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Philip Colin Tsai

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  • Seattle, WA
  • Licensed for 23 years
Philip Colin Tsai
Philip Colin Tsai
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About Philip

At Tsai Law Company, we care about our clients. Call our Seattle Divorce Lawyers today 206-728-8000.

Philip C. Tsai received his B.A. in Sociology, cum laude, from the University of Washington in 1994; and his J.D., cum laude, from Seattle University School of Law in 1997. Philip is a frequent Continuing Legal Education speaker through the WSBA, KCBA and National Business Institute regarding various family law topics. In addition to his trial court work, Philip practices appellate work and has successfully argued before the Washington State Supreme Court. He is a partner at Tsai Law Company, PLLC, a boutique law firm in downtown Seattle where he almost exclusively practices family law.

Please visit our website at www.TLClawco.com.

 

For additional information regarding our practice areas you may visit:

 

Main Page http://www.tlclawco.com/index.html
Child Support and Divorce http://www.tlclawco.com/child-support-divorce.html
Contact Seattle Divorce Lawyers http://www.tlclawco.com/seattle-divorce-lawyers.html
New Address http://www.tlclawco.com/contact.html
Divorce and Separation http://www.tlclawco.com/divorce-separation.html
Legal Separation http://www.tlclawco.com/legal-separation.html
Divorce and Property Division http://www.tlclawco.com/property-division.html
Divorce and Business Assets http://www.tlclawco.com/divorce-business-assets.html
Child Custody and Divorce http://www.tlclawco.com/child-custody-divorce.html
Alimony http://www.tlclawco.com/divorce_alimony.html
Restraining Order http://www.tlclawco.com/restraining-order.html
Divorce and Dividing Retirement Assets http://www.tlclawco.com/dividing-retirement-assets.html
Testimonials http://www.tlclawco.com/testimonials.html
Military Divorce http://www.tlclawco.com/military-divorce.html
Alternative Dispute http://www.tlclawco.com/alternative-dispute.html
Paternity and Divorce http://www.tlclawco.com/paternity-divorce.html
Marital Like Relationships http://www.tlclawco.com/marital-like-relationship.html
Prenuptial Agreements http://www.tlclawco.com/prenuptial_agreements_washington.html
Adoption Attorneys http://www.tlclawco.com/adoption-attorney.html
Annullment http://www.tlclawco.com/annullment.html
De Facto Parent http://www.tlclawco.com/de_facto_parent.html
Family Law Jobs http://www.tlclawco.com/jobs.html
Divorce Links http://www.tlclawco.com/links.html
Out of State Divorce http://www.tlclawco.com/out-of-state-divorce.html
Property Agreements in Divorce http://www.tlclawco.com/property_agreements_divorce.html
Reasonable Travel and Parenting Plans http://www.tlclawco.com/reasonable_travel.html
Attorney Emily Tsai http://www.tlclawco.com/attorney-emily-tsai.html
Attorney Philip Tsai http://www.tlclawco.com/attorney-philip-tsai.html
Attorney Helenka Koltonowska http://www.tlclawco.com/attorney-helenka-koltonowska.html
Attorney Todd DeVallance http://www.tlclawco.com/attorney-todd-devallance.html

Practice areas

OtherChild supportChild custodyDivorce and separationFamily
  1. Family: 30%

    At TLC, we have over 30 years combined experience in alimony and divorce. We can assist you with modification of alimony, stop alimony/end spousal support, temporary spousal support or permanent spousal support, spousal support guidelines, and spousal support payments/spousal support modification, and alimony modification. Call an Alimony Attorney at TLC at 206-728-8000 to discuss Spousal Maintenance or Alimony law in Washington State as applied to your situation.

    23 years, 250 cases

  2. Divorce and separation: 30%

    Our Seattle Divorce Lawyers have over 30 years of combined legal experience in the area of Divorce, Separation, and Family Law. All of the Seattle divorce attorney's and lawyers working at our firm are experienced in divorce and family law matters. Call and speak to a Seattle Divorce Lawyer at TLC to answer your questions regarding your divorce rights 206-728-8000. We will answer your Washington divorce telephone questions free of charge and keep all information confidential.

    23 years, 250 cases

  3. Child custody: 15%

    At Tsai Law Company, we have over 30 years combined experience in child custody and divorce in Washington State. Call for a free phone consultation with one of our seasoned Child Custody Divorce Lawyers and Family Law Trial Attorneys at 1-425-DIVORCE (348-6723) to discuss provisions for your Parenting Plan and your visitation rights. Our experienced child custody Lawyers today can discuss your child custody questions regarding visitation, court adjudication, and child custody court rulings.

