Deb Sheehan

I didn’t come to the legal field in a straight line. My first real education in family conflict came from my own childhood home, where arguments between my parents were frequent and sometimes serious enough that the police were called. They eventually divorced while I was in college, and later I experienced divorce myself. Those experiences made one thing very clear to me: children should never be used as leverage. That belief has shaped every part of my work.

Law had always been in the back of my mind, but my path there zigzagged. I dropped out of college because of family circumstances, worked, raised two sons, and eventually returned to school years later. Along the way, I discovered that I loved untangling complex information, navigating legal systems, and helping people regain stability during chaotic times. I now have more than 23 years of experience as a paralegal in workers’ compensation, probate and wills, and family law.

A significant part of my perspective comes from lived experience, including six years of incarceration at the Washington Corrections Center for Women. During that time, I met women whose stories deeply changed me. I saw how easily mothers can lose contact with their children, how difficult it can be to rebuild after release, and how often people are misunderstood or dismissed before anyone truly listens. Those experiences strengthened my commitment to advocacy.

Since then, I have spoken with Superior Court Family Law judges about the challenges incarcerated mothers face, served in nonprofit leadership roles, and helped build education and reentry programs within women’s prisons.

I first connected with DuBois Levias in 2019, shortly after returning home. Amanda saw not only my skills, but also my potential. When a position opened in 2020, I joined the firm. After spending some time working in the nonprofit sector, I returned because this place is different. The compassion here is genuine—not simply something written in a brochure. Even when the work is emotionally heavy, the support within the firm makes it possible to show up for clients with patience, empathy, and humanity.

At DLLG, my strengths extend beyond drafting documents and tracking deadlines. I understand the emotional weight people carry when they walk through our doors. While always keeping children’s well-being at the center of the process, my goal is to provide steadiness, clarity, and calm during times that can feel overwhelming.

Outside of work, I enjoy hiking, camping, and spending time outdoors, or relaxing at home watching horror movies with my son and his wife. I also remain actively involved in reentry and prison-related advocacy through speaking engagements, volunteer work, and supporting women as they transition back into their lives after incarceration.

My path has taken many turns, but every part of it has shaped the advocate I am today. It is the reason I remain committed to helping families move through difficult chapters with dignity, compassion, and hope.