Laura Anne Sutkus

Laura Anne Sutkus

4.8
Rating: 8.1

Licensed for 41 years

Family Lawyer at Seattle, WA
Practice Areas: Family

4742 42nd Ave. SW, Suite 620, Seattle, WA

About Laura

Biography

Practice Areas

1

Practice Area

Family 100%

In the last 30 years, I have specialized in family law, from representation in litigation to unbundled services. I have completed both mediation training and training in collaborative law, which is also part of my practice.

42 years

100%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Hourly Rates

$ 430-450 per hour

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 38 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1987

Active

No misconduct found

Licensed in Wisconsin for 41 years

State: Wisconsin

Acquired: 1984

Resigned

No misconduct found

Location

Sutkus Law Firm, PLLC

4742 42nd Ave. SW, Suite 620, Seattle, WA, 98116

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Laura Anne Sutkus's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

26 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 7 reviews | General Knowledge

Posted by Amelia | December 02, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Great experience with unbundled service

Laura was recommend by a friend and by another lawyer who knew of her knowledge, experience, professionalism, and supportive demeanor. Laura and her amazing paralegal Marcie, supported me as an unbundled client through a divorce that went to trial. I represented myself as Pro Se, but used her unbu...ndled services that she offers when I needed questions answered, legal advice, paperwork reviewed, court questions, and needed to brainstorm strategies and issues that came up throughout the divorce process. I could not have done my divorce as Pro Se without her help reviewing my paperwork, explaining what to expect for mediation and trial, how to upload documents for the court file, which documents have cover pages and which don't, how to serve paperwork, how to communicate with the bailiff for my case, how to negotiate with my ex, and what the law is for parenting plans and child support. Laura and Marcie were there for me every step of the process when I needed help and the unbundled services helped me to manage my divorce costs as I weighed what I was capable of managing myself and what I needed to delegate to Laura and Marcie to move things along. This experience was very empowering for me to have represented myself, while knowing that I had an incredible Lawyer within reach when I needed help... and I needed help! Doing this on my own terms was also empowering. Even when I felt like giving up or felt overwhelmed by the paperwork or emotions involved, they encouraged me with spot on advice. They often checked in on me to see how I was doing which helped me not feel alone in this. I am so impressed by Laura's knowledge of the details of laws and Washington Code involved with parenting plans and child support. Her years of experience and knowledge of similar cases helped me to formulate my plans for a parenting plan and for child support that benefited my children based on their needs. Laura is honest and straight forward about what the laws are and how the court will usually make decisions about parenting plans. This helped me to understand how to write a parenting plan proposal that supported my children. The final parenting plan and child support plans that I proposed were accepted by the court and Laura's help was a major part of this. The financial settlement was complicated and Laura and Marcie helped me to balance the financial separation aspect. This part was the hardest part for me in this divorce because it involved accepting the Washington law of community property. Laura really helped me to navigate the division of property paperwork and calculations so I could propose a settlement that was fair yet still protected my financial future. I am happy with the settlement that I proposed and was accepted and I am so lucky that I was able to have Laura's legal advice and Marcie's support with this and everything. Communication with Laura and Marcie was excellent and straight forward always and I found their style of information sharing valuable for my case and 100 % worthwhile. This process was one of the hardest things I have ever accomplished and I am so grateful to Laura and Marcie for their help.

Posted by EM | May 28, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Experienced, Compassionate, and Tough Advocates

I was referred to Laura by my previous lawyer because I needed someone experienced enough to potentially take my case to trial — and I truly got so lucky finding her. From the very start, Laura and her paralegal Marcie have been absolutely incredible. They are always quick to respond, incredibly help...ful with clear and thoughtful answers, and impressively thorough and knowledgeable throughout the entire process. Divorce is never easy, but Laura and Marcie somehow made a very difficult time much more bearable. They made me feel supported and understood, like I had real partners standing by me during one of the darkest chapters of my life. I honestly don’t know where I would be without their expertise, compassion, and dedication. I cannot recommend them highly enough!

Posted by Roy | June 01, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Excellent attorney that also shares my human values.....

What do you need in a divorce attorney? That certainly depends on your intended outcome, but in my case, I found in Laura Sutkus someone that shared and supported my human values (fair, respectful and honorable) and idea of how to end a 20-year marriage with kids. Although my divorce was nothing a...s I had hoped – a swift and cooperative ending to our marriage – instead I faced a long, cruel and dishonest divorce process that almost ended in a trial. Laura agreed to represent me, even after learning who my wife’s lawyer was (four others turned me down). Always to-the-point, practical in her approach, and efficient in her decisions, we stuck together for almost two long years, working through exaggerated and inaccurate (lies) claims, and confounded stories and representations of my kids and their health . She showed me how to be balanced and pragmatic in my decision making and reaction to the ‘crazy’. My divorce was not at all what I expected or could have imagined, but Sutkus Law kept me moving forward and ensured that, in the end, I settled/mediated in a position that was comfortable and right for me. As I reflect on my almost two-year process, I recall some traits of her that are easily overlooked during such an emotional period – attentive and able to recall every detail, understands family law inside and out, and maintains a strength and respectfulness even through the nastiness. When needed, she has excellent resources to restore or redirect an issue (i.e., QDROs and State PERS, fair sharing of child expenses). Thank you for maintaining my/our respectful approach through this difficult period.

