Best Lawyers Near You in Kirkland, Washington for Family Law
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...
Attorney Elizabeth Michelson has practiced Family Law in Snohomish County since 1980 and is currently of counsel at family law firm McKinley Irvin. She focuses her practice on complex divorce and custody cases and has been recognized within the legal profession and in the community for her exceptional ability in the practice of family law. She is a longtime Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and was named Family Law "Lawyer of the Year" in 2017 for the Seattle Metro ...
I have dedicated my entire professional career to representing clients needing help with family law issues. It is this experience that I will put to work on your behalf. I consider my advocacy style to be compassionate, honest and assertive. I have successfully tried numerous cases and settled hundreds more with equal or greater success. I am a litigator. This means I can see an issue, seek to resolve it amicably but if that is not realistic, I have the skills necessary to advance your issues...
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...
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...
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...
Nathan Julius is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Nathan, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nathan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Dimitra S. Scott is a partner at Beresford Booth in Edmonds, Washington, where she chairs the firm’s Divorce & Family Law and Adoption & Assisted Reproduction practice groups. She is known for providing thoughtful guidance and a steady perspective to individuals and families navigating complex legal matters. Dimitra is also a fellow of the Academy of Adoption & Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA), an organization focused on maintaining rigorous professional standards in a...
Rebecca began her law career with Brewe Layman, P.S. in 2001 as a legal intern. Since earning her law degree in 2002, she has worked exclusively in the area of family law. Rebecca is skilled at guiding her clients through the complexities of divorce and family law issues, including property/business valuation, property division, spousal maintenance, and child support matters. Rebecca has experience representing parties in cases involving Committed Intimate Relationships (CIR) and is familiar ...
Christina Smith is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law and Family Law Mediation. Christina, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christina is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Mindy Carr is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Mindy, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mindy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kim Schnuelle is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Kim, who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kim is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Ken is the founder of Brewe Layman and has been in private practice since 1979. Ken focuses his practice on complex domestic matters, cohabitation (meretricious) disputes, injury claims and civil litigation. He also advises clients regularly on business and estate planning matters and frequently drafts/reviews various sorts of marital agreements. Ken also provides private family law mediation services on a regular basis. He has earned an AV rating (very high to preeminent legal ability rating...
Theresa R. Lorella is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law, Family Law Arbitration and Family Law Mediation. Theresa R., who practices law in Seattle, Washington, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Theresa R. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jennifer Payseno is a partner at McKinley Irvin with more than 30 years of experience practicing family law. She represents clients in a wide range of matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, relocation, and complex, high-asset cases involving closely held businesses and substantial financial assets. Known for her thoughtful and strategic approach, Jennifer combines meticulous preparation with strong courtroom advocacy and practical problem-solving. Her practice is grounded i...
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.