Sarah Elizabeth Hovland

Sarah Elizabeth Hovland

4.8
Rating: 9.4

Licensed for 15 years

Family Lawyer at Seattle, WA
Practice Areas: Family

601 Union Street, Suite 3030, Seattle, WA

About Sarah

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Family 100%

Divorce, Legal Separation, Domestic Violence, LGBTQIA+ Family Law, Divorce/Separation, Parenting Plan, Child Support, Establishment/Disestablishment of Parentage, Modification of Parenting Plans/ Child Support, Relocation.

15 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.

search module image

Search our directory

Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.

chat module image

Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.

Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.

Chat with

Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 15 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 2010

Active

No misconduct found

Location

McKinley Irvin

601 Union Street, Suite 3030, Seattle, WA, 98101

McKinley Irvin

10220 NE Points Drive, Suite 330, Kirkland, WA, 98033

Ad

Transform legal challenges into solutions.

Connect now to review your situation.

The Avvo Rating explained

display-bg

The Avvo Rating explained

Sarah Elizabeth Hovland's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

51 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (51) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 17 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by James | May 07, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Bringing the perspective

I had a positive experience working with Sarah Hovland and her team for my divorce case. She was professional and reliable, always making sure we were prepared for court dates and meetings, which helped ensure that the process stayed on track. During negotiations, she maintained a calm, focused deme...anor and was effective in keeping discussions moving forward. What I appreciated most was her direct honesty—she didn’t shy away from giving feedback that was sometimes hard to hear, but it was always in my best interest and necessary for making informed decisions. Her clear communication and dependable follow-through gave me confidence and peace of mind during the most challenging time in my life.

Sarah Hovland

Replied last May 21, 2025

Thank you, James. I am happy I could help!

Posted by Stephen | March 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

With much appreciation

I am very grateful for Sarah Hovland’s counsel and support during a difficult time in my life. From our first consultation, she demonstrated not only deep legal expertise, but also compassion and understanding. Sarah guided me through every step of the divorce process, ensuring I was informed and ...confident in my decisions. She was always responsive, answering my questions promptly and providing thoughtful advice tailored to my situation. Her negotiation skills ultimately helped me achieve a fair outcome. I would recommend her to anyone in need of a skilled and compassionate family law attorney as I can’t imagine getting through the difficult and stressful process without her. Thank you Sarah.

Posted by Ricky | April 29, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Exceptional Divorce Lawyer - Highly Recommended!

I cannot express enough gratitude for the outstanding legal representation provided by Sarah Hovland. From the initial consultation to the final judgment, her responsiveness, knowledge, and professionalism were exceptional. Sarah not only set realistic expectations but also ensured that I underst...ood every step of the process. Her expertise in mediation was evident as she navigated negotiations with finesse, always advocating for my best interests. What truly sets Sarah apart is her ability to push during mediation in the right ways, striving for fair and equitable outcomes. Thanks to her diligence and dedication, I received a judgment that exceeded my expectations. Without hesitation, I highly recommend Sarah to anyone seeking a divorce lawyer who is not only competent but also compassionate and committed to achieving the best possible results for her clients.

Sarah Hovland

Replied last April 30, 2024

Thank you, Ricky. It was a pleasure working with you.

Posted by Mark | February 29, 2024 | Hired Attorney

Amazing attorney

Sara was amazing and her staff members Maria and Linda were professional, patient and kind while they assisted me in understanding my situation. Sara took the time to evaluate and find me a solution even when I did not think I had one, and explained the courts perspective on the situation. Her pri...ces were reasonable and worth every cent If I ever need help again I will absolutely hire her again.

Sarah Hovland

Replied last March 04, 2024

Thank you, Mark, it was our pleasure to help.

Posted by Todd | February 02, 2024 | Hired Attorney

She's amazing

Sarah was amazing, she made everything feel so easy, answered all my questions and made sure I understood all my options. She is so patient even after repeated and rapid changes in paperwork. She took all the stress off of me and takes the time you need and never made me feel rushed or unsure. I rea...lly can't say enough about about her just know she will take care of you.

