$ 300-350 per hour
About James
Biography
I have served as a family law attorney in Snohomish County since 1998. I currently also serve as as a mediator and arbitrator for family law cases. I have mediated more than 1900 cases for other attorneys and arbitrated approximately 750 cases as well. I have made hundreds of decisions in family law cases as a Commissioner Pro Tem.
I focus on establishing a temporary status quo for my clients, and then work toward a settlement. I believe settlement is almost always the best solutions for my clients; however there are a few instances where ultimately we have to proceed with trial.
I look forward to working with you for your family law needs.
Are you in need of a quality family law attorney in Snohomish County? Call James Shipman.
All family law issues are emotional and difficult. I'm here to help you with all your needs.
Practice Areas
6
Practice Areas
Mediation
40%
20 years | 1,900 cases
Family
20%
27 years | 2,500 cases
Alimony
10%
27 years | 200 cases
Child Support
10%
27 years | 200 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in Washington for 27 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1998
No misconduct found
Location
Port Gardner Law Group
2918 Colby Avenue, 201, Everett, WA, 98201-4713
portgardnerlaw.com/james-shipman/James Davis Shipman's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 10 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | June 20, 2019 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Exactly what I needed
My divorce was simple: 4 years, no kids. I had some unique time constraints and James and his team kindly squeezed me in right away. They were professional and straightforward and got done what needed to be done. I couldn't be happier!
Posted by anonymous | October 16, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Divorce Proceedings
Being forced into an unwanted divorce situation, I asked our business attorney's for the best recommendation they could give me (Lasher Firm in Seattle) and it was Mr. James Shipman. I can't say enough on how excellent Mr. Shipman has been as well as his staff in handling me as well as the divorce s...
Posted by anonymous | March 8, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Trusted attorney
James handled our custody mediation case. From the start he was straightforward with us about the probable outcome. He laid out the risks but also what the likely hood of gaining out desired parenting plan was in modification. His expertise in this field is hard to come by, and being able to trust wh...
Posted by CJE | September 8, 2014
James Shipman Review
James Shipman provided me excellent legal guidance, a detailed probable financial outcome analysis and most importantly emotional support in my divorce proceedings. I appreciated the strait forward approach James took in the case and valued the time tested experience he has in dealing with divorce. ...
Posted by Ragnhild | September 2, 2014
Excellent Attorney
Shipman was an excellent attorney who made a difficult and stressful time more manageable. He took the time to listen to all of my concerns while taking the time to explain my options and develop a plan to reach my goals. Not only did we meet my initial goals, but I received much more than I could ha...
James Davis Shipman's Lawyer Endorsements
"James is a fantastic family law attorney."
"Mediating disputes between two family law litigants who have spent the last several months at each other's throats is an onerous task, but James somehow manages to successfully settle the most difficult cases. Throughout his career, he's learned a myriad of tools to help shift perspectives away from a conflict-oriented outlook towards a more constructive mindset. Once he achieves this, he is able to help parties move forward with their lives in a healthy manner. James has an unusually high success rate in his mediation practice. Rather than giving up when things get difficult, he works long hours to settle the thorniest cases."
"James Shipman is a fantastic mediator. He is respectful and empathetic to both sides, and helps people reach resolution on difficult cases surprisingly quickly. I am very impressed with him and recommend him highly for family law mediation and litigation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Jim is a skilled mediator, and has successfully mediated cases that I never thought would settle. His family law skills are top notch, and I highly recommend him."
"I endorse James. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"Jim brings experience, organziation and reality to all his cases. His personalble, but persistent style make him easy to work with to achieve a fair result. He does not leave anything on the table unresolved and gets consistent positive results for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Jim is a fantastic mediator and is able to get both sides to come to the middle and reach resolution. No matter how complex the case or difficult the personalities, he is able to work with both parties, with neither leaving the process feeling unheard. Thanks Jim!"
"I endorse this lawyer. James is a thoroughly competent and successful advocate for his clients. In addition to his skills as a litigator, he is a very successful local mediator who has been able to help my clients settle very difficult family law disputes. He is compassionate and kind -- two qualities that are extremely important to consider when choosing an attorney or mediator to resolve disputes regarding the thing that matters most -- family."
