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About Adam
Compassion & Experience in The Most Challenging Family Cases. Call 206-557-6823
Adam is a passionate and skilled trial attorney who brings a great deal of energy, creativity and problem solving skills to his work as a legal advocate. Adam has represented hundreds of juveniles and adults in a wide variety of family and criminal law matters since his admission to the Washington State Bar in 1992. Adam’s practice is primarily focused on Child Protection Services (CPS), family law issues including protection and restraining orders, dissolution (divorce), legal separation, parentage/paternity matters, custody, visitation, property division, child support, maintenance, parenting plan modifications, child support modifications, post decree enforcement issues and contempt of court. Adam has unique expertise in administrative and family law proceedings involving Child Protective Services and the Department of Social and Health Services, including: dependency, At Risk Youth, and Child In Need of Services cases as well as Child Protective Service investigations and administrative proceedings involving allegations of abuse or neglect. Adam enjoys working closely with his clients to reach successful results in difficult family law matters, and focuses on finding solutions rather than on finding more conflict in his cases.
Practice areas
- Family: 25%
Family law includes laws of marriage, civil unions, same-sex relationships, domestic partnerships, divorce, separation, property settlements, alimony, spousal abuse, adoption, child abuse, child support, child custody and kidnapping. If you need help with a family-related legal issue, a family law attorney can advise in family disputes as well as represent you in lawsuits.
25 years, 1,000 cases
- Child abuse: 25%
A child abuse lawyer understands issues related to child abuse and neglect, and child physical or emotional abuse claims can arise in a variety of contexts and motives. Sometimes the young victim tells a relative, who then files a lawsuit; at other times, a government agency such as Child Protective Services may press charges. Because of the victims' tender age, abuse cases frequently are complicated. You may seek a child abuse lawyer whether you have been accused of child abuse, or if you're se
25 years, 500 cases
- Divorce and separation: 25%
A divorce lawyer helps you if you no longer want to be married. Whether you want a legal separation or the marriage ended, divorce lawyers assist you to arrange financial and family matters, typically in a negotiation with your spouse's lawyer. Alimony, child custody, child support, and a fair division of community assets (like who keeps the house or how your checking and savings accounts are divided) are matters that a divorce lawyer is trained to help determine.
13 years, 500 cases
- Child custody: 15%
If you are getting divorced and have children, part of the divorce agreement will involve determining where and with whom the children will live. A child custody lawyer can help you negotiate custody, either by agreement or in court. The custodial parent (the one the child lives with) earns the legal right to make decisions regarding the child's lifestyle, welfare, and education. Some parents opt for joint custody, which means children divide their time between both parents' homes, and parents s
25 years, 500 cases
- Child support: 10%
If you are a parent and you divorce, the parent the child lives with often receives money (child support) from the parent no longer living with the child. Unlike alimony, which is paid to maintain an ex-spouse's lifestyle, child support pays for the child's physical, emotional, and educational needs. A child support lawyer can help parents negotiate and calculate child support, either by agreement or in court. While national guidelines to calculate child support amounts exist, you or the judge m
25 years, 500 cases
Languages spoken
Spanish
Photos and videos
Contact
The Shapiro Law Group, P.S.
600 First Avenue
Suite 410
Seattle, WA, 98104-2237
Website
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA | Active | 1992 | 12/05/2019 |
| Legal answers | 0 |
| Legal guides | 0 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Senior Associate | Rhodes & Meryhew LLP | 2010 - Present |
| Partner | Shapiro & Freitas PS | 2009 - 2010 |
| Public Defender | Society of Counsel Representing Accused Persons | 1995 - 2009 |
| Public Defender | Washington Appellate Defender Association | 1992 - 1995 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| King County Bar Association, Family Law Section | N/A | 2009 - Present |
| Washington State Bar Family Law Section | Member | 2009 - Present |
| Washington State Bar Association, Criminal Law Section | Member | 2009 - Present |
| Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | Member | 1995 - Present |
| Publication name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| King County Bar Association | The Becca Process: A View From the Front | 2009 |
| School name | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| Washington University School of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1991 |
| Tufts University | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1986 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| King County Bar Association Dependency CLE | Dependency Case Practice | 2011 |
| Family Law Speaking Series | The Intersection of Dependency and Family Law | 2011 |
| Dependency Attorney Conference | Using Service Providers to Your Advantage in Dependency Proceedings | 2001 |
| Case name | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Child Protective Services Investigation | No charges filed against either parent; CPS closed their investigation without a finding of abuse or neglect against either parent. |
| Child Custody Trial | Client awarded primary custody of children and child support |
| Child Protective Services Investigation | child returned to parents, CPS and police investigations closed and dismissed without any charges or findings filed against the parents |
| Post Secondary Education Litigation | Post Secondary Support Terminated |
| Criminal Defense | Case Dismissed After Pretrial Legal Argumentss |
| Child Protective Service Investigations | In the past year, CPS concluded that the child abuse allegations against four of my clients were "unfounded." I have also prevailed in two appeals in the last year resulting in the reversal of child abuse findings. |
|---|---|
| Psycho/Sexual Evaluation/Public Records Disclosure | Successfully obtained a protective order from the court prohibiting release of my client's psycho-sexual evaluation. |
| Child Custody, Parenting Plan and Child Support litigation. | Client awarded primary custody, sole decision making authority, and court granted our proposed child support order. |
Genuine, Caring and Professional
Posted by anonymous
Sun Apr 03 2016
Extremely professional, exceeding explanation.
