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Kathryn B Abele

3.8
Rating: 6.0

Licensed for 23 years

Family Lawyer at Mill Creek, WA
Practice Areas: Family, General Practice

16000 Mill Creek Blvd, Suite 205, Mill Creek, WA

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2015
See Details

About Kathryn

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Family 70%

24 years | 150 cases

70%
General Practice 30%

24 years | 150 cases

30%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 225-300 per hour

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 23 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2002

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2015

Location

Abele Law Office

16000 Mill Creek Blvd, Suite 205, Mill Creek, WA, 98012

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Kathryn B Abele's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

3.8 /5.0

41 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (41) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 21 reviews | Child Custody

Posted by Kristen | November 13, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Fights for your rights!

Kathryn represented me from roughly the end of 2020 until the fall of last year (2024). Got me through my divorce that was finalized in july 22 and all I asked for in my divorce for a long distance parenting plan. Unfortunately because of my ex I was forced to move back and Kathryn continued to take... on my case as my ex took me through court 2 years in a row following the divorce. She works and fights hard to get their clients the best outcome. Shes well known as a hard hitting attorney , I truly cant recommend her enough!

Posted by David | October 03, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

The best of the best

A previous review of Kathryn described her as a godsend, this is an accurate description and the best way I can personally describe her. She gave me my heart back. After spending years spent bending to the will of my son's mother in hopes of being able to effectively co parent with her it wasn't eno...ugh, out of nowhere she decided to file paperwork essentially cutting me out of his life entirely. I was heartbroken beyond words and didn't know what to do. After much research I found Kathyrn Abele. She cut through all the BS and nonsense and got right down to business. She immediately knew what had to be done and how to do it. She is an incredible lawyer and because of her I now have full joint custody. Any father who has been through this nightmare will tell you how big of a deal that is. I pray you don't have to go through this process but if you do just know that if you hire Kathryn you are in the best hands possible. I am so incredibly thankful for her.

Posted by Ryan | July 16, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Custody battle against a pathological liar with severe mental issues

I'm in the middle of a custody battle in family law against my child's mother. She has done nothing but make up lies and stories about me and my fiance. Kathryn has done nothing short of fighting hard to ensure I keep my child in my care while we continue the momentum forward in gaining full custody.... Kathryn is no slouch in the courtroom and is very passionate about what she does. I tried to go it alone through ex parte but was failing. Kathryn coached me while she was in the courtroom for another case and helped me get through that mess of a day. Since that day I've had Kathryn as my attorney and it's paying off big time.

Posted by anonymous | June 10, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Not really sure what happened here

The entire process has been confusing for me. I am not a lawyer and have no experience with any of this so I could be mistaken in my review but this whole thing seemed off to me. It seemed like I had good representation but by the end I realized how little was actually done. First I was talked into a...sking for the bare minimum and anytime I asked her to help me go for more I would be dismissed, ignored and no attempt would be made to even try to get what I wanted. It turns out almost all of the evidence and responses I gave her after the custody hearing were not submitted to the court or to my stbex's attorney at all and there is a chance it will not be accepted now unless I can hopefully get a continuance due to how poorly she has handled things leaving me with no idea what needs to be done and how to proceed now that the money for her has ran out. Very little communication beyond telling me what she wouldn't do while telling me I should do everything my stbex wanted without opposition. At this point it seems like I would have been better off learning everything and representing myself. The time in court with her for the custody hearing left a lot to be desired as well. She ignored the physical and mental abuse I went through never bringing it up at all. In preparation for it I was told to simply submit a statement which I did. Later I find I should have submitted the evidence of abuse I have as well but was never told to. I have to warn any person thinking about hiring her that unless you know what should and can be done and have an air tight 100% guaranteed case then stay away. I say this because looking at what my stbex's lawyer has done and tried to do it makes me wonder why she did so little and refused to do so much.

Kathryn Abele

Replied last July 16, 2024

No one ever has an airtight 100% guaranteed case. I have no idea who this client was and can only assume that the court did not believe her and entered an order ruling against what she asked. I know that I have other attorneys and people listen to my arguments in court and specifically come in to hear me speak. I am always prepared but again since this was anonymous I have no way of figuring out who and why this review was written.

Posted by anonymous | May 02, 2024 | Child Custody

So lost on how to deal with the courts

I came in for a consultation to try to get the maximum amount of time with my daughter and she gave me so many tips to help my case and let me know the best course of action for me to take. Unfortunately money is tight and I am unable to afford her but if I could I would hire her in a heart beat.

See All Client Reviews

Kathryn B Abele's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Kathryn
Alison Amy Ferguson headshot
Alison Ferguson

Family lawyer | Sep 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have worked on 2-3 cases where Kathryn was the opposing counsel. Unlike other attorneys I have worked with, she has always been honest in her dealings with me. Kathryn is very passionate and a great advocate for her clients. It's not just about "winning" with her. I recently learned that Kathryn has been suspended from the practice of law for allegedly being untruthful about an incident where she claims a police officer tripped her. First and foremost, I do not believe Kathryn was being untruthful. Second, when she is able to practice law again, I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending clients to her."

Hussein Karmali headshot
Hussein Karmali

Family lawyer | Sep 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Kathryn for a few years and she carries herself in the most professional manner possible, and fights very hard for her clients. I would refer her a case without hesitation."

James Thomas Saulsbury headshot
James Saulsbury

Family lawyer | Jul 03

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Kathryn is an excellent attorney with the highest standard for professional ethics. I have opposed Kathryn on numerous cases over the years and I have always found her to be one of the easiest attorneys to work with. Kathryn is agreesive while at the same time always being fair. I highly endorse Kathryn, she is an outstanding family law attorney."

Samuel Kirtland Darling headshot
Samuel Darling

Family lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I've faced Kathy as opposing counsel on multiple occasions. She advocates with passion in the courtroom. But she can also be surprisingly facilitative of settlement. I recommend Kathy."

Jason P Benjamin headshot
Jason Benjamin

Family lawyer | Nov 08

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Kathryn is an extremely aggressive advocate for her clients. She took over a very, very difficult case over from me, took it to the Court of Appeals and won and made law that is referred to in most temporary relocation cases every day throughout Washington State. Kathryn will fight to the very end for each and every one of her clients."

Blair Michael Russ headshot
Blair Russ

Family lawyer | Dec 15

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Kathryn is an attorney that demonstrates an unquestionable commitment to her clients. In advocating vigorously for their rights, she ensures both competent and compassionate representation."

View All Endorsements
John Stocks headshot
John Stocks

Child custody lawyer

Hussein Karmali headshot
Hussein Karmali

Criminal defense lawyer

Samuel Kirtland Darling headshot
Samuel Darling

Family lawyer

Dawn Marie Hiller headshot
Dawn Hiller

Criminal defense lawyer

Jason P Benjamin headshot
Jason Benjamin

Family lawyer

Blair Michael Russ headshot
Blair Russ

Litigation lawyer

Experience

Rating:  6.0 (Good)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2015.

Suspension issued in WA, 2015

updated on 10/19/2015

This means the attorney lost his or her license to practice law for a period of time. The attorney typically returns to practicing law when the suspension expires.

Sample of Legal Cases

Bay v. Jensen

Appellete Decision in favor of father

See More Legal Cases

Education

2002

Seattle University School of Law

Juris Doctor

1998

University of Washington

Bachelor of Arts in Geography and History

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2015
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
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