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Michelle D. Raiford is an experienced family law attorney practicing in Seattle/King County and Everett/Snohomish County since 2005. For almost 20 years, Michelle has successfully advocated for clients in complex and/or difficult divorce and parenting plan cases. In 2015, Michelle started her own practice, Raiford Law PLLC. Michelle loves all families and fight for the needs of her clients and their children.
Michelle is a Seattle native and grew up in Southeast Seattle. Prior to law school, Michelle worked as a Victim Advocate for three years in the Criminal Division of the King County Prosecutor's Office. While in law school, she completed a federal judicial externship with U.S. District Judge Marsha Pechman. Prior to starting Raiford Law PLLC, Michelle worked as an attorney for almost nine years in Snohomish County for the Northwest Justice Project (NJP). She handled numerous motions and trials in complex family law cases in Snohomish County Superior Court. She handled appellate family law cases in Division I of the Washington State Court of Appeals. She also successfully resolved several administrative and landlord-tenant cases. While at NJP, she helped begin Snohomish County's first sealing clinic that assisted young adults seal their completed juvenile criminal cases as a way to decrease unemployment in Snohomish County. Michelle also worked as a Managing Attorney for almost a year in King County for the Eastside Legal Assistance Program (ELAP). She managed family law attorneys and handled family law and domestic violence cases in King County Superior Court. She helped begin the ELAP Family Law Fellowship Program that expands delivery of legal services in King County while providing family law and business management training to new attorneys.
Michelle is a graduate of the Washington State Bar Association Leadership Institute. She was a presenter at the 2015 Gender Violence Symposium at Seattle University School of Law and has presented on family law, divorce, domestic violence, restraining orders, property division (community v. separate property), best practices for working with guardian ad litems (GALs), and landlord-tenant issues for various community agencies in both King and Snohomish Counties.
Michelle enjoys spending her free time with her son and their dog, and watching the Seattle Seahawks.
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Practice Areas
20 years
20 years
20 years
20 years
Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
State: Washington
Acquired: 2005
No misconduct found
6100 219th Street SW Suite 480, Mountlake Terrace, WA, 98043
raifordlaw.net/Other places you can find Michelle online.
Showing 1 - 5 of 8 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Alicia | November 3, 2023 | Hired Attorney
I had trouble finding a lawyer who's focus was to help parents get the best for their children in a divorce. Michelle has demonstrated that she has the experience and know-how to get children through a divorce with their interests at heart.
Posted by Mike | May 23, 2023 | Hired Attorney
After going through a very high conflict divorce with an ex-wife who was willing to stop at nothing to destroy me including false abuse allegations and keeping my daughter from visiting me, Ms. Raiford, from the very beginning acted as a guardian and avenging angel throughout this very contentious le...
Posted by Adam | April 24, 2023 | Hired Attorney
Michelle handled my no kids divorce with my wife. She is direct, honest, and has good experience in guiding me what to expect. She kept my expectations aligned the whole time. She is independent, determined, and will protect you from unforeseen circumstances. She's very hands off and doesn't as...
Posted by Liza | July 24, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Michelle was an invaluable part of my divorce when I needed her the most. She answered all my questions whenever I reached out to her and always helped me every step of the way. She was very professional and informative when I had a hard time understanding the complexity of the legal system; being th...
Posted by Michelle | October 29, 2021 | Hired Attorney
Words cannot begin to express the gratitude I have for Michelle. Her knowledge, experience, wisdom, guidance and fierce advocacy are unmatched. From my initial visit with Michelle I knew she had my back and would fight hard to win my custody case - which she did! She got me everything I wanted and mo...
"I endorse this lawyer. Michelle is a conscientious, dedicated and zealous advocate for her clients. Her professionalism, her strong relationships in the legal community and her knowledge of family law are valuable assets to her clients. Michelle is an esteemed colleague for whom I have the utmost respect."
"I wholeheartedly endorse Michelle Raiford. I was her supervising attorney when she was an intern at Eastside Legal Assistance Program, where she became a skilled, dedicated advocate for survivors of violence. I have watched her excel in all aspects of family law to become one of the best, brightest, and experienced lawyers around."
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2021
Top 10 Attorneys, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2019
Top 100, Association of American Trial Lawyers
2019
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2016
10 Best Female Attorneys Client Satisfaction Award, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2016
Outstanding Mentor Finalist, King County Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division
2016
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2015 - Present
Principal, Michelle Raiford Law Firm
2014 - 2015
DVLP Managing Attorney, Eastside Legal Assistance Program
2005 - 2014
Staff Attorney, Northwest Justice Project
2005 - 2005
Intern, US District Court for Western WA for Judge Marsha J. Pechman
1999 - 2002
Victim Advocate, King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
2015 - Present
Seattle King County Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationFamily Law Section
2005 - Present
Snohomish County Bar AssociationMember
2012 - 2014
Washington State Coalition for Language Access ("WASCLA")Board Member
2010 - 2010
WSBA Leadership InstituteFellow
2009 - 2010
Washington State Bar AssociationExecutive Committee
2008 - 2009
Washington State Bar Association, Civil Rights LawExecutive Committee
Reversed and Remanded
2005
JD - Juris Doctor
2019
Annual Training Attendee Washington State Bar Association Family Law Section
2015
Classifying and Dividing the Property
2015
King County Bar Association Awards Dinner Attendee
2015
Supporting Survivors
2009
Executive Committee meetings Washington State Bar Association, Civil Rights Law Participant
2011
English
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