    23 years, 250 cases

  4. Child support: 15%

    At Tsai Law Company, we have over 30 years combined experience in child support in Washington State. We can assist you with your questions regarding the calculation of income, deviation of child support, child support payments, and child support enforcement. Call an attorney at TLC at 206-728-8000 to discuss Child Support law in Washington as applied specifically to your case including the new changes effective October 1, 2009. You can also e-mail us at [email protected]

    23 years, 250 cases

  1. Alimony: 10%

    At TLC, we have over 30 years combined experience in alimony and divorce. We can assist you with modification of alimony, stop alimony/end spousal support, temporary spousal support or permanent spousal support, spousal support guidelines, and spousal support payments/spousal support modification, and alimony modification. Call an Alimony Attorney at TLC at 206-728-8000 to discuss Spousal Maintenance or Alimony law in Washington State as applied to your situation.

    23 years, 250 cases

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

27374 1310794318

27374 1310794548

27374 1312063716

Contact

2101 Fourth Avenue
address map

Tsai Law Company, PLLC

2101 Fourth Avenue
Suite 2200
Seattle, WA, 98121

Website
http://www.tlclawco.com/philip-c-tsai/

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
WAActive199702/24/2021
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers9
Legal guides0
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Woolston Award FinalistUniversity of Washington, Department of Sociology1994
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Owner/MemberTsai Law Company, PLLC2008 - Present
AttorneyDowntown Seattle Family Law Firm2000 - 2008
AssociateRussell & Pitts, PLLC1997 - 2000
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Snohomish County Bar Association groupMember2008 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember1997 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember1997 - Present
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
National Business Institute SeminarThe Mechanics of Valuing and Dividing Marital Property2019
The Dissolution LandscapeBoot Camp: Marriage Dissolution2015
National Business Institute SeminarTax Consequences of Divorce2014
National Business Institute SeminarTax Treatment and Consequences of Divorce2013
National Business Institute SeminarDirty Litigation Tactics Rambo Lawyers Love2013
National Business Institute SeminarTax Consequences and Divorce2012
Court of Appeals, Division IBrief of Respondent2011
Washington State Bar Association (CLE)Ethical Issues and the Use of Technology2011
King County Bar AssociationShape of the Table- Issues That Thwart Settlement2011
Court of Appeals, Division IBrief of Respondent2010
Enzine ArticlesTop 10 Ways to Save Money in Divorce2010
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
Seattle University School of LawJD - Juris Doctor, cum laude1997
University of Washington -SeattleBA - Bachelor of Arts, cum laude1994
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Mechanics of Valuing and Dividing Marital PropertyDivorce and Dividing Property2019
Family Law MidyearRCW 26.10 Non Parental Custody2017
Boot Camp: Marriage DissolutionFamily Law2015
Tax Consequences and Treatment in DivorceDivorce and Tax Issues2014
Tax Treatment and Consequences of DivorceFamily Law Tax Issues2013
Dealing with a Rambo Litigator in DivorceLitigation and Divorce2013
NBI Tax and Divorce SeminarTax Consequences and Divorce2012
WSBA Family Law MidyearEthical Issues and Technology2011
Annual Family Law Hot TopicsIssues that Thwart Settlement2011
King County Bar AssociationFamily Law Practice2008
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Custody of LMS5/4 Decision in Favor of Respondent
In re Marriage of MCourt of Appeals Division I Affirmed Trial Court Decision
In re Marriage of WSuccessful Affirmation of Trial Court Decision
Marriage of Christel, 101 Wn. App. 13, 1 P.3d 600 (2000).Successful appeal of child relocation case.

Reviews

(19)
5 Star
95%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
5%
1 Star
0%
Review Philip Tsai

smart, caring, effective in court

Posted by

Phil Tsai helped me with a complex case that included extensive discovery, an elusive respondent, and support needs for me and my six children. He negotiated favorable settlements and carefully crafted a parenting plan and maintenance agreements to meet my family's unique needs. And he won the court's approval. When my former spouse did not honor the court orders, Mr. Tsai filed a contempt motion and won the court's approval again. Despite success in court, my former spouse has not been making good on his obligations. Mr. Tsai is aware my serious financial struggle and has not been pressing me with bills for money I owe. I am so grateful for his help and compassion at this time in my life when I've really needed it.

