Best Lawyers Near You in Kent, Washington for Family Law
Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans forcing the evacuation of my family. Initially we moved to rural Georgia, then to Minnesota, and finally to the Pacific Northwest. After undergoing my own divorce and multiple relocations due to Hurricane Katrina, I truly understood what it meant to put the “best interest of the kids” ahead of my own. I decided to focus my practice on family law and serving as a guardian ad litem, advocating for children’s best interest in high-conf...
Brent Bohan is a partner at McKinley Irvin known for his tenacious advocacy, candid counsel, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for his clients. He handles divorce – with particular experience in high-asset cases – child custody, child support, relocation, domestic violence, and LGBT family law. A skilled and tenacious litigator, Brent combines strong courtroom presence with genuine empathy and direct, responsive communication. He believes in telling clients th...
Carry Porter is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Carry practices law in Kirkland, Washington Best Lawyers has recognized Carry Porter since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Carry Porter is held by other lawyers.
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 res...
Kim Schnuelle is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Kim practices law in Seattle, Washington Best Lawyers has recognized Kim Schnuelle since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Kim Schnuelle is held by other lawyers.
Theresa R. Lorella is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Theresa R. practices law in Seattle, Washington Best Lawyers has recognized Theresa R. Lorella since 2024. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Theresa R. Lorella is held by other lawyers.
Carol Vaughn is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Elder Law, Family Law, Litigation - Trusts and Estates and Trusts and Estates. Carol practices law in Seattle, Washington Best Lawyers has recognized Carol Vaughn since 2018. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Carol Vaughn is held by other lawyers.
Complex marital dissolutions and legal separations, parenting plans, relocation actions, high-conflict child custody and child support matters, third-party and non-parental custody actions, cohabitation/prenuptial and community property status agreements, and post-dissolution issues, including child support and parenting plan modifications.
James is a Principal with the Lasher Family Law Practice Group. His legal career spans more than two decades working in family law. Honed by his experiences, James’s strategy in each case is to focus on creative ways to resolve disputes rather than create them. James also appreciates that clients often have emergent needs that demand swift action, including court intervention. In each case, James’s goal is to help his clients deal with critical and often complex legal issues throu...
Andrew May is an associate attorney at Envision Family Law, serving clients in Bellevue, Washington. With over 20 years in the legal field and a distinct focus on Family Law for the past decade, Andrew brings a thorough understanding to his practice. His professional journey includes extensive litigation experience, complemented by his role as a knowledgeable mediator. Andrew obtained his political science degree at Dartmouth College, followed by earning his Juris Doctor from the University o...
Lisa Sharpe provides the highest level of legal services to clients in complex dissolution and custody cases. She is a tough advocate who works to protect the best interest of her clients and their children. Her practice emphasizes resolving contested financial issues and child custody issues. Her financial cases include executive divorces, divorces involving businesses, large estates, child support and maintenance (alimony). Lisa has represented clients in divorce, legal separation and in me...
Jessica Moore is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Jessica practices law in Seattle, Washington Best Lawyers has recognized Jessica Moore since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Jessica Moore is held by other lawyers.
Sara is a lawyer in Brewe Layman’s Seattle office. Throughout her practice she has focused on family law cases, specifically those with complex financial issues such as closely held businesses, executive deferred compensation plans, stock grants and options, and other valuation issues. She also handles complicated parenting issues, including dealing with parents with substance abuse histories. Having assisted clients in a full range of property division, spousal maintenance and parentin...
John Rosecrans is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. John practices law in Kirkland, Washington Best Lawyers has recognized John Rosecrans since 2025. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John Rosecrans is held by other lawyers.
Morgan Madison is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Family Law. Morgan practices law in Tacoma, Washington Best Lawyers has recognized Morgan Madison since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Morgan Madison is held by other lawyers.
Desirée focuses her practice on family law matters, including divorce, child custody, parenting matters, child support, legal separation and more. Compassionate and empathetic, she has a genuine concern for her clients, especially when they are going through the stressful and complex process of divorce and separation. Prioritizing her clients’ well-being and interests, she is a skilled and effective advocate in and out of the courtroom. Passionate about helping those who need it ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.