Rhea J. Rolfe

Rhea J. Rolfe

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 49 years

Family Lawyer at Bellevue, WA
Practice Areas: Family

410 Bellevue Way S.E., Suite 104, Bellevue, WA

About Rhea

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 420-480 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 49 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1976

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Gilson-Moreau & Associates, P.S.

410 Bellevue Way S.E., Suite 104, Bellevue, WA, 98004

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Rhea J. Rolfe's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

5 star (13) 4 star (1)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (0)

Posted by Mauny | August 15, 2022 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Amazing and ETHICAL

All I can say is that Rhea is extraordinary. Ethical, smart....and REALISTIC. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Wish we had found her YEARS before we did.

Posted by anonymous | August 26, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Experienced, professional, and compassionate attorney

Rhea Rolfe and her whole office are an amazing team of hardworking women. My case went on for several years and everyone there was always responsive, reliable, and encouraging. It was humbling to meet a group of lawyers who behaved ethically and were always looking out for the best interest of the ch...ild involved in parenting plan updates, as well as keeping us both safe and escape a domestic violence situation. Rhea and her team also helped with deescalation when the other party was sending threats to me and their whole office. On several ocassions, both Rhea and Monique Gilson-Moreau waited with me in the courthouse for my case to be called and anyone knows how hard it is to sit through other hearings nervously awaiting your turn. They were both compassionate and caring and help me have hope for the future for me and my child. They also kept me informed of my options and updated on my case at all times and avoided running up my tab by declining to engage further with the other party, who at some point was sending daily non nonsensical emails to their office. I can't recommend their offices enough. If you are looking for an experienced attorney with integrity who is ready to fight for you without creating unnecessary conflict, look no further. Rhea is an outstanding attorney.

Posted by Jonathon | July 25, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Lawyer

She fought hard for my rights and didn’t budge when the other side brought in ridiculous requests. I would recommend Rhea for anyone going through a divorce.

Posted by Aaron | October 12, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Saved my life!

There is a 4K character limit for this review & that is not enough for me truly express just how fantastic Rhea & her team truly are. My life would not be what it is today if it weren't for Rhea. I went through a pretty nasty divorce, with some pretty terrible (false) accusations made which resulte...d in restraining orders & me not being able to see my kids. It truly was the most difficult period I've ever faced in my life. With Rhea by my side she was able to squash the restraining orders, get me regularly scheduled visits with my kids (50/50 bi-weekly) during the divorce process and eventually came out of the divorce with joint 50/50 custody and a rock solid & very fair custody plan that is about as even as you could possibly get. Hard to imagine when in the beginning my ex was seeking full custody & made some pretty outlandish & wild claims of abuse, etc. Everyone's situation is different of course, but I will tell you that there is nothing more I could have asked or hoped for from an attorney, or her team. She truly saved my life, as my kids are everything to me. If you are reading this review, chances are you need an attorney. I would not wast a minute more in doing more research. Hire Rhea. It will be one of the best decisions you ever make in your life.

Posted by anonymous | September 15, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Highly recommend

Rhea helped me in a time when I needed it most. She guided me through my options concerning myself, my children and they're dad. She was always very professional, honest and up front with me regarding my case. I never had to wait long for a response to an email or phone call if I had any questions.

See All Client Reviews

Rhea J. Rolfe's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Rhea
Leslie A Irwin headshot
Leslie Irwin

Family lawyer | Mar 07

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I strongly endorse this lawyer. When I need a second opinion she is the first attorney I consult with and I have repeatedly referred clients to her. In addition to her other areas of expertise, Rhea is highly skilled in dealing with domestic violence issues and the complexities this brings to family law cases. She applies a refreshing common sense perspective to the law and is well respected by the court. She is also a fearless and compassionate advocate for her clients and understands how to settle a case and when to go to trial."

Monique Gilson-Moreau headshot
Monique Gilson-Moreau

Family lawyer | Jul 11

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. She's experienced, well-respected and cares about her clients. She is one of a few lawyers that is knowledgeable regarding the Hague Convention on abduction of children and has helped several parents regain custody of their children. She's been on the Family Law Executive Committee of the Bar Association for a number of years and is knowledgeable in all aspects of family law."

Nicole B Chafetz headshot
Nicole Chafetz

Family lawyer | Jun 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. My GOODNESS! Where does one begin? For one, every time I certify a foreign judgment, I tell my clients that I know the lawyer, RHEA, who drafted these forms. Before then, every lawyer was on their own. Then of course, she is THE Hague Convention lawyer. I would never refer a case with out-of-country issues to anyone but her. She is extraordinary and worth every dime. Honestly. (I never use exclamation marks this often but she is truly worth it.)"

