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Kim Laree Schnuelle

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Kim Laree Schnuelle
Kim Laree Schnuelle
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About Kim

Experience, compassion, and results for those facing divorce and other family law matters. Call 206-866-2030 to schedule a consultation

Clients facing family law litigation are living through one of the most  stressful periods of their lives. As an attorney and advocate, it is my role to reduce significant legal stress in their lives by actively listening to their desired goals and then implementing those goals into a strong, well prepared and effective case strategy.

Practice areas

Child supportChild custodyFamilyDivorce and separation
  1. Divorce and separation: 85%

  2. Family: 5%

  3. Child custody: 5%

  4. Child support: 5%

Languages spoken

English, Spanish

Contact

McKinley Irvin

1501 Fourth Avenue
Suite 1750
Seattle, WA, 98101

Website
https://www.mckinleyirvin.com/locations/seattle/ 

McKinley Irvin

10900 NE 4th Street
Suite 2220
Bellevue, WA, 98004

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
WAActive199206/18/2021
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers0
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Super LawyerWashington Super Lawyers2020
Super LawyerWashington Super Lawyers2019
Super LawyerWashington Super Lawyers2018
Super LawyerWashington Super Lawyers2017
Super LawyerWashington Super Lawyers2016
AV Preeminent RatedMartindale-Hubbell2015
Client's ChoiceAvvo2015
Super LawyerWashington Super Lawyers2015
Super LawyerWashington Super Lawyers2014
American Jurisprudence Award, Criminal Law and Conflicts of LawAmerican JurisprudenceN/A
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Senior AttorneyMckinley Irvin, PLLC2010 - Present
AttorneyKing County Prosecuting Attorney, Family Support Division1992 - 2009
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
King County Family Law Motions CalendarCommissioner Pro Tempore2018 - Present
King County Bar Association, Family Law Mentor/Mentee ProgramMentor2017 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Family Law SectionMemberN/A
King County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMemberN/A
King County Bar Association Bilingual Spanish Legal ClinicPast VolunteerN/A
Tacoma Pierce County Bar AssociationMemberN/A
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
King County Bar BulletinModifying Child Support Orders: A Hypothetical Case Study2021
King County Bar AssociationStatutory Abatement of Child Support for Incarcerated Individuals2020
King County Bar BulletinWhen to Reconsider and When to Revise2020
King County Bar BulletinAssessing Separation Date in Divorce Actions2020
King County Bar BulletinUndisclosed Terms at Arbitration2020
King County Bar BulletinDetermining Residency when a Couple Splits2019
King County Bar BulletinVacating Divorce Decrees When the Scales Tip2019
King County Bar Bulletin'The Grapes of Wrath’--Child Custody Act Resolves Dilemma When a Family Moves2019
King County Bar BulletinWhat Makes a Marriage?2018
King County Bar BulletinChild Support and Uninsured Medical Costs2018
King County Bar BulletinOne-Sided Wealth: Invading Separate Property2018
King County Bar BulletinThe Interplay of Criminal and Civil Domestic Cases2018
King County Bar BulletinFamily Law Discovery: Pushing the Remissive Adversary2017
King County Medical Society BulletinNew Federal Rule Changes Child Support Landscape2017
King County Bar BulletinThe Pressures and Perils of Prenuptial Agreements2016
King County Bar BulletinIncarcerated Parents Complicate Family Law Cases2016
King County Bar BulletinForeign Comity Principles May Apply in Divorce Proceedings2016
King County Bar BulletinWaste of Assets/Fraudulent Transfers in Dissolutions2015
ParentMapDo You Have a Solid Parenting Plan?2015
King County Bar BulletinEffective Preparation for Family Law Mediations2015
King County Bar BulletinRevising Third-Party Custody Order is a Challenge2015
King County Bar BulletinCommingling Assets: When Mine becomes Ours2014
King County Bar BulletinShuttling Children of Divorce: A Long Distance Primer2014
Advanced Issues National Business InstituteEthics in Family Law Family Law2014
King County Bar BulletinModifying Domestic Violence Protection Orders under Amended RCW 26.50.1302013
King County Bar BulletinTribal Interests Cloud Indian Child Welfare Proceedings2013
King County Bar BulletinCR2A: The Way To Go To Confirm Informal Agreements2013
King County Bar BulletinDefending the Deposition: A Study in Preparation (co-author Lisa Dufour)2012
King County Bar BulletinDon't Get Tangled in the Web (co-author Lisa Dufour)2012
King County Bar BulletinRoamin' with a Child2012
King County Bar BulletinWorking with Limited English Clients2012
King County Bar BulletinMaintenance and Marriage: The Changing Nature of Support (co-author Lisa Dufour)2011
King County Bar BulletinSupreme Court Finds No Civil Right to Counsel2011
King County Bar BulletinSplit Decision: Is Divorce the First Course?2011
King County Bar BulletinGrandparent Rights and Visitation2011
King County Bar BulletinDon't Take Deposition Practice Lightly2011
King County Bar BulletinCollecting Child Support Takes Many Forms2010
King County Bar BulletinEquitable Defenses May Provide Child Support Relief2010
King County Bar Bulletin"Voluntary Unemployment” in Today’s Economy2010
Washington State Bar NewsThe Jurisdictional Puzzle of Multi-State Paternity and Child-Support Establishment Cases2010
King County Bar BulletinEvery Day is Father's Day...until it isn't.2010
King County Bar BulletinHigher-Ed Need May Merit Plan Change2009
King County Bar BulletinChild Support Systems Protect Domestic Violence Victims2009
King County Bar BulletinFinding the Cure for Default Judgments2009
Washington State Bar NewsUsing QDROs to Collect Child Support Payments2009
Washington Law and PoliticsIf All Else Fails, Ask the Queen (co-interview with Lisa Dufour)2009
King County Bar BulletinMilitary Service Compounds Default Efforts2008
King County Bar BulletinKeeping the State Out of Family Law Cases2008
University of Puget Sound Law ReviewWhen the Bough Breaks ,Federal and Washington State Indian Child Welfare Law and Its Application1993
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
University of Washington School of LawJD - Juris Doctor1992
University of California - Los AngelesMA - Masters1986
University of California - BerkeleyB.A.1984
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Dissolution from A-ZChild Support2017
CLE: Family Law From Start to FinishCalculating Child Support and Alimony2017
Dependency Conference 2016Interrogatories, Requests for Production and Depositions2016
CLE National Business InstituteEthics in Family Law Family Law Advanced Issues2014
Divorce Litigation: From Start to FinishEnforcement and Post-Trial Modifications2011
Washington State Association of Prosecuting Attorney’s Child Support Enforcement TrainingUnique Enforcement Techniques in Child Support Collections2008
King County Bar Association CLESpecial Collection Techniques2008
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Divorce with childrenClient received significantly increased residential time with his child and very favorable property settlement and maintenance agreement by the trial court.
Relocation arbitrationClient received very favorable parenting plan that allowed for successive relocations under its terms.
High income divorce with special-needs childClient received very favorable property settlement arrangement, parenting plan and maintenance award after sixteen hour mediation.
Divorce (International)Client received favorable parenting plan and financial settlement.

