Top Child Custody Lawyers in seattle | 31 available
31 Child Custody lawyers are available in seattle, Washington, including Anne Wakefield, Brent Bohan, Brien Galbraith, and Bruce Pruitt-Hamm. These lawyers are rated between 4.0/5 to 4.4/5 and 45% provide free consultation.
Most Seattle child custody cases resolve between 4 to 15 months, depending on complexity, court schedules, and whether litigation is required.
seattle Court Backlog
Seattle courts typically have a backlog of 120 to 250 active child custody cases, with seasonal fluctuations and resource constraints affecting processing times.
Child Custody seattle Filing Volume
Estimated monthly filings for child custody in Seattle range from 90 to 160 cases, reflecting the city's population and family law demand.
Child Custody Case Outcomes
Approximately 35% of cases settle pre-litigation, 55% after filing but before trial, and up to 65% reach resolution at trial, though outcomes vary by case specifics.
Anne practices solely in family law. She earned her law degree from McGeorge School of Law at the University of the Pacific. Anne started her legal career as a public defender, honing her trial skills, and eventually transitioning into private practice handling family law matters. Anne understands the value of close client-attorney relationships. She gets to know each client on a personal level in order to better represent them. As a highly knowledgeable attorney, she always provides each client with all the information they need to make decisions.
Avvo Review
“dge did not take our side, she disappeared. She did not respond to emails from me or opposing couns”
“I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Wakefield is detailed oriented, passionate, and experienced. I have full confidence in her ability to handle any case and situation.”
Google Review
“Anne is a very reliable, caring, and strong attorney. Throughout the time she represented me in a parenting case, I was impressed with her dedication to getting results and profess…”
Practice Areas: Domestic Violence, Family, Child Custody, Family, Family, Family, Family
Before practicing as a family law attorney, Leslie clerked for two trial court judges who handled only family cases, thereby gaining valuable insight and experience into how dissolution and custody issues are analyzed by the court. Prior to graduating from Seattle University School of Law, Leslie had a successful career as an award-winning investigative journalist for three separate newspapers and an international news organization.. Leslie understands the breakup of a family is a life-changing and stressful event. She knows how difficult that first call to an attorney can be. Her primary focus with new clients is to learn their unique issues, concerns and expectations and work with them to put together a practical and effective plan for achieving their goals.. “Leslie brings to any matter she works on an rare energy that serves her clients and the profession well. Her background in investigative journalism provides her with a perspective and a sense of where facts may be found which often prove persuasive for the court."— Mark Patterson, Probate Attorney. Leslie does not enter into litigation lightly, but should it become necessary, she uses the interview, writing, investigative and analytical skills she honed as a journalist and judicial clerk to tell her client’s story in a compelling and powerful way.. Leslie’s investigative, evidence-driven approach has consistently turned cases around even where the court had previously restricted a client’s access to their children. She has repeatedly ecured parenting plans which restored her clients’ full parental rights, and when necessary, obtained orders protecting her clients and their children from the other party.. Leslie has been on the referral list for multiple domestic violence victim agencies for the past 10 years, attends the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence Family Law Work Group Meetng and Volunteers at the New Beginnings Domestoc Violence Family Law Legal Clinic.
