Lucia Ramirez Levias

When I was in law school my colleagues and professors kept suggesting that I practice family law. I understood why. Before entering the legal field, I spent a decade working in the non-profit sector helping families and children. But I had no interest in family law — it sounded depressing, to tell the truth. I had lived abroad with experience in international relations and working with international government agencies, so I assumed immigration law was my end destination. Then I found this amazing little law firm in Fremont that took a completely different view of family law than the one I’d formed in my head.

It turns out that practicing family law is inspiring, positive, and deeply meaningful work when you do it with the right point of view. Here at DuBois Levias Law Group, we look at divorce and other family transitions as the beginning, not the end. I often meet with clients who are at the darkest moments in their lives, then help them reach a new and better reality for themselves and their children. 

This passion goes deep. My father was the first man in his home state to win full custody of his children. My law school associates and mentors nudged me in the right direction after all.

My interest in international studies ended up carrying forward into this work too. Over time, I expanded my family law practice to include cases that involve parents who are foreign-born, live overseas, or have interstate and international custody issues. I’ve also developed my pro bono work around helping children who arrive in the U.S. unaccompanied (without a parent) and need to be cared for by a relative. 

I enjoy complex analysis and problem solving. Even when it comes to interstate and international custody, parental kidnapping, and relative visitation, among many other issues related to family law.

I aspire to reach my client’s goals by listening, analyzing, and advocating. I am an experienced litigator and have significant courtroom experience. At the same time, most family law cases are resolved through mediation and I’m committed to de-escalating cases that don’t need to go to court. After 15 years guiding clients through the traditional court and mediation system in Washington, the pandemic hit — and I noticed more conflict everywhere. That’s when I made a conscious shift to focus on collaborative divorce and contribute to a higher standard of dispute resolution.

Collaborative divorce is a defined legal process in Washington state where soon-to-be-ex spouses build a neutral support team — often financial professionals, child specialists, and a divorce coach — backed by a specially trained collaborative attorney on both sides. It takes hard work to follow this set standard and reach a fair consensus for everyone involved, but it really works. Especially for kids, who just need loving caregivers in their lives and protection from the fallout of a conflict-filled divorce.

I met with clients who were at the darkest moments in their lives and then helped them to attain a new and better life for themselves and their children.

Tough life transitions can be positive when supported by the guidance of caring professionals. I’ve seen this firsthand, again and again, especially now that I’m a partner at this compassionate firm that changed my entire perspective on family law.

When not working, my husband and I try to keep up with our two busy sons. We love weekend getaways, Seahawks games, and volunteering in our community. I also enjoy traveling, especially to my ancestral country, Peru.