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WASHINGTON MEMBERS
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Sherri M. Anderson Sherri M. Anderson represents clients in divorce cases which involve complex financial or jurisdictional issues. She is recognized as one of the Top 10 attorneys in Washington State by Super Lawyers and as a Band 1 attorney by Chambers (Family/Matrimonial: High Net Worth). Sherri is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys and the International Academy of Family Lawyers. She is one of the 100 Diplomates of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers. Sherri is a graduate of the University of Washington School Law (’91). She is involved with nonprofit boards that focus on child welfare and education. She and her husband and two sons are diehard Seattle Seahawks fans and fantasy football competitors.
Phone: 425-362-6874
Email: info@smalaw.biz
Web: www.smalaw.biz
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Kenneth E. Brewe is the founder of Brewe Layman P.S. which has offices in Seattle, Everett, and Mount Vernon, Washington. His practice focuses on complex matters typically involving significant estates. He has been named a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics annually since 2001 as well as a “Top 100 Lawyers” by said publication. Ken has been selected for inclusion in “Best Lawyers” by U.S. News and World Report annually since 2012 and has been a member of the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Lawyers for Washington State since 2008. He is A.V. rated (very high to preeminent) by Martindale Hubbell, frequently speaks at CLE seminars, regularly mediates family law matters and is a contributing author for multiple family law chapters in Washington Practice. He has been an AAML member since 2000. Ken was named Seattle Family Law Attorney of the Year in 2014 by Best Lawyers as reported in U.S. News and World Report.
Phone: 425-252-5167
Email: kennethb@brewelaw.com
Web: www.brewelaw.com
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Michael W. Bugni was admitted to the AAML in 2004. He has practiced family law in King & Snohomish Counties (litigation, mediation & appeals) since 1983, emphasizing dissolutions, parenting, child support and modifications (including relocation). Mr. Bugni served as a pro tem family law commissioner from 1998 - 2007. He is a past chapter president (Washington AAML). Past offices include board president - Center for Conflict Management (family law mediation); and Northwest Family Life (DV treatment agency). Mr. Bugni is available to conduct family law mediations.
Phone: 206-365-5500
Email: mike@lawgate.net
Web: www.lawgate.net
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Marc T. Christianson is of counsel at McKinley Irvin. He has practiced family law since 1976, largely focusing on complex dissolution matters involving significant assets, property, or business interests, as well as family law mediation, arbitration and collaborative practice. Marc is rated AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, designated as a "Super Lawyer," and listed in "Best Lawyers in America." He is a past president of the Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association and serves as a pro tem Superior Court Commissioner and Superior Court Judge in Pierce County.
Phone: 253-592-6350
Email: mchristianson@mckinleyirvin.com
Web: www.mckinleyirvin.com
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Linda Kelley Ebberson of Lasher Holzapfel Sperry & Ebberson, PLLC leads her firm's substantial family law practice group. She and her firm provide tax, business, estate planning and real estate expertise for divorce clients with complex estates. Linda is a skillful negotiator and trial attorney whose typical clients are owners of publically and family held Northwest businesses, executives and professionals or their spouses. She has been named to the Martindale Hubbell Register of Preeminent Women Lawyers, has held their highest "AV" rating since 1997, and has been named annually as a "Super Lawyer" by Washington Law & Politics since 1999. Linda is a rare breed, a genuine Northwest native.
Phone: 206-654-2406
Email: ebberson@lasher.com
Web: www.lasher.com
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Shannon Ellmers is a skilled litigator and negotiator who maintains a practice in family law with an emphasis on marital dissolutions that involve complex financial and property issues. Shannon provides exceptional representation to family law clients in every setting, whether direct negotiation, formal dispute resolution, or trial. Shannon often represents business owners, entrepreneurs, physicians, trust beneficiaries, attorneys, and corporate officers. Shannon's approach is one of well-reasoned scale, determined by the needs of the client and the applicable legal principles, and often involves working with outside experts to develop sound, defensible legal approaches. Shannon is a frequent speaker at CLE attorney seminars on family law topics.