Reviews

(37)
5 Star
81%
4 Star
3%
3 Star
5%
2 Star
3%
1 Star
8%
Review Kim Schnuelle

The One You Want On Your Side

Posted by

If you want someone to help you with a child custody case, divorce, separation, family issues Kim is the one you want on your side. She knows these topics like the back of her hand. She responds quickly. She explains anything you need help understanding without making you feel bad about it. She knows the law in and out and has so much experience. She doesn't have to reference or research because she already has it memorized. This is very helpful in these kinds of cases because you can feel very confident that she will get the job done and it will be in your favor. She is also very honest if there is something you are requesting that the judge will not honor. I would and will recommend her to all of my family and friends. She is highly capable and her staff is awesome too. I am so thankful to the whole team and the help they provided me. She met my expectations and beyond!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Best decision I made, outside of getting the divorce - hiring Kim

Posted by

Kim was my second lawyer in the process, when I realized mediation would be necessary. she reinvigorated a lagging process, was incredibly professional, effective and efficient. She knows how to shepherd one effectively through a tough process, with little waste and the goal of moving you quickly through a painful process. She tells it like it is and helps you understand and adjust to the system. I had a unique case, not straight forward. She did well as setting my expectation on what to expect from the system and where our case had additional merit or not. Her team was incredibly professional. She balances no-nonsense and sympathy well. My case couldn't have gone better, I walked out of mediation with the number we had hoped for, she did an incredible job. I can't imagine navigating such a tough system without her.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Kim is the ideal lawyer for a busy schedule

Posted by

Kim was able to get the outcome I was seeking to my post-seconday school addendum to my child support docs. She responded promptly to everything I asked and sent, and to all stakeholders. She explained things when needed, and kept things simple when that sufficed. Thank you Kim for helping the right thing happen for me and my family!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Hiring Kim was one of the best decisions of my life for my family.

