Top best Family Lawyers in ZIP 98402 | 41 available

Tim Sutherland embodies the fiercely competitive state of his birth, and like that state, he hates to lose. Born in San Antonio, Texas, Tim was raised to believe that every problem has a solution; it just needs to be found. The legal experience Tim has gathered over the previous few years, combined with his natural determination and enthusiasm, makes him an ideal yet unusual attorney.. Tim grew up a military dependent in the United States Air Force and bounced around between several states before his father retired as an air traffic controller after twenty years of service to his country. After graduating from a military high school, Tim attended the University of California at Davis and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. He made the Dean’s honor list and participated in the University’s Political Science Honor Program.. While in college, Tim also worked in Sacramento, the capitol of California, for the political arm of the National Rifle Association (NRA-ILA). His duties included tracking and interpreting legislative bills, assisting NRA members with various gun-related inquiries, and occasionally "working" at the firing range.. Tim also spent a summer abroad with his future wife, studying medieval warfare and history at Sterling University in Scotland. While there, he learned the real history behind the movie Braveheart, and visited numerous countries, including England, France, Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Czechoslovakia, and Austria.. Legal Experience. During Tim’s first year of law school, he worked for a premier boutique law firm in Southern California. Michel & Associates specializes in the areas of firearm law, criminal defense, and contract law. The firm represents such groups as the NRA, California Rifle & Pistol Association, and Second Amendment Foundation, and the California Association of Firearm Retailers. One of the firm’s original partners, Mr. Carmen "Nuch" Trutanich was recently elected Los Angeles City Attorney in 2009.. As a legal clerk for the firm, Tim handled a number of complex matters, including the drafting of an amicus curiae brief to a court of appeals explaining the legal and technical applications of California’s assault weapons laws. Tim spoke daily with the legal department of the firearm division to the California Department of Justice and worked closely with firearm clients.. Tim also assisted in a number of criminal defense matters relating to firearms, ranging from charges of possessing firearms that should have been classified as antiques, pen guns, and assault weapons. In addition to his firearm work, Tim worked on an assortment of other legal matters, including a first amendment freedom of express case, defamation case, and the incorporation of various business entities.. Following his time at Michel & Associates, Tim proceeded to work for the Domestic Violence division of the Clackamas County District Attorney’s Office (located near Portland, Oregon). Tim was entrusted with prosecuting the county’s restraining order violations and overseeing the county’s domestic violence deferment program, a program directed at the rehabilitation of domestic violence offenders. As part of the deferment program, Tim worked closely with various woman’s groups, battered women intervention programs, and shelters. In addition, Tim prosecuted physical assaults, cases of strangulation, and other incidents relating to domestic violence. Tim also had the opportunity to work on several felony cases, including prosecution for the sexual assault of a minor and a high profile organized crime capital murder case .. In addition to his work fighting for victims of domestic violence, while studying at Lewis & Clark School of Law, Tim focused on working with the National Crime Victim Law Institute [] (NCVLI), the first institute of its kind aimed at promoting crime victims with comprehensive and meaningful legal rights in the criminal justice system. Through NCVLI’s clinic, Tim helped draft a brief aimed at protecting the identity of a child victim in a criminal sex abuse case. In that same case, they vigorously protected the rights of the child from being forced to testify in open court in front of her offender. Tim also assisted victims of crime with enforcing their rights on appeal after their rights were denied at the trial court level.. Tim also has experience working for the public defender’s office, defending individuals accused of various misdemeanor crimes and has represented clients in an assortment of practice areas, including wrongful termination, real estate issues, and business copyright matters.. Tim currently resides in Tacoma with his lovely wife, two cats, and two rabbits. When Tim isn’t tirelessly working to advance the interests of his clients, he relaxes by exercising and playing softball, watching sports (baseball and hockey), watching Babylon 5 with his wife (the best sci-fi show ever created), and playing online strategy war computer games with his friends. He also helps his wife run her small business, you can see her beautiful art and jewelry at !. Bar Membership. Pierce County Bar Association, Member in Good Standing. Washington State Bar Association, Member in Good Standing. Organizations. The National Alliance of Victims' Rights Attorneys (NAVRA). Education. Juris Doctorate, Lewis & Clark School of Law, 2009. Bachelor of Arts, University of California at Davis,2006. Other Tidbits:. Favorite Books: The Rainmaker (John Grisham); Romance of the Three Kingdoms; The Rise & Fall of the Third Reich (William Shirer). Favorite Sports & Teams: Seattle Mariners (Baseball- American League); San Francisco Giants (Baseball- National League); San Jose Sharks (Hockey- Western Conference). Favorite Movies & Shows: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy; Monty Python & The Search For the Holy Grail; Braveheart; Godfather Trilogy; Batman Begins; Live Free or Die Hard; John Adams (HBO mini series); The Band of Brothers (HBO mini series); Babylon 5.. Favorite Music: Alternative Rock; Classic Rock.

