About me
After 32 years of practice, certain lessons are learned. One is that I simply enjoy this work. I like mediating with parents that can work together. It is fun to see them move from feeling overwhelmed to having a sense of control and hope for their futures. I also enjoy the contested cases as they allow me to find ways to deal with an often difficult opposing spouse. In both cases many clients return to normal life at the end of the case with a new understanding of themselves. I cannot take credit for this. It is their talent to make the best of a difficult situation that makes all the difference.
As an MSW social worker and a lawyer, I am interested in combining advocacy with insight to enhance my client’s capacity to deal with their ex-spouse and their children.
I am thankful for the steady stream of client referrals that have made my practice. Each one of them has taught me something about how to be a better lawyer.
On a personal level I have three sons who I raised after their mother passed away when they were very young. Raising children on one's own has taught me much about parenting. Now that they are in college I have time for gardening, biking and giving back to the community that has given so much to me.
Practice areas
Licensed
- Divorce: 40%34 years, 400 cases
- Child Custody: 30%34 years, 300 cases
- Mediation: 15%30 years, 200 cases
- Alimony: 10%34 years, 150 cases
- Family: 5%34 years, 60 cases
Payment
Fees:
Hourly ($325/hour)
Payment types:
Cash, Check, Credit card
Attorney endorsements
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer
MoreI endorse this lawyer's work. John is very well respected in the Seattle family law legal community. He is a professional and always a pleasure to work with. He has many satisfied clients over many years of practice.
Paul Eagle Family Attorney
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
MoreJohn is a seasoned attorney who provides clients with a unique blend of strong, competent and compassionate representation. He possesses an impressive breadth of knowledge regarding the law and a myriad of other subjects.
Christopher Fox Family Attorney
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Contact info
1001 4th Ave Ste 3200
Seattle, WA, 98154-1003
Resume
| State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| WA | Active | 1982 | 09/16/2016 |
| Legal answers | |
| Legal guides |
| Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
|---|---|---|
| BV Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2014 |
| President's Award | King County Bar Association | 1985 |
| Title | Company name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Owner Attorney | John W. Kydd, P.S. | 2003 - 2011 |
| Attorney of Counsel | Helsell Fetterman LLP | 1997 - 2003 |
| Partner Attorney | Strong and Kydd | 1986 - 1997 |
| Partner Attorney | Halverson and Strong | 1982 - 1986 |
| Research Associate | Battelle Human Affairs Research Center | 1977 - 1978 |
| Association name | Position name | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Association of Family and Conciliation Courts | Board Member | 2012 - Present |
| King County Bar Association | Member | 1984 - Present |
| Washington State Bar Association | Member | 1982 - Present |
| Association of Family and Conciliation Courts | President | 1996 - 1997 |
| Case name | Outcome | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Smith v. Smith | Full settlement | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Publication name | Title | Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Washington Lawyer Practice Manual | Chapter 12 - Alternatives to Litigation: Arbitration & Mediation (Part 2) | 2015 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington Lawyer Practice Manual | Mediation of Family Law Matters | 2012 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington State Bar Association Family Law Deskbook | Family Mediation | 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington Lawyer's Practice Manual | Mediation of Family Law Matters | 2006 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington State Bar Association Family Law Deskbook | Family Mediation | 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Washington Lawyers Practice Manual | Mediation of Family Law Matters | 2000 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Book | Divorce in Washington: A Humane Approach | 1986 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| School name | Major | Degree | Graduated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle University School of Law | Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1981 |
| University of Washington | N/A | Masters of Social Work | 1978 |
| Conference name | Title | Date |
|---|---|---|
| David A Chadwick Endowed Lectureship | Preventing Trauma to Children | 2001 |