Carolyn Annette Elsey

Carolyn Annette Elsey

4.4
Rating: 8.5

Licensed for 31 years

Family Lawyer at Tacoma, WA
Practice Areas: Family, Personal Injury, Guardianship

917 Pacific Avenue, Suite 413, Tacoma, WA

About Carolyn

Biography

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 300-300 per hour

Retainer

Sometimes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in Washington for 31 years

State: Washington

Acquired: 1994

Active

Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 2002

Location

Law Offices of Carolyn Annette Elsey

917 Pacific Avenue, Suite 413, Tacoma, WA, 98402

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The Avvo Rating explained

Carolyn Annette Elsey's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.4 /5.0

35 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (35) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 31 - 35 of 35 reviews

Posted by anonymous | March 23, 2009 | Divorce & Separation

Domestic Abuse Assistance for my daughter

Carolyn helped me with my daugher's divorce last year. She provided all of her assistance pro bono during a very bad time. My daughter fled an extremely abusive husband in June 2008. Her husband had a rifle in the apartment and was threatening her daily. He had already beaten Elizabeth badly on sever...al occasions, including strangling her. I moved her here after she obtained a restraining order against him as she was in fear for her life. Her husband went to court to get her returned to MA and denied all abuse, so Liz had to go back. During this period, Carolyn listened, made phone calls, and provided really effective advice on what to do as we tried to get Elizabeth back here, or properly taken care of in MA. Carolyn knows her job and who can help. Her knowledge of this area of the law was outstanding. She tried different avenues to get help for my daughter. She followed up on everything I asked about. She was kind and supportive. I cannot recommend her highly enough

Posted by anonymous | March 20, 2009 | Child Custody

Upfront and very HONEST. Skilled, Tactful, Compassionate, Diligent, Communicative.

Ms. Elsey has helped me & continuing to support me through the most psychologically draining child custody and support issues against a bitter, deceitful and ruthless ex husband & his many attorney's. (Who keep quitting, due to him not paying them either.) Stepping into a case that has been running s...ince early 2000 she has hit the ground running, with her expertise and competence but more importantly to me, she is very detailed and responsive. Carolyn constantly reminds me to focus on my children and not let the long road of the legal process get me down. She is always available for any questions or concerns I have. I am very confident with Carolyn as my attorney. (We are a team) My experience w/attorneys in the past were that I was just another single Mother who was their easy paycheck. In my opinion, She works for you & your family (Not the other way around). If you want a professional lawyer with dedication, & reliability she's the one to get you this emotional roller-coaster w/EASE

Posted by anonymous | October 14, 2008 | Child Custody

The Answer to My Prayers

Ms. Elsey is presently representing and advising me in my child custody battle with my former wife. I work in law enforcement and am in daily contact with attorneys and some of those in which I have the utmost faith and confidence highly recommended that I seek Ms. Elsey's services. After consultin...g with other attorneys I went to Ms. Elsey and I have not looked back. She has given me excellent advice and counsel and kept me apprised of every step in the process, answering all of my questions and concerns promptly and courteouslyl, and finally given us the peace of mind that my ex-wife has taken every opportunity to try to destroy. I would not hesitate to give Ms. Elsey the highest recommendation possible to anyone who asks me, especially my closest friends and coworkers.

Posted by anonymous | September 03, 2008

Client Review

This attorney was dishonest. She did not do what she said she was going to do. She neglected to return phone calls, file papers etc. She did not refund money after not performing services. This attorney is not to be trusted.

Carolyn Elsey

Replied last April 21, 2012

Somewhere along the line Avvo deleted my comments to this complaint. This client decided his girlfriend knew the law better than I did and began making unreasonable demands. He filed documents in the court file behind my back, documents that were not appropriate. His behavior caused me to have to ask the court to allow me to withdraw on the day of trial. I did in fact refund some of his fee.

Posted by anonymous | July 08, 2008

L-luminous A-astonishing W-woman

Ms. Elsey is superb, not only she has a love for law but she also have a great love for all peoples not just for her clients; one of the most important things is that she is not in law for publicity,show, or monetary gains, cause the light that shines in here is from the heart which is the spirit of ...God; that is something hard to find in "TODAYS' LAWERYS", Ms Elsey use the legal system for what it is intented for the right for the people; she treats her clients with respect and in terms she is the most respectable,creditable, trustworthy,and commendable lawyer in this region.

Carolyn Elsey

Replied last October 21, 2008

The client who posted the original review was involved in a very lengthy bitter custody battle that ultimately went to trial. I appreciate his comments very much. I do not understand why "anonymous" used this review to further attack me, but I think it shows that the one negative review I have is authored by someone with bigger issues than whether or not he was happy with my work.