Phone: 206-330-0677
Email: shannon@ellmerspllc.com
Web: www.ellmerspllc.com
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H. Michael (Hank) Finesilver has practiced family law since 1974. He has published articles, made presentations at seminars, and served as a judge and family law commissioner pro tem for King County. He has extensive appellate experience. He has also served as a mediator and arbitrator, for which he is available. Hank serves on the Board of the Washington Chapter of the Association of Family Conciliation Courts (AFCC), is an active member of the AAML National Amicus Committee through which he has co-authored amicus briefs on the subject of the privacy of family court proceedings and the enforceability of military disability indemnity agreements in the Nevada Supreme Court, in 2022 and 2023, as well as the military disability indemnity issue in the Virginia Supreme Court in 2023; and two amicus briefs filed in the U.S. Supreme Court involving International Child Abduction (Retention) issues under the Hague Convention.
Email: bavajadas@gmail.com
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Janet A. George has been in practice since 1975. She has a BA from Stanford and a Masters in psychiatric nursing from the UW. Prior to law school she was an assistant professor at the UW School of Nursing. When time allows, she is an adjunct professor of law at Seattle University Law School. She has been selected as a "Super Lawyer" every year since 2003. She was named by the King County Superior Court judges as one of 20 outstanding lawyers in King County. In January 2017, Janet merged her firm with McKinley Irvin.
Phone: 206-447-0717
Email: jgeorge@mckinleyirvin.com
Web: www.mckinleyirvin.com
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Thomas G. Hamerlinck graduated with honors from Harvard Law in 1981 and has been a fellow in the AAML since 1993. He is one of the top 100 lawyers in Washington per Seattle Magazine and one of the state's top 10 “Super Lawyers” per Washington Law & Politics. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 1995. Tom has spoken at over 60 seminars on a variety of divorce-related topics, and is the author of the “property division” chapters in the Family Law Deskbook (2d Ed), published by the WSBA.
Phone: 206-382-0000
Email: t.hamerlinck@wkolaw.com
Web: www.wkolaw.com
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David P. Hazel began his legal career as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney in Yakima County in 1977 and has been in private practice since 1978. His practice has focused exclusively on matrimonial and family law since 1985. In January 2021, Dave transitioned from full-time litigation to mediating and arbitrating family law cases. As a litigator, Dave was an aggressive advocate on behalf of his clients and personally tried hundreds of cases involving all aspects of family law, including complex business and asset valuation, property and debt division, custody, parenting plans, child relocation, third party custody, maintenance (alimony), and child support.
Dave is a strong believer in the benefits of mediation and arbitration and has mediated a high volume of cases. He knows that – if done correctly and with a skilled mediator – mediation is faster, cheaper, less stressful, and yields better results for all parties involved.
Email: dave@davidhazel.com
Web: www.davidhazel.com
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Katherine Kent has been a divorce attorney since 2002, specializing in complex litigation, high net worth cases and complex parenting issues. She focuses her practice in divorce cases involving difficult custodial matters and the protection, valuation and distribution of assets and business interests. Katherine also continues to enjoy assisting clients through the challenges they face in other family law matters, including relocations, parenting and support modifications, and other matrimonial litigation. Katherine successfully litigates motions and trials and achieved numerous favorable settlement agreements on behalf of clients.
In addition to representing clients, in 2013 Katherine was selected to serve as a pro tem Commissioner in the King County Family Law Court. Katherine has been named in Super Lawyers Magazine as a Super Lawyer and Rising Star. Katherine is a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Katherine is the Managing Partner at Whitaker Kent, LLP
Phone: 206-382-0000
Email: katherine@whitakerkent.com
Web: www.whitakerkent.com
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Sabrina L. Layman began her career as a family law practitioner 20 years ago when she joined Ken Brewe's law firm as an intern, and then as a newly-minted associate, making partner after just five years. Since that time, Sabrina has represented clients in a full range of “cradle to grave” family law matters, particularly complex and high net-worth divorce cases, including property and business valuation, property division, spousal maintenance, parenting plans and custody arrangements. She also represents clients in private independent adoptions and step-parent adoptions. A tireless advocate for her clients, Sabrina combines a depth of legal knowledge in the area of family law with an equally nuanced view of the complex emotional and financial concerns that her clients are facing. Sabrina works closely with each client to understand their goals and objectives in order to provide the highest level of support and advocacy. Her work has received attention from her clients and legal colleagues as Sabrina was recognized as a Super Lawyer and Rising Star in the area of family law by Washington Law & Politics magazine. Sabrina was recently accepted into the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) which is a nationally recognized group of family law attorneys.
