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Robin Balsam has been in private practice since 1984 and has over 40 years of experience. She is an assertive litigator with extensive experience in highly contested probates, will contests, uncovering and pursuing perpetrators of fiduciary fraud and elder abuse, complicated guardianships, trusts, estates, and other related matters. Ms. Balsam has an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell. She was initially selected as a SuperLawyer in 2011, and has been selected again each year from 2015 through the present.
Her practice has emphasized guardianship, trust, probate and representing families with special needs since 1993. Ms. Balsam has chaired and spoken at legal seminars on various aspects of these practice areas as well as related ethical issues since 1998. She handles complex guardianship, trust, and probate problems; represents other fiduciaries in various roles; and engages in many aspects of personal injury settlement trust work. Her work also includes representation of families with special needs, as well as practical experience in defense against allegations or findings by Adult Protective Services and recovery of assets for victims of elder abuse or exploitation. She received an LL.M. Masters in Elder Law at Stetson University School of Law in 2013.
As Director of Commencement Bay Fiduciary Services, a certified professional guardian agency, she is the major decision-maker on investments, medical procedures, living arrangements and purchases for incapacitated people and trust beneficiaries. She also directs the day-to-day operations of the guardianship agency employing three professional guardians and support staff, along with a four-attorney law firm.
In addition to extensive litigation experience, Ms. Balsam is also collaboratively trained and has experience as a mediator. She is a current Pro Tem Court Commissioner and former Pro Tem Judge for Pierce County Superior Court.
Ms. Balsam has a number of professional affiliations, and frequently assists other attorneys who are not experienced in representing the elderly, incapacitated and disabled in legal matters such as personal injury, contract and domestic litigation. Ms. Balsam’s firm provides a uniquely collaborative and resourceful approach to the legal issues that confront elders and the disabled by providing a range of solutions from negotiated out-of-court agreements to traditional legal advocacy.
Ms. Balsam always enjoyed spending time with her grandparents, talking about their lives and experiences, and spent a lot of time with an older neighbor discussing