EXCELLENT LAWYER

Posted by

Philip Tsai represented me in a very difficult spousal support case and attempts to set aside the property division in our Decree of Dissolution, which went to the court of appeals. On all matters, Mr. Tsai did an outstanding job in court and prevailed on my behalf. I was confident in his knowledge and advice on the decisions that had to be made during the course of my case. He is a very hard working attorney, competent, and I feel he had my best interest in mind at all times. I highly endorse this lawyer.

Superb legal knowledge and efficient

Posted by

I can’t thank Phil enough for taking my divorce case. Before I hired Phil, I had interviewed and consulted with numerous attorneys and was glad that Phil was able to represent me on my divorce case where significant assets and child custody are involved. This was a major life changing event for me and every move and turn of events will impact me for many years to come. My ex-wife had hired a local prominent law firm known for its aggressive and intimidating tactics. They serve me with multiple motions and discovery demands. Phil was not intimidated by all that. He was calm, collected and composed. He coached me and guided me through many of the dark days during the divorce with our own interrogatories and legal maneuvers. Phil is thoughtful, compassionate yet can seize the opportunity to be aggressive if it means to achieve our goals. Having an extensive legal experience over the years and connected to his own network of legal experts, CPAs, Psychologists, Phil will prevail in a favorable outcome for your case. I fully trust Phil's judgement and will use him again without hesitation. Phil deserves a 10 star rating! - Deeply grateful in Seattle -
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

An intelligent but tough divorce attorney with integrity!

Posted by

If I had to describe Phillip Tsai in a word, it would be (incredible). He took over my case which was extremely flawed and complex. There was a lot of ugliness, mistruths and intimidation from opposing council, which is very frightening when you are battling a dissolution of marriage, with domestic abuse, where a child is involved. Phil sorted through and stuck with facts and integrity. He resolved a very tough case and we came through with the best possible decisions in arbitration, to keep my child safe. Phil was very professional at all times, yet kind, understanding and knowledgeable of the fears and mental stages a parent with a child, where abuse was present experiences. He is also a financial wizard at figures and negotiations with properties, support, financial accounts, etc. and very good at explaining what each means to a client who may not understand complex columns and graphs. He was so real and caring that I worried he may not be aggressive enough, as we were up against a very intimidating and aggressive attorney on the opposing side. Don't let his kindness fool you, Phil is extremely factual and very tough while still holding on to a civil and polite demeanor. I almost felt sorry for the other side when he presented our case. He was fantastic and extremely tough. In the end, nobody ever leaves with everything they want, but I feel we could not have done better, keeping my child safe, working out custody and financially in respect to support and splits of community property. I would strongly recommend obtaining Phillip Tsai or anyone else with Tsai Law Company.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Definitely Recommended

Posted by

Going through a child custody battle is very frustrating especially when the parents do not see eye to eye on most things. Phil has been the best resource I could have asked for. When I needed to vent he listened, when the process was confusing he spelled it out in a way that was easy to understand but above all he is extremely knowledgeable in his field, well respected by his peers, and most importantly for me, he managed to finalize my case in the most favorable way possible for my daughter and I.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Kind, Caring, Compassionate

Posted by

My experience was more than I could ask for. In a time that is very difficult I found the staff and attorney to be top notch. The caring, compassion, kindness and knowledge helped ease the situation. I would recommend Philip Tsai for your legal needs.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Impressive service

Posted by

I don't even know where to begin. Philip's character truly shines through in his service. I was able to fully trust his judgments and could tell he had my best interests in mind at all times. He even tried to get the case to settle early multiple times. In the end though, the outcome was strongly in my favor thanks to his preparation and strategy. I was very impressed by his quick intellect. My favorite attribute however is the human aspect. As I was walking into this situation blind with no knowledge in what to do, his guidance was key and at all times, I felt he was extremely respectful and willing to hear me out on how I wanted the case handled. I would wholeheartedly recommend Philip to anyone in need of a family law attorney. He will deliver top notch results and you will know you hired the best.

Trust Phil 100%. Excellent job. Many thanks!

Posted by

Phil did excellent job for me going through the divorce, finalizing parenting plan through a mediator at the end. He is highly experienced, hardworking and TALANTED lawyer. He knows what he is doing, pay attention to details. When I hire Phil I felt very safe, without stress at all and felt that I am in a good hands. I will definitely recommend Phil.

