Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.8 /5.0
46 Client Reviews
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Yale Lewis III
also known as O. Yale Lewis III
Virtual Consultation Available
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About Yale
Biography
While I can't guarantee the results, I can guarantee effort. I will work for you until the job is done. I will tell you when I think we should go to court and when we should fold. I will strive to be a good steward of your finances, time, and emotional energy. I will approach the job with compassion, a sense of humor, and a deep knowledge of the law and human behavior.
I have been litigating family and Native American law matters since 2003. I try up to three cases per year and represent three times that many at settlement conferences / meditations. I have been appointed a special master and sometimes conduct meditations. I also handle appeals.
My office is in North Seattle near Lake City. I appear regularly in King County Superior Court and less frequently in other counties throughout Washington. I am a member of the bar of most tribal courts in the State of Washington. I also practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern and Western Districts. I am a member of Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court.
"Effective representation for dedicated parents"
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
70%
23 years
Family
20%
23 years
Native Peoples Law
9%
24 years
Wills and Living Wills
1%
23 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 425-425 per hour
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Licenses
Licensed in Washington for 22 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Yale online.
Yale Lewis III's Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (45)
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Practice Areas
Divorce & Separation (16)
Child Custody (15)
Family (12)
Lawsuits & Disputes (10)
Child Support (4)
Appeals (2)
Employment & Labor (2)
Guardianship (2)
Native Peoples Law (2)
Wrongful Termination (2)
Alimony (1)
Business (1)
Corporate & Incorporation (1)
Domestic Violence (1)
Litigation (1)
Mediation (1)
What Clients Mention
Case Results (34)
Advocacy (28)
Recommendation (26)
Professionalism (24)
Character & Conduct (20)
Cost of Services (17)
Practice Area Knowledge (17)
Communication Style (16)
Responsiveness (15)
Trustworthiness (13)
General Knowledge (11)
Compassion (10)
Staff & Support (5)
Payment Plans (2)
Punctuality (1)
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by Vasyl | June 20, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Family
Amazing and caring representation!
Yale is an outstanding, honest and caring family law attorney. The first thing you will probably notice is his very direct and efficient communication style. It translates well into court hearings where we are often given only five minutes to tell our story. It also save a lot in unnecessary legal fe...
Yale Lewis
Replied last July 24, 2025Thank you so much for your high praise, Vasyl. I'm pleased that you're happy with your experience and that we are able to effectively help you. Onward and upward!
Posted by Lisa Leon-Guerrero | September 08, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family
Knowledgable and Cost Effective
I had spent weeks looking for the right lawyer while navigating the court system during a very stressful and scary time. I was referred to Mr. Lewis by one of his colleagues who spoke highly of him. Mr. Lewis returned my call in a reasonable amount of time and was very knowledgeable in response to m...
Posted by anonymous | April 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family
I hired the right lawyer for a bull fight
My family law case was very complicated and tough to resolve. I fired my previous lawyer because of his slow, passive attitude and gobbling all my money. I did phone screen several lawyers for a month before I called Yale's office. There was something about our telephone conversation that encouraged ...
Posted by Barry | December 13, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Fair, Knowledgeable and Cost Conscious
I hired Yale for his honesty, knowledge of the law and consideration for the legal expenses involved with divorce. He guided me through a difficult divorce, which ended in trial.
Posted by Haylee | February 16, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Yale without hesitation picked up the mess my previous attorney left
Yale has been incredible to work with. I filed a motion to establish a parenting plan for my child. My case was simple but unfortunately my attorney prior to Yale screwed it all up. It was an emotional rollercoaster and I felt afraid and helpless. After the initial hearing, I did research and found ...
Yale Lewis III's Lawyer Endorsements
"I have received nothing less than positive feedback about Yale from clients that I have worked with and ones I have referred to him. They convey that he listens and guides them through the legal process As a personal observation, I see him work very diligently during the weekdays and even weekends. He is dependable and trustworthy."
"Yale is an excellent attorney and a wonderful human being. He is intelligent and personable. I highly recommend his skills in handling clients' estate planning needs."
