Austin J. Neff

Austin’s first civil jury trial produced a $1.08 million verdict for a nerve injury victim and their family — the largest verdict of its kind in the history of Lewis County, Washington. He successfully tried multiple cases to verdict as lead counsel even before graduating from law school, litigating under Washington State’s Admission and Practice Rule 9, which permits supervised practice by law students. Since joining Osborn Machler in the spring of 2021, he has recovered millions more in settlements. The legal community has taken notice. In 2024, the Washington State Bar Association named Austin the APEX Young Lawyer of the Year, recognizing both his client results and his contributions to the broader Washington legal community. That same year, Super Lawyers named him a Rising Star — a distinction awarded to just the top 2.5% of attorneys under 40 years of age in Washington State. Austin was named Partner in 2024, making him the youngest Partner in the firm’s history and rebranding the firm as Osborn Machler & Neff.
Before joining the firm, Austin began his legal career as a prosecutor at the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, where he handled violent felonies and misdemeanors — experience that sharpened the instincts and courtroom poise he brings to civil litigation today.
Austin’s earned his undergraduate degree from the William O. Douglas Honors College at Central Washington University, where he also played defensive back for the Wildcats football team. At the University of Washington School of Law, he was a member of the Moot Court Honor Board, won both the mock trial and settlement negotiation competitions, and graduated as a member of the National Order of the Barristers — the highest honor in oral advocacy. He was also named to the Pro Bono Honors Society for his service during law school and has served as Co-Chair of the Washington State Bar Association’s Trial Advocacy Program, mentoring the next generation of trial lawyers.