evidentiary hearing that led to the exoneration and release of the Fairbanks Four; four men who had spent 18 years in prison for a crime they did not commit. This experience reinforced my passion for defending the innocent and holding the system accountable. Prior to law school, I worked as a paralegal at the Alaska Public Defender Agency, where I supported attorneys in representing indigent clients across a range of criminal matters.

I earned my law degree from Gonzaga University School of Law, then served four years as a public defender in the tri-cities and for Spokane County. In that role, I represented countless clients in misdemeanor and felony cases, as well as complex resentencing proceedings. One particularly meaningful achievement was securing a ten-year sentence reduction for a client in a resentencing matter, allowing him to be released from prison far earlier than originally anticipated. 

I worked for 17 months at the Spokane County Civil Prosecutors office where I provided civil legal counsel to various Spokane County Department heads.

Today, as a solo practitioner, I draw on this diverse background to provide effective representation to my clients.



Outside of work I enjoy spending time with my husband and my mini-golden doodle Buster.