Top Family Lawyers Near Me in UNIVERSITY PLACE Area

“Family Law is the entirely of my practice. Why? Because family is the focus of my own life, and it’s where I think I can make the most difference in other people’s lives, both personally and professionally. It breaks my heart when families fail, especially when children are involved. Situations involving my own loved ones, coupled with the hundreds of clients I’ve served over the years has garnered for me the insight and perspective needed to understand the confusion, anxiety, insecurity, sense of loss, and uncertainty that so often accompany family law matters. I like to be able to provide the financial stability, guidance, peace of mind, and emotional support that my clients often need in order to move forward to the safety and security of a better path and a brighter future.. I practice Family Law because I think I can help… by devising a course of action that will help you gain custody of your children, help minimize the emotional strain, help keep you in your home, help you gain financial security, and most of all… help the children of broken families by creating for them the best possible future given their difficult circumstances.. I also derive a great deal of personal and professional satisfaction from helping people through these inherently difficult times, by providing them with the protection and guidance that only a good, experienced, and compassionate family lawyer can provide. Keep your head up – you’ll get through this. And above all, keep your children’s best interest in mind at all times. Shelter them from the turmoil, don’t involve them in the animosity, and continue to provide for them.”

Raised in Tacoma, WA, Gina M. Duncan is a compassionate Senior Attorney and certified Title 26 Guardian ad Litem. A zealous advocate for her clients, Gina’s practice encompasses issues of custody, child support, parenting plans, and division of property in divorce. Her goal is always to help her clients get a fair deal and to make sure they are heard by the court.. Gina has extensive experience investigating parenting issues in high-conflict family law cases and making recommendations to the court, considering the best interests of the children. She enjoys helping clients navigate the legal system and work collaboratively when possible, while preparing fully to advocate for her clients at trial.. Immediately upon graduating from law school, Gina was a Law Clerk for the Honorable Jack E. Tanner in the U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington for 18 years. She assisted the Judge during trials and accompanied Judge Tanner during his designations as a Visiting Judge to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, where she drafted memoranda for the 9th Circuit Panel Judges.. Following her clerkship, Gina ran a thriving general practice firm for 14 years prior to joining Gravis Law, PLLC. Her practice included family law, dependency, criminal law, driving offenses, guardianship, and motor vehicle accidents. This wide range of experience has proved invaluable in helping her family law clients navigate collateral issues.. Gina strives to help her clients see the “big picture” when it comes to formulating parenting plans, and arrive at a fair and equitable distribution of property in divorce cases because what may work in the moment may not work in the future. She is proudest of her success in getting her clients’ children returned to them, whether the child was taken by the state or by another parent who then moved to another state without just cause.. What she enjoys most about the industry is that every case is different, which keeps the practice interesting. She also likes the challenge of getting the best result possible for each client.. Outside of work, Gina enjoys socializing with friends and traveling. She is also a member of the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association and the Pierce County Minority Bar Association.

I help couples resolve their disputes, whether in the midst of divorce or post-divorce issues, with dignity and respect.. Recognizing the value of preserving civility in the legal process, particularly when working with children and families, I have been trained to assist families through divorce using the collaborative law model. In this alternative to litigation through the court system, parties agree to work through their dispute respectfully, to achieve a durable agreement.. Every family is different, and the collaborative model may not fit every individual situation. While I believe changes in family structure are often best resolved by negotiating settlement, I also recognize that sometimes court intervention is appropriate and necessary. I am comfortable in court and will provide zealous representation, when such action is required.

I have practiced family law primarily since becoming a member of the Washington State Bar in 1992.  Prior to law school, I worked in law firms in San Francisco to get a feel for law and confirm that I wanted to become a lawyer.  I also volunteered at the San Francisco Bar Association's Legal Clinic for Battered Women from 1986 to 1987.  I went to law school in St. Paul, Minnesota, and later transferred to the University of Puget Sound Law School (now known as Seattle University).  While attending William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, I was a law clerk for Professor Christine Jones between April 1989 to June 1991.  I researched federal jurisdiction issues and prepared legal memoranda regarding parental kidnapping issues.  I also worked as an intern for the Hennepin County, Minnesota, Public Defender's Office between October 1989 and April 1990.  In June 1990, I began a summer internship with Judge LaJune Lange of the Fourth Judicial District.  In September 1990, I relocated to the Puget Sound and finished law school as a visiting student at UPS.  While completing my law school education, I worked as a legal assistant for a family law attorney in Seattle, and also worked as a contract law clerk in family law.  These experiences gave me the practical experience needed to open my own family law office fresh after law school.. I opened my law office in November 1992 and initially practiced regularly in both Pierce County and King County.  I have continued to practice family law since that date.  In approximately 1994 to 1995, I taught two family law paralegal classes at Highline Community College in the ABA-approved paralegal program as an adjunct instructor of family law.. I am passionate about family law issues, because I am passionate about children and preserving and improving family relationships, which are challenged by family endings.  I also recognize the trauma of dealing with the end of a relationship on a personal and emotional level as well as financially.  It is tough for people going through family endings to realize that the chance for a better and new family beginning is on the other side of the pain they are currently experiencing.. I am a certified mediator, and member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, Collaborative Professionals of Pierce County, and Collaborative Professionals of Washington.  As a collaborative family law attorney, I assist clients in resolving their family law issues in a respectful and responsible way outside of Court.  If collaborative resolution is not possible in a particular case, then I litigate the case and zealously advocate for my client in Court.. I offer an initial in-office consultation for $185; the first meeting is typically one to one-and-a-half hours long.. You may contact me at  or.

Born and raised in Tacoma, Jeff attended Charles Wright Academy before travelling the country pursuing his passion for ice hockey.  Jeff played hockey for the Utica Pioneers in Utica, NY while earning his undergraduate degree in business marketing.. Upon graduation Jeff returned home to Tacoma.  He graduated from Seattle University a few years later with his law degree and a masters in sports administration and leadership.. Jeff is currently involved as a board member with the First Tee of the South Puget Sound, Hockey Players Assemble and UP Cares.  Jeff has a passion for helping those who are in need.. In his free time, he enjoys playing golf and hockey.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in UNIVERSITY PLACE and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in UNIVERSITY PLACE and surrounding areas.

Experienced Family attorney serving clients in UNIVERSITY PLACE and surrounding areas.