About John
Calm, experienced, and tenacious on your side. For a Free Consultation call 253-766-4890
I have obtained several rewarding and high settlements for clients in divorces, personal injury, civil rights and police misconduct cases. I obtained the highest jury verdict in Spokane County ($3 million) against a Sheriff's office for misconduct against my clients. I am a well-rounded trial attorney who has litigated a wide range of cases, including taking cases through mediation, arbitration, and if needed, trial and appeals courts. I have done both bench and jury trials.
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I became a lawyer after the Major League Baseball peoples did not draft me in the first few rounds when I was 18. I pitched several "1 hitters" (yes, 1 hitters, not "no hitters") in high school and for American Legion at ages 16-18. I also loved playing basketball and football, but when old age set in (age 24+), I began playing softball and have really enjoyed that over the years, until really old age set in (age 40+), and now I don't play as much. Trying to pick up golf cuz I see a lot of older people out there swinging the clubs. I like martial arts, sports on t.v., good movies, good food, and being happy. I have never traveled around the world, but have been to China twice (wow, it is really cool). Anyway, I still spend the 60-80 work weeks because I am obsessed with deadlines, client problems and being the best lawyer I possibly can.
Practice areas
- Divorce and separation: 75%
John Stocks has extensive experience in Family Law, from the complex divorce to the simple uncontested case. He states: "I use a wife range of tools & techniques to resolve cases -- trials, mediations, arbitrations, and negotiations)." This includes divorce, custody, child support, alimony, adoptions, property awards, & same-sex agreements/agreements.
28 years, 1,500 cases
- Child custody: 10%
John Stocks has tried, mediated, & solved thousands of parenting plan & custody issues since 1991 as a advocate, trial lawyer and mediator. He states: "Clients are passionate & emotional about their children & I have learned how to balance this with the law to protect my client's interests and rights."
28 years, 1,100 cases
- Child support: 10%
John Stocks thrives with financial records and math calculations (child support worksheets). He states: "most attorneys went to law school to avoid math; but not me, I love math!" When it comes to calculating child support or other financial issues, I don't shy away.
28 years, 5,000 cases
- Criminal defense: 5%
John Stocks has successfully handled over 10,000 criminal counts/charges against his clients since 1991, ranging from serious felonies, including white collar crimes, Class A, B, and C felonies, down to the simple misdemeanors. He states: "I rarely consider a guilty plea because fighting the charges will often result in the best result."
28 years, 200 cases
Languages spoken
French, Russian
Photos and videos
Contact
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA | Active | 1991 | 10/02/2019 |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
| Best Attorney | Auburn Reporter | 2014 |
| Best Attorney - finalist | Auburn Reporter | 2013 |
| Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers Magazine | 2011 |
| Best Attorney - finalist (top 2) | Auburn Voters - Auburn Reporter | 2011 |
| Best Attorney - finalist (top 2) | Auburn Voters - Auburn Reporter | 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Best Attorney - finalists (top 2) | Auburn Voters - Auburn Reporter | 2009 |
| Best Attorney - 1st Place | Auburn Voters - Best of Auburn | 2008 |
| Who's Who in Family Law | N/A | 2007 |
| Employee and Lawyer of the Year | N/A | 2006 |
| VIP Member | Continental Who's Who National Business Leaders | 2006 |
| Rising Star Nominee | N/A | 2005 |
| Marketing Director | N/A | 2004 |
| Acknowledgement | The Pacific Institute | 2003 |
| Recruiting Partner | N/A | 2001 |
| Certificate Re: GAL and Title 13 OAC Training | N/A | 2000 |
| Managing Partner | N/A | 1996 |
| Juris Doctor | N/A | 1991 |
| Law Review Top 5% in Law School | N/A | 1989 |
| American Jurisprudence Award | N/A | 1989 |
| Full Scholarship | International Business Food Clinic | 1988 |
| University of Washington Dean's List | N/A | 1988 |
| Bachelor of Arts Business - Magna Cum Laude | N/A | 1988 |
| Award | Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity International | 1987 |
| Full Tuition Scholarship | University of Washington Alumnae | 1987 |
| University of Washington Dean's List | N/A | 1986 |