Rita is a founding partner and CEO of McKinley Irvin. With an eye toward the future, Rita works with the firm's operating leadership to maintain McKinley Irvin’s commitment to excellence in law practice, client service, professionalism, and firm management. McKinley Irvin was founded in 1991, is the largest family law firm in the Pacific Northwest, one of the largest in the U.S., and has offices in Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, Everett, Issaquah, Tacoma, Vancouver, and Portland.. Rita has over 12 years of experience serving as a director on several boards. She has served on the Executive Committees of each board and has chaired the following committees: Governance, Development, and Collections.. At the University of Washington Tacoma, Rita serves on the Legal Pathways Community Advisory Board, and as a Dressel Scholars Mentor.

Mr. Wallis' aggressive practice emphasizes personal injury, criminal defense of innocent people and civil litigation.  Mr. Wallis worked as a federal extern for the Honorable Thomas Coffin, U.S. District Court.  From there he was hired by Bill Barton of Newport Oregon where Mr. Wallis helped secure millions of dollars in major medical malpractice claims.  This success launched Mr. Wallis into doing trial work here in Washington State where he runs the Wallis Law Firm, PLLC.   While practicing in King and Pierce County Mr. Wallis has been active with the Pierce County Bar Association, and American Inns of Court.  In the past, Mr. Wallis also worked as an expert biologist for the State of Washington and this experience now helps him tremendously in addressing legal issues involving medical malpractice or any other physical injury to his clients.

Kelly LeBlanc has been practicing law for over 35 years.  She has been admitted to practice in five (5) jurisdictions and appeared on behalf of litigants at the state and federal level.   She served as an Administrative Health Law Judge with the Department of Health and worked as a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Pierce County many years before joining Envision Family Law Group as Senior Counsel.  When the Court was faced with particularly difficult cases, Kelly was often designated to investigate and provide recommendations on how best to protect the interests of the child(ren) involved.. As a GAL, Kelly served as the court’s designated expert in hundreds of cases relating to child custody.  She was routinely subject to cross-examination in contested family law proceedings and experienced trial tactics by dozens of her colleagues both as a witness and advocate.   While serving as a Health Law Judge for the Department of Health, Kelly presided over licensing and disciplinary proceedings involving medical doctors, dentists, therapists and other health care providers facing charges under the Uniform Disciplinary Act.  In this role, Kelly was charged with the responsibility for making evidentiary rulings and ensuring fairness and integrity in conduct of proceedings.. Kelly has not only experienced what it feels like from the witness box, she has also experienced the challenges facing the fact finders in judicial proceedings.  Thus, Kelly understands the importance of preparing cases in a way that will afford her the ability to defend her work and recommendations down to the smallest detail and her experience as GAL provides her with a unique vantage point, or “head start”, from which to prepare her own clients.. When Kelly is in the courtroom, she dominates with her smart, direct and thorough legal arguments while maintaining the utmost professionalism.   Kelly tempers her natural perfectionism with efficiency, yet takes the time to ensure that her clients are well-informed throughout each aspect of the case.  Her skill and work ethic is widely respected within the legal community.  While serving as a neutral investigator, Kelly established herself as someone who could be trusted and along with that, developed good rapport with the Judges, Commissioners, and supporting staff.   Kelly has a wide range of experience which helps her formulate arguments, theories, and themes that resonate with the Court.   Kelly has a deep understanding of the issues confronting families during divorce and custody cases and can provide seasoned advice on how to address concerns with domestic violence, chemical dependency, or complex medical or mental health issues.  She has in-depth knowledge of programs and resources available through DSHS, JBLM Family Advocacy and a well-developed network of private resources who provide support and assistance for families and children facing difficult times.. Kelly and her husband came to Washington in 1995.  They have had the joy (“most of the time,” says Kelly) of raising six children but are now "empty nesters" and grandparents!  Three of her children still reside here in Washington so that made the transition from "full house" to a "much roomier (and generally cleaner) one" a little easier.   Kelly and her husband both enjoy cooking though she admits: “I like cooking even more when he does it.” During her leisure time, she loves hosting family and friends at social gatherings or taking off to go camping.  She also enjoys running, hiking, bicycling, hanging out with friends, and simply relaxing with a good book when she’s not working.. Don't forget to ask about Kelly's special reduced rates for active duty military members!

