Patricia Jo Nelson
also known as Patty Nelson, Patty St. Clair
About Patricia
Biography
The St. Clair Law Office, which offers comprehensive family law legal services, is led by attorney Patricia Jo Nelson. Attorney Nelson is a Washington native who has practiced law in our state since 1984. An accomplished trial lawyer, Ms. Nelson has focused her attention on family law representation for the past 10 years.
From an office just north of Everett in Marysville, Washington, Ms. Nelson and her staff provide legal services to residents of Snohomish County, Island County and Skagit County.
Learn more about the background and qualifications of Ms. Nelson by following the link below to a detailed profile. Then, contact our office to schedule a confidential initial consultation.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
42 years
42 years
42 years
42 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 41 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1984
No misconduct found
Location
Law Offices of Patricia Jo Nelson
1612 4th St Ste 201, Marysville, WA, 98270-5045
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Patricia Jo Nelson's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
31 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 9 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by Eric | May 02, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Bad Attorney, Not on your side!!
I hired her to represent me in my divorce while I was dealing with a work accident(brain injury). She told me people with brain injuries are "loopy". She took my money and then treated me as if I was the bad person in the whole process. In mediation she informed me "we" weren't taking prisoners, si...
Patricia Nelson
Replied last May 02, 2018I have never made fun of any client with a disability, so I vehemently deny the allegations made by this individual. I have also never had a client sign any agreement if they were disabled or compromised in anyway, or if they felt forced to do so. A CR 2A mediated agreement was reached with full participation of Eric V. However, as in a lot of cases, the next day there was a change of mind on his part. I told him that to fight the other side enforcing the CR 2A agreement, that I would have to withdraw and if he wanted to attack the mediator and myself he was free to do so. That is what occurred. The Court enforced the agreement as they felt he was competent when he entered the agreement and found no wrongdoing on either the mediator or my part. The bar also agreed when this same individuaI went that route. This occurred over 4 years ago, in 2014.
Posted by Mary | March 29, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody
Warning scandalous money hungry and lies to her clients
This attorney led me on in a child custody and divorce case for a year. I was suspicious all allong of her rudeness. In the end dropped my case before finishing then lied about it to the courts. She will gladly take money from you and then not follow thru. Very disappointed. Think twice before h...
Patricia Nelson
Replied last March 29, 2018I never represented Mary, but rather her ex-husband. I got him primary placement of his daughter through several court hearings before he began "negotiating" with the mother of his child which was not in the child's best interest. I cannot be responsible for the ultimate decisions client's make when faced with options. I wish him luck.
Posted by Amanda | October 04, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Child Support
Unethical and biased
My husband and I had a child suppprt issue modified through this agency and she made a decision that was not ethical. She pulled information from the CR2A agreement to use in order to side with the mother however omitted the same part of the sentence which would have made it impossible to change the ...
Posted by anonymous | July 18, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Money Taken, No Services Provided
She took several thousand and never did a thing to help out. Went to court only to get more money for herself and wasn't prepared to fight for client, simply went along with what the opposing counsel's lawyer said, even though it was lies. When she was contacted regarding what she was going to do, ...
Patricia Nelson
Replied last July 18, 2017It is difficult with client's when on the one hand you want constant communication but on the other hand do not want to pay for the attorney time involved for responding. As I tell every client who enters my door, "my time is your money." An attorney bills for their time involved in a case which includes letters, emails, phone calls, court time, preparation of documents, etc. Therefore, a letter was sent addressing the concerns of the Commissioner's ruling on temporary orders to explain how the result occurred. Oftentimes, they add up client's incomes, divide in half and let the trial court or mediation process figure out the rest. I am sorry that you were dissatisfied with the Court's ruling, Good luck to you on finishing the process, and I hope you get some peace in the end.
Posted by anonymous | June 21, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Family
Shyster
Patty was very unfriendly from the start. Since she has a strong resume we decided to hire her anyway. After I had a retainer paid, all communication halted. I had to call Rose, at the front desk, for information and each time it seemed like was a huge inconvenience. Rose was abrasive, short and clue...