Sarah Hovland

Replied last February 02, 2024

Thank you, Todd. It was great working with you, so glad I could help.

See All Client Reviews

Sarah Elizabeth Hovland's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Sarah
Catherine Laura Lee Case headshot
Catherine Case

Family lawyer | Jun 28

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Sarah was a great opposing counsel. She was very reasonable but firm, always strongly advocated for her client, always prepared and prompt."

Timothy James Arnold headshot
Timothy Arnold

Family lawyer | May 10

Relationship: Co-worker

"I absolutely endorse Sarah. She is always prepared, always attentive to her client's needs, and she puts in the extra effort that doesn't go unnoticed by those fortunate enough to have her represent them."

Jason Scott Newcombe headshot
Jason Newcombe

Family lawyer | May 01

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"Sarah is phenomenal lawyer who truly cares about her clients. She's a fighter. It is clear that she prides herself on not only achieving the best possible results for her clients but doing so in the most cost-effective way. It would be impossible for me to give her a stronger endorsement."

Rooein Roshandel headshot
Rooein Roshandel

Family lawyer | Feb 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Sarah is very knowledgeable in the area of family law, and dedicated to provide the best representation to her clients. I endorse this lawyer."

Lani Jeanne Sockle headshot
Lani Sockle

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Sarah is a skilled family law attorney."

Frank Edward Morris headshot
Frank Morris

Divorce and separation lawyer | Oct 17

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Sarah is a good lawyer and a great person. She is the right fit for anyone going through a divorce"

Jennifer Renee Smith headshot
Jennifer Smith

Family lawyer | Aug 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

""Exceptional!" That is how I would describe Sarah. I cannot count the number of times I have heard Sarah argue in open court and I am repetitively impressed by her poise, dictation, knowledge of the law and advocacy for her clients. If you are looking for strong, dedicated legal representation you will not be disappointed working with Ms. Hovland."

Laurie Gail Robertson headshot
Laurie Robertson

Family lawyer | Aug 14

Relationship: Supervised lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer. Sarah is a brilliant and hard working attorney. She shows great care and consideration for her clients. Sarah has excellent insight into the law and is a strong advocate for her clients."

Deborah Lynn Gordon headshot
Deborah Gordon

Family lawyer | Aug 14

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Catherine Laura Lee Case headshot
Catherine Case

Family lawyer

Timothy James Arnold headshot
Timothy Arnold

Criminal defense lawyer

Rooein Roshandel headshot
Rooein Roshandel

Family lawyer

Paul Christian Posadas headshot
Paul Posadas

Family lawyer

Frank Edward Morris headshot
Frank Morris

Family lawyer

Lani Jeanne Sockle headshot
Lani Sockle

Family lawyer

Laurie Gail Robertson headshot
Laurie Robertson

Family lawyer

Jennifer Renee Smith headshot
Jennifer Smith

Family lawyer

Deborah Lynn Gordon headshot
Deborah Gordon

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.4 (Superb)

Honors

2013

Pro Bono Award, Washington State Bar Association

2012

Pro Bono Award, Washington State Bar Association

2011

Outstanding Volunteer, Unemployment Law Project

2009

Graduated with Distinction, University of Warwick School of Law

2008

Dean's Academic Honor List, Gonzaga University School of Law

Work Experience

2025 - Present

Senior Attorney, Mckinley Irvin, PLLC

2024 - Present

Commissioner Pro Tempore, King County Superior Court

2014 - 2025

Attorney, Washington Family Law Group, PLLC

2011 - 2014

Attorney, The Redford Law Firm

2010 - 2011

Attorney, Unemployment Law Project

2007 - 2007

Legal Intern, Irish Business and Employers Confederation

2006 - 2008

Legal Intern, University Legal Assistance

Associations

2014 - Present

King County Bar Association

Member

2014 - Present

United States District Court, Western District of Washington

Member

2011 - Present

Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association

Member

2010 - Present

Washington State Bar Association

Member

Domestic Relations Attorneys of Washington (DRAW)

Member

Education

2009

University of Warwick School of Law

LL.M - Master of Laws

2008

Gonzaga University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

2002

University of Washington

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Languages

English

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 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
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution