McKinley Irvin

23 Best Lawyers awards

McKinley Irvin logo

Awarded Practice Areas

Family Law

Biography

David B. Starks is a Partner at the Pacific Northwest family law firm McKinley Irvin, PLLC. He is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML), and current president of the Washington chapter of the AAML.

David’s practice concentrates on divorce cases involving difficult custody matters as well as the protection, valuation, and distribution of significant assets or business interests. His passion for resolving complex family law matters has also led him to routinely represent clients with international divorce and family law issues, and he is a frequent speaker on international matrimonial topics.

He is a Past Chair of the ABA International Law Section’s Family Law Committee and an ABA Section Advisor to the Drafting Committee for the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws as regards the Implementation of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children.

David is licensed to practice in Washington, Oregon, and Texas and has been designated by his peers as a Super Lawyer (top 100) in Thompson Reuters Washington Super Lawyers magazine and as one of The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Family Law.

McKinley Irvin

23 Best Lawyers awards

McKinley Irvin logo

Overview

  • English

  • Seattle University, J.D., graduated 1998

  • Washington, Washington State Bar Association
  • Oregon, Oregon State Bar
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas

  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Washington Chapter - President
  • American College of Family Trial Lawyers - Diplomate
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Fellow
  • American Bar Association, International Law Section Family Law Committee - Co-Chair (2010-2011)
  • International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Fellow
  • English
  • Washington, Washington State Bar Association
  • Oregon, Oregon State Bar
  • Texas, State Bar of Texas
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Washington Chapter - President
  • American College of Family Trial Lawyers - Diplomate
  • American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Fellow
  • American Bar Association, International Law Section Family Law Committee - Co-Chair (2010-2011)
  • International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers - Fellow
  • Seattle University, J.D., graduated 1998

Client Testimonials

David Starks is a top notch divorce lawyer and his firm, McKinley Irvin, is first rate. One of his partners, Jennifer Payseno, also worked on my case and she was fantastic, as well. I got great results in my case and high-touch service throughout. David was responsive, strategic, and in control from start to finish. I highly recommend him and his firm to anybody who needs or wants the best.

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2024 - Family Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2022 - Family Law
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Family Law, Seattle (2024)
  • Family Law, Seattle (2022)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
  • Family Law
Awards:
  • Rated 10 out of 10 "Superb" on Avvo.com
  • Top 100 Attorneys in Washington State, Washington Super Lawyers, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
  • Washington Super Lawyers, 2010-2018

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