Laura Anne Sutkus

I graduated from the University of Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1984, where I was the the Editor in Chief of the International Law Review.  After practicing general civil litigation, particularly plaintiff's personal injury work and family law, I moved to Seattle in 1987.  I worked as an associate attorney at Williams Kastner & Gibbs for two years, doing defense work in product liability cases. 

I returned to a smaller office, missing personal client contact. Over the years, I specialized in family law, including a successful third party custody case that was upheld by the Washington Supreme Court in 2005.  I continued handling plaintiff's personal injury cases, along with some probate and other civil cases.  For many years, I was an arbitrator for the King County Mandatory Arbitration program.   

I completed Mediation Training at the University of Washington in 1994.  I partipated as a co-mediator with Family Court Services in a one-year program.  I have been a volunteer mediator for the Family Law Volunteer Settlement Conference Program for many years, mediating three family law cases per year.  In addition to acting as a mediator, I represent clients in mediations or advise them as they mediate directly with their spouse, without lawyers participating.  I also draft final orders for one spouse, based upon mediation agreements or agreements made by spouses on their own.  I believe that parties should make their own informed decisions whenever possible.  I provide unbundled legal services to provide limited services as requested by my client.

Volunteering has been an ongoing part of my practice. My current volunteering is primarily through my church. I have worked in a neighborhood legal clinic, briefly at the King County Dispute Resolution Center, and on the Status Conference Calendar at the King County Courthouse.  I have twice received the Random Acts of Kindness Award from King County Superior Court.  When funding for King County Services was at risk, I testified before the King County Council. For many years, I have provided services at a reduced rate through the CLC program (offered by some employers) and at times for clients as I guide them to self-help methods. 

Since completing Collaborative Law training in 2008, I have been interested in working collaboratively with other professionals in suitable cases.  I am a member of Compass Pod.  For several years, I was a volunteer presenter at the Second Saturday divorce workshops presented by the West Seattle Pod (later dissolved) at Highline College.  I am a member of King County Collaborative Law (KCCL), Collaborative Professionals of Washington (CPW), and the International Association of Colllaborative Professionals (IACP). I believe in the benefits of collaborative practice and also in cooperatively resolving cases when possible, but I go to court when that's the best option. 

Two of my passions are outdoor exercise and yoga.  Giving up long distance and relay runs, which I loved, I enjoy biking and cross country skiing.  I like to camp and hike.  I also have fun singing in a choir.  Outlets for stress are important for lawyers and clients, alike.