Top best L Lawyers in University Place | 48 available

“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.

Probate, estate planning and trusts attorney offering responsive service and paying attention to what matters to you. I offer flexible meeting times by video chat, phone, or in person at your home or work within Pierce, King, and Thurston counties in Washington. Please ask me about International Wills,and cross-border probates, trusts, or estate planning involving British Columbia and Washington State.

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My Practice. I practice through a semi-virtual office.  I have a home office and contract with other providers as necessary. I answer my own phone and schedule my own appointments. I use technology as much as possible. This allows me to be consistently availalbe for my clients and to deliver the premium service that they deserve.. Service Delivery. I utilize email and electronic communication as much as possible to keep my clients up to date and to allow for document sharing and review.. Availability and Interaction. I am available by phone, email, text and video conference. I am also happy to meet in person. For in person discussions, I will typically suggest a coffee shop, library or other location that is convenient and comfortable but also appropriate for the nature of our discussion.. My clients' files are maintained digitally to the greatest extent possible.. Result. By practicing this way, I truly enjoy my client interaction, the trust that they place in me and the work that I am allowed to do.. I feel that this setup is creative and seems to work well. In practicing this way, I am able to keep costs down, minimize environmental impacts, and pass the savings to my clients.

Kenneth Gorton is a trial attorney in Washington. He has represented hundreds of clients in Court, including teachers, veterans, firefighters and police officers injured in the line of duty. He has recovered tens of millions of dollars in verdicts and settlements.. Mr. Gorton is rated 10 out of 10 (superb) by AVVO and recognized by Super Lawyers Magazine. He is also a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, which only admits trial attorneys who have demonstrated “superior results in complex cases” exceeding one million dollars.. Mr. Gorton's qualifications include a doctorate in law and master’s in dispute resolution from Pepperdine University, as well as a master's in psychology from the University of Alaska. He served as a federal law clerk for the Honorable Robert Bryan, and then as a deputy prosecutor for Thurston County before entering private practice as a litigator. Mr. Gorton currently manages a busy law firm in University Place, Washington.. Please visit our website at for more information.. DISCLAIMER: EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT AND EACH OUTCOME IS DIFFERENT. PAST PERFORMANCE DOES NOT GUARANTEE FUTURE PERFORMANCE OR OUTCOME.

John Hardie was born in Montana but grew up just south of Seattle. From an early age he was taught the value of hard work, dedication, and compassion from his parents and public-school teachers. Before law school, John worked for a labor union. Labor negotiations, and the dispute resolution processes involved in organized labor turned the advocacy switch on inside of him. Later, he worked for lawyers doing labor and employment law, and wanted to be able to advocate like them at the highest levels, in American courtrooms. Now, John’s practice at Palace Law consists entirely of helping individuals and families with personal injury and wrongful death claims. John’s favorite part about being an attorney is meeting those who need help, providing real solutions and answers, and fulfilling his promise to make things right. The people John helps are part of a growing group of new advocates for the injured who share their stories and empower others to follow their lead.. John went to law school at Seattle University School of Law, where he graduated with honors, including being named to the Dean’s List two years in a row—an honor reserved for students in the top ten percent of the class. He competed in trial and appellate competitions locally and on the west coast. For these activities, John was admitted to the national trial advocacy honor society, Order of the Barristers. John was a summer extern for The Honorable Stephen J. Dwyer at the Washington State Court of Appeals. Before his final year of law school, John interned at a highly regarded litigation firm that represents injured individuals and families.. After law school, John focused his passion of helping individuals and families overcome the devastation of injury and wrongful death. As a result of his efforts, in 2019, John was a recipient of the “Ready to Soar” award by the Washington State Association for Justice. John’s growing list of successes at Palace Law underscores what real community lawyering looks like. John is a tireless advocate for the working men and women of Washington state and for their families who so often face head on the life changing effects of trauma and the death of their spouse or family member. As part of his dedication to this community, John regularly provides legal advice and assistance to those that can’t afford legal services but deserve justice.. John and his wife, Evelyn, welcomed their baby girl Ariela in August 2020, and their baby girl Camila in July 2022. They also have two miniature dachshunds, Bella and Sophie who love to explore the beautiful PNW. In John’s spare time he enjoys volunteering in local bar association activities in our community like legal clinics and food banks.