Posted by

For me, what started as a "routine" parenting plan quickly spiraled out of control into a full blown custody dispute including protection orders for the safety of my Son. Kim was there every step of the way to help navigate what is our legal system. Multiple times over a year and a half I would send up a flare, and Kim would respond during her out of office hours, after hours, or holiday hours in the best interest of my Son, and my sanity. While not cheap (I don't think you can find this type of representation cheaply), Kim's services are worth every penny. What really surprised me was how Kim also watches out for your personal legal costs. For instance, if you have a court date coming up, she'll recommend saving your questions for the court date (assuming they can wait) since she'll be in court anyways. I think the biggest asset (at least in my case) was her ability to read people, and make recommendations based on her experience as a prosecutor. There were times where an action required seemed counter intuitive, but she would stick by her assessment, and things would always work out. The few times we were in front of a judge, Kim was the most organized person in the courtroom. She would argue passionately for my case, even in an instance when a Judge didn't agree. By the end of her presentation, the Judge agreed with her assessment. Kim is very empathetic. I didn't realize how stressful or emotionally involved this process would be. She seemed to know when I was at my wits end, and always had a kind word, or an encouraging conversation. I'm very much a "stick to the facts and all will be well" sort of person, so I didn't gauge how important this would be initially for this process. It's important... In a nutshell, hiring Kim was the best decisions I could have made for my family in one of the most difficult times of my life. I cannot recommend Kim enough.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Best in challenging situations

Posted by

I requested Kim's services in very challenging times. She took on the case and helped me with the case in a very sensible and strategic way. Throughout the case, she kept me well-informed, promptly addressed my questions / concerns and above all kept the focus on achieving results which are in the best interest of the child. Without her help it was very difficult to achieve an outcome which is beneficial for the child. I also highly appreciate she did not make any false promises and clearly kept me informed about legal system and its constraints. I highly recommend her.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Most grateful for an attorney with expertise and class.

Posted by

Ms. Schnuelle came highly recommended by a personal friend and business attorney that had worked with her in the past. Kim's professional expertise, her rectitude, and commitment to excellence brought a difficult family law case to a place of resolution. Not only did she loyally represent me, but she understood the nuances of the battle I was up against. Through each communication, Kim was clear, confident and patient. I give Ms. Schnuelle 5 stars as have others, and after working together with her, I can see why her reputation precedes her. Thank you, Kim!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Divorce case

Posted by

My ex and I were in general agreement but none of us had experience with the US law as we are foreigners. I hired Kim Schnuelle and was super happy with her services. She provided great insights and recommendations. She has a very good understanding of the King County Court system and know how the judges are thinking. She is always straight forward and it really helped me understand how things are working in the US and how to clearly dissociate the law and the emotional part. Her team drafted all the documents and amended them at our demand. My ex and I were not very good at responding super quickly and they still managed to keep the fees in control. Joshua Dawson on her team was so patient with me, explaining several time the same things. I would highly recommend them.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Kim Schnuelle is amazing

Posted by

Most family law issues that require a hired attorney are not typically ideal experiences. So, it's important to find someone who can not only set you at ease, but give you the confidence and attention you need. Kim Schnuelle was not assuring and attentive, but very professional, reasonable on all levels and made me feel like I was always in her best interest. I hired Kim on two occasions. One was an initial parenting plan and child support modification and the second was for a child support adjustment. I live in another state so communication was key. Kim was always very easy to get ahold of and over promised anything. She was always very honest with me about not only the logistics with the process, but both times gave me detailed information about potential outcomes with the case. In the end both of my cases were able to be solved outside of court. I would highly recommend Kim Schnuelle for any family law issues. I never felt rushed or overlooked Each time we spoke via e-mail or over the phone she was clearly always up to date and well informed with all the details of my case. I will hire her again in an instant if I again require representation.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Top shelf service

