Top best Family Lawyers in ZIP 98502 | 21 available

Rob Morgan Hill is a founding member and managing attorney of the Morgan Hill Law Firm. Raised in New York, he has been an Olympia resident since 1987. He earned his B.A. in Journalism and Broadcasting at the State University of New York College at Buffalo in 1987 and completed his education at the University of Washington School of Law in 1992. Prior to entering private practice he worked in public information and as a budget and policy analyst under Governors Gardner and Lowry.. Rob's practice includes family law, criminal law and personal injury law. He works primarily in five Washington counties - Thurston, Mason, Lewis, Pierce and Grays Harbor - and has litigated cases before the Washington Court of Appeals Divisions I and II as well as the Washington Supreme Court. He serves as a substitute family court commissioner in Thurston County and has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Thurston County Bar Association, where he has acted as the editor of the Association's newsletter and proudly compiled the worst meeting attendance record of any Board Member in the organization's history.. Rob says his practice style is a client-focused one.. "People often come to me saying that they have heard that I am an aggressive litigator," he says, "and I have to clarify that. I am aggressive when the client's objectives are best advanced by being aggressive. But in reality, the client's interests are often advanced by negotiation and compromise, and sometimes even by charm and humor. The trick is to know my client, know my client's goals, and to figure out how best to advance those goals.". In some cases, of course, there is no room for compromise. For years, Rob has represented Washington teachers accused of criminal conduct with students. Teachers are extremely vulnerable to such accusations, he says, because a mere allegation by a student can result in substantial damage to career and reputation. If proven, the allegations can result in permanent loss of professional credentials and often severe criminal penalties, including imprisonment. Rob has worked hard for his educator clients who have been faced with such accusations, placing the Morgan Hill law firm among the leaders in defending Washington teachers.. When not practicing law, Rob is a husband to Jane and father to three daughters. He is a singer/guitarist and award winning songwriter (Song of the Year finalist 2004, Christian/Gospel category), whose original songs are featured on two CDs, including his most recent release with his band Game Six, the 2009 album God, Love & Mexico, winner of a 2009 GrIndy Award from . He is also an award winning humorist (Best Humor Column 1995, Washington Press Association), screenwriter (Finalist, Washington State Film Commission Screenplay Competition, 2000), and standup comic who has appeared at Caroline's on Broadway in New York City and The Comedy Store in West Hollywood.

Ms. Brost started her professional career in nursing, and continued to military social work. She has worked as a family counselor, drug/alcohol specialist, and Guardian ad Litem. With over 25 years of experience as a family law attorney, she is an experienced litigator of cases involving significant assets and/or serious allegations of abuse. She utilizes her broad base of knowledge and experience to obtain successful outcomes for her clients and their families.

Jeanne Sockle is the managing partner of Morris – Sockle, a prestigious Olympia law firm, and co-founder and co-manager of Divorce Lawyers for Men™, a dynamic and progressive approach to, marketing to, and representing men in Washington’s Family Courts.  Jeanne has over 25 years of complex civil litigation experience in Washington State Courts.. Jeanne Sockle is a graduate of the Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) APR 6 Law Clerk Program. Rather than attending traditional law school, Jeanne worked and studied as a Law Clerk in the, firm under the supervision of the WSBA, for four years.  Before successfully passing the Bar Exam and becoming licensed as an attorney, Jeanne worked for thirteen years as a paralegal, giving her the best of both forms of legal education – formal academic training and thirteen years of on-the-job experience. Additionally, Jeanne has a Bachelor’s Degree from The Evergreen State College and an Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies from University of Maryland.. Jeanne is a licensed member of the Washington State Bar Association and is admitted to practice in United States District Court Western District of Washington.  She served in WSBA leadership with two terms as Chairman of the WSBA Law Clerk Board, and several years as a member.  Jeanne is also an Eagle member of the Washington State Association for Justice, a President’s Club member of the American Association for Justice, a member of the King County Bar Association Family Law Section, Public Justices, and other professional associations.  Jeanne was awarded Washington’s 10 Best Family Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys™ and was named a 2016 Woman of Influence by Business Examiner Media.. In 2016, Morris - Sockle, PLLC, was named The Best Civil Litigator by Corporate America's Legal Elite.  Meanwhile, Jeanne was selected as one of Washington’s 10 Best Family Law Attorneys for Client Satisfaction by The American Institute of Family Law Attorneys™ and rated among the Top 10 Attorneys by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys.  Most recently, Jeanne was named a 2016 Woman of Influence by Business Examiner Media.. Jeanne strongly believes in providing clients with committed and purposeful legal counseling and advocacy through strategies that include negotiation, mediation, arbitration and, when necessary, trial.  “Our job in agreeing to represent a client is to clearly identify the client’s concerns; to provide counseling and create a reasonable strategy for achieving attainable goals; and then to implement the plan through aggressive advocacy.”   In short: Listen to the client; provide knowledgeable legal advice; work hard using skill and experience to get the client the best possible outcome.  Jeanne is also keenly aware of the emotional and financial demands that litigation imposes on the firm’s clients and is dedicated to treating each client with respect and appreciation for placing their trust in Morris – Sockle.. The mother of four grown sons, and a former military spouse, Jeanne has lived and worked in Olympia since 1991.  In her leisure time, she enjoys spending time with her family, adventure travel, sailing, snorkeling, and yoga.

