About twenty years ago I started my own family law firm. I envisioned a place where individuals going through the de-coupling process could feel empowered through education. Today, I am happy to say that our funky waterfront law firm in Seattle is exactly what I had in mind all those years ago.
Our firm practices exclusively in family law, and we’ve managed to put together an amazing group of people. Our lawyers are smart, strong advocates – financially savvy, warm, passionate, and most importantly, family-focused. And our paralegals are second to none. Check out everyone’s bios here to see what I mean. We are a group of compassionate, fierce advocates.
As a small business owner myself, I feel a kindred spirit with those who have put their hearts and souls into juggling career and family. When a family breaks up, the transition is overwhelming, not only from an emotional perspective but from a financial one as well. I pride myself on my ability to help people manage huge life transitions. In fact, prior to becoming an attorney, I was a high-risk labor and delivery nurse at the University of Washington. Over the years I have discovered that the divorce process is not unlike the process of labor and delivery – it’s scary, painful, and sometimes a little out of control – but in the end, it’s empowering to look back and see that you made it through. I find that my background as a small business owner and a former nurse helps me in a couple of interesting ways.
My nursing background gives me a unique perspective as to how to support divorcing individuals that are undertaking the unimaginable stress of the often-unfriendly legal process. And my experience dealing with the day-to-day realities of managing a business gives me insight into the hopes and dreams of entrepreneurs. I particularly enjoy working with small business owners and professionals who need creative solutions for managing the financial aspect of divorce. Some of the issues facing small business owners include how to value a business, and if the business qualifies as a separate property interest. And then there is the difficult issue of spousal support.
My nursing background gives me a unique perspective as to how to support divorcing individuals that are undertaking the unimaginable stress of the often-unfriendly legal process.
I fully understand the midnight panic attacks experienced by business owners and professionals faced with overwhelming financial concerns as they try to figure out how they will get back on track after their divorce. Here’s one thing I’ve learned from my clients in this regard: you had what it took to build your career or business – you can do it again. You just need some really good support and innovative legal thinking to get you through this process, so you can go back to focusing on what you’re good at and what you love. I’m lucky to work with a fantastic team of experts who have demonstrated a special commitment to serving our firm’s clients. Yes, that means weekend and evening availability for our busy entrepreneurs. We gladly give out our cell phone numbers to our clients when needed. Family law doesn’t happen between 9:00 and 5:00 anymore.
In my personal practice, I focus exclusively on family law and mediation. I handle both amicable and complex family law matters. I regularly take particularly challenging cases to trial in King County. My experience as a trial lawyer and as a former Member of the Washington State Association for Justice Board of Governors has provided me with helpful litigation strategy and trial skills.
In addition to my legal practice, I have also authored medical legal thrillers, The Camille Delaney Mystery series. I frequently speak and appear at events and book clubs to share my love of writing.
The one accomplishment that I’m most proud of is founding a program called Civil Survival Project. A few years back, I had an opportunity to teach basic legal survival skills to formerly incarcerated individuals, and boy, did I learn a lot! What struck me was the enormous number of barriers faced by people who have done their time in prison and are trying to get their lives back on track. As I listened to story after story of unimaginable struggle just to get a job or housing, it occurred to me that all of these problems could be solved by changing laws and policies. So, I created workshops to teach formerly incarcerated people how to advocate for themselves at the state and local levels.
Over the past few years, we have trained nearly four hundred individuals, and our group of formerly incarcerated people has testified in Olympia, at City and County Council meetings, and at Supreme Court symposia, and they have worked with over forty affiliated organizations that work to level the playing field for formerly incarcerated individuals. I now count as friends some of the most amazing individuals who have re-created themselves after prison. Some have graduated from law school or received advanced degrees, some are professors, some are students. All are passionate activists dedicated to helping those still in prison, and those who are working to re-enter the community. I could not be more proud of these colleagues. They inspire me every single day.
On a personal note, my husband Philip DuBois authored a book for men about women and menopause and sex. We have two fabulous adult daughters – one of whom is an associate here at the firm. We also have a very special little Cavachon dog named Delaney, after the protagonist in my books. When I’m not working, I can usually be found hanging out cooking something complicated and amazing at either our place on Decatur Island or in Todos Santos in Baja.