"I have worked closely with Mr. Shipman over the years, both as opposing counsel and wth Mr. Shipman serving as a mediator for other matters. He has always been extremely well prepared, his arguments in court well conceived and the service to his clients top-notch. He has also been an exceptional mediator. I would not hesitate to refer matters to Mr. Shipman."
"James is a very effective advocate who works hard for his clients. As a mediator, he has the knowledge and experince to help parties solve problems, both creatively and practically. I am pleased to endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. James is one of the most successful mediators in our community. He is always professional and comapssionate."
"James and I have been opposing counsel on several cases and I have appeared before him when he served as pro tem commissioner. I frequently use him as mediator on cases. He is always professional, ethical and courteous. He has a clear understanding of the law and its application as well as a compassionate and pragmatic approach."
"I studied law with James. He is an outstanding lawyer. He was a leader in law school that set the standard all others attempted to reach."
"I endorse this lawyer. James is a tough advocate; he is professional, well-versed in family law and committed to our local community."
"I endorse this lawyer. James is easy to work with, knowledgeable, and just an outright, "good, if not great, guy." He is skilled in his profession and finds common ground where appropriate. A lawyer I would turn to."
"I have worked with Mr. Shipman in a number of different family law matters. He is professional, trustworthy, ethical and highly efficient. I have had him as an opposing counsel, pro tem Court Commissioner and as an arbitrator. We have always been able to work well together to resolve matters, while representing our clients respective interests."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
"James is an excellent attorney who advocates well for his clients."
"I recommend James to people looking for quality representation in family law matters. I have represented opposing parties in cases with James and my experience is that he zealously represents his clients with an impressive combination of skill and professionalism. "
Michael Andrews
Family lawyer
Elizabeth Turner
Family lawyer
Mark Schoener
Family lawyer
Patricia Nelson
Family lawyer
Ian Johnson
Family lawyer
Elizabeth Michelson
Family lawyer
Laurie Ummel
Family lawyer
Roberta Madow
Family lawyer
Damon Canfield
Family lawyer
G. Gibbs
Family lawyer
Glenn Kadish
Personal injury lawyer
Stephanie Petersen
Family lawyer
Rafael Schwimmer
Family lawyer
Sara Epler
Family lawyer
Gail Nunn
Family lawyer
Jennifer Gogert
Family lawyer
Rodi O'Loane
Family lawyer
Steven Burkhalter
Family lawyer
Lisa Micheli
Family lawyer
Cory Rein
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
2011
2011 Civil/Family Law Clerk's Award, Snohomish County Superior Court
2008
David Kastle Award, 2008 Snohomish County Superior Court
2007
Snohomish County Clerk's Award, Snohomish County Superior Court Clerks
2005
Chair Award, American Red Cross
2004
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2000
President's Award, Marysville Rotary
1998
Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude,
1998
Dean's Public Service Award,
1997
Linden Cup First Place Team,
1996
Thomas More Full Scholarship,
Work Experience
2005 - Present
Commissioner Pro Tem, Snohomish County Superior Court
2004 - Present
Managing Partner, Shipman Uberti, P.S.
1999 - 2004
Instructor, Everett Community College
1998 - 2004
Partner, Bell & Ingram, P.S.
1996 - 1998
Lead Intern, Washington State Attorney General
Associations
2012 - Present
American Academy of Matrimonial LawyersFellow
1998 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
1998 - Present
Snohomish County Bar AssociationMember
1998 - Present
Family Law Section Washington State Bar AssociationMember
Sample of Legal Cases
In re the Parentage of M.F.
Education
1998
Gonzaga University School of Law
Juris Doctorate, Magna Cum Laude
1995
University of Washington
Cum Laude
Speaking Engagements
2013
19th Annual Family Law Conference
Top 10 Technology Tips for Case and Practice Management
2013
19th Annual Family Law CLE
Social Media: A Current User's Perspective
2012
Title 26 Family Law GAL Training
Law Practice & Family Dynamics: Putting it All Togeter
2011
Title 26 GAL Training
Attorneys and GAL's
2011
ADR Annual Training
Mediation
2007
Family Law Section CLE
De Facto Parent Rights
2006
Snohomish County Bar Introduction
Family Law for new Lawyers
Publications
2009
Snohomish County Bar Association
Practical Case Management in a Recession
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Guides