About Us

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James' practice focuses exclusively on family law litigation and mediation, although he has represented parties in a wide variety of commercial litigation matters throughout his legal career. He is an experienced litigator, having tried cases in both State and Federal Court. James assists clients with complex marital dissolutions, including those of high net worth individuals, often involving business valuations and estate issues. James favors a team approach, which is client-centered and cost-effective.

James is an experienced family law mediator and assists parties through mediation and arbitration to resolve their disputes. James is also trained and experienced in Collaborative Law.

Representative Matters

James' practice includes a wide-range of family law matters, including:

• Complex marital dissolutions
• Legal separations
• Domestic partnership dissolutions
• Custody matters (including parenting plan modifications)
• Child relocation matters
• Child support matters (including adjustments and modifications)
• Post-dissolution and enforcement matters
• Domestic violence protection orders
• Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements

Reported Decisions

In Re Marriage of Pennamen, 135 Wash. App. 790, 146 P.3d 466 (2006)

Articles and Presentations

Co-presenter, "Art and Science of Parenting Plans – High Conflict, Abusive Use of Conflict, and Parallel Parenting," Compass Collaborative Practice Group, September 2013

Speaker, "Dealing With A Rambo Litigator in Divorce," National Business Institute, April 2013

Speaker, "Taxes: Marriage Equality vs. Federal DOMA," QLaw, April 2013

Speaker, "Modern Family: Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART)," Family Law CLE, March 2013

Speaker, “Financial Divorce Settlements from Start to Finish,” National Business Institute, December 6, 2011

Speaker, “Settling the Score: Money Matters in Divorce,” National Business Institute, February 2008

Speaker, “Ethics and Professionalism in Family Law Discovery Practice,” King County Bar Association, December 2008

Professional and Civic Involvement

Seattle University School of Law/King County Bar Association - Domestic Violence Clinic, Volunteer Attorney

King County Volunteer Family Law Settlement Conference Program - Master Attorney/Volunteer Mediator

King County Bar Association Family Law Mentor Program - Attorney Mentor

QLaw: The GLBT Bar Association of Washingto - Board Member

QLaw Foundation - President and Board Member

Highline Community College - Adjunct Instructor, Paralegal Program

California State University, Los Angeles - Adjunct Professor, Business Law

Washington State Bar Association

King County Bar Association

Honors/Awards/Past Experience

Repeatedly recognized as a “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics and Thomson Reuters' Washington Super Lawyers

Education

J.D., Seattle University School of Law, 1998

Phillip C. Jessup International Moot Court Competition

• Regional Champion
• World Cup Competitor, 1998 (Ranked Top 25 Oralists)

Seattle University School of Law Moot Court Vice-Chair

Inns of Court

Order of the Barristers

CALI Excellence for the Future Award – Constitutional Law

B.S., California State University, Los Angeles, Finance, 1995

Bar/Court Admissions

Washington State Courts

Washington Tribal Court for Tulalip/Northwest Intertribal Court System (NICS)

California State Courts

U.S. District Court for the Central District of California

U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington

Personal

I returned to Seattle a number of years ago and enjoy being in one of the greatest cities in the world. I try to spend as much time as possible with my large extended family in the area.

In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, hiking, house remodels, working out, and paddle sports.. I spend some time in the garden attempting to control various species of bamboo and ivy from taking over the world, and keep trying to learn to cook with little success, although my cookbook collection is impressive.