Joseph J. Loran was born in Tacoma, Washington and is a life-long resident of Pierce County. He has been practicing law in downtown Tacoma for over thirty years. Mr. Loran received his undergraduate degree in finance and economics from Washington State University and his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Puget Sound (now Seattle University) School of Law.. Mr. Loran handles personal injury, family law, business and probate cases, and he provides estate planning services for his clients.. Mr. Loran represents several local businesses, churches and non-profit organizations. He has volunteered his time over the years serving as a board member for several non-profits.  He is the Co-Chair of the City of Tacoma's Parking Technical Advsory Group.. Mr. Loran is frequently hired as a mediator, and he also serves as a mediator for the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution and for Pierce County Superior Court. Mr. Loran was recently named as PCCDR's 2013 Settlement Conference Mediator of The Year.. Mr. Loran is a member of the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, the Washington State Bar Association, the Washington Mediation Association and the Washington State Association For Justice. Mr. Loran is licensed to practice in State and Federal Court.. Mr. Loran resides with his wife Nancy and they have three adult children. When he isn't practicing law, Mr. Loran enjoys boating, waterskiing, fishing, golf and supporting our local sports teams.

Janice Langbehn spent her first career in social work, primarily in Child Protective Services throughout Pierce, Thurston, and Lewis counties. During her 18-year career with the State of Washington, she worked with more than 1,000 children and families, while at the same time raising her own four adopted children and earning two Masters degrees in Social Work and Public Administration.. Upon retiring from social work Janice became an advocate for the LGBT community, seeking equal treatment for families in hospital visitations. In 2011 her work was recognized by President Barack Obama, who awarded her the second highest civilian honor in the country: the Presidential Citizen's Medal.. After five years as a Guardian ad Litem, Janice then set her sights on a career in family law. She attended Seattle University School of Law, completing her Juris Doctor in May 2018. While at law school Janice was involved in a number of school groups including co-president of the LGBT student law society, OUTLaws, president of the Student Bar Association, member of Moot Court Board, student editor of the Seattle Journal for Social Justice, and Student Bar Association Diversity Representative.. Janice currently serves on the Washington State Bar Association's Diversity Committee and is a member of that organization's Q-Law and Family Law section. She is a member of the American Bar Association, and the Pierce and King County Bar Associations.. Janice's service to families has been at the heart of her long career in the law, advocacy, and social work. She is committed to helping families navigate the complexities of family law, whether in high conflict custody matters, adoption, surrogacy, or dissolutions.

