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Mark Steven Gouras

Mark Steven Gouras

4.8
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 39 years

Child custody Lawyer at Kent, WA
Practice Areas: Child Custody, Divorce & Separation, Family ... +4 more

6703 S. 234th Street, Suite 300, Kent, WA

About Mark

Biography

Practice Areas

7

Practice Areas

Child Custody 30%

My areas of concentration include heavily contested cases with issues of domestic violence, drug & alcohol abuse, neglect and psychiatric issues. I also have extensive experience with interstate and international custody and parental abduction cases.

39 years

30%
Divorce and Separation 30%

Separation cases include both married and unmarried couples in a Committed Intimate Relationship (a/k/a C.I.R., or Meretricious). I have extensive experience with long-term marriages and complicated estates involving professionals and small businesses.

39 years

30%
Alimony 10%

39 years

10%
Child Support 10%

39 years

10%
Family 10%

39 years

10%
Child Abuse 5%

39 years

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 450-450 per hour


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 39 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1986

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Gouras Law Firm, PLLC

6703 S. 234th Street, Suite 300, Kent, WA, 98032

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Mark Steven Gouras's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

58 Client Reviews

Showing 26 - 30 of 58 reviews

Posted by Willy | January 17, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Family Law

I have used Mark Gouras and his staff for respresentation during my divorce and then again for a family law case. Mark has years of experience regarding family law, which proved to be a positive outcome for my case. We are impressed by his knowledge and honesty about family law. He explained the proc...ess in terms I could understand throughout this difficut time in my life. I would definitely recommend Mark and his staff for any family law cases.

Posted by Farhia | October 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Immigration

Exceptionally honest lawyer.

I haired Mark after consulting with four other lawyers. Although I liked the outcomes some of them predicted for my case, I wanted to understand the law and know my rights since I am not from this country. Mark is very honest, knowledgable, up-front and hard working lawyer. He will not hold your hand...s but he will make your options very clear. In mediations and court Mark was always well prepared and organized and I felt I was in good hands. My children and I are very happy with our new life. Thanks to Mark and his excellent assistant Morgan.

Posted by Max | August 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

Excellent Advocate for Kids and Clients

I have engaged Mark's services in two custody cases and he has been nothing short of excellent. Most importantly, I have been extremely pleased with the outcomes of both cases. Both were highly contentious and one involved significant jurisdictional complexity. As a father, my primary goal was to obt...ain fair/equal time with my children, and fair child support, both of which had to be fought for, and Mark was a terrific and very effective advocate for this outcome. Other things worth noting about working with Mark and his firm: Mark is willing and very able to work remotely. I didn't even meet Mark in person throughout the entire duration of my first custody case, and he put me at ease that even from afar, he was by my side and fully on my team. Mark is also extremely no-nonsense, and always made me feel that he was looking out for my time - and hence my money - by getting to the point and down to business, and being efficient with my time. He is a very straight-shooter and I was highly confident in his perspective and advice. Mark has extensive experience in this field, and working in the local legal system, and his knowledge and relationships proved to be a significant asset time and again. Finally, Mark has a small but great team of professional, kind, responsive and capable people and I felt extremely well taken care of by them, whether dealing with the front desk, paralegals, or Mark and his partner. Mark and his team get my highest and unqualified recommendation.

Posted by Gordon Ludlow | July 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

We won!

Not only did Mark win the case, he won it so effectively I felt bad for the other lawyer. It was a trial by affidavit and our filings were very focused, concise and well organized. We met days in advance of each deadline which allowed refinement before submitting.

Posted by Sharon | June 13, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Knowledgeable & Diligent

Mark clearly understood my concerns and the specific issues of the dissolution of a long-term marriage at retirement age. He and his paralegal, Morgan, were sensitive to the emotional aspects of my decision, while at the same time working for me at a high level of professionalism throughout the enti...re process. While there is clearly "no winner" in a dissolution, I believe my interests were fairly served and my future secured in the best possible manner.

See All Client Reviews

Mark Steven Gouras's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Mark
Alia F Ahmed headshot
Alia Ahmed

Family lawyer | Jul 09

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I have worked on opposing sides with Mr. Gouras. Mr. Gouras is hardworking, honest and compassionate towards the needs of his clients. I highly endorse his work."

Michael S. Waddington headshot
Michael Waddington

Family lawyer | May 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Mark. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."