I spent years as a "big law firm" partner. Now I want to provide you with personal service, from my own law firm. The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should be based on the expertise, courage and honesty of the attorney. I have been named ‘Outstanding Young Attorney of the Year' by the Washington State Bar Association and have won many large lawsuits. I will use everything I have to fight for your rights and fight for justice on your behalf.

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.

I am devoted to ensuring that my clients get the highest quality representation on appeal. I have successfully represented criminal appellants since 2002 at all levels of the Washington legal system from Municipal Court to the Washington Supreme Court. I have represented and won appeals for individuals accused of crimes ranging from DUI to sex crimes to multiple murders. I have also successfully represented individuals whose driver's license and/or professional license have been suspended by the DOL or another State agency.  I also help individuals restore their firearm and voting rights as well as have convictions expunged from their record.  Since 2004, I have also been a partner at the legal research and writing firm of Fraser Robinson Speir. At Fraser Robinson Speir I perform legal research and writing for other attorneys in both criminal and civil matters. Typically my work is drafting a research memorandum or motion, but I also draft appellate briefs in both civil and criminal cases, including administrative appeals.I have taught numerous CLEs on appellate practice and how to preserve issues for appeal in Municipal and District courts.. Specialties: Criminal appellate practice, legal research and writing in all areas.

Carrie Umland earned her Bachelor of Arts from Central Washington University and received her Juris Doctor degree from Seattle University School of Law. She grew up in Washington and has always been a resident of the Pacific Northwest.. Carrie has practiced personal injury law for over 20 years representing plaintiffs and defendants. While attending law school she worked as a case manager/negotiator for a small plaintiff's personal injury firm. Prior to that she had been a claim representative for State Farm Insurance Company. Following graduation from law school her practice focused on insurance defense work until 2000. Realizing she had a greater calling, she then changed her practice and began exclusively representing injured people in her community against the larger and more powerful insurance companies, large business and government entities. As a result, Carrie's love of law again flourished, and her reputation quickly grew as a fierce but fair advocate for the injured. Today she is a member of the Washington State Bar Association and an Eagle Member (an exclusive group of trial lawyers) of the Washington State Association for Justice. She has served as a judge for the American Association of Justice Student Trial Advocacy Competition and the Seattle University School of Law Appellate Argument Competitions. If you have met Carrie, then you know her passion for life. She is an avid runner, cyclist and swimmer and has participated in many triathlons and half marathons. She has completed marathons in Arizona, Scotland and Greece which included running in the 2500th anniversary of the original Athens Marathon in Greece. Carrie not only ran the the original Olympic marathon course, she finished with a personal best time.  In her free time she is involved as a volunteer raising money and awareness for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

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.

At Williams Law Group, we aggressively pursue legal remedies on behalf of our clients to the fullest extent of the law by providing forceful, commanding, and bold legal representation. As a result, we GET results!. If you're experiencing employment discrimination, harassment, a hostile work environment, retaliation, or wrongful termination/discharge, then we may be able to help you recover damages from your employer to make you whole again. And at our law firm, we ONLY represent employees -- we NEVER represent businesses; so, you'll never have to worry about whether our firm is currently or has previously represented your employer.. We're a vigilant and relentless employment discrimination law firm dedicated to helping those in need in times of crisis. At the end of the day we hope to make meaningful connections with honest hard-working people. Ultimately, our goal is to form lifelong relationships with our clients.  We'll work on your case as if we were a member of your family; we invite you to consider becoming a member of ours.