Posted by anonymous
Sat Dec 05 2015
Attorney endorsements
(12)Kenneth Kagan, Administrative law Attorney on Nov 3, 2015
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Adam is a highly-trusted source of wisdom, perspective, and experience. He maintains a laser-like focus on the needs of the case and his client, which provides the client, who is necessarily going through a highly-charged and emotional experience, with a sense of comfort and confidence. I heartily endorse Adam.
Holly Hermon, Family Attorney on Jul 1, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Adam on numerous family law and dependency matters over the years. Each time he was a smart, tireless, and tenacious advocate for his clients. He is a fighter but also knows when to negotiate. I look forward to working with him again.
Alan Funk, Family Attorney on Oct 7, 2014
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse Adam Shapiro. I have referred family law clients to Adam, as well as clients with or concerned about criminal charges. I worked with Adam to manage a complex case involving family law litigation and criminal charges. I found Adam to be diligent, practical, straight-forward and professional.
Michael Waddington, Military law Attorney on May 27, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse Adam. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.
Damian Mendez, Personal injury Attorney on Aug 2, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Adam is a very knowledgeable and experienced attorney who obtains great results for his clients. I have known him for several years and worked with him at the same law office. Adam takes on very complex cases and knows extremely well the intricacies of family law. Also, he is very well versed in dealing with child custody issues. I highly recommend him.
Robert Rhodes, Criminal defense Attorney on May 19, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker
Adam is diligent and compassionate. Many lawyers either care deeply about their clients but are unable to be objective, or they are objective but don't care enough. Adam Shapiro somehow manages to strike a balance and do both. I respect him for it.
Suzanne Elliott, Appeals Attorney on Mar 29, 2011
Relationship: Supervised lawyer
Adam worked for me at the Washington Appellate Defender Association in the 1990's. I have followed his career and his accomplishments since that time. He is a wonderful person and an astute lawyer. I highly recommend his work.
Kim Schnuelle, Divorce and separation Attorney on Mar 12, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. I got to know Adam when he was a public defender and I was his opposing counsel prosecutor. We literally had hundreds of cases together and throughout our many year association I always found Adam to be an exceptional attorney. He is tenacious and steadfast in court but also a skilled negotiator. We both have moved on to private practice since those days and I have frequently referred clients to Adam - especially in the areas of dependencies and high confliuct cases - with excellent results.
Joseph Marshall, Real estate Attorney on Feb 21, 2011
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Myself and another private lawyer were double-teaming Adam in a dependency/child custody-related case; I represented the child; he was a public defender representing the parent whose propspects for "keeping" the child looked very poor. I was expecting to win in short order, but Adam fought hard, well, and ethically -- he quite skilfully and suddenly wrested one "routine" hearing totally away from us and into his client's favor, seizing upon a "procedural" notice issue we'd thought was a non-issue. Well, the Judge saw it Adam's way that day, and with good reason. Advocacy of the highest order.
Jill Malat, Juvenile law Attorney on Feb 16, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer. Adam is a brilliant and hard working lawyer. I worked with him for many years and witnessed first hand his fierce advocacy for his clients. I refer him to current clients who need a family law attorney frequently. I have only heard positive feedback from the clients I have referred to him.
Brad Meryhew, Sex crime Attorney on Feb 16, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse this lawyer. Adam Shapiro was the first attorney I was assigned to work with at the beginning of my legal career, and his hard work, dedication to his clients, and his knowledge of the law where one of my first role models in my practice. Adam is a determined and creative advocate, who taught me that there is a way to effectively communicate every client's position, no matter how difficult it is. I am proud to work with Adam now, and to watch him continue to serve his clients creatively, effectively and with determination.
Michele Hinz, Adoption Attorney on Jul 6, 2009
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I had the pleasure of working with Adam Shapiro on a dependency-related matter in King County juvenile court. He was very knowledgeable, helpful, and sensitive to the people involved. I look forward to the opportunity to work with him again and would wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone with a need for representation in this area.
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