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Good Lawyers help Good Clients Gain Greater Good. Collectively, the lawyers at Hawkes Law Firm have over eighty years experience in representing individuals and small businesses in Washington State. We pride ourselves in providing excellent, friendly service in nearly every area of law a Washington resident might need help with over the course of his or her life. Consulting with a lawyer doesn't have to be an expensive hassle.

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.

I knew I wanted to be an attorney from a very young age. As a young adult I was a spirited negotiator and enjoyed a good verbal duel, much to my parents' chagrin. I also enjoyed developing and honing my logic and strategy skills to obtain sought-after outcomes. As the child of divorced parents in the Northern Virginia area, I understand first-hand how a litigated divorce can negatively impact children. I also understand the interplay of blended families, and I am very close to my step-mother and half-brother.. I enjoy all aspects of being a divorce litigator, from the direct client interaction, to strategizing best paths to optimal outcomes and obtaining excellent results for my clients either via mediation or litigation. Unafraid of litigating matters of first impression, I have obtained positive results in matters of first impression throughout my career. I enjoy and do best when thinking outside of the standard family law paradigm to find creative solutions for my clients that help them feel empowered by an otherwise overwhelming process.. My mind is always working on matters that will positively impact my clients, whether it be reading the latest case law, working on state bar committees and conferences, assisting in a national legal task force, or simply volunteering in pro bono family law matters. My work is my passion and my peers are my friends.

I am a Graduate of the University of Connecticut, Class of 1987 and Albany Law School of Union University, with a Juris Doctor Degree  in 1990.  I was Admitted to the New York State Bar, the Southern District of New York Federal Court, and Eastern District of New York Federal Court in 1991.  I was Admitted to the Connecticut State Bar in 1992, and I was Admitted to the District of Connecticut Federal Court in 1994.  I am a member of the Rockland County Bar Association and  I am also a Justice of the Peace in the State of Connecticut.

Mr. Graves became associated with the firm in 2007, and concentrates on criminal law, traffic matters, personal injury, family law, estate planning, creditor/debtor law, and landlord/tenant law.Mr. Graves was born in Seattle, Washington where he attended the University of Washington and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law, Society and Justice. During this time Mr. Graves interned for the Public Defender’s Office in Seattle. Mr. Graves received his Law Degree from Regent University in Virginia Beach, Virginia. While in Law School, Mr. Graves interned for the Norfolk Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, the Norfolk Commonwealth Attorney’s Office and the Norfolk Public Defender’s Office. Following this, Mr. Graves worked for George Holton Yates and Associates in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is admitted to practice before all Courts within the Commonwealth of Virginia.Mr. Graves is a member of the Norfolk - Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Virginia State Bar Associations. He is also a member of the American Bar Association.If you need to speak to Ryan Graves right away, please call the office at and set up an appointment through his paralegal, Maria Karpov, or email him directly at

Ms. Canupp’s practice is focused on family law and divorce. She regularly counsels clients about division of assets, child custody, alimony, support, modifications, and related matters. When clients wish to settle their divorce or other family law matter, she will work with clients, opposing counsel, and mediators to work out the best possible solution.. When settlement is not possible, she will assist clients at trial and, if necessary, on appeal. She has significant experience litigating major divorce and related matters and has tried divorce and family law cases before almost all of the judges in Madison, Morgan, and Limestone Counties. Ms. Canupp has handled many matters in surrounding counties and has briefed and orally argued significant family law issues on appeal to Alabama’s appellate courts.. Along with many other family law issues, Ms. Canupp regularly advises clients about adoptions, paternity, qualified domestic relations orders, and division of retirement accounts, including military retirement benefits and thrift savings plans.. Ms. Canupp’s experience in family law began during law school where she was the administrative chair of the Family Law Society. While serving as chair, she represented indigent family law clients through the Children’s Rights and Family Law Clinic.