Adam Ballout
About Adam
Biography
Adam grew up in Ballard, Washington and is an alumni of the University of Washington and the Seattle University School of Law. During law school, Adam clerked for the Chief Judge of the Suquamish tribe before joining the successful firm of Richard Okrent. Adam is a dedicated and successful trial litigator of civil cases which have included several high-profile cases garnering national media attention with a focus on reforming the child welfare system.
In 2011, Adam Ballout joined with attorneys Taila AyAy and Sarah Crane in forming the ABC Law Group LLP. Currently serving clients in Snohomish, King, and Skagit County, the ABC Law Group is a dedicated, experienced firm with a strong professional reputation and a passion for social justice and protecting the constitutional rights of our clients. Adam’s commitment to advocating for system reform and the reunification of families has led to a focus on dealing with complex contested child abuse and child custody issues.
In 2015, Attorneys Adam Ballout and Flint Stebbins exposed a VGAL spy scandal involving the Volunteer Guardian Ad Litem program caught engaging in theft, fraud, perjury, attempting to manufacture evidence against parents, discovery dumping, abusive use of litigation tactics, the destruction of evidence and spying on the Washington Defender Association attorney listserv for 4 years.
In 2017 Adam testified in front of the Washington State Legislature in support of HB1401 (signed into law by Governor Inslee in 2017) which now makes removal of a CASA/GAL/VGAL mandatory if they lie to a judge. HB1401 was passed by the Washington State Legislature unanimously.
In 2019 Adam was named as the WDA Court Security Taskforce Representative to the Board of Judicial Administration.
In July of 2019, Adam helped found the FIRST Legal Clinic (Family Intervention Response to Stop Trauma) a medical-legal partnership to help pregnant mothers avoid CPS involvement.
Outside of the office, Adam is a former US National Karate team member. Adam is the former chair of the Board of Directors for the Washington State Coalition Against Domestic Violence and former chair of the Board for Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
19 years | 500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 18 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 2007
No misconduct found
Location
ABC Law Group LLP
6303 Wetmore Ave, Everett, WA, 98203
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Adam Ballout's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
23 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 9 of 9 reviews | General Knowledge
Posted by anonymous | May 02, 2012 | Family
Saved our family!
Adam was recommended to us by a co-worker at Boeing. Our family was recently involved with CPS and had no idea how to deal with a very hostile and very complicated process. Adam met with me and explained the process and attended 3 meetings with us, during that time we were able to find out exactly wh...
Posted by Kevin | January 18, 2011 | Family
on point!
Mr. Ballout won our case at the emergency shelter care hearing after our two girls were removed. The state took them after they found a "medical condition" which they would not disclose to us and the very same day our girls were in foster care. We did not have a chance to speak with them or have any ...
Posted by anonymous | September 11, 2010 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Sharp, Agressive and Worth Every Cent.
Adam Ballout took my case, compiled my declaration and dismantled the oppossing party's case in court all in under 24 hours. If you dont already know it the legal system has its share of complacent attorneys who will waste your time and money and shrug your case off to the judge's whim. NOT the case...
Posted by anonymous | November 11, 2009 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Highly recommended!
Mr. Ballout helped me through a very difficult time in my life. I was at an all-time low and felt like all sides were closing in on me. After meeting with Mr. Ballout, he reassured me that I had a voice and shouldn’t give up. The legal system is confusing, and I felt overwhelmed, but he was patient ...
Adam Ballout's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Adam is a bright rising star in our legal community. He is very smart and has a heart, a powerful combination in this area of practice."
"I have worked with Adam as opposing counsel in many cases in the juvenile dependency arena. Adam is a formidable opponent and compassionate advocate. He has all the right qualities that make him an excellent lawyer. He listens carefully, works hard, solves problems and gets results. He has earned the respect of other lawyers and judges in the legal community. He is at the top of his game."
"Adam has committed his practice to advocating for families involved in the child welfare system and to making the system more parent and child friendly. He works hard for his clients and has a keen eye for injustices committed against parents and children. I endorse this lawyer"
"Adam is one of those attorneys who has the unique blend of compassion and killer instinct that makes an otherwise good attorney into a great attorney by comparison to most. If your case involves dependency issues or otherwise dealing with CPS, Adam's your guy. He's not afraid to ruffle feathers that need ruffling and will take clients' cases head on to ensure effective advocacy and the best result for his clients. I endorse Adam Ballout with zero hesitation."