"I endorse this lawyer. We have worked on several cases as opposing counsel and I have found that he is dedicated to helping his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have referred Yale a few clients who were seeking a mediator rather than an attorney. They have told me that Yale was professional, fair and cost effective."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"Yale successfully handled a complicated appeal of a family law matter I had worked on. He brought a creative approach to a difficult issue."
"I worked with Yale on a very difficult and hard-fought case and found him to be diligent, honest and effective and have since referred other work to him with great confidence in his ablities. A first rate guy and great lawyer to have on one's side."
"I strongly endorse Yale Lewis, III. I have known Yale for nearly 10 years, as an appellate advocacy partner in law school, and as a professional colleague with whom I have frequently exchanged ideas. I have always been impressed by Yale’s careful analysis, deep understanding of the law, and passion for justice."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. I have worked with Yale on a successful appeal to Division One. I have also used him to prepare my family's estate plan. He is both professional and hard-working."
Edward Chung
Criminal defense lawyer
Robert Kaufman
Divorce and separation lawyer
Michael Louden
Family lawyer
Richard Hart
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2013
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2011
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2002
First Place, Annual Writing Competition, American Indian Law Review
2001
Environmental Law Moot Court Competition, Second Place, University of Washington Moot Court
Work Experience
2003 - Present
Attorney, Law Offices, O. Yale Lewis III, LLC
2002 - 2003
Attorney, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
Associations
2019 - Present
Port Gamble S'klallam Bar AssociationMember
2017 - Present
Suquamish Tribal Court Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
Quinault Tribal Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Lummi Tribal Bar AssociationMember
2012 - Present
United States Supreme CourtMember
2011 - Present
Tulalip Tribal Bar AssociationMember
2010 - Present
Nisqually Tribal Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
United States District Court - Western District of WashingtonMember
2009 - Present
United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth CircuitMember
2009 - Present
Snoqualmie Tribal Bar AssociationMember
2008 - Present
Puyallup Tribal Bar AssociationMember
2007 - Present
United States District Court - Eastern District of WashingtonMember
2006 - Present
Muckleshoot Tribal Bar AssociationMember
2005 - Present
Sauk-Suiattle Tribal Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember, family law section & solo small firm practice section
2003 - Present
King County Bar AssociationMember
Nooksack Tribal Bar Association
Member
2007 - 2008
Washington Defense Trial LawyersMember
Sample of Legal Cases
In Re: the Custody of CCM
I handled the appeal and won.
Education
2002
University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, WA
JD - Juris Doctor
1992
Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism, New York, NY
M.S. - Master of Science
1988
Middlebury College, Middlebury, VT
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2018
Advanced Issues in Family and Divorce Law
Contempt
2017
Family Law, What to do When
Custody/ Visitation Nightmares
2015
Family Law Practice for Paralegals
Parenting Plans
2011
Teach-in, Hearing Room U.S. Senate Com. on Indian Affairs
Indian Child Welfare Act
2010
Jurisdiction in Indian Law/Introduction to Adoption Law: Breakfast Seminar/CLE
Jurisdiction in Indian Law
2010
Annual Tort Law Update
The Latest in Indian Law
2004
Tribal Environmental Regulation in Washington State -- An Overview of Environmental Law and Regulation
The Historical Growth and Development of Tribal, State, and Federal Jurisdiction over Indian Country
Publications
2013
Thomson Reuters / Aspatore
The Shifting Sands of American Indian Policy
2002
American Indian Law Review
Treaty Fishing Rights: A Habitat Right as Part of the Trinity of Rights Implied by the Fishing Clause of the Stevens Treaties
2002
University of San Francisco Maritime Law Journal
Cargo Residues and Cargo-Associated Garbage: Are They Regulated by the Ocean Dumping Act of the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
What can be done about a calculation mistake (missed by former attorney) in the child support worksheets for a temp order?
03 May 2019
Q&A
What can I do if the GAL in the case keeps postponing?
03 May 2019
Q&A
Divorce or Real Estate Attorney?
24 Apr 2019