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My work includes dissolutions (also known as divorces), child custody, child support, spousal support (also known as alimony), division of assets and debts, Domestic Violence Orders for Protection (also known as DVOPs or DVPOs), relocations, and modifications of existing parenting plans, child support orders, spousal suppport orders, and Domestic Violence Orders for Protection.

Attorney Sherry Collier is an aggressive and knowledgeable attorney with over 16 years experience. Her Seattle practice is devoted to family law matters, serving clients throughout King and Pierce Counties.

I am dedicated to providing exceptional legal services to clients which includes ongoing communication and affordable fees.   I love to be able to help clients when they need legal advice in the areas of bankruptcy, probate, personal injury, and estate planning.

I am passionate about being a strong advocate for clients during challenging times in their lives.  I understand how important family is, and will work with you to protect your rights and interests without adding unnecessarily to the stress, animosity, and chaos that can affect a family going through a divorce, custody disagreement, or other legal action.  My practice welcomes all clients, but has a particular emphasis on addressing the unique needs of survivors of domestic violence, military families, and LGBTQ families facing discrimination or extra hurdles.. Happy times can be challenging too, and I enjoy helping families that are expanding through adoption or assisted reproduction, as well as working out agreements between new partners who want to avoid future conflict.. I am an active volunteer with the King County Bar Association’s Neighborhood Legal Clinics and the Center for Children & Youth Justice's Lawyers Fostering Independence initiative, and I am dedicated to helping lower-income clients access legal help as a member of the Washington State Bar Association’s Moderate Means Program.  (Sliding-scale fee structure based on income and family size for households between 200% to 400% of the federal poverty guidelines.)

For me, being an attorney means helping people find justice and resolution.  This motivating purpose is what has driven me to pursue a career of representing individuals and small business owners rather than large corporate interest.  To me, every case is personal and having a private practice allows me to provide every client with my personal attention.  Having practiced in Seattle since 1979, I am intimately familiar with Washington case law.  While it is always my hope that a case can be settled before trial, I know that this is not always possible.  I am an experienced litigator and comfortable in the court room.  If you are looking for experienced, competent, and personal representation, contact me for a free consultation to discuss your case.

I grew up in Seattle, graduated from the University of Washington and received my law degree from Willamette University School of Law in 1976.   I was a King County Superior Court bailiff before entering private practice in Kirkland.   I have represented clients in many areas, including construction, business, estate, employment discrimination, criminal and, principally, family law.   I am the founder and publisher of the Washington Family Law Reporter, a quarterly publication provided to attorneys and judges since 1982, and the WFLR Update, an electronic publication since 2003.    I was honored by the WSBA Family Law Section as the 1993 Family Law Attorney of the Year and have been recognized by my peers with a Martindale Hubble rating of "AV Preeminate".   I have served a past Board Member and President of KITH, Kirkland Interfaith Transitions in Housing, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the homeless in the Greater Kirkland area.   I am also a participating probono attorney for ELAP, the Eastside Legal Assistance Program.

I aim to provide cost-effective, results-oriented representation in divorce and post-dissolution proceedings.

As a family law attorney, I help couples and families work to reach a mutually agreeable resolution based on their interests and the best interests of their children. The interests of individuals, couples and families vary widely, but often include values such as financial well-being, acting in the best interest of children, maintaining privacy and dignity, and simply moving on in their lives. I work with clients to brainstorm how we can address their interests while meeting the demands of the legal process.. In our initial consultation, clients and I will often discuss the range of lawyer involvement available and what fits their needs.  We also pinpoint additional information that’s needed to help move the case forward. Typically, clients who are able to break the process into pieces find that can make an important difference between feeling consumed by their case and feeling that they can tackle the tasks they need to in order to complete the process.

As a trauma survivor, single parent, and former social worker, I decided to become an attorney because I personally understand the obstacles people face when dealing with the legal system. I have experience on both sides of the system and this experience provides me with insight and understanding that many attorneys may never experience. My goal has always been to break down barriers, help people involved in the legal system transition past their legal issues, and assist them to move on toward a brighter future.

