Elizabeth F Buie

The attorneys at Elise Buie Family Law, 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