Avvo Review
“I’m a dv and TBI survivor and I met with her for a CS modification. Leslie is compassionate, carin”
“Leslie brings to any matter she works on an rare energy that serves her clients and the profession well. Her background in investigative journalism provides her with a perspective …”
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support
Juliana U. Wong is the Managing Attorney at Dellino Family Law Group. I focus my practice on family law matters, to which I bring an enthusiastic and dedicated effort to an often highly contentious and painful legal arena. I handle a wide array of matters ranging from complex marital dissolutions and legal separations, parenting plans, relocation actions, high-conflict child custody and child support matters, cohabitation/prenuptial and community property status agreements, and post-dissolution issues, including child support and parenting plan modifications. As a skilled negotiator and litigator, I look to manage cases initially with the intent towards equitable settlement, but has dependable, confident and proven courtroom skills if a matter must be resolved by litigation.. My Approach. I have always held steadfast to the following quote: “Educators take something simple and make it complicated. Communicators take something complicated and make it simple.” Especially in one of the most trying times in a person’s life, communication is an essential foundation in my practice, allowing me to help my clients navigate through the divorce process, which can be overwhelming and emotionally draining. Building trust with my client is a bedrock to my cases and the only way to achieve this is through effective communication.. Background. Having litigated in both large and small firms for over twenty-years, I have garnered a set of skills which give me the knowledge to excel not only in the courtroom, but to negotiate settlements which are in the best interests of my client, and the family as whole. I have also acted as a private mediator for the last five years, allowing me to give back to my community and to assist with the legal talents afforded to me.. About Me. Although born in Germany, I have lived in the Seattle area nearly all my life. I currently live in the Eastside with my husband, Bill, and our son, Emerson. Two daughters have flown the nest and are doing well away at school. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, brunching, and outdoor activities. My other passions include enjoying a nice walk with my family and our dog, Milo, a friendly game of poker, and taking in a great play or show. I love independent films and the theatre.
Avvo Review
“Ms Wong was an AMAZING advocate for my children. She believed in me as a father from day one and she”
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce, Alimony, Child Support, Child Custody
Most people wish to resolve their separation or divorce matter in manner that is respectful and that best preserves their long term well-being and that of their children. I work with my clients to help manage conflict and provide the guidance and advice my clients need to make decisions that meet their short term and long term objectives.. I understand the difficulties and emotional turmoil involved in family matters and I help my clients understand and make decisions about all aspects of their case including parenting and child support, spousal support or alimony and the division of their assets and debts. I also work with clients in pre-divorce planning and post-divorce matters such as enforcing the terms of settlement agreements and modification or enforcement of child support or parenting plans.. The long term well-being of my clients is important to me and while contested litigation is sometimes necessary or unavoidable, I find that practical advice and solutions often lead to the best long range outcomes. There are various ways to approach reaching a resolution. The commonly seen options are self negotiation, attorney negotiation, mediation, the collaborative divorce process and contested litigation. My experience allows me to provide my clients with information and advice not only about their legal rights, but about the various dispute resolution options and then guide them through their chosen process.. I am also trained in and have been practicing Collaborative divorce in the Seattle area since 2011.. I've been licensed to practice in Washington State since 1995. While I previoulsy practiced family law in Maryland and Washington, DC, after I returned to Seattle, I resigned from the DC Bar and went on inactive status with the MD Bar.
Avvo Review
“Jennifer was outstanding in guiding me through the legal process of my divorce. While difficult at t”
“Jennifer and I have worked together more and more over the last few years, focusing on Collaborative work. She is an incredible asset to the Collaborative Community and the intelli…”
Jason Benjamin has spent the past 22 years of his legal career (since 1995) immersing himself in the intricacies of family law and particularly child custody cases. He has personally handled more than 1000 cases where child custody is at issue.. He particularly welcomes families who have emergency custody, domestic violence or restraining order issues, as he can typically obtain appropriate orders within hours to protect you and the children.. From the beginning of his legal career, Jason has aggressively advocated on behalf of victims of domestic violence (even when domestic violence was not treated seriously by the courts). He understands the complexities of domestic violence such as why victims often return to abusers or leave their children with abusers before they make the final decision to permanently leave the abuser.. Jason utilizes his years of experience in the trenches of hard fought child custody trials to competently advise parties on the best route to tackle complicated and intertwined issues of mental health (particularly cluster b personality disorders such as histrionic, borderline, narcissistic and anti-social) and chemical dependency (particularly abuse of alcohol, opiates, methamphetamines and benzodiazepines).. When it comes to the courtroom, Jason is extremely comfortable and puts his clients at ease. There is no case too complex or too extreme for Jason to be willing to take it on. He is known by his colleagues for his confidence and persuasive argumentative skills and his trial experience is nothing short of prodigious. Many lawyers in the community are aware of his trial advocacy and often refer their clients to him for cases that are headed for trial.. Jason left Omak, Washington at 18 years of age and went off to the big city of Chicago where he attended Northwestern University. After obtaining his BA in Philosophy, he came back to Washington State and graduated from Seattle University School of Law in 1995. He and his wife have two daughters and enjoy various outdoor adventures.
