Heather Shutter

I didn’t meet a lawyer until I was in my mid-20s. Law was not my first profession, but I did begin my career as an advocate. I worked with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault at a shelter in interior Alaska, often seeing the same clients return multiple times. I noticed that those who had access to attorneys were far less likely to return to the shelter.

Throughout my career in victim services, I became deeply passionate about transformative and restorative justice. After supporting a survivor through an attempted murder trial, I felt called to attend law school. I chose to practice family law because I never wanted my wins or losses in court to result in someone being incarcerated, and I am committed to helping people find safe paths forward as relationships come to an end.

My work with survivors of violence has given me the ability to navigate complex situations with nuance and empathy. Family law matters are dynamic, and I understand that people can—and do—change their minds. I believe individuals are the experts on their own lived experiences. My role as an attorney is to help clients accomplish the legal goals they know are in their best interests.

Although I was born in Texas, where my extended family still lives, my parents were in the military, so I moved frequently as a child. By the time I graduated high school after spending my teenage years in Germany, I had attended 22 different schools. Military communities experience higher-than-average rates of divorce, and it felt like nearly everyone I knew had been impacted by family transitions in some way.

My husband also served in the Army, and we eventually landed in Washington when he was stationed at JBLM near Tacoma. We quickly fell in love with the food culture, temperate climate, and easy access to the outdoors. I earned my J.D. from Seattle University School of Law, and it has felt meaningful to finally put down roots here.

Inspired by Amanda’s career, I felt confident she was the right person to teach me how to become an attorney, and I joined this firm to learn from her and the team at DuBois Levias. I value the supportive culture at DLLG, especially the way everyone prioritizes mentorship and professional growth. The culture here is the opposite of everything negative I was ever told a law firm would be. Working with this team inspires me and makes me excited to continue growing as an attorney.

DLLG excels at supporting clients with different needs, goals, and perspectives. Whether guiding someone through complex litigation or helping them explore separation options, our legal services are intentionally client-centered and designed to leave clients feeling empowered in their decision-making.

My husband and I have been together for more than 15 years, and we now have three children and three dogs. Like many Pacific Northwesterners, we love camping and hiking. We also enjoy combing beaches for sea glass and taking every opportunity we can to go whale watching.