Patricia Nelson
Replied last June 21, 2017It is difficult to answer an anonymous complaint as there is no way to respond directly to the allegations being made. However, since a general allegation, here is a general response to the issues. First, I always give a consultation with a potential client with the first half hour for free. If the individual doesn't not think I am friendly or more importantly, can't do the job, then do not put forward a retainer. Second, every client walks out of my office with a written, signed retainer agreement in their hand. It clearly states my hourly rate and the terms of my employment. I also emphasize to every client that "my time is your money" meaning that for every call, email, court appearance, preparation of documents, etc. my time involved is billed out hourly. I want client's to keep that in mind to use their time wisely while communicating to me. So, I also stress that communication from me will be on an as needed basis. I try not to run up their bills needlessly. After 33 years of practice, I have learned how to do my job as efficiently as possible. Third, my legal assistant is just that, a legal assistant. That means that she cannot give legal advice, only the attorney can do that. So, she tells the client that she cannot give legal advice, and would have to consult with me. That is required to avoid malpractice. Fourth, I rarely have more than two cases at a time on any motion docket in Superior Court. I never fumble through cases, and always have my proposed Temporary Orders in the file and ready to go. Finally, part of my retainer agreement states that a trial retainer must be paid one month in advance of trial. Trials are very involved and time consuming. If payment is not made, then I have no choice but to withdraw from representation. I too have bills and overhead to pay.
Patricia Jo Nelson's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Nelson is bright, efficient, and no-nonsense. She is a tough advocate for her clients and she has earned the respect she garners from the bench."
"I endorse this lawyer. Patty is a no nonsense and practical attorney. She knows when to advocate for her client and when to make a reasonable deal to settle the case. That is a priceless skill set."
"I endorse this lawyer. we have had several cases over the years and Patricia always prepares and advocates. Her practical experience with litigation is coupled with a thorough understanding of how to sort out issues and resolve disputes. While a zealous advocate, she is always pleasant to work with."
"I endorse Patricia. I've worked with her as opposing counsel and found her to be professional and reasonable. She served as mediator in a complex case and was patient and practical in her approach. She is well thought of in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have dealt with her both as opposing counsel and as a mediator and have always found her to be very professional."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is professional and assertive without being unreasonable. I have worked with her for over 10 years."
"I have been on opposing sides with Patricia on numerous cases and each time she has practiced with integrity and vigorously advocates for her client. Patricia is very knowledgeable and experienced in all aspects of family law. She is well respected by her colleagues and the bench."
"Patty has considerable experience and competence in this field. She has served our community well as a pro tem court commissioner and I have found her decisions well reasoned and generally with a good result in the field of family law. I regularly employ her as a mediator for my family law cases. She has a good sense of how things are in the law and with families, and her fees are generally reasonable."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Nelson is an extremely knowledgeable and skilled attorney. She is practical and to the point, and advocates for her clients. As a colleague, I have always found her to be approachable, to be committed to this profession, and to have high ethical standards with a willingness to see the big picture. As a mediator, her knowledge of the court system, emerging issues, and the law is extremely valuable to the parties. She approaches her mediation work with a sense of balance and fairness that is exemplary."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have been actively practicing in family law in NW Washington for over 20 years and have had Patricia as opposing counsel on many cases. It is clear that she provides her clients with professional and realistic advice which often results in reducing the stress of this difficult cases and often leads to early settlement. She has also appeared before me many times when I sit as a Commissioner or Judge Pro Tem in Snohomish County and she is respected by the bench as well as her professional colleagues."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked with Patricia as opposing counsel, and with her mediating or me mediating cases. Patricia is an outstanding attorney and also reasonable to work with. I definitely endorse her work."
"I endorse this lawyer."
Family lawyer
Divorce and separation lawyer
Experience
Honors
2017
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2012
Clerk's Award for Pro Tem Jurist, Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk's Office
2011
Clerk's Award for Pro Tem Jurist, Snohomish County Superior Court Clerk's Office
Work Experience
2014 - Present
Mediator, St. Clair Law Office
2014 - Present
Abitrator, Snohomish County Arbitration Dept
2008 - Present
Pro Tem Court Commissioner, Snohomish County Superior Court
1995 - Present
President, St. Clair Law Office, P.S.
1999 - 2005
City Attorney, City of Colville
1989 - 1994
Partner, Braff & St. Clair
1987 - 1989
Partner, Case & Jackson
1984 - 1985
Associate, Ronald Ness & Associates
Associations
2011 - Present
Marsyville Tulalip Chamber of CommerceMember
2008 - Present
Snohomish County Superior CourtPro Tem Court Commissioner
2005 - Present
Snohomish County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
1984 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
Past President
1983 - 1984
Kitsap County Women's Bar AssociationPresident
Education
1983
JD - Juris Doctor
1980
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Languages
English