$ 395-650 per hour
also known as Elise Buie, Elise Buie-Russell
The attorneys at Elise Buie Family Law Group, PLLC are passionate, creative problem-solvers with a heart for your family's future.
Elise began her legal career as a Federal Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Stanwood R. Duval, Jr. of the Eastern District of Louisiana. Elise then went on to join a litigation practice at Blue Williams in New Orleans. Hurricane Katrina swept through New Orleans forcing the evacuation of Elise and her family initially to Georgia, then to Minnesota and finally landing in Seattle. After undergoing her own divorce and multiple relocations due to Hurricane Katrina and truly understanding what it meant to put the “best interest of the kids” ahead of her own, Elise decided to focus her practice on family law and serving as a Guardian ad Litem advocating for children’s best interest in high-conflict divorce and dependency matters.
Elise strives to preserve civility and respect during the divorce process and to reduce conflict and its impact on parents and their children. She educates her clients on the impact of conflict on the children so that her clients can make the best decisions possible for the future health of their children. She works closely with her clients to ensure that they understand their options and rights so that they can make informed decisions about their future.
From her Guardian ad Litem practice Elise developed a breadth of experience dealing with high-conflict families, which she brings to every family law case she handles. Elise’s goal is to serve each client on an individual basis knowing that no two families are alike so no two solutions are the same. Elise strives to find real-life workable solutions for the families she serves realizing that a marriage might be over but a family still stands. She also has the needed attention to detail and experience required to manage complex financial cases.
HIn her free time, Elise enjoys spending time with her amazing husband, Doug Russell, and their large blended-family, which consists of six children (the modern day Brady Bunch) and five pets. They enjoy boating, football games, lacrosse games and relaxing on Whidbey Island.
Elise’s “Must Read” Resources
Elise F. Buie Attorney, Guardian ad Litem, Mother of 4, Step-Mother of 2
For Couples in High Conflict Situations
• Stop Walking On Eggshells by M.S.T. Mason
• It's All Your Fault by Bill Eddy (2008, Janis Publications USA)
For Kids of Separating/Divorcing Parents
• Mom's House; Dad's House: Making Two Homes for Your Child by Isolina Ricci (2006, Fireside).
• Dinosaurs Divorce by Marc Brown and Laurie K. Brown, (1986) Age range: 3-10
• Two Homes? By Claire Masurel and Kady Macdonald Denton Age range: 0-3
• It's Not Your Fault, Koko Bear. By Vicki Lansky Age range: 3-7
For Separating/Divorcing Parents
• The Truth About Children and Divorce by Dr. Robert Emery (2004, Penguin)
•Renegotiating Family Relationships by Dr. Robert Emery (1994, Guilford Press)
• Helping Your Kids Cope with Divorce, the Sandcastle Way by M. Gary Neuman (1998, Random House)
• The Good Divorce: Keeping Your Family Together When Your Marriage Comes Apart by Constance Ahrons (1998, Harper Press)
• What About the Kids? Raising Your Children Before, During and After Divorce by Judith Wallerstein, PhD. And Sandra Blakesee (2003, Hyperion Press)
• Collaborative Divorce: The Revolutionary Way to Restructure Your Family, Resolve Legal Issues and Move on With Your Life by Pauline Tesler and Peggy Thompson (2006, Regan Press)
• Putting Children First, Proven Parenting Strategies for Helping Children Thrive Through Divorce by JoAnne Pedro-Carroll
• Difficult Conversations: How to Discuss what Matters Most by Douglas Stone • The Unexpected Legacy of Divorce: The 25 Year Landmark Study By Judith S. Wallerstein, Julia M. Lewis, Sandra Blakeslee
$ 395-650 per hour
Always
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Chat withState: Washington
Acquired: 2012
No misconduct found
State: Louisiana
Acquired: 1994
No misconduct found
State: Minnesota
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
702 3rd Avenue, #2015, Seattle, WA, 98104
9 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews
Posted by Jon | March 13, 2026 | Hired Attorney
Costly and Frustrating Experience
I retained Elise Buie Family Law with a $10,000 retainer and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience. From the beginning there appeared to be internal confusion about who was handling different parts of my case, and I often had to follow up multiple times just to move basic items forward...
Posted by Ryan | March 05, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Prior client
I had a very complicated divorce, and was in a situation that I had an immediate need to hire a lawyer and file for divorce in the middle of a busy summer weekend. Elise hit the ground running with me and worked through day and night that weekend on my behalf to make sure my rights were protected . ...
Posted by Kevin | January 29, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Marriage & Prenuptials
Very disappointed with Elise Buie Family Law
Very disappointed with Elise Buie Family Law. I prepaid $2,500 for a prenup, and I was forced to cancel due to emergency repairs on a property I own. I spoke with Kathryn Silk for 30 minutes (Elise and Kathryn were both late for their appointments) just to get things started and she told me she had j...
Posted by Jason | October 26, 2016 | Family
My go to Family Lawyer
I work as a professional in the dependency world. I frequently run into questions and need help with fathers who need help with a parenting plan. Because of my field of practice family law and dependency closely aligned. The level of care and compassion that I have seen her show her clients the dilig...
Posted by Melissa | October 13, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Elise Buie Helped Me Get My Life Back!
I am a mother of two children who has suffered from drug addiction. When I was active in my addiction my children were taken from me. When I had finally obtained enough strength to go to Treatment and become clean and sober, I was referred to Elise by a friend in the Recovery community. Elise had met...
"Elise Buie is an excellent attorney and I highly recommend her. She is experienced, passionate and driven. Elise's passion is family, and she ensures that her client's well-being, and that of their families, is at the forefront of her representation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Elise truly cares about her clients and their long-term well-being and is always willing to go the extra mile."
Divorce and separation lawyer
Estate planning lawyer
N/A
Loyola Law Review, Loyola University
2015 - Present
Attorney, Elise Buie Family Law Group, PLLC
2012 - Present
Guardian ad Litem, King County Guardian ad Litem
2014 - 2015
Attorney, Main Street Law Group
2012 - 2014
Associate, Ivy Law Group, PLLC
2011 - 2012
Case Manager, Bertram Dispute Resolution
2009 - 2011
Guardian ad Litem, 10th Judicial District State Of Minnesota
1996 - 1999
Associate, Blue Williams
1994 - 1996
Federal Judicial Law Clerk, Judge Stanwood R. Duval Jr.
1993 - 1994
Intern, 4th Circuit Court of Appeals
2014 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, CLE CommitteeExecutive Committee Member
2014 - Present
Lakeside Football Parent RepMember
2013 - Present
American Bar Association, Family Law Section, CLE CommitteeExecutive Committee Member
2013 - Present
American Bar Association, General Practice, Solo and Small Firm Division, Family Law CommitteeCo-chair
2013 - Present
Roosevelt Athletic Boosters - FootballTreasurer
2013 - Present
Washington Women LawyersMember
2012 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2012 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Alternative Dispute ResolutionMember
2012 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Moderate Means ProgramVolunteer Attorney
2012 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2010 - 2011
Minnesota State Bar Association, Children and the Law SectionTreasurer
2009 - 2011
Minnesota State Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2009 - 2011
Minnesota State Bar Association, Domestic Violence CommitteeBoard Member
2009 - 2011
North Suburban Aquatic ClubPresident
1995 - 1997
Louisiana State Bar AssociationExecutive Committee Member
Class Certification
1994
JD - Juris Doctor
1990
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2015
2014
2015
2010
English
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