Posted by

Kim was an excellent and thorough lawyer. She is calm and rational, never going for hyperbole or excessive displays related to the case. She answers emails very swiftly and is meticulous about keeping you and everyone else aware of her availability. She obviously knows her stuff. She filed and reviewed all my settlement papers and reviewed them very carefully. My only concern is with the firm, not with Kim. McKinley Irvin is a top-shelf firm that charges top-notch prices. I paid many thousands of dollars for what amounted to three or four quick attorney letters and a review of a settlement that I negotiated myself. If I had a high-profile or deeply contentious divorce, she would be perfect, but for ordinary people I'd say she is more lawyer than you really need.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

A great laywer during tough times

Posted by

Kim (and her top-notch paralegal) exceeded my expectations during my recent divorce. She is an expert on the law and took the time to discuss my case and answered all of my questions/concerns. More important, I greatly appreciated her compassion and patience during this difficult time. Kim was extremely responsive to all of my questions and concerns. She worked with my wife's attorney to come to a settlement that I was happy with. I never once felt pressured to do anything I was not comfortable with. I never felt that I was being over-charged in any way. I highly recommend her for all family law needs. I could not have imagined a better experience with an attorney during this difficult personal time.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(27)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Krista Stipe, Family Attorney on Aug 4, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Kim is an extremely bright and hard working attorney. She diligently seeks to meet her clients' goals, and she does so with a compassionate heart. I strongly endorse Kim as a lawyer.

Holly Hermon, Family Attorney on Jul 1, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of working with Kim as Opposing Counsel on several family law matters. She is diligent, honest, and straightforward. I look forward to working with her again.

Danielle LaBelle, Family Attorney on Apr 24, 2015
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Alexandria Hohman

Kim is a brilliant and hardworking attorney. We were opposing counsel on many matters and was a zealous advocate for her clients. Kim is extremely knowledgeable about all areas of family law. I enthusiastically endorse this attorney.

Elena Garella, Family Attorney on Feb 6, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Kim is an enthusiastic, practical and brilliant lawyer. She's very well respected by the bench and her peers. Lucky you, you have found an excellent attorney.

Susan Alexander, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 2, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Kim is a zealous advocate for her clients and very knowledgeable about the law. Wherever possible she tries to negotiate issues to minimize cost and diminish ongoing conflict between the parties. I endorse this lawyer wholeheartedly.

Cindy Wysocki, Family Attorney on Jan 26, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

Kim is an extremely well rounded attorney. She is both a tireless advocate and a skillful problem solver. Kim brings to every case intelligence, wit and dedication. Kim is an inspiring colleague who has taught me much since we first met in 2006. I highly recommend Kim to anyone who needs legal counsel.

Brita Long, Family Attorney on Jan 21, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I have been on the other side of cases with Kim on several occasions. She embodies what a smart client wants in an attorney. She is smart, reasonable, but tenacious. She has the social skills to calm the waters instead of adding problems. If I needed a family law attorney Kim would be on my short list.

Paul Eagle, Family Attorney on Dec 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I readily endorse this lawyer. She is superb and (in my opinion) a rising star in the Seattle legal community. I gladly and proudly endorse her.

Araceli Amaya, Family Attorney on Apr 15, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I strongly endorse Kim Schnuelle as a family lawyer. She is intelligent, honest and extremely knowledgeable in her area. Also she is extremely ethical and hardworking.

Mindy Stannard, Family Attorney on Jan 24, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Brien Galbraith, Child support Attorney on Jan 6, 2014
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Annelisa Smith, Divorce and separation Attorney on Sep 16, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Anthony Zorich, Family Attorney on Sep 6, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Jamie Walker, Family Attorney on Feb 13, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Elizabeth Hoffman, Family Attorney on Feb 5, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

Kim is hardworking, extremely practical, and very committed to meeting her client's goals. I endorse her work whole heartedly.

Christina Smith, Family Attorney on Feb 5, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Jonathan Hilty, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 2, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

Kim is a strong advocate both in the courtroom and in negotiations. Her work ethic and focus on achieving client goals consistently generate great results for her clients. I endorse this lawyer.

Lindsay Noel

I endorse this lawyer.

Lindsay Camandona

I endorse this lawyer.

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