Jamie founded Phinney Estate Law in 2007as a way of addressing a need she saw in the community for affordable,values-based estate planning and as a way to develop a legal practicethat was consistent with her own values and legal philosophy. Beforefounding Phinney Estate Law Jamie worked as a litigation associate atCozen O’Connor, as an attorney advisor for the U.S. Department ofJustice, and as legal intern for Northwest Immigration Rights Projectand Northwest Justice Project.
Jamiebegan her work in estate law in 2005 as a pro bono attorney with KingCounty Volunteer Attorneys for Persons with HIV/AIDS (VAPWA). Shefound that she enjoyed the opportunity to help clients with theplanning process and and the chance to think creatively with theseclients to address the unique needs of their situations. She alsoappreciated the opportunity to work with clients to avoid conflicts.
In addition to her work with VAPWA, Jamie also does pro bono work and/orworked for non-profits providing clients with assistance withimmigration petitions, naturalization, applications for publicbenefits, and family law cases. She continues to devote 25% of herpractice to pro bono work and free community education. As part ofthat service, Jamie serves as a volunteer attorney facilitator for theex-party probate and guardianship calendar in King County.
Sincefounding Phinney Estate Law, Jamie has had the opportunity to work withindividual or families in a variety of situations. She has worked withnewlyweds, young families, single business owners, blending families,the terminally ill, and non-married clients. It is her experience thateach family, no matter how traditional or non-traditional, is trulyunique and, once you get to know them, have unique needs.
Whenshe is not working, Jamie volunteers her time to a number of localcommunity groups including the Seattle Milk Fund, Phinney EcoVillage,Phinney-Greenwoood Climate Change Action Now, and the Greenwood ArtsCouncil and is the elected Democratic PCO for her neighborhood. She is a practicing Quaker with the Salmon BayFriends Circle. She also enjoys spending time with her family andfriends and loves spending a much time as possible enjoying theoutdoors. She is in three book clubs and is always looking for a goodbook. She also carves and prints block prints which can occasionally be seen in shops and coffee house in the Phinney-Greenwood neighborhood.
Jamieis a member of the Washington State Bar Association sections on Probateand Elder Law. She is also a member of the King County Bar Associationsections on Probate and Elder Law. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of the KingCounty Bar Association Collaborative LawSection and the leader of the Long Term Planning Working Group of the Northwest GBLT Senior Services Network. She is also a member of the International Holistic Lawyer’sAssociation.
Practice areas
Assist families in creating, drafting, and executing a holistic estate plan that may include durable powers of attorney, wills, trusts, asset titling, and health care directives to protect clients and their families in the face of disability or death.
17 years
Assisting families in working through the probate process upon the death of their loved one.
16 years
Assisting families in setting up and maintaining guardianships for disabled family members.
16 years
Facilitate mediations for family law, probate, elder law, and landlord/tenant matters. We also assist clients with collaborative and uncontested divorces.