Jacqueline is licensed in both Washington state and the province of Ontario in Canada. She started practicing in Ontario in 1996. After moving to the US, and taking time to raise her three children, she returned to law as a paralegal in Washington state in 2011 when her own marriage ended. While working full-time in a busy family law firm, she earned her LLM from Seattle University in 2020, and became a member of the Washington State Bar in 2021.. In Canada, Jacqueline practiced family law for over 7 years, specializing in high net worth, highly contentious cases for division of assets including family businesses, litigating the enforceability of pre-nuptial and settlement agreements, and appearing in front of the BC Court of Appeals on a Hague Convention child abduction case. She was part of a team that took a child custody matter up to the Supreme Court of Canada. She has written and presented papers on various aspects of family law including finding hidden assets.. In the US, Jacqueline took time off to raise her 3 (now mostly adult) children, volunteering in their classrooms, and leading two girl scout troops. After seeing “the other side of the desk” and experiencing her own divorce in Washington state, she went back to school: first, to be trained as a life coach; and second, to obtain an LLM for Foreign Attorneys from Seattle University.. Jacqueline is passionate about helping clients understand and navigate the divorce process including parenting plans, custody, child support, division of assets, spousal maintenance and makes every endeavor to keep the process as amicable as possible. Whether it is explaining the intricacies of the law to those looking to divorce, assisting clients in mediation, or representing their interests in motions court or trial, she strives to find creative solutions that are unique to each client and their family.As a trained life coach and attorney, she is an excellent listener. She understands most parents want to minimize the impact of their separation on their children and to resolve their disputes privately and cost-effectively. Her training as a life coach assists her in understanding the family dynamics, keeping the resolution process as amicable as possible, and assisting her clients through both the legal and emotional hurdles of divorce.. When she is not working, she can be found “throwing rocks” at the local curling club; she was honored to represent Washington State at the Mixed Nationals in Denver, Colorado in 2019! She also enjoys spending time with her children and her two Havanese dogs, skiing, reading, and exploring restaurants around town.

For family law, I regularly handle cases involving complex child custody issues and asset division, as well as domestic violence survivor representation.  I have experience in dealing with protection order proceedings, anti-harassment orders, as well as Title IX cases related to domestic abuse and sexual assault in university settings.

My practice focuses on family law, including dissolutions, child custody, modifications, and child support. I have a focus on assisting domestic violence victims with family law needs, however, and began my career in Washington State by working as a volunteer with the King Couty Family Law Mentor program.. I pride myself on being a compassionate yet effective advocate for my clients. I will work on your behalf to get you the best results I can with whatever your needs are.

Joel C. Odimba, Jr. is dedicated to helping clients navigate some of life’s toughest moments.. “Family law is important and fulfilling work. I take pride in knowing that my advocacy can make a direct and meaningful impact on my clients’ lives.”. Named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers® every year since 2020, Joel has been consistently recognized by his peers for his legal acumen and achievements. Carving out an impressive legal resume, his contributions include leadership roles within the Loren Miller Bar Association, serving on the Family Law CASA Board, and published works and presentations on various legal topics, including LGBTQ family law matters.. Joel is a skilled negotiator who frequently facilitates case settlements without litigation. However, when cases cannot be resolved outside of the courtroom, he is a tenacious advocate in litigation. He does everything he can to ensure that his clients’ voices are heard and their positions are clearly asserted.. “I represent my clients in court as if I were advocating on behalf of my best friend.”. With a gregarious and approachable demeanor, Joel’s clients view him not only as their attorney, but as a trusted confidant. It is not uncommon for clients to share life updates, family photos, and happy milestones with Joel, even long after their cases have closed.. Joel earned his Juris Doctorate from Seattle University School of Law, where he was a member of the Black Law Student Association and the Phi Alpha Delta Legal Fraternity. A lifelong Washingtonian, Joel grew up in Tacoma and attended college in Spokane at Gonzaga University. The Zag basketball fan and movie fanatic enjoys spending time with his family and wide network of friends.