Phone: 425-252-5167
Email: sabrinal@brewelaw.com
Web: www.brewelaw.com
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Christina A. Meserve has been assisting clients with family law issues since 1979. Her practice emphasizes dissolutions and modifications, as well as mediation, arbitration, and the drafting & review of prenuptial agreements. Chris is a former member of the Board of Trustees of The Evergreen State College, a former president of Washington Women Lawyers, and a former president of the Thurston County Bar Assoc. Her law firm (Connolly, Tacon and Meserve) provides a wide range of services in family law and other areas.
Phone: 360-943-6747
Email: ctm@olylaw.com
Web: www.olylaw.com
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Elizabeth Michelson was admitted to practice in 1980 and has practiced family law in Snohomish County throughout her entire career. She has been a fellow of the AAML since 1996 and was named one of the top 100 lawyers in Washington by Seattle Magazine. She is listed in "The Best Lawyers in America." She has served on the Reduce Family Conflict Committee of the Domestic Relations Commission. She has extensive training in mediation and regularly conducts mediations in family law disputes. Elizabeth is of counsel at McKinley Irvin in Everett.
Phone: 425-258-4208
Email: lmichelson@mckinleyirvin.com
Web: www.mckinleyirvin.com
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Robert J. Miller With over 20 years experience in the area of family law, Bob has established himself as a highly-skilled litigator and an unwavering advocate for his clients. Bob assists his clients in all areas of family law, particularly complex and high net-worth divorce cases, including property and business valuation, property division, spousal maintenance, parenting plans and custody arrangements, and pre- and post-nuptial agreements.
An aggressive and strong negotiator, Bob has successfully tried hundreds of cases. However, the nature of family law is such that most cases settle before ever going to trial. Bob advocates for his clients during mediation to achieve the best possible results, even in thorny and contentious divorce matters.
Bob began his legal career in Massachusetts in 1993, in the area of family and domestic relations and personal injury law. He moved back to Washington State in 1999 where he began his private practice as a family law practitioner and civil litigator with a Seattle-based firm, working there for ten years until joining Brewe Layman in 2009. When not practicing law, Bob is a sports enthusiast and enjoys cheering on all the Seattle-area teams, although he still has a soft spot for the Boston Red Sox. He lives in Edmonds with his wife and three teenaged children.
Phone: 425-374-5012
Email: robertm@brewelaw.com
Web: www.brewelaw.com
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LuAnne Perry's skills and expertise have resulted in successful outcomes for her clients in all types of domestic relations matters including divorce, alimony, equitable distribution for nonmarried partners, child support, and child custody/visitation. LuAnne has represented many high net worth clients with complex financial situations.
Her goal is to help her clients navigate difficult situations and choose the most logical, effective path to resolution. Her approach to family law often includes an interdisciplinary team, including financial advisors, mental health professionals, forensic accountants and real estate advisors. Any or all of these team members can be brought in if necessary to help resolve a case or for ongoing family support.
Phone: 206-834-7550
Email: lap@tplgsea.com
Web: www.tplgsea.com/
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Lisa Ann Sharpe is dedicated to helping her clients with their family law issues. She provides the highest level of family law advice to clients in complex divorce and custody cases. She regularly handles cases with large estates and difficult family issues. Lisa also has over 20 years of experience in mediation and arbitration. Her approach includes building a team of financial and parenting experts, when necessary. She is A.V. rated by Martindale Hubbell and has been named a Super Lawyer by Washington Law and Politics.
Phone: 206-654-2404
Email: Sharpe@lasher.com
Web: www.lasher.com
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James D. Shipman is the managing partner of Shipman Uberti, P.S. He graduated magna cum laude from Gonzaga Law School, where he was a Thomas More Scholar. Mr. Shipman has served as a Snohomish County Superior Court pro tem commissioner since 2003. He serves as a frequent mediator for family law matters in Snohomish County. Mr. Shipman was awarded the Civil/Family Law Clerk's award in Snohomish County Superior Court in 2007, 2008 and 2011. He is a CLE lecturer on family law topics.
