×
Go back to Martindale-Avvo ➔
John Stephen Kapuza
Pro

John Stephen Kapuza

4.7
19 reviews

3806 Tieton Drive, Yakima, WA 98902

Personal Injury, Plaintiff's Personal Injury, Wrongful Death and 10 more

About John Stephen Kapuza

For nearly three decades, John Kapuza has devoted his career to helping injured Washingtonians. As co-founder of Yakima’s Kapuza Lighty, PLLC, he draws on licenses in both Washington and Oregon and a strong academic foundation—dual majors from SUNY-Buffalo and Cum Laude honors from Thomas M. Cooley Law School—to guide clients through complex injury claims. His track record speaks volumes: multimillion-dollar recoveries for car, forklift, motorcycle, and semi-truck injuries. A member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, John’s peers have honored him with Washington Law & Politics’ “Super Lawyer” title since 2019, Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent rating, and a spot in the 30th edition of The Best Lawyers in America. Outside the courtroom, you’ll find him on Washington’s rivers, in his workshop, or planning adventures with his wife Lisa, executive director of Wellness House. Together they champion community initiatives—from the Red Cross and YWCA to the Capitol Theatre and United Way—reflecting John’s belief that justice and compassion go hand in hand.

 

John Stephen Kapuza (Yakima, Washington) View website

Awards

AV Preeminent Peer Rated
This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV

Client Champion Awards

Client Champion awards recognize those attorneys who excel at service as affirmed by their clients. The awards, based on the quantity and quality of an attorney’s Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, demonstrate an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service. Award recipients stand out from their peers with a platinum, gold or silver icon.

Champion Badge Silver

At least three reviews and a score of 4.0 or higher.

Champion Badge Gold

At least six reviews and a score of 4.2 or higher.

Champion Badge Platinum

At least ten reviews and a score of 4.5 or higher.

Martindale Peer Awards

A lawyer who receives a minimum threshold of qualifying responses from fellow attorneys can qualify for one of three prestigious Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings:

Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating

AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

John Stephen Kapuza got this award in 2021

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Distinguished Rating

Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Notable Rating

Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Avvo Awards

Avvo Top Contributor

Avvo Top Contributor: The Avvo Top Contributor Award is granted to attorneys who have earned significant contribution points in a given year on our sister site, Avvo.com. Contribution points are earned by answering questions in Q&A, publishing Legal Guides, and other useful contributions to the Avvo community.

Avvo Client Choice

Avvo Client’s Choice: The Avvo Client's Choice Award Badge is granted to attorneys with a significant number of 4+ star reviews in a given year.

Reviews for John

Have you consulted or hired this lawyer?

Leave a review about your experience with this lawyer.

Write a Review

Overall Rating
4.7
See All Reviews
19
Lawyers.com
Not yet reviewed
4.5
Martindale
12
5.0
Avvo
7

Services

Areas of Law

  • Personal Injury 1
    • Wrongful Death
  • Products Liability
  • Premises Liability
  • Insurance
  • Litigation
  • Torts
  • Other 6
    • Plaintiff's Personal Injury
    • Auto Accidents
    • School Injuries
    • Nursing Home Neglect
    • Work Place Injuries
    • Railroad Law

Practice Details

  • Languages
    English
    Spanish
  • Payment Information
    Payment & Cost Features
    Free initial consultation
    Contingency Fee: 33% - 40%
  • Video Calls
    Offers Video Calls
    Video Call Options
    Zoom
  • Firm Information
    Position
    Personal Injury Attorney
    Firm Name
    Kapuza Lighty, PLLC
  • Additional Links
    https://yakimaaccidentinjurylawyers.com/our-team/john-kapuza/

Experience

  • Bar Admission & Memberships
    Admissions
    1996, Washington
    2002, U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington
    2023, Oregon
    2011, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington
    Memberships
    Yakima County and Washington State Bar Associations (Co-Chair, WSBA Young Lawyers CLE Committee, 2002)
    American Association for Justice (Chair, Board of Governors, Yakima County Tort Roundtable)
    Washington State Association for Justice
    John Gavin Inn of Court (Secretary, 1997-1999
    Member, Board of Directors, 1999-2001)
    Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
  • Education & Certifications
    Law School
    Thomas M. Cooley Law School
    Class of 1995
    J.D.
    cum laude
    Other Education
    State University of New York at Buffalo
    Class of 1992
    B.A.