Posted by Asha | April 13, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Laura Sutkus: Phenomenal Attorney

Laura Sutkus represented me through a very difficult contested divorce. While my spouse chose to change attorneys multiple times, I stayed the course with Laura. From the very beginning, she gave excellent legal advice and support. I came to her office terrified, and she gave me the tools I nee...ded to even get started, including a book on how to respond to high conflict people. Month by month, my knowledge and strength increased and even I am surprised we have successfully resolved everything! In every phase of my divorce, there were delays and issues out of our control, but Laura managed them with ease. She is professional, meticulous and knows family law like the back of her hand. She will fight fairly and honestly for you and your children. I was so impressed in how she handled getting a parenting plan figured out, when everyone else (including the other attorney) seemed to falter. I would highly recommend working with Laura Sutkus. Our family is thriving now and she has given me the strength and freedom to move on to independence. I will be forever thankful to Laura for her role in this process.

Posted by anonymous | April 20, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Cafeteria lawyer

Poor advice to me as the high-net worth individual. Dishes out the same advice to everyone who comes along. Gets you in and out. -Slow and inaccurate responses. A lot of mistakes in the paperwork that I ended up pointing out and correcting. Ultimately done correctly and quick (relative for Washing...ton state) -"Just accept the deal" this is what everyone gets. I learned too late from other men and women in my particular situation that I should have gone to court on this divorce. I will now pay for a very long time to my former spouse. All three of the others in my situation (and yes each case is different) are not paying support. -I took Laura on after looking at reviews and advice from a friend who was using her for their divorce. They ended up working with another lawyer for the same reasons as I mentioned previously.

Laura Sutkus

Replied last April 20, 2017

I'm sorry to hear that Anonymous was unhappy with our services, and I'd be glad to talk with him/her. I am open to discussing concerns my clients have, and referring them if we are not a good fit. I can't place who this person is, and don't recall discussing these concerns with this client or those of their friend. Advice is different for clients in different situations, and we strive to communicate with clients quickly. I routinely recommend that clients not accept proposals out of hand, so I do not understand the suggestion that I'd say otherwise. I value my clients, so I am sorry to hear about this dissatisfaction and I'd be happy to talk with the person who posted.

See All Client Reviews

Laura Anne Sutkus's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Laura
Stuart Wayland Scarff headshot
Stuart Scarff

Divorce and separation lawyer | May 18

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Stephanie N. Petersen headshot
Stephanie Petersen

Family lawyer | Apr 30

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Many years ago I had a case against Laura. She consistently produced excellent work and was a tough advocate for her client. At the same time, she was professional and practical in resolving disputes. I was so impressed that I have since referred a number of clients to her over the years. Whenever I hear back, they always rave about her hard work and skilled representation."

Jeffrey Lawrence Herman headshot
Jeffrey Herman

Divorce and separation lawyer | Apr 10

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Laura is smart, hardworking, and really cares."

Michael James Warren headshot
Michael Warren

Family lawyer | Dec 21

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Laura has excellently represented my referral clients on family law matters, and I would highly recommend!"

Jennifer A Forquer headshot
Jennifer Forquer

Family lawyer | Dec 21

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"Laura and I have been opposite each other on cases and I endorse her work. She is a strong and passionate advocate for her clients while at the same time maintaining civility and respect throughout the process."

Frances Turean headshot
Frances Turean

Family lawyer | Dec 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I endorse this lawyer. Laura and I both worked on a very difficult case, with Laura taking over several months into the matter. I am very impressed with her ability to strongly fight a complicated legal custody battle as well as her very professional and caring regard for her clients."

View All Endorsements
Stuart Wayland Scarff headshot
Stuart Scarff

Probate lawyer

Jeffrey Lawrence Herman headshot
Jeffrey Herman

Personal injury lawyer

Michael James Warren headshot
Michael Warren

Business lawyer

Jennifer A Forquer headshot
Jennifer Forquer

Family lawyer

Frances Turean headshot
Frances Turean

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.1 (Excellent)

Honors

1984

Abe Sigman Award, University of Wisconsin

Work Experience

2010 - Present

Attorney at Law, Sutkus Law Firm, PLLC

1987 - Present

Attorney at Law, The Hunsinger Law Firm (& its predecessors)

Associations

2009 - Present

International Academy of Collaborative Professionals

King County Bar Association, Collaborative Law Section

King County Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section

King County Family Law Section

Sample of Legal Cases

In Re Custody of Sierra Helen Brown

My client, the child's second cousin, was awarded custody. The decision was upheld on appeal to the Washington Supreme Court.

In Re Custody of Sierra Helen Brown

The trial court's decision was affirmed by the Washington Supreme Court.

See More Legal Cases

Education

1984

U Of Wisconsin

law

Speaking Engagements

2013

Second Saturday Divorce workshop

Languages

English

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