I've practiced family law in Thurston County since 1990 and absolutely love doing it. My favorite part of this work is creatively and compassionately helping clients find a way through divorce or child custody/support issues with the least emotional and financial damage. Much of my practice is aimed at people who really don't want to destroy the other side or themselves. We work together to resolve the legal issues so you can get back to the better parts of your life with a healthy structure from whatever family law issue you have had to encounter.. My law firm is not all about me. I have absolutely fabulous people working with me and they help provide excellent service to everyone who contacts us.. Also see or call us at to learn about our services.

I have been practicing law in Washington state for 30 years. I am experienced and respected. I  deal honestly with my clients.  Check out my website-- I am a member of the Dana Williams Law Group.

I have been in private practice in Thurston County, Washington since 1996.  My practice is primarily focused on family law cases.  I was previously certified as a Guardian ad Litem for minor children by the Thurston County Superior Court.  I also served as an adjunct professor at South Puget Sound Community College for ten years, teaching the family law (domestic relations) course.  In addition to working as an attorney in private practice, I serve as a Pro Tem Judge/Court Commissioner for Thurston County Superior Court.

Having been admitted to the bar in 2010, Meredith Gerhart has dedicated her legal career to various aspects of family law, specializing in divorce, legal separation, modifications to parenting plans, adjustments to child support, paternity matters, and relocations.. Beyond her private practice, Meredith serves as a Guardian ad Litem on the Thurston County Title 26 Guardian ad Litem registry. She frequently receives court appointments to advocate for young individuals in dependency proceedings initiated by the State of Washington.In contrast to many of her peers, Meredith entered law school with a specific goal of becoming a family law practitioner. Her motivation stems from a steadfast commitment to minimizing potential harm to children involved in court proceedings, whether directly or indirectly. She actively engages in child-centered and trauma-focused representation on a daily basis, striving to protect the well-being of the most vulnerable members of the community.. Meredith's academic journey includes earning a cum laude Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics from Vanderbilt University, followed by obtaining her J.D. from Gonzaga University School of Law. During her tenure at Gonzaga, she distinguished herself as the Staff Editor of the Gonzaga Law Review.

Forrest Wagner grew up in Aberdeen, WA and got his undergraduate degree at Whitman College, where he graduated Cum Laude in 1983.  For his legal education, he went back east to historic Lexington Virginia where he attended Washington and Lee University, eventually becoming class president and Moot Court semi-finalist and team qualifier.. He has been practicing in Olympia for the past 32 years, emphasizing family law but also remaining active in the area of criminal defense. Forrest has presented at several CLE seminars and has written on family law subjects, including "The ABC's of Child Support" presented as part of a CLE seminar and "Defending Your Family Law Client Against Allegations of Sexual Abuse", presented as part of the 1995 Family Law Midyear.  He has finished a book, "Winning the Divorce Game in Washington", which is not yet published but which will be available soon online.. For several years Forrest also taught Family Law and Business Law at South Puget Sound Community College.. Forrest has been a mentor at the Thurston County Volunteer Legal Clinic for the last two years and occasionally presents CLE's at the Volunteer Legal Clinic.

