Carena C. Mcilwain

PRO

Carena C. Mcilwain

5.0
Rating: 9.9

Licensed for 32 years

Family Lawyer at Bothell, WA
Practice Areas: Family, Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Child Support

12900 NE 180TH Street, Suite 155, Bothell, WA

Virtual Consultation Available

About Carena

Biography

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Child Custody 25%

25%
Child Support 25%

25%
Divorce and Separation 25%

25%
Family 25%

25%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Notable Peer Review Rating

Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 25 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2000

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in North Carolina for 27 years

State: North Carolina

Acquired: 1999

Inactive

No misconduct found

Licensed in Pennsylvania for 32 years

State: Pennsylvania

Acquired: 1994

Administrative Suspension

No misconduct found

Location

Anderson, Fields & McIlwain, Inc., P.S.

12900 NE 180TH Street, Suite 155, Bothell, WA, 98011

a-f-m-law.com/

Carena C. Mcilwain's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

14 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (14) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 14 reviews

Posted by Satoko | February 17, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

An Exceptional Divorce Attorney I wholeheartedly recommend

Carena is truly an outstanding attorney. Thanks to her exceptional representation in my divorce case, I was able to reach a fair and satisfactory settlement through mediation without having to go to trial. I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done for me. She is compassionate, highly ski...lled, and deeply committed to justice. She is someone you can completely rely on. I had several opportunities to go to court with her, and she was always impeccably prepared and confidently advocated on my behalf. Backed by years of experience, she carried herself with professionalism, composure, and strength. In those moments, I truly realized how fortunate I was to have such a capable and dependable attorney by my side. Meeting Carena has been a blessing in my life, and I can wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone who is looking for an exceptionally talented and reliable divorce attorney. Carena, I am sincerely grateful for everything you have done for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I would also like to express my deep appreciation to her highly competent and compassionate paralegal, Anthony. During the divorce process, there were many times when I felt overwhelmed by stress and emotionally discouraged. His warm advice and encouragement truly supported me and helped me stay strong. He carefully reviewed, organized, and perfected every document I submitted, and I am incredibly grateful for his dedication and attention to detail. Because of this wonderful teamwork, I was able to finalize my divorce and am now living happily as I begin the next chapter of my life. Thank you both for helping me start my second life with confidence and peace of mind. I sincerely wish you continued success in all that you do.

Posted by Rogers Brewer | January 12, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Great team for family law

I had a very complicated multi-state case, that other firms did not want to touch. Carena and team, took on my case, and did an amazing job. Although the case took years, Carena and team, never gave up, and were able to help me get things resolved. I am so grateful to her and all her staff for the ...help they provided.

Posted by anonymous | August 13, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Divorce is an Awful Process, Carena Makes it Human

I hired Carena for a mid-life/long term divorce. What won me over from the very first meeting was her promise to be handle the case first hand without handing it off to a junior mentor, her experience, her humor and compassion, and her commitment to fight for me. What I noticed right off the b...at is that she did not make promises like a couple of the other attorneys that I initially consulted. She explained the law and the landscape and what was possible from mediation. Carena walked me thru the process every step of the way. What is instrumental in Carena's approach is the sense of urgency and care that her staff handles the day-to-day tasks and asks. You realize that her team is looking a every detail from your side and the opposing side with the lens of experience. Given Carena's depth of experience in the Seattle area, she knows many of the other attorneys, mediators and judges in the area and positions your case with that insight. When you are older and go thru a divorce after a long marriage it can be very disorienting, Carena made me feel ok about the process, was there to answer a couple of panicked calls and helped me get thru the other side. I was satisfied that my outcome was the best I could ask for and didn't "burn down the house" to do so. Carena is smart, wise and a personality you look forward to talking to during a very challenging time.

Posted by anonymous | May 23, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Best Divorce Lawyer I could have hoped for

Carena was simply amazing. She was able to listen, formulate a strategy and execute very effectively. In the end, I was able to get a settlement I was extremely happy with, without by having to go to trial. Additionally Carena and staff were very easy to work with!

Posted by anonymous | September 24, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Solid support for my divorce

I hired Carena for my case, who assisted me during a tough divorce with lots of details, involving properties abroad and various types of assets. I have been always surprised by her vast knowledge of various sub-areas and her very thorough preparation and attention to detail. She helped me protect my... assets with the right facts and documentation and to keep conversations very well-targeted. I would definitely have lost a lot of money unnecessarily if I did not have someone like Carena to help me out. I need to call out her team, especially her Paralegal, Anthony, who goes above and beyond. He is the best in class, all one can hope for. Carena and her team are absolutely responsive and will lead you seamlessly through your divorce case. Definitely recommended.

See All Client Reviews

Carena C. Mcilwain's Lawyer Endorsements

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Experience

Rating:  9.9 (Superb)

Honors

2024

Distinguished Lawyer, Expert Network

2024

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2024

Top 100 Lawyers, American Society of Legal Advocates

2024

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2024

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2023

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2022

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2021

Notable, Martindale-Hubbell

2019

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2018

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2017

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2016

10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2015

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2014

The National Advocates Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2010

Distinguished Lawyer, Expert Network

Work Experience

2000 - Present

Partner, Anderson, Fields & McIlwain, Inc., P.S.

Associations

2000 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Member

2000 - Present

King County Bar Association

Member

2000 - Present

American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Member

1996 - Present

United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania

Member

Domestic Relations Attorneys of Washington

Member

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (Arizona Chapter)

Member

1999 - 2005

North Carolina Bar Association

Member

1994 - 2005

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Member

1994 - 2000

American Bar Association

Member

Education

1993

University of North Carolina School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1987

Pennsylvania State University

BS - Bachelor of Science

Speaking Engagements

2024

Property Division in Washington

Property Division in Washington

2024

Community and Separate Property

Community and Separate Property

2024

Anderson, Fields & McIlwain, Inc., P.S.

The Children: Common Grounds

2024

Anderson, Fields & McIlwain, Inc., P.S.

The Residency Requirement

2024

Anderson, Fields & McIlwain, Inc., P.S.

Failure To Comply With Court Orders

2024

Anderson, Fields & McIlwain, Inc., P.S.

Reconciling: The Million Dollar Question

Publications

2024

Anderson, Fields & McIlwain, Inc., P.S. Property Division in Washington

2024

Anderson, Fields & McIlwain, Inc., P.S. Community and Separate Property

Languages

English

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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