Contact John Stephen Kapuza

Personal Injury Attorney at Kapuza Lighty, PLLC
4.7
19 reviews

3806 Tieton DriveYakima, WA 98902U.S.A.

Show on map
Office Hours:
  • Monday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Thursday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
  • Friday 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
  • Saturday By appointment
  • Sunday By appointment

Email John Stephen Kapuza

Case type is required.
A valid zip code is required.
A valid city is required.
State is required.
Country is required.
Outside the US or Canada?
Message is required.
0/1000 characters

Contact Information

First name is required.
Last name is required.
A valid email address is required.
A valid phone number is required.

By clicking the Submit button, you agree to the Terms of Use, Supplemental Terms and Privacy Policy. You also consent to be contacted at the phone number you provided, including by autodials, text messages and/or pre-recorded calls, from Lawyers.com and its affiliates and from or on behalf of attorneys you request or contact through this site. Consent is not a condition of purchase.

Thank you! Your message has been successfully sent.

For your records, a copy of this email has been sent to

Summary of Your Message
Case Type:
Zip Code or Postal Code:
City:
State:
Country:
Case Description:
Contact Information
First Name:
Last Name:
Email:
Phone Number:
Return to Profile

Attorneys FAQs

  • What year was this attorney first admitted to the bar?
    John Stephen Kapuza was admitted in 1996 to the State of Washington.
  • Is this attorney admitted to the bar in more than one state?
    Yes, John Stephen Kapuza is admitted to practice in Oregon and Washington.
  • Is this attorney admitted to practice in any U.S. Federal Courts?
    John Stephen Kapuza is admitted to practice before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington and United States District Court for the Western District of Washington.
  • Is this attorney Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review rated?
    Yes, John Stephen Kapuza has a 4.5 Peer Rating from Martindale-Hubbell.
  • What law school did this attorney attend?
    John Stephen Kapuza attended Thomas M. Cooley Law School.

Attorney information displayed in this FAQ section is based upon information the lawyer has included on their profile, in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals.

These FAQs include information about a lawyer's background, but do not evaluate their knowledge of the law, past performance on individual cases, personality, or communication skills.

It is solely the responsibility of lawyers and law firms to ensure that any information they provide complies with all applicable laws and rules of professional conduct.

You should be aware that the information we rely upon may not be comprehensive, or frequently updated.

Always research the lawyer further to get a better understanding of their license credentials, disciplinary status, background, and experience.

Lawyers.com Client Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Client Review Ratings™ display reviews submitted by individuals who have either hired or consulted the lawyers or law firms.

The Client Review Rating score is determined through the aggregation of validated responses. People who submit reviews are either individuals who consulted with the lawyer/law firm or who hired the lawyer/law firm and want to share their experience of that lawyer or law firm with other potential clients. Reviewers can be anyone who consults or hires a lawyer including in-house counsel, corporate executives, small business owners, and private individuals.

Martindale-Hubbell validates that a reviewer is a person with a valid email address. As part of the review process, respondents must affirm that they have had an initial consultation, are currently a client or have been a client of the lawyer or law firm identified, although Martindale-Hubbell cannot confirm the lawyer/client relationship as it is often confidential. The content of the responses is entirely from reviewers.

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome and Martindale-Hubbell accepts no responsibility for the content or accuracy of any review. For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Client Review Ratings, please visit our Client Review Page

Martindale Peer Reviews

Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ are the gold standard in attorney ratings, and have been for more than a century. These ratings indicate attorneys who are widely respected by their peers for their ethical standards and legal expertise in a specific area of practice.

The Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings process is the gold standard due to its objectivity and comprehensiveness. Lawyers solicited for peer reviews include both those selected by the attorney being reviewed and lawyers independently selected by Martindale-Hubbell. All reviewers are verified as attorneys through Martindale-Hubbell’s extensive attorney database. Only attorneys practicing at least three years and receiving a sufficient number of reviews from non-affiliated attorneys are eligible to receive a Rating.

What are the different Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings?*

• AV Preeminent®: The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.

• Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.

• Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.

Lawyers who have received peer reviews after 2009 will display more detailed information, including practice areas, summary ratings, detailed numeric ratings and written feedback (if available). Details for individual reviews received before 2009 are not displayed.

Attorneys that receive reviews from their peers, but not a sufficient number to establish a Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rating, will have those reviews display on our websites.

For more information on Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings™, please visit our Ratings Page on Martindale.com and our Frequently Asked Questions

Avvo Client Reviews

Ratings and reviews are feedback from people who have either consulted an attorney about an issue (but may not have hired the attorney) or people who hired an attorney as a current or former client and provided their feedback to our sister site, Avvo.com.