Estate Planning for the Whole FamilyWe work with families of all kinds; those who are married or single, with a traditional family or a blended one, and those who are just starting out or looking at a life well-lived.. I graduated with honors from the University of Washington School of Law in 1980. After working in the legal field for 28+ years, I took a 10-year break before returning to law in 2022.. So, I AM BACK! I am rebuilding what I started with the benefit of my life experience and the resources of the Personal Family Lawyer program. The programs systems create an efficiency that allows me to focus on what I like best: getting to know our clients so we can create comprehensive customized plans for them.. I am the proud mother of Megan and Alec and grandmother of Jameson and triplets; McKinley, Jaden and Jaxson.. Because of my grandparenting experience, I am especially interested in working with grandparents – who want to protect themselves, their wonderful adult children, and their adored grandchildren.. A former client who wants to work with me again, says: “Thank you for coming back to help those of us who love your wonderful help with our futures and how we want t leave things for our loved ones. You are the best! Thank you, Melanie D.”.. We start by scheduling a Wealth Planning Session (which usually lasts 2 hours). Once scheduled, we send a Life and Legacy Inventory and Assessment to be completed as best you can before the Wealth Planning Session. We also ask for copies of all Deeds, financial statements evidencing your ownership of bank accounts, investment accounts, retirement accounts, and annuities, as well as stocks or bond certificates. In addition, we need copies of any LLC or Partnership Agreements and your previous estate planning documents. At that session, I make recommendations regarding a customized estate plan and the corresponding flat fee; half of which is paid upfront and the balance paid at the completion of the estate plan. (Because we don’t bill hourly for estate planning, there are no surprises.) The signing of the documents usually takes place 4 weeks after the planning session.. After completion and implementation of the estate plan, we offer free 3-year review sessions to determine if there is a need for a change in your estate plan. (The client is responsible for scheduling those 3-year reviews).. We also offer plans by which we provide life and legacy planning to family members, such as adult children, parents and grandparents.

A graduate of the University of Puget Sound - School of Law, with High Distinction, Frank has spent the last 37 years litigating complex legal claims.  He has successfully tried thousands of family law/divorce, medical malpractice and personal injury cases.  He has won million dollar claims and been successful in highly contested custody cases.  He has an excellent record in the courtroom and is a skilled negotiator.  Frank enjoys working on difficult cases to win the best possible results for his clients.. Frank is an experienced and aggressive trial lawyer who has dedicated his life to fighting for justice for his clients.  He prides himself on taking-on complex cases and formulating creative solutions to seemingly insurmountable problems.. Frank believes that men deserve equal rights in parenting and divorce and has worked throughout his career to help men and women achieve their goals in custody and property division.. A recipient of the American Trial Lawyers Association (ATLA) Wiedemann Wysocki Citation of Excellence, Frank is the Founding Member of the Washington State Association for Justice (WSAJ) distinctive Eagle Program and a Presidents’ Club member of the American Association for Justice (AAJ); and a member of Million Dollar Advocates, Thurston County Bar Association and King County Bar Association Family Law Section.. In 2016, Morris - Sockle, PLLC, was named Washington's Best Civil Litigator and Mr. Morris was among the 2016 Lawyers of Distinction as well as in the Top 10 Attorneys, as rated by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys.. Morris - Sockle, PLLC, was recently featured on as a Premier Law Firm of 2017.. Frank is also the founder of Thunderbay Construction which has built and developed hundreds of homes and numerous commercial buildings in Thurston County.  He is co-owner of Thunderbay Property Management, which owns and manages several professional office buildings in Olympia.. When not working, Frank is an avid sailboat racer, scuba diver, skier, hiker, and traveler.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Redding and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in Redding and surrounding areas.