I have adopted an income-based approach to legal fees I charge new clients. Every client is assessed at the first meeting to determine how much of a discount they will receive, and every client who has a household income less than $100,000 will receive a discount, some up to 40% off of my standard hourly rate.. This is my attempt to align hourly rates with what people can actually afford to pay, and even extends to the retainer, which is calculated based upon ten hours at the discounted hourly rate.. A brief bit about me.... I am the first person in my family to attend college and went into the Army right out of high school to see the world and figure out some way to pay for college. I was an intelligence analyst and viewed as one of the best in the world at my particular area. At age 22, I was delivering high level presentations to military leaders in Korea regarding the intelligence planning for major military exercises.. I left the military to attend college. I attended Seattle University where I majored in Finance and International Business. As I contemplated which path to take for grad school, I chose law school, viewing law school as a unique skill set that would benefit me in the corporate world.. During my second year of law school, I was hired by a large Canadian corporation that had purchased a business in Seattle and wanted someone to develop a strategic growth plan for the business unit. This led to a permanent job offer and a relocation to Toronto following graduation.. I left the company in 2002 and started my own practice in Tacoma. From the beginning, I have been committed to providing value to my clients through hard work, reasonable rates and desired results.. Today, my practice is focused on the following areas:. Family Law. Trusts and Estate. WIlls and Probate

I provide a variety of family legal services in need of quality affordable representation in the State of Washington. My practice areas include:  - Divorce & Legal Separation - Child Custody & Child Support - Modifications of Existing Orders - Relocation Actions - Paternity Actions - Emergency Custody - Legal Services for Unmarried Couples - CPS Investigations & Dependency Cases - Domestic Violence Actions My mission is to vigorously advocate for my clients while also offering much needed support as they endure one of life's toughest challenges - dealing with a family law issue.

I help families divorce with less conflict. My practice is focused solely on family law. I enjoy working with clients to navigate the difficulties of divorce as painlessly as possible.

I am committed to providing quality, cost-effective representation in family law and personal injury matters. Whether you have an amicable case or are facing trial, I am ready to help. I have specific experience dealing with child protective services and the mental health system.

Hillary Dawn is proud to help people navigate what is often the most emotionally demanding experience of their lives: divorce.. "It’s fulfilling to see my clients come out on the other side of a divorce feeling empowered and in a better place than when they first came to me.”. Because Hillary is a mother of two young children, finding solutions that are in the best interests of the children in a divorce case is especially rewarding to her. She is committed to protecting the children from emotional damage in the process.. A deeply empathetic lawyer, she puts herself in her clients’ shoes and treats their cases as if they were her own family matters.. "I want my clients to know that I genuinely care about them, their children, and what happens with their case.”. Hillary is passionate about serving the LGBTQ community in family law matters. She understands the unique considerations involved in developing parenting plans for LGBTQ families, and is committed to protecting her clients’ parental rights when they are not biologically related to their children.. While Hillary is a relentless advocate in litigation, she strives to avoid it through skillful negotiation. Additionally, her experience in estate planning is a great asset in finding solutions to complicated family problems.. Hillary is an avid fan of the Washington Huskies and all other Seattle sports teams. She loves backpacking, snowboarding, and wakeboarding with her family.

Having experienced her parents’ divorce as a child, Margaret Quartararo has a deep understanding of the impact divorce has on a family. She identifies with her clients’ cases on a personal level."I relate to my clients’ struggles and will do everything in my power to help them recover their sense of security and peace of mind.”. Clients quickly learn that Margaret is steadfastly committed to their cases. While she strives to avoid conflict with the opposing party as much as possible, she is always prepared should litigation become necessary. She ensures her clients’ voices are heard and that their interests are well represented.. As an attorney in the firm’s Tacoma office, Margaret represents clients in all areas of family law, including divorce, legal separation, child custody, and parenting plan modifications. She is particularly skilled in helping parents navigate divorce in a way that protects the best interests of the children.. Margaret is a self-proclaimed “fair-weather” camper and hiker. She also enjoys baking, reading, needlepoint, and is teaching herself how to speak French.