| National Honor Fraternity Award | Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity | 1986 |
| National Honor Society | Centralia Community College | 1986 |
| President's List of Honored Students | N/A | 1985 |
| President's List of Honor Students | Centralia Commuity College | 1984 |
| Scholarship | Western International Band Clinic | 1984 |
| State Champion - Percussion/Piano | Washington State | 1984 |
| Beta Gamma Sigma | Bega Gamma Sigma University of Washington | 1983 |
| State Champion | All-Star Baseball Fastpitch Colt League | 1982 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Member | Eagles | 2007 - Present |
| Member | Auburn Elks | 2007 - Present |
| Member | Auburn Noon Lions | 2006 - Present |
| Partner | Van Siclen, Stocks & Firkins | 1998 - Present |
| Partner | Van Siclen & Stocks | 1995 - 1998 |
| Associate | Smythe & Van Siclen | 1991 - 1994 |
|---|---|---|
| Law Clerk | Burgess Fitzer | 1990 - 1991 |
| Law Clerk | Swanson Parr Cordes Younglove Peoples and Wycoff | 1988 - 1989 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce | Board Member | 2014 - Present |
| Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association | Member | 2007 - Present |
| Selective Service System | Local Board Member | 2003 - Present |
| King County Bar Association | Member | 1991 - Present |
| USSSA Softball World Player | Member | 1987 - Present |
| Oregon State Bar | Member | 2002 - 2002 |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn Chamber of Commerce | Member | 1999 - 2007 |
| American Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 1994 - 1999 |
| Washington State Trial Lawyers Association | Member | 1992 - 2007 |
| American Civil Liberties Union | Member | 1992 - 1999 |
| American Bar Association | Member | 1991 - 2007 |
| Washington State Bar Association | Lawyer | 1991 - 2007 |
| South King County Bar Association | Member | 1991 - 2007 |
| Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 1991 - 1999 |
| Seattle University Law Review | Editor | 1989 - 1991 |
| University of Puget Sound Law Review | Editor | 1989 - 1991 |
| Professional organizations and associations | Member | 1987 - 1988 |
| Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity | Member | 1987 - 1988 |
| University of Washington | Dean's List | 1986 - 1988 |
| Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Fraternity | Member | 1985 - 1986 |
| National Honor Society | Member | 1984 - 1988 |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Options (Relationships) | 4 Options to a Family in Turmoil - VSSF | 2015 |
| Auburn Reporter | Family Law Questions and Answers | 2006 |
| King County Journal | Family Law | 2006 |
| Van Siclen, Stocks and Firkins Newsletter | Mediation - The Process | 2006 |
| Van Siclen, Stocks & Firkins Publication | Family Law Litigation Disclosure | 2005 |
| Washington Business Association | How to obtain a Mechanic's Lien | 1992 |
|---|---|---|
| Juvenile Cases Reporter | Summary of Juvenile Court Cases | 1989 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle University School of Law | Juris Doctor | 1991 |
| University of Washington | Bachelor's of Arts | 1988 |
| Centralia Community College | Associates | 1986 |
| Olympia High School | High School Diploma | 1984 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| UW and Seattle U | Judge Trial | 2013 |
| Van Siclen, 40 years | Re-swearing after 40 years | 2008 |
| Mock Trial | Judging Mock Trial | 2008 |
| Mock Trial | Mock Trial | 2007 |
| Mock Trial | Mock Trial Skills | 2007 |
| Moot Court | Moot Court Arguments | 2006 |
|---|---|---|
| VS & F Conference | ER 904: procedural and substantive pointers | 2005 |
| The Physician Patient Privilege Visited | WSTLA Roundtable: The Physician Patient Privilege Re: Subsequent Treating Doctor | 1992 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Wife of 11 years versus Husband | Custody and Child Support |
| Puyallup Couple - Attorney's Fees Request | $10,000 temporary attorney's fees |
| Spousal Maintenance (Alimony) and Contempt Against Husband | The Court of Appeals Reversed Trial Court |
| Jane Doe v. John Doe | Obtained substantial spousal maintenance |
Excellent, Experienced, Professional Attorney
Posted by James
Wed Dec 26 2018
Excellent divorce attorney
Posted by Alissa
Thu Mar 29 2018
Attorney endorsements
(21)Natalie De Maar, Divorce and separation Attorney on Nov 22, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. John is a hardworking and excellent attorney. He is extremely knowledgeable and obtains good outcomes for his clients.
