PRO
also known as Tristen Lee
Tristen Key practices family law in Snohomish County. Tristen was well known throughout Washington State as a social worker where she dedicated 10 years of service with several local public agencies before attending law school. Upon graduation, Tristen chose to practice family law as an extension of her social work experience.
Tristen has a winning track record using her keen ability to anticipate the other side's case strategy to stay one step ahead. Her unique ability to be competitive yet reasonable and compassionate makes her a trusted attorney by clients and well respected by her colleagues and the bench. Tristen is known in the community for zealously and diligently advocating for her client's interests. She is never hesitant to take on complex and difficult cases and has many years of experience in the courtroom and with successful results.
Tristen's distinctive approach to clients is to establish a rapport of trust, confidence, and candor with clients at the earliest onset to create and accomplish a case strategy for the best possible outcome. Tristen strongly believes in fostering a relationship that allows clients to feel at ease in conveying their hopes, fears, and anxieties which can drive a case. She works diligently to keep her clients apprised of all developments in their case so the client may remain proactive throughout their litigation.
"I try to convey to all my clients that I can appreciate the difficulties that lie ahead for them during and after the litigation. I am not a detached lawyer but a lawyer who truly cares about the outcome of each and every aspect of their case. I strongly believe in coming up with solutions outside of the box to fit my client's individual case rather than using a cookie cutter approach to family law. At the end of the day, my clients are real people with real problems who have trusted me to take care of their family's legal needs."
4
Practice Areas
22 years
Sometimes
State: Washington
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Other places you can find Tristen online.
41 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | 2 stars
Posted by anonymous | July 11, 2013 | Child Custody
if your case needs guardian ad litem, Tristen maybe will work for you
I initially chose Tristen because of the good reviews she got on Avvo. She is a big advocate for guardian ad litem. She immediately told me that I need to get GAL involved. She told me that if I don’t get GAL involved, the court was very likely allow a week-on-week-off schedule for my two young kids ...
Linda - I am very pleased to hear that you retained counsel you believe to be more suitable for your matter. I know that many attorneys have different case strategies. After you informed me that you had been following a week-on-week-off schedule for a long time and that you had serious concerns about your husband's parenting issues and domestic violence in the presence of the children, I recommended a GAL to provide the court with the necessary evidence to argue for you to be the primary residential parent. I am actually very experienced with clients that have significant wealth and two income households or clients with limited means. Because you asked me to take a back seat in your matter and allow you to manipulate your husband to posture in the litigation it became too difficult to continue my representation in your matter. Again, I am very pleased you were able to find counsel you are confident with and wish you the best of luck in your matter.
"Tristen is great to work with. She is professional, compassionate, thoughtful and easy to work with."
"Tristen is an incredibly knowledgeable attorney. She has provided effective legal advice for clients for many years. I would go to her immediately if I ever have a family law issue."
"I highly recommend Tristen to anyone needing legal representation in the family-law arena. Tristen's vast experience allows her to give practical and strategic advice. She is a fast-thinker and is excellent in court. She has compassion for her clients as she guides them through what can be a very difficult process."
"One of the top qualities I like about Tristen is that she can be a zealous advocate for her client while still being a friendly and professional opposing counsel. I recently worked opposite Tristen on a child support and parenting plan modification matter. She was very knowledgeable and creative when the settlement process came to that tipping point where it appeared the process was breaking down. I highly recommend Tristen as a lawyer in any family law matter."
"Tristen is a fantastic lawyer. She never ceases to amaze me with her abiltiy to think creatively to find solutions to tough problems. As her business partner, I know her clients have the best representation available. With her prior experience as a social worker, she is uniquely qualified as an advocate in family law."
"I am familiar with Tristen Key from not only being law school classmates of hers at Seattle University School of Law, but also by working on a case in which Ms. Key was the opposing counsel. I have found Ms. Key to be extremely knowledgeable, pragmatic, and straightforward. Her common sense approach to case issues is refreshing, and allows her to be a strong advocate for her clients in all settings: settlement negotiations and trial. The professionalism she exhibits in all her interactions with colleagues in this profession will undoubtedly serve Ms. Key well and will secure her the recognition she deserves. She has an adept understanding of the stresses clients face in divorce and custody actions and she maneuvers her clients successfully through all phases. She is highly ethical and a credit to the profession. I highly endorse this attorney."
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2018
Marquis Who's Who, Who's Who Legal
2018
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2018
Top 10 Attorneys, National Academy Of Family Law Attorneys
2018
Top 10 Attorney, Attorney and Practice Magazine
2017
Five Star Investment Professionals, Seattle Magazine
2017
Distinguished Lawyer, Expert Network
2016
Five Star Investment Professionals, Seattle Magazine
2015
10 Best, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys
2010
Rising Star, Super Lawyers
2017 - Present
Attorney, Key Law Offices, PLLC
2008 - Present
Equity Partner, Dethleffs Sparwasser Reich Dickerson & Key, PLLC
2004 - 2008
Senior Associate, Stella L. Pitts & Associates, PLLC
2003 - 2003
Extern Clerk, Washington State Supreme Court, Justice Tom Chambers
2003 - 2003
Rule 9 Clerk, Multicounty Public Defender, Appellate Division
2002 - 2002
Research Assistant, Seattle University School of Law
1999 - 2001
Lead Domestic Violence Coordinator, City of Kent Attorney's Office
1995 - 1999
Legal Advocate, Snohomish County Center for Battered Women
2011 - Present
Snohomish County Bar AssociationActive Member
2004 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationActive Member
2004 - Present
King County Bar AssociationActive Member
2000 - 2001
Seattle Human Rights CommissionCommissoner
2000 - 2001
Washington Criminal Justice Training CommissionTrainer
1998 - 2000
Asian Women and Family Safety CenterBoard of Directors
2004
Juris Doctor
1994
Bachelor of Arts
2003
Domestic Violence
2002
Domestic Violence
2001
Domestic Violence Crimes Investigations
1999
Domestic Violence
2003
English
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