"Adam is a true advocate. He is experienced, knowledgeable, well-prepared, and advocates fiercely for his clients. Adam is well-regarded in the community. I do not hesitate to refer clients to Adam, knowing they will be in good hands."
"Adam is as talented as he is tenacious. He has plenty of experience handling contentious matters, but does so with finesse. I would recommend him to any client, and have trusted my own clients with him when there has been a need."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Adam is an exceptionally bright attorney. I highly recommend him for complex child abuse cases that involve CPS and criminal allegations."
"Adam is a knowledgeable attorney. He is hard working and conscientious about serving his clients."
"Adam is a smart, tenacious lawyer. His court room skills are top notch. He is dedicated to protecting his client interests. Adam also works hard to make improvements to the juvenile legal system."
"I have very regular contact with Adam in the dependency and child abuse/neglect arena. I find him to be a highly skilled attorney and a zealous advocate for his clients. He does not shy from confrontation, and provides sound advice and direction for his clients in order to achieve their desired outcome."
"Adam is an extremely intelligent and highly skilled attorney who is at the head of his field and provides great advocacy and results for his clients. I recommend him without hesitation."
"I worked with Adam as a litigator in child abuse matters and found him to be one of the most talented trial attorneys I have ever met. I do not say this lightly as I have tried many cases. Adam has passion and represents his clients with that rare blend of passion and compassion. He goes the extra mile to win his case and he never gives up. I highly recommend Adam on child abuse, personal injury or any legal matter."
"Adam Ballout is an exceptional attorney. He is willing to take on the tough cases and is appropriately aggressive in the courtroom. Further, he is proactive and imaginative in problem solving. I have referred cases to Mr. Ballout in the past and will continue to do so."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had the privilege of working very closely with Adam for over four years and I am always learning something from him. He is an outstanding attorney who has earned a superb and well-respected reputation among his peers and in the community. He is honest, relentless, passionate, intelligent and articulate. He fights hard for his clients, producing results that make a difference in their lives. I would entrust my closest friend and family to Adam's professional care."
"I endorse this lawyer. Adam is a sharp attorney who really knows his stuff."
"Adam is a true professional of the highest caliber. He is the type of attorney that makes us proud of our profession."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Adam Ballout works hard for his clients and obtains excellent results. Adam is a skilled litigator and well respected by the lawyers and judges he works with. Adam is a rising star in the legal community."
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Experience
Honors
2023
APEX Award for pro bono groups, Washington State Bar Association
2022
2022 Walt Zabriskie Award, Amara
2019
Reunification Hero, American Bar Association
2017
President's Award, Washington Defender Association
2014
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2013
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2012
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2012
Clerk's Choice Award, Snohomish County Clerks, Court Reporters and Courtroom Clerks
2011
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2010
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2009
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2008
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
Work Experience
2019 - Present
Co-Founder, FIRST Legal Clinic
2011 - Present
Partner, ABC Law Group LLP
2007 - Present
Attorney, Law Offices of Okrent and Wogsland LLP
2007 - 2007
Clerk, The Suquamish Tribal Court
Associations
2015 - Present
Washington State Coalition Against Domestic ViolencePresident, Board of Directors
2015 - Present
Mari's PlaceBoard of Directors
2015 - Present
Olympic Legal Access P.S.Board of Directors
2012 - Present
Domestic Violence ServicesVice President, Board of Directors
2007 - Present
Office of Public DefenseContract Attorney
2013 - 2016
Rotary ClubRotarian
Sample of Legal Cases
Order terminating rights REVERSED.
Founded finding reversed to unfounded
Case dismissed- Return home to parent
Education
2007
JD - Juris Doctor
2003
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2022
2021
2020
2019
Transforming Child welfare
2017
2017
2017
Structural Racism and Volunteer CASA Programs: Rethinking Who Speaks for a Dependent Child's Best Interests and What Practitioners Can Do to Challenge The Prevailing Narrative
2016
Ethical Representation of Youth Clients: The 72 Hour Shelter Care Hearing
2016
2014
Making the Impossible Possible
2013
Discovery Tools
2012
Housing Matters
2011
When Trial Skills are Not Enough
2011
Publications
2023
2023
2022
2022
2021
2019
2017
2015
2014
2009
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
I got a dui with my child in the car, now cps is investigating my home, can they take my child away from me if this is my first?
26 Jul 2011
How do I prove and fight against false CPS reports that are used as a form of harassment against myself and my husband?
05 Jul 2011