John David Wickham headshot
John Wickham

Family lawyer | Apr 24

Relationship: Other

"I endorse this lawyer. Rhea is on the short list of fellow family law attorneys that I consult for second opinions on my cases. Along with her many years of experience in family law, she is most expert in cases involving international child custody and abduction."

Cameron J. Fleury headshot
Cameron Fleury

Family lawyer | Apr 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I strongly endorse Rhea Rolfe for her outstanding legal knowledge and advocacy skills."

Charles E Szurszewski headshot
Charles Szurszewski

Family lawyer | Nov 25

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Rhea is a highly competent lawyer who has great experience and an understanding of the law and its application to client's needs."

Robert Norwood Getz headshot
Robert Getz

Child custody lawyer | May 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Rhea is the "go to" person for all questions about custody and especially interstate and international cases. Her vigor to get her clients justice is unmatched. Jurists pay attention when she speaks."

Kristina L Thalacker headshot
Kristina Thalacker

Family lawyer | Apr 21

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have known Rhea for several years and highly respect her work."

Ruth Laura Edlund headshot
Ruth Edlund

Family lawyer | Apr 15

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer's work. Rhea has been my opposing counsel on several cases and a colleague and friend for many years. She knows when to take a strong position and when to negotiate an amicable outcome, basing her recommendations on deep knowledge both of the law and of human nature."

Larry Jerome Couture headshot
Larry Couture

Family lawyer | Apr 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work. She is perhaps the most knowledgable person I know dealing with the Hague Convention. She is also dedicated to her clients, concerned about everyone and a person who can be trusted."

Joshua Nihan Foreman headshot
Joshua Foreman

Family lawyer | Feb 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Rhea Rolfe is one of the most distinguished attorneys in the State of Washington. I have known her for many years and known her well; we work together on cases regularly. She is often consulted by other attorneys, including me, because of her expertise in Family Law, built up over many years of practice. In particular, she is the state's leading expert in representing custodial parents whose children have been abducted by the non-custodial parent, especially to another country. She is a very caring person who takes good care of her clients. She works in both King and Snohomish Counties, and is also available for appeals. If I were getting a divorce, I would hire Rhea Rolfe. I recommend her enthusiastically and unconditionally."

View All Endorsements
Amanda N. Gamble headshot
Amanda Gamble

Family lawyer

Cameron J. Fleury headshot
Cameron Fleury

Family lawyer

John David Wickham headshot
John Wickham

Family lawyer

Nicole B Chafetz headshot
Nicole Chafetz

Family lawyer

Joshua Nihan Foreman headshot
Joshua Foreman

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2008

Keeping the Blues Alive, Washington Blues Society

Work Experience

1987 - 2002

Hearing Examiner pro tem, City of Seattle Civil Service Commission

1985 - 1987

Investigator, Delany, Siegel, Zorn & Associates

1985 - 1985

Session Attorney, Washington State Senate Committee on Energy and Utitilies

1982 - 1984

Staff Attorney, Washington State Bar Associaiton

1979 - 1987

Instructor - Business Law and Urban Law, Western Washington University Urban Center

1979 - 1980

Legal Advisor, Seattle Office of Women's Rights

1978 - 1985

Instructor - Women in the Law, University of Washington

1978 - 1979

Conciliation Officer, Seattle Human Rights Department

1976 - 1978

Investigator, Seattle Human Rights Department

Associations

2018 - Present

Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section

Chair

2012 - Present

Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Executive Committee

Elected Committee Member

King County Bar Association

Washington Women Lawyers

Snohomish County Bar Association

Sample of Legal Cases

Holder v. Holder

Ruled in my client's favor, remanded to the District Court

See More Legal Cases

Education

1976

University of Puget Sound School of Law (Now Seattle University)

J. D.

1970

University of Washington - Seattle

B. A.

Speaking Engagements

2018

Family Law Basic Skills Training

Client Declarations

2016

2016 Family Law Section Midyear

Relocation

2015

2015 Family Law Section Midyear

UCCJEA

2014

Navy Invitational

WA Relocation and International Custody issues involving The Hague Convention

2013

Family Law Section Fall CLE

Interstate and International Family Law Issues

2010

Family Law Midyear

How to Win a Custody Fight

2009

The Intersection of Family and Elder Law

CLE-Dealing With an Incapacitated Client

2008

Lunch Seminar

Habeas Corpus and Hague Convention

2006

Building Your Family Law Practice

Attorney-Client Relationships

Publications

2016

2016 Family Law Midyear Meeting and Conference Summary of Washington Relocation Cases

2015

2015 Family Law Section Midyear UCCJEA and Relocation Issues

2012

Inside the Minds (Aspatore Books) Navigating International Family Law

2009

The Intersection of Family and Elder Law What to do if you Believe Your Client (or theirs) is Incompetent

1980

King County Bar Association Young Lawyers Practice Manual Law Against Discrimination

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
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