For over 30 years, I have been a general practice lawyer in Tacoma, focusing primarily on family and personal injury law.  I have earned a reputation as a tough and effective litigator in the Pierce County court system and at the same time, a caring and compassionate advocate. Former opposing parties frequently refer friends and relatives seeking legal help and court staff members often come to me for assistance. I am able to put my experience and expertise to good use for my clients in personal injury lawsuits, divorces, and settlements because I take the time to truly understand the problems and find the best legal solution for each individual.. I look forward to the opportunity to assist you with regard to your legal needs.  Please contact my office to schedule your free 30 minute consultation with me.

Divorce and Custody Lawyer in Tacoma and Seattle, Washington. Hello, my name is Matthew Yetter, and I am the founder and lead attorney at Seacoma Law, PLLC. We have offices in Tacoma and Seattle. I provide individualized attention to each client that consults with and hires me on their case. Throughout my career I have represented hundreds of clients in divorce, custody, and other family law matters. My practice has and continues to be focused in King and Pierce counties. In fact, our offices in Tacoma and Seattle are within a few blocks of the courthouse. This is important because divorce, custody and family law matters are exclusively heard in the superior court.. Your Case is Important. Family law disputes can be extremely stressful, taking an emotional and financial toll on the family. I recognize this and advocate to minimize the damage caused by these situations. Clients are encouraged to discuss their questions and concerns about their situation with me, and I provide them with candid and compassionate advice. While there may be similarities from case to case, I have found that each person I meet with is an individual with varying interests and their own story to tell. Whether your case is a high conflict or a relatively uncontested, I will take the time to listen to you, discuss your options and help you decide the best course of action. Because hiring the right attorney is so important, I am offering you a no cost 30-minute consultation to evaluate your case.. I Understand the Importance of Family. When I am not practicing law, I enjoy spending time with my wife, five children and our dog. I love being outdoors with my family, camping, hiking, fishing etc. I am a sports fan and enjoy going to games with my kids. My wife and I enjoy the theater and are subscribers at The 5th Avenue Theater and Broadway at the Paramount.. Education. I received my Juris Doctorate from the Willamette University College of Law where I received multiple academic awards. Prior to law school I attended Southern Utah University.

Bryon was raised in Pierce County and returned to the Pacific Northwest after graduating from law school in Michigan.. While earning his law degree, Bryon exercised a passion for serving others through his involvement with several philanthropic organizations. He was a member of the Disaster Relief Legal Association and served as the treasurer of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. He completed a legal internship at the Sixty Plus Elder Law Clinic, assisting qualifying seniors with various legal issues, and volunteered at other legal clinics.. Today, Bryon is a member of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, Family Law Section, and the Washington State Bar Association. He is proud to serve his clients who are facing divorce/separation, child custody, or child support issues.. When he is not working with his clients, Bryon spends his time with his wife, Lindsey, and their children, visiting area museums, parks and farmer’s markets. He is also active in his church, where he enjoys working with the youth.

As the owner and principal attorney at Wysocki Law, I provide thoughtful and client-centered legal services in two key areas:. Estate Planning: I help individuals and families protect their assets, secure their legacies, and plan for the future with tailored estate planning solutions. From simple wills to complex trusts, my approach ensures that clients' unique needs and contingencies are addressed comprehensively.. Collaborative Family Law: I guide families through life transitions, such as divorce, with a focus on peaceful, out-of-court resolutions. By leveraging collaborative practices and interdisciplinary teamwork, I empower clients to prioritize the well-being of their families while creating sustainable solutions.. At Wysocki Law, we believe in aligning legal strategies with our clients’ values. Whether we’re helping clients avoid probate, mitigate estate taxes, or co-create parenting plans, our mission is to foster peace and preserve relationships.

Although I concentrate my practice primarily on family law and personal injury I handle a wide range of legal issues. I am licensed to appear in all the Washington State Courts and an active member of both the Washington State Bar Association and Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association.. I am a Tacoma native and enjoy the opportunity to work in the community that I grew up in.  I am known as a compassionate but aggressive advocate for my clients. I work tirelessly to achieve the proper results at the trial court level but am eager to challenge an incorrect result.. I look forward to the opportunity of assisting you with any legal needs.