Jennifer J. Payseno’s Reviews

I worked with Jennifer Payseno at McKinley Irvin on a child custody modification. Some words that describe here are: professional, knowledgeable, and most importantly, realistic. Her passion for her profession became obvious as she made the effort to know me and to understand my situation. I provided volumes of information that would be difficult for most to read past the first page. It became apparent through the process that Jennifer and her staff took the time to not only read it, but become very familiar with it so that they could better help me through my situation. I very highly recommend Jennifer and McKinley Irvin to anyone in need of a family law expert and highly competent advocate.

Jennifer was extremely professional and handled my case with class. I did better than I expected going in to my divorce and can't thank Jennifer enough.

Undergoing a divorce as a reluctant defendant...particularly after a long term marriage with complicated business, contractual, estate, and childcare-related issues...is a brutally emotional process that most of us have no experience in navigating. The terminology, the invasive nature of inquiries, and the prescriptive legal requirements are all foreign. Having someone representing you that can maintain a rational discourse with you as well as opposing counsel is essential.

Jennifer Payseno and her team, specifically co-counsel Jessica Moore, did exactly that for me. They presented the hard realities of my case, the law, and early-on set my expectations. At the same time they developed solid defensive strategies built on facts, events, and chronology to counter the bombastic theatrics of opposing counsel. This was a protracted roller coaster ride and at times, Jennier and her team served as both legal counselor and therapist. Her style is both collaborative and strategically offensive; a nice mix.

During nearly a full year of support and hand holding with enough twists and turns to make a long running soap opera, Jennifer was not only able to pull my emotions off the ceiling, but steadly educate opposing counsel on the rational weaknesses in their case. Despite our defendant status, Jennifer and her team took the lead in nearly every filing and proposal to ensure that plaintiff's counsel reacted to our templates, ideas, and requirements. This is not the cheapest way to go, but the only way when facing a wave of unrealistic and marignally logical thinking from opposing counsel.

I didn't always like what Jennifer was telling me...and at times didn't even follow that advice...but her counsel was dead on accurate. She and Jessica always had my interests at heart and were extraordinary in their knowledge of the ever-changing details. There was never the need to revisit issues or bring them up to speed...they were nearly aways acting, not reacting.

At times I bristled at the McKinley Irvin business model of prepaying for a six-figure legal defense ahead of the services provided, but the exceptional quality of that defense is unquestioned.

Jennifer represented me on 2 occasions as the relationship with my wife fluctuated. The second time resulted in a court ruling following my wife's attempts to get me removed from our property. The build up to this was extremely stressful but the guidance from Jennifer and her team was exceptional, leaving nothing to chance and providing me with reassurance that the best possible argument was being prepared. Jennifer was always contactable, always responsive and always provided sound advice. On the day Jennifer took the opposing council to the cleaners, her preparation totally overshadowed the opposition and the moment the Judge ruled in my favor I had to ask Jennifer if I'd heard him correctly, He required my wife to move out and gave me almost 50 -50 custody of my daughter. It was quite a moment.
In hiring Jennifer I took the approach that legal costs were secondary to what I wanted out of this so was prepared to pay. My decision to select Jennifer was based on research, reputation and reading reviews. I couldn't have got it any better. I would recommend Jennifer in all cases

I brought Jennifer an extremely complicated case involving multiple business partnerships and custody issues. Jennifer listened to my concerns and desires regarding my divorce, carefully and artfully executed a strategy that kept me on the high ground and was consistently several steps ahead of my wife's attorney. I was amazed at how quickly Jennifer got a handle on the very complicated business holdings and moved to protect my interests. Every step of the way, even when finances were tight, Jennifer was understanding, dedicated and reliable. I wouldn't hesitate to hire Jennifer or McKinly-Irvin again.

We used this attorney based on a recommendation for a child custody issue involving our grandson. There was already a case pending, with a hearing date in Idaho (where the case originated) when the natural father filed in Washington. Payseno represented us in a very short hearing wherein both judges, Idaho and Washington agreed that the natural father was forum shopping and his case in Washington was denied. Payseno charged us well over $5000.00 for this and failed to ask for attorney fees and or sanctions on the natural father. We were told later, by other attorneys and a judge involved that had she requested fees on our behalf we would have prevailed and been granted the fees. We paid over 5 grand for a very short amount of work on a case that was easily defeated.