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Bruce K Pruitt-Hamm
also known as Bruce Pruitt-Hamm, Bruce PruittHamm
About Bruce
Biography
Bruce Pruitt-Hamm is Of Counsel at View Ridge Law, bringing over thirty years of preeminent experience to the firm. A titan of the Washington legal community, he holds a perfect 10.0 "Superb" rating from Avvo and has litigated over one thousand cases. Bruce is a definitive "North Star" for clients, combining the wisdom of a seasoned trial attorney with a lifetime of dedication to peace-building and restorative justice.
He is recognized for his strategic approach and his unique ability to bridge the gap between opposing parties. A master of high-stakes resolution, Bruce excels in cases where complex law meets human emotion, including probate, guardianship, elder law, and parental rights termination. Having served for a decade as a Special Assistant Attorney General, he leverages his formidable courtroom record to prioritize de-escalation and long-term stability over scorched-earth litigation.
Bruce is a true "lawyer’s lawyer," respected by the bench and bar alike. He served as President of the Stevens County Bar Association for six years and was a member of the inaugural Alternative Dispute Resolution class at the University of Washington School of Law. His leadership roles include serving on the Board of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC) and as a founding member of the Spokane County Collaborative Professionals.
Understanding that family and elder law issues are of a deeply personal nature, Bruce takes a compassionate and holistic approach. He views his clients not as mere litigants, but as individuals deserving of dignity and clarity. Whether acting as a pro tem judge, mediator, or advocate, he remains committed to providing individual attention to help families navigate transitions with hope.
A lifelong advocate for harmony, Bruce has provided mediation training alongside his wife, Janis, since the 1980s. When he isn't resolving complex legal disputes, he remains active in community peace-building efforts and nonprofit leadership.
Preeminent advocate and mediator specializing in probate, guardianship, elder law, and collaborative conflict resolution.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Child Custody
35%
32 years
Divorce and Separation
25%
32 years
Child Support
15%
32 years
Elder Law
15%
32 years
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 31 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1994
No misconduct found
Location
View Ridge Law
3418 NE 65th St, Suite A, Seattle, WA, 98115
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Bruce K Pruitt-Hamm's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
8 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (8)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 reviews
Posted by anonymous | February 25, 2021
Not a recommended lawyer
Bruce Pruitt-Hamm was unprepared for trial and lost my case. He charged me thousands of dollars more than what other attorneys would have charged for the same type of case.
Posted by anonymous | January 27, 2017 | Hired Attorney
Do your research
I am terribly upset with the lack of effort and professionalism. There has been a bare minimum work ethic on his part, I've been charged upwards of $10,000 and the costs are still rising. He has not represented me accordingly, I am extremely upset with this lawyer and company. I urge anyone consi...
Bruce Pruitt-Hamm
Replied last January 27, 2017I have several comments in regard to the above review. First, I empathize with people who feel that they aren’t “getting their money’s worth”. I always advise my clients to tell me if they have questions or concerns about fees and have been willing on numerous occasions to adjust my billing to accommodate my client's concerns. For 2 years I surveyed all my clients and 98% said they would refer a friend to the firm and 90% said the fees were reasonable. My hourly billing rate is well below the hourly rate of most other Seattle family law attorneys with 20+ years of experience. If you feel my fees aren't justified, or have any other concerns, talk to me. I'll work with you. Second, I don't know who this alleged client/person is, as none of my clients matches these circumstances, nor has any client expressed this complaint to me directly. If they had, I would have addressed it to their satisfaction. Third, a national survey about divorce costs found the average divorce cost $15,500. See http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/ctp/cost-of-divorce.html. The average cost to the hundreds of divorce clients I have served over the past 23 years is $6,361.88, 41% of the national average. Of course, none of these “average” statistics will predict what any one case will cost, any more than knowing the cost of an "average house" will help you predict the fair market value for your house.
Posted by Mimi | December 30, 2014
Thank you
Bruce and Dorie, Thank you for your help and patience during the difficult time. You kept me informed and be available whenever I needed your assistant. I appreciated your thoughtfulness and sincere approach. Mimi
Posted by Amy | March 01, 2013
The most ethical attorney you could hope to find.
I gave a 4 for responsiveness only because he made a big move in the middle of my case. However, he redeemed himself by sticking with me even during his move. Bruce is more trustworthy and ethical than most people. I felt very lucky to have found him and cannot articulate sufficiently enough my recom...