See All Client Reviews

Carolyn Annette Elsey's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Carolyn
Margaret Barton Lund headshot
Margaret Lund

Unknown lawyer | Jun 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Kevin Michael Boyle headshot
Kevin Boyle

Family lawyer | Dec 27

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Jacqueline McMahon headshot
Jacqueline McMahon

Family lawyer | Apr 10

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of working with Carolyn as a mediator and also as an attorney opposite me on a case. I am very impressed by Carolyn's work ethic, integrity and her knowledge of complex family law issues. I find her highly qualified as a lawyer."

Jonathan A Baner headshot
Jonathan Baner

Family lawyer | Feb 23

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Elsey's professionalism and sincerity demonstrates what all lawyers should strive for. Her presence makes our State Bar better."

Jennifer Durcan Andrews headshot
Jennifer Andrews

Family lawyer | Feb 17

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I recently worked with Carolyn and was impressed by her knowledge of the law as well as her ability to work out practical matters for her clients."

Hal Jay Geiersbach headshot
Hal Geiersbach

Family lawyer | Jan 31

Relationship: Co-worker

"I endorse this lawyer because she is a little bulldog. She digs into a case and will fight fight fight for her client."

Jon Christopher Iverson headshot
Jon Iverson

Family lawyer | Oct 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Carolyn is one of the hardest-working and dedicated lawyers in Pierce County. She also cares a lot about her clients and earns their trust every day."

Wendy Ellen Zicht headshot
Wendy Zicht

Family lawyer | Aug 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have known Carolyn both personally and professionally for many years. She is a zealous advocate for and compassionate with her clients. Carolyn is hardworking and keeps current on the frequent changes in family law."

Csilla Muhl headshot
Csilla Muhl

Family lawyer | Nov 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Over the past 5 years, I have personally known Ms. Elsey to be a professional and ethical advocate for her clients. She is compassionate, fair and balanced. At the same time, she is assertive and a zealous advocate for her client's best interest. I have also observed Ms. Elsey speak at a professional family law seminar. She was extremely knowledgeable about her practice area and the law in general. I would definitely refer clients to her."

John William Fuhrman headshot
John Fuhrman

Family lawyer | Jun 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Anna K. Woods headshot
Anna Woods

Family lawyer | Jun 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer's work."

Michael Gregory Malaier headshot
Michael Malaier

Family lawyer | Jun 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have witnessed Ms. Elsey represent clients aggressivly and with exceptional competence. I have sent, and will continue to send, clients her way with confidence."

Shannon M.W. Kraft headshot
Shannon Kraft

Family lawyer | Jun 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I have observed Carolyn's work in this community for more than ten years, have referred many clients to her office, and have had numerous opportunities to see her contributions to the legal field and to the community. I strongly endorse her, personally and professionally. Attorney Shannon Kraft"

View All Endorsements
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Beverly Grant

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Rose Eberhart

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Jonathan Baner

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Christopher Torrone

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Frank Ricketts

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Jennifer Andrews

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Hillary Holmes

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Hal Geiersbach

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H. Wallis

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Kimberly April

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Heather Young

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  8.5 (Excellent)

Professional misconduct

This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2002.

Reprimand issued in WA, 2002

updated on 01/28/2010

This means the attorney did something wrong, but the Bar did not suspend the lawyer. Typically in this case the lawyer's poor behavior is exposed to the public in hopes that he or she will not repeat the behavior.

Carolyn’s comment:

“The event Avvo refers to actually occurred in 1996, not 2002. As a brand-new lawyer, I accidentally misfiled a document and thus gave a court inaccurate information. The person who filed the grievance waited 3 years to do so and the disciplinary process took another 4 years. I believe Avvo's system is misleading as different states' disciplinary systems take differing lengths of time.”

Work Experience

2016 - Present

Attorney, Law Offices Of Carolyn A. Elsey

2012 - 2016

Attorney, The Kraft Law Group, P.S.

1994 - 2011

Attorney, Law Offices of Carolyn A. Elsey

Associations

1994 - Present

Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Knox vs. DSHS

Verdict in Plaintiff's favor

See More Legal Cases

Education

1993

Seattle University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1990

Western Washington University

MA - Masters

1988

Montana State University, Bozeman

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2007

Family Law Section

Dealing with Juvenile and Mental Health Courts

2004

Family Law Section

Defending Child Support Contempt Actions

2004

Bar Convention

Child Support Contempt

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

Our Rating is calculated using information the lawyer has included on their profile in addition to the information we collect from state bar associations and other organizations that license legal professionals. Attorneys who claim their profiles and provide Avvo with more information tend to have a higher rating than those who do not.

What determines Avvo Rating?
  • Experience & background Years licensed, work experience, education
  • Legal community recognition Peer endorsements, associations, awards
  • Legal thought leadership Publications, speaking engagements
  • Discipline
    This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 2002
    Disciplinary information may not be comprehensive, or updated. We recommend that you always check a lawyer's disciplinary status with their respective state bar association before hiring them.
Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution