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Michele Gentry Hinz
About Michele
Biography
Adoption is all we do at HinzLaw, where I work with two of my three daughters. One daughter, Kate Kahue, is also an adoption attorney. The other daughter, Kelly Kidder, is our Foster Adoption Case Manager and very capable legal assistant. We work on a fixed-fee basis as much as possible so our clients can take full advantage of the personal service we provide without worrying about the cost.
We do a wide variety of adoption work - including newborn adoption, stepparent adoption, finalization of DCYF adoptions, international finalization and readoption, and adult adoption. You can find more information about our practice on our Hinzlaw website.
Even if you do not work with us, please use an attorney with adoption expertise. You can find skilled, ethical adoption attorneys on the website of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Adoption
100%
43 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 350-400 per hour
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 47 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1978
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Michele Gentry Hinz
33035 52nd Ave S, Auburn, WA, 98001-3622
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Michele Gentry Hinz's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
33 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (33)
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Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (22)
Recommendation (17)
Communication Style (15)
Responsiveness (15)
Practice Area Knowledge (14)
Professionalism (14)
Advocacy (9)
Character & Conduct (8)
Cost of Services (8)
Compassion (7)
General Knowledge (5)
Trustworthiness (4)
Payment Plans (1)
Punctuality (1)
Staff & Support (1)
Showing 6 - 10 of 33 reviews
Posted by Chris and Danny | December 13, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Best of the Best!!
Michele exceeded our expectations in so many ways. She was always available, very knowledgeable, and always made us feel like we were her top priority. Our adoption was a seemless experience, thanks to Michele. We would highly recommend her! She’s the BEST!!
Posted by Notoane | June 08, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Goes Above and Beyond the Call of Duty
Michele did an outstanding job handling the filing and scheduling of vital appointments to make our adoption smooth and easy. She understands the process, and documentation that Service members may need to be reimbursed for the adoption fees, and guides you through the adoption process. We hired her ...
Posted by J,H,&KJ C | May 11, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Top Marks!!!
Our adoption window opened very quickly and Michele accepted our case on extremely short notice. As our attorney, she was very accessible and helpful and performed exceptionally! Thank you so much Michele! We highly recommend her services!
Posted by anonymous | August 28, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Wonderful attorney
I had the pleasure of having Michele work on my adoption case. She is very knowledgeable and makes things seamless and does task with ease. She is also very good at getting back to you to answer any questions you have. I would highly recommend her services.
Posted by Hannah | July 10, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Adoption
Just Wonderful
Michele was absolutely wonderful. I'm so glad we were able to work with her for our daughter's adoption. There were some factors in our case that made our adoption atypical (as if any adoption is typical!), but Michele was knowledgeable and always went the extra mile to make sure everything was exact...
Michele Gentry Hinz's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse Michele for her readiness to help, guide, mentor and support. Great person to consult with. I am grateful to know such a professional with open heart and smile."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I worked on a dependency/ adoption matter with Michele. I found Michele to be a thorough, knowledgeable and skilled attorney who cares a great deal about her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Michele Hinz worked as a Guardian Ad Litem in a contested adoption case where I was representing the adopting parents. She was instrumental in helping all parties achieve a fair result. Her professionalism and creativity really impressed me."
Joyce Robson
Adoption lawyer
Adam Shapiro
Juvenile law lawyer
Kristine Grelish
Litigation lawyer
Albert Lirhus
Adoption lawyer
Mark Demaray
Adoption lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
Susan Paquet Mentoring Award, Academy of Adoption and Reproductive Technology Attorneys
2024
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell
2023
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell
2022
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell
2021
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell®
2020
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell®
2019
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell®
2018
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell®
2017
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell®
2016
AV Preeminent Rated - Peer and Judicial, Martindale-Hubbell®
2015
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2014
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2013
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2012
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2011
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®
2010
AV Peer Review Rating, Martindale-Hubbell®
2009
AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2008
AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2007
AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2006
AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2005
AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2004
AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
2003
AV Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell®
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Attorney/Owner, HinzLaw, LLC
1993 - 2019
Owner, Law Office Of Michele Gentry Hinz
1990 - 1993
Attorney, Beresford Booth PLLC
1981 - 1989
Owner, Law Office of Michele Gentry Hinz
1978 - 1981
Associate, Jones, Grey & Bayley (now Stoel Rives)
Associations
1992 - Present
Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction AttorneysFellow
1992 - 1992
Washington State Adoption CouncilPresident
1990 - 1991
Washington State Adoption CommissionMember
Sample of Legal Cases
Matter of LJM, 476 P. 3d 636 - Wash: Court of Appeals, 2nd Div. 2020
Court of Appeals overturned trial court dismissal of stepfather's de facto parentage petition
In re Adoption of J.Z.D., Court of Appeals Division II, No. 51149-5-II, Unpublished Opinion filed April 23, 2019
Trial court termination of parental rights upheld by Court of Appeals.
In the Matter of the Adoption of Infant Boy Crews, 118 Wn.2d 561, 825 P.2d 305 (1992)
Child remained in adoptive home.
Education
1978
University of Washington School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1975
University of Washington -Seattle
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
Adoption Guardian ad Litem Training
Role of the Guardian ad Litem for a Minor Parent in Adoption Proceedings
2013
Adoption Essentials 2013 - Changes & Challenges
Money Matters
2012
Adoption Guardian ad Litem Training
Role of the Guardian ad Litem: Minor Parent
2009
Adoption Guardian Ad Litem Training
Role of the Adoption GAL: Minor Parent
2008
Adoption Practice, Pitfalls and Procedures
Obtaining Medical Records and Social Background Information / The Role of the Guardian ad Litem in Adoption Proceedings
2003
Inter-County Adoption Guardian ad Litem Training
Adoption Guardian Ad Litem Issues
1993
Adopting in Washington State
ICWA Issues/Birth Father Issues/Financial Issues
1992
Infertility: Challenges and Choices
Emotional Aspects of Adoption
1991
Insights Into Infertility
Emotional Aspects of Adoption
1991
Creative Alternatives to Hourly Billing
Flat-Rate Billing
1991
Adoption Practice - Current Issues & New Legislation
New Developments re ICWA & Adoption Agreements
1990
Adoption Practice - Current Issues & New Legislation
Adoption Issues
1988
Guardian ad Litem Training (Mandatory)
Interviewing Birth Parents
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I,m us citzen can I adopt my niece and my nephew to bring them to usa they are living with me to immigrate to usa
23 Jun 2023
Q&A
Who can help me relinquish my rights as a father?
18 Feb 2022
Q&A
Can parents looking to adopt pick the exact kid they wish to adopt? If so how would this process look like?
24 May 2021