Posted by John | July 31, 2012
Experienced Lawyer
After recently having work done by Bruce Pruitt-Hamm it quickly became obvious that he was a very experienced lawyer, with an excellent personality. He answered all of my questions with patience, and was sensitive to the subject matter, concerning my Estate Planning. During my career in Aerospace E...
Bruce K Pruitt-Hamm's Lawyer Endorsements
"Bruce is one of the hardest working attorneys I know. He is a powerful advocate, but also attempts reasonable settlement when appropriate. Bruce is extremely knowledgeable in the area of family law and is also an expert in the area of collaborative practice. I cannot say enough about Bruce's professionalism and integrity. I endorse this lawyer."
"If I was in need of a lawyer, I would not hesitate to employ Bruce. He can be a strong advocate in a wide variety of areas of the law, or a very effective collaborative attorney. Bruce is smart and wise. He is open to feedback and someone you can trust. If you have a legal concern, Bruce is a great place to start and finish."
"I endorse Bruce. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mr. Pruitt-Hamm is well educated and experienced. His Avvo contributions are consistently point on. His experience makes him an excellent choice for an attorney. If he cannot help you, I am confident he will guide you to appropriate legal counsel. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Pruitt-Hamm is an outstanding Family Law attorney and one of the top in his state. He is a strong and zealous advocate for his clients and a true credit to the legal profession. I highly recommend his legal services."
"I have had the privilege of dealing with Bruce Pruitt-Hamm on two Collaborative Law divorces. I found him to be highly ethical and trustworthy. He very effectively advocated for his client while still listening to and incorporating my client’s interests and goals into his thought process. In my experience with Mr. Pruitt-Hamm, his training and considerable experience as a mediator was very evident in the Collaborative Law divorce cases that I had with him. He could very effectively use non-adversarial communication when assisting the formulation of a divorce settlement solution. While he and I might have seen things from a different perspective, given that we were still representing and advocating for our respective clients, he was very effective at keeping his statements as positive and constructive as possible."
"I would highly recommend Bruce to anyone looking for an attorney in Stevens County or the surrounding areas. He has a broad array of experience and handles himself very professionally. I refer people to him and always hear back that they are very satisfied."
"Bruce is an excellent lawyer and advocate for his clients. While he works and lives in a small community, Bruce is the quality of lawyer one would expect to find in a large law firm in Seattle or Portland. I highly recommend Bruce."
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Experience
Honors
2008
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
1992
Moot Court Competition- Semi-Finalist, Moot Court Honor Board
Work Experience
2024 - Present
Of Counsel, View Ridge Law
1998 - Present
Managing Partner, Pruitt-Hamm Law & Mediation Services, PS
1996 - 2006
Special Assistant Attorney General, Attorney General of Washington
1994 - 1998
Associate, McGrane and Schuerman
1994 - 1994
Associate, Hessinger & Associates
1994 - 1994
Legal Intern for Justice Utter on Special Project, Washington Supreme Court
1993 - 1994
Legal Intern, Univ. of Washington Student Legal Services
1993 - 1993
Legal Intern, Consumer Protection Division- WA Atty. General's Office
1988 - 2013
Mediator, Private Mediation Services
Associations
2012 - Present
King County Collaborative LawMember
2012 - Present
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (Washington Chapter)Board of Directors
2012 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
1994 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2008 - 2012
Spokane County Collaborative ProfessionalsFounding Member
2000 - 2002
National Association of Counsel for ChildrenMember
1999 - 2006
Stevens County Bar AssociationPresident
1991 - 1994
Law and Alternative Dispute ResolutionFounder; President
1989 - 1989
Mediation Consortium of Washington State (Now Washington Mediation Assoc.)Co-President
Sample of Legal Cases
The Hands that Hold the Child
Successful
Divorce, then Death, then Determination
Successful
Mediation on a Weekend
Successful
Private Interstate Adoption
Successful
Education
1994
University of Washington
Juris Doctor
1989
Anticoh University-Seattle
BA
Speaking Engagements
2012
CLE
Collaborative Law
2011
Basic Mediation Training
Mediation and Collaborative Law
1995
Rotary Club of Colville
Mediation
1987
Divorce Mediation
Breaking Deadlocks in Mediation
Publications
1994
Pacific Rim Law & Policy Journal
Humanitarian Intervention: Dilemmas in the Definition and Design of International Law
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
Do I hire a collaborative attorney? Contested or uncontested?
01 May 2023
Q&A
Can non custodial parent withhold information? or is this not important enough?
27 Jan 2014
Q&A
In WA state, what is legal date of separation or divorce?
05 Nov 2013