Patricia Steele, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jun 11, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. John Stocks in an aggressive advocate with a common sense approach to his cases that is both refreshing and effective. I would recommend him to anyone dealing with family law issues.
Jill Rogers, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 19, 2015
Relationship: Other
A very knowledge and competent attorney. I endorse this lawyer.
Thomas Baldwin, Family Attorney on Feb 2, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Michael Waddington, Military law Attorney on Jun 13, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse John. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Alexis Singletary, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 6, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
John is professional and knowledgeable. I am confident that the clients I refer to him will receive good, competent representation and strong advocacy.
Kathryn Abele, Family Attorney on Jan 17, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
John is a fantastic attorney and a good man. Any client would be well-served to have John help them with their family law issues.
Deborah Gordon, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 16, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer.
Andrekita Silva, Family Attorney on Dec 29, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Christopher Benson, Bankruptcy and debt Attorney on Jul 23, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. John has an excellent reputation in the legal community and is known for high quality client representation.
Jeffrey Caffee, Personal injury Attorney on Dec 15, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter
With over 20 years of experience working on Family Law (and other) legal issues, John Stocks is one of the most respected Family Lawyers in Washington.
Daniel Cook, Divorce and separation Attorney on Oct 18, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
John is a great lawyer. He is great in the courtroom and works long hours to serve his clients well. He does his homework, including legal research, and makes strong arguments even when the facts appear to be against him.
Todd DeVallance, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jun 29, 2011
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. John has been a opposing counsel on several cases. He is strong advocate for his clients.
Andrew Kim, Car accident Attorney on May 16, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
Joshua Foreman, Child custody Attorney on Jul 24, 2010
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I enthusiastically endorse this lawyer's work. John Stocks and his firm, Van Siclen, Stocks, and Firkins, a full service firm in Auburn, WA, do excellent work. He would be a good choice for a matter anywhere from Tacoma to Seattle, especially the Maleng Justice Center in Kent. His firm combines hard-hitting, effective representation of their clients with the highest standards of courtesy and professionalism. Here's just one example of something you should know about him: John did something absolutely amazing -- he argued a case before the Supreme Court of the United States . . . when he was only 25 years old -- that's not a misprint; he was twenty-five, not long out of law school. You would expect to see an attorney like John practicing law on a high floor of a big building in downtown Seattle; Auburn is lucky to have him.
Michael Zoretic, Commercial real estate Attorney on Jan 28, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. John is very bright and tenacious in protecting his client's interests.
Tamara Roe, Employment and labor Attorney on May 30, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I recommend John Stocks because he is a persuasive advocate for all of his clients. He is knowledgeable and works hard to effectively and efficiently meet his clients' goals.
Janel Ostrem, Family Attorney on May 29, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I strongly endorse John Stocks. He is a thoughtful, compassionate, yet aggressive attorney whose years of experience make him one of the most well-respected and admired attorneys in South King County.
Joseph Baker, Lawsuits and disputes Attorney on Jan 17, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
John is a bright, caring, charismatic attorney who gets results. Period. I would recommend him every day of the week and twice on Sunday.
Tyler Firkins, Personal injury Attorney on Jun 6, 2007
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer's work. John is an agressive and effective lawyer that can help you. I highly recommend him.
Cost
- Hourly Rates$400-$400/hour
- Free Consultation Some lawyers offer a free consultation to help determine whether their services are right for your legal needs30 minutes
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