Douglas Paul Becker headshot
Douglas Becker

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 02

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse Mark has a highly knowledgeable and effective advocate."

Kimberly Tyler McKeag headshot
Kimberly McKeag

Family lawyer | Aug 08

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Deborah Lynn Gordon headshot
Deborah Gordon

Family lawyer | May 07

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Virginia M Amis headshot
Virginia Amis

Family lawyer | Mar 28

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer. I first met Mark Gouras when we were opposing on a family law case. He conducted himself with integrity and impressed me with his knowledge and skill. We have been partners for several years and my respect for him has grown. He is dedicated to his clients' needs and keeps abreast of the constant changes in family law. He is a fine litigator and negotiator and his clients benefit from his skill."

Rachel Min Luke headshot
Rachel Luke

Family lawyer | Mar 21

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer."

Gary R. W. Slater headshot
Gary Slater

Family lawyer | Apr 20

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked opposite of Mr. Gouras in numerous matters. I have also had occasion to refer clients to him when I have been unavailable or due to potential conflicts of interest. He is honest, respectful, knowledgeable and professional in every regard. He and I have always endeavored to achieve fair and equitable resolutions for our respective clients, thereby saving thousands of dollars in fees and costs and achieving a result which would fall within the range of a likely trial outcome. Those clients who I have referred to him have, to a person, reported that they were well served by Mr. Gouras and his competent staff. I would have no hesitancy whatsoever in recommending his services highly."

Jason David Gaber headshot
Jason Gaber

Family lawyer | Apr 19

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. I have had several cases where Mark is the opposing attorney over the last 10 years. In each case he handled the matter professionally and represented his client's interests with passion and excellence. I would not hesitate to recommend Mark to someone on a family law matter because I am confident they would be in good hands."

View All Endorsements
Alia F Ahmed headshot
Alia Ahmed

Family lawyer

Douglas Paul Becker headshot
Douglas Becker

Divorce and separation lawyer

Kimberly Tyler McKeag headshot
Kimberly McKeag

Family lawyer

Deborah Lynn Gordon headshot
Deborah Gordon

Family lawyer

Virginia M Amis headshot
Virginia Amis

Family lawyer

Rachel Min Luke headshot
Rachel Luke

Family lawyer

Gary R. W. Slater headshot
Gary Slater

Family lawyer

Jason David Gaber headshot
Jason Gaber

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2015

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2014

Top 100 Lawyers, The National Advocates

2011

Who's Who in American Law -Marquis, Recognition of Achievement

2010

Who's Who in American Law -Marquis, Recognition of Achievement

2009

Who's Who in American Law -Marquis, Recognition of Achievement

2008

Who's Who in American Law -Marquis, Recognition of Achievement

2007

Recognition of Achievement, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis

2003

Attendee Missing Children's Day w/ Gov. Gary Locke, Operation Lookout

2001

Recognition of Achievement, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis

2000

Recognition of Achievement, Who's Who in American Law -Marquis

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Member, Gouras & Amis PLLC

2013 - 2023

Commissioner Pro Tem (Temporary), King County Superior Court

2007 - 2007

Owner, The Gouras Law Firm PLLC

1997 - 2006

Partner, Hillman & Gouras LLP

1993 - 1997

Owner, Law Office of Mark Gouras

1987 - 1993

Associate, Taylor Kiefer & Bartlett

Associations

2012 - Present

Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association

Member

Washington State Bar Association

Member

2014 - 2018

International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers

Member

1989 - 1990

American Bar Association

Member

1988 - 1989

American Bar Association

Member

1987 - 1988

American Bar Association

Member

1986 - 1996

King Co. Bar Association

Member

1986 - 1991

ABA Faimly Law Section

Member

1986 - 1991

King County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Parentage of McGlynn

Unpublished opinion in Div. I of Court of Appeals

Marriage of Pennamen

Published opinion in Div. I Court of Appeals

Marsh v. Whitson

See More Legal Cases

Education

1986

University of Puget Sound School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1983

University of Washington

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2002

International Conference of Professionals

Hague Convention

1996

International Conference for Missing Children for Northwest Professionals

Child Custody Litigation Under the Hague Convention

1994

International Conference for Missing Children for Northwest Professionals

Continuing jurisdiction under the Greenlaw Case

Publications

2004

Elias Publishing, LLC Divorce in King County Superior Court: A Practical Guide to Representing Yourself in Court

Languages

English

Activity

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