Avvo Review
“pent the next three days calling everyone and anyone I could find trying to seek counsel to help me”
Brent Bohan is a family law and divorce attorney with high energy and a powerful drive to obtain the best possible outcomes for his clients.. While running a private practice, Brent discovered his talent for family law. He loves helping people solve problems, and family law provided a challenging and rewarding way to do so. Brent now focuses his practice on family law and divorce, including high asset divorce and LGBT family law.. Known for being a tough litigator, Brent combines a talent in the courtroom with his ability to develop productive and friendly relationships with the opposing counsel in a high stakes environment. Brent places a strong client-attorney relationship at the cornerstone of his practice. Due to the turbulent nature of many family law cases, Brent works to ensure his clients to feel secure and confident in the representation he provides.
“Brent is a tremendous advocate and a great resource to his clients and his fellow attorneys. Since entering practice, Brent has been a consistent presence in the legal community an…”
“Margaret is a relentless advocate on behalf of her clients. She is thorough, prepared, and most importantly she delivers results for her clients. I worked with Margaret for several…”
“Having worked with Elena on multiple occasions, and now working on the same team with her, I’m quite impressed with her negotiation skills and her courtroom advocacy.”
I was born and raised in the Chicago-land area, and will always consider myself a Chicago girl at heart although I absolutely love living in Seattle. I earned a degree in finance from the University of Illinois and started my career as a futures and options auditor. I went on to become a financial analyst for a couple of years before deciding that I needed a career change where I could more directly work with and help people. I attended law school at Tulane University in New Orleans, and am incredibly proud to have lived in such a diverse, rich, and amazing city. The time I lived in New Orleans was a period of time where the city was filled with unfaltering hope, revitalization, and rejuvenation post-Katrina. I will be forever grateful that I was able to call myself a New Orleanian for three incredible years.. During law school, I interned at the Cook County Criminal Court in Chicago, and at the Northwest Justice Project in Seattle. After graduating from law school, I worked for the Honorable Judge Julie Spector at the King County Superior Court.. I feel very fortunate to be able to say that I love my job. I love being able to help people as they transition from the familiar to the unknown – to an unknown filled with endless possibility. Nothing brings me greater joy in my work than seeing the evolution my clients undergo from the beginning of their case to the conclusion. I think many people are surprised by their own strength and transformations; it’s thrilling to be a part of their journey!. Family law deals with two areas many people hold most dear – their family and their finances. It is a highly emotionally charged area of law, and I enjoy bringing my financial background to the table. It is my job as an attorney to advocate to the best of my ability for my clients, to educate them on the law, and to listen to them when all they need is an ear.. I love music and am a classically trained pianist as well as a saxophone player. A huge sports fan, I am always rooting on my Chicago Cubs, Chicago Bears, and Fighting Illini. After living in the incredible city of New Orleans, I am an avid supporter of any and all things championing the rebuilding of NOLA. My favorite activity outside of the office is spending time with my daughter and my husband. I live with my husband, our daughters.
“Denise is a professional and competent attorney that brings experience and compassion to all matters that she works on. She is kind and fair to all individuals that she works with …”
Practice Areas: Child Custody, Divorce, Child Support, Elder Law, Mediation
US Supreme Court Justice Burger advised lawyers to be “Healers of Conflict”. We agree. 98% of our clients surveyed (over a 2 year period) report they would recommend us to a friend or use the firm again. We have helped people in more than 1 thousand cases. We would like the opportunity to help you. Our job is to help you to “heal” conflicts as productively, as cheaply and as quickly as possible, not to promote them or provoke them. Having studied conflict resolution theory since the 1970’s we work with you to better understand how the legal system can be used, along with other “alternative dispute resolution” strategies, to resolve the conflicts or problems that led you to seek assistance.
“Bruce is one of the hardest working attorneys I know. He is a powerful advocate, but also attempts reasonable settlement when appropriate. Bruce is extremely knowledgeable in the a…”
Google Review
“I felt really listened to and gunmen advice that was best for me.”
Disclaimer: This content is based on aggregated public information and estimated market trends. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