14 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
OR | Resigned | 2005 | 06/12/2022 |
WA | Active | 2001 | 06/28/2022 |
Legal answers | 30 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2016 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2015 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2014 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2013 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2012 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2011 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2010 |
Rising Star | Law & Politics Magazine | 2009 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2009 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2008 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2007 |
Pro Bono Honor Roll | Cozen O'Connor | 2006 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2006 |
Amicus Award | Northwest Immigrant Rights Project | 2005 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2005 |
Pro Bono Honor Roll | Cozen O'Connor | 2005 |
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation | Washington State Bar Association | 2004 |
Pro Bono Honor Roll | Cozen O'Connor | 2004 |
Pro Bono Honor Roll | Cozen O'Conor | 2003 |
Goldmark Fellowship | Washington Law Foundation | 1998 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Attorney | Phinney Estate Law | 2007 - Present |
Associate | COZEN O'CONNOR | 2002 - 2007 |
Attorney Advisor | Department of Justice | 2001 - 2002 |
Judicial Law Clerk | Department of Justice | 2000 - 2000 |
Domestic Violence Unit Intern | Northwest Immigration Rights Project | 1999 - 1999 |
Intern | Northwest Justice Project | 1998 - 1999 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
King County Bar Association, Collaborative Law Section | Treasurer | 2008 - Present |
King County Bar Association, Elder Law Section | Member | 2007 - Present |
King County Bar Association | Member | 2002 - Present |
Washington State Bar Association | Member | 2001 - Present |
King County Collaborative Law | Civil Practice Group Chair | 2011 - 2012 |
Washington Collaborative Probate & Elder Law | Chair | 2011 - 2016 |
Northwest LGBT Senior Care Network | Steering Committe Member | 2010 - 2014 |
Oregon State Bar | Member | 2006 - 2007 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Biznik | Diffusing Conflict in your Small Business Family | 2008 |
Unknown | Anticipating D&O Claims | 2005 |
Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Law Journal | Recent Developments in Insurance Coverage Litigation | 2005 |
Covered Events | Washington - Absolute Pollution | 2005 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
University of Washington | MA - Masters | 2001 |
University of Washington School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 2001 |
Oxford University | Post-Graduate Certificate | 1998 |
University of Washington | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1997 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Elder Law Clinic & Community Breakfast | Wills for Estates | 2010 |
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Christopher Bates, Mediation Attorney on Oct 12, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Jamie is well respected in the legal community, giving presentations to others and sharing her unique experiences with the world. I would recommend Jamie in any collaborative law endeavor, as her mastery is outstanding.
Samuel Behar, Mediation Attorney on Oct 8, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jamie's insights into the area of Collaborative law are astounding. After attending an introductory session on Collaborative law in the areas of Probate/Family/Elder Law, I have begun to explore the idea of incorporating Collaborative practice into my Bankruptcy practice. I'd trust her with my own personal claims and so should you.
Christopher Bates, Mediation Attorney on Oct 12, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Jamie is well respected in the legal community, giving presentations to others and sharing her unique experiences with the world. I would recommend Jamie in any collaborative law endeavor, as her mastery is outstanding.
Samuel Behar, Mediation Attorney on Oct 8, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jamie's insights into the area of Collaborative law are astounding. After attending an introductory session on Collaborative law in the areas of Probate/Family/Elder Law, I have begun to explore the idea of incorporating Collaborative practice into my Bankruptcy practice. I'd trust her with my own personal claims and so should you.
Jeffrey Bean, Estate planning Attorney on Feb 27, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jamie is a pioneer in bringing client-centered approaches back to the practice of law. If you want to be treated with respect, as a whole person, and work with an intelligent lawyer grounded in her community, Jamie's the one for you.
Brad Lancaster, Probate Attorney on May 4, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jamie knows probate law, and communicates effectively. I recently attended an education seminar in which Jamie presented on the law of Will Contests. It was the most salient, yet comprehensive, presentation on the topic I have heard. I have referred more than one client to Jamie. Each has been treated with respect and intelligence.
Sara Wahl, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 18, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Jamie is an excellent attorney. She is a pioneer in Collaborative Estate Planning and Probate in Washington State. I always feel confident referring clients to Jamie for their estate planning/ probate needs. I also like that I can send Collaborative divorce clients to her after they have finished their case so they can plan post divorce. I highly recommend Jamie.
Oliver Spencer, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 5, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I have known Jamie Clausen professionally for ten years. She is one of the most intelligent lawyers I know, and a dedicated professional. She has an expansive knowledge of the legal process in all of the areas in which she practices, in both a courtroom setting and in the collaborative law process. She also has a genuine concern for her clients, and goes above and beyond their expectations in any matter on which she works.
Bart Parsley, Estate planning Attorney on Aug 28, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Jamie Clausen. She approaches the practice of law as a holistic service for her clients, which is refreshing. She is intelligent, personable, and reliable.
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