Phone: 425-258-6846
Email: jshipman@shipmanuberti.com
Web: www.shipmanuberti.com
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David B. Starks is a partner at McKinley Irvin. His practice focuses on divorce cases involving the protection, valuation and distribution of significant assets and complex financial and business interests. He has been named a "Super Lawyer" and as one of "The Best Lawyers in America." David's practice also includes international family law and the Hague Convention. He is a frequent speaker on the subject, co-author of the Washington Family Law Deskbook chapter on international law, and co-chair of the American Bar Association International Law Section's Family Law Committee.
Phone: 206-625-9600
Email: dstarks@mckinleyirvin.com
Web: www.mckinleyirvin.com
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William R. Sullivan has practiced law for over 35 years in Snohomish County. He has served as a member of the Snohomish County Bar Association Board of Trustees and on various Sections and Boards of the Washington State Bar Association. He has also served as a Judge Pro Tem, Court Commissioner Pro Tem, and as an arbitrator in the Snohomish County Superior Court since 1986. His practice is generally a civil trial practice with a focus on family law. He has also established a significant mediation practice where he aids parties in arriving at amicable agreements to resolve their disputes. Bill has been honored professionally by the WSBA Family Law Section as the 2007 Attorney of the Year; by the Snohomish County Clerk as the 2006 Clerks' Choice "Pro Tem Jurist" Award; by receiving the 2016 President's Award from the SCBA; and has been awarded the highest professional and ethical rating available by Martindale Hubbell.
Phone: 425-332-2000
Email: bills@millcreeklaw.com
Web: http://www.millcreeklaw.com
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Rebecca Torgerson is a shareholder with Brewe Layman, P.S., which has offices in Seattle, Everett, and Mount Vernon, Washington. Ms. Torgerson joined Brewe Layman as an associate attorney in 2002, after working for the firm as a legal intern during law school. Ms. Torgerson received her B.A. from the University of Washington and earned her law degree from Seattle University School of Law in 2002. Ms. Torgerson is a contributing author for several chapters in West's Washington Practice Family and Community Property Law publication. Ms. Torgerson's practice emphasis is in family law matters, including marital dissolution actions, committed intimate relationship actions and parenting plan modifications.
Phone: 425-252-5167
Email: rebeccat@brewelaw.com
Web: www.brewelaw.com
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Since 2007, Jamie R. Walker has focused her practice exclusively on family law matters with a focus on high-net-worth estates and complicated custody cases. Ms. Walker left a large firm in 2020 to open her own practice. Jamie practices in King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties and has presented a number of continuing education courses for her peers and has published several articles. Jamie also serves as a mediator and volunteer settlement conference director. Ms. Walker holds a 10.0 “Superb” peer review rating through Avvo, and has been distinguished by Super Lawyer's and Best Lawyer's Magazines. Jamie is the current AAML Washington chapter President.
Phone: 253-314-5858
Email: jamie@jwalkerfamilylaw.com
Web: www.jwalkerfamilylaw.com
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J. Mark Weiss focuses on collaborative divorce and consultation. In 2005, he received the "Attorney of the Year" award from the state Family Law Section. He is a "Super Lawyer" per Washington Law and Politics. Mark is particularly skilled in cases involving complex property and financial issues, including businesses, and in complex parenting disputes. Mark has taught and written extensively on community property, business, and other family law issues. He has served on boards and committees to improve justice, and trains attorneys in collaborative law.
Phone: 206-622-6707
Email: mweiss@mark-weiss.com
Web: www.mark-weiss.com
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Gordon W. Wilcox is of counsel at McKinley Irvin. He limits his practice to substantial financial family law cases, including parenting issues. He is a co-author of chapters on Property Identification, Valuation and Division in the WSBA Family Law Deskbook (1st ed) and the author of "Summary Procedures in Family Law," American Journal of Family Law. He has presented at CLEs for 30 years and was a board member of Columbia and Evergreen Legal Services for 33 years. Education: Yale College, 1965; University of Pennsylvania Law School, 1968.
Phone: 206-233-9300
Email: gwilcox@mckinleyirvin.com
Web: www.mckinleyirvin.com
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