Calm, focused, and effective

Posted by

I would highly recommend Phil Tsai, for anyone, going through a divorce, one of the most difficult passages of life, for both spouses. I went through this passage after a long term marriage, with deep emotional conflicts, and I was very glad that I hired Phil Tsai to represent me. He is not only a smart, experienced lawyer, but he is an excellent communicator who understands not only the legal process but also comprehends the human interactions during the process. My case had hard complex issues, with high emotions and high assets. He listened carefully and assessed the complexities with a human ear, and not just a legal pad. Although there must be other good, competent divorce attorneys in the area, I think Phil Tsai is probably exceptional in that he helped me, as his client, to understand and navigate the “inherently adversarial process” and to keep focus on what is really important and come out with a legal/financial fair outcome. Without his calm legal guidance, I would have fallen off the cliff. I believe that Phil Tsai’s intelligent legal steps and steadfast, strong negotiations were very effective. He is a respectful attorney, and despite his busy practice, he always returned my calls and emails in a timely manner. In the end, you have to trust your attorney to work hard and do the best to represent you, and that’s what Phil Tsai did. He helped me get through the legal maze, protect my position when things got rough, then kept me in focus, and arrived at a fair settlement. I would recommend Phil Tsai to anyone, any age, without reservations. He is an excellent attorney with a smart brain and a good heart. -January 2015

Experience working with Phil on Divorcing a Microsoft Executive

Posted by

Phil did an excellent job guiding me through a 20 month Divorce proceeding. Even though Mediation failed and we had to go through JDR with a Judge it worked in my favor. I had to endure a longer Divorce which of course encures more lawyer fees but in the end it was all worth it. We were going to settle with 5 years of spousal support after 22 years of Marriage but going through JDR bumped the Spousal support to 7 years. I had never hired a Lawyer before so this was my first experience and I really think Phil is an excellent advocate especially as it relates to your interests and well being. I would highly recommend the Tsai firm.
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(15)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Jeffrey MacNichols, Family Attorney on Jun 20, 2007
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have referred several clients to Mr. Tsai. Every client is tremendously impressed with his work.

Todd DeVallance, Family Attorney on Mar 10, 2011
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

I endorse this lawyer. Hands down the best family law attorney I know. Phil has been my mentor for several years and I continue to learn from him every day.

Russell Atkatsh, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jul 28, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Michael Waddington, Family Attorney on May 26, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse Philip. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community.

Jay Neff, Divorce and separation Attorney on Aug 15, 2013
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Deborah Gordon, Family Attorney on May 9, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Anthony Marlow, Family Attorney on Mar 1, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Phil is a tenacious and knowledgeable attorney. I would recommend him to anyone.

Douglas Becker, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jan 26, 2013
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Phil is highly respected by his peers for his knowledge, grit and caring. I never hesitate to refer clients to him.

Rick Jones, Family Attorney on Dec 13, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer. Phil is a terrific attorney who brings both intellect and passion to his practice. I know him to be dedicated to his clients and well liked by the Judges and Court Commissioners.

John Lufkin, Family Attorney on Oct 5, 2011
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

I endorse this lawyer. Phil is an extraordinary attorney, and it is a great privilege to work for him. His mastery of the domestic relations statutes and his ability to recite case law is phenomenal. Phil has been a mentor to me, and his influence on my practice has been tremendous.

Robert Miller, Family Attorney on Aug 5, 2011
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Phil is a smart & aggressive advocate for his clients while at the same time being pragmatic about settling cases.

Daniel O'Rourke, Family Attorney on Aug 5, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Phil is an outstanding family law attorney. I refer clients to Phil and his firm with confidence.

John O'Rourke, Family Attorney on Jul 18, 2011
Relationship: Worked together on matter

Phil works proactively with the client's goals in mind. He is diligent, hard-working, and always prepared.

Michael Fancher, Divorce and separation Attorney on Jul 18, 2011
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Years ago I worked at with Phil at the same firm. At the time he was probably the best lawyer there. Since then I have had the pleasure of working on a cooperative divorce case where Phil represented the other party. He was both extremely knowledgeable and very good to work with.

Emily Tsai, Family Attorney on Jul 15, 2011
Relationship: Co-worker

I endorse this lawyer.

Todd DeVallance, Family Attorney on Mar 10, 2011
Relationship: Worked for lawyer

I endorse this lawyer. Hands down the best family law attorney I know. Phil has been my mentor for several years and I continue to learn from him every day.

Jeffrey MacNichols, Family Attorney on Jun 20, 2007
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have referred several clients to Mr. Tsai. Every client is tremendously impressed with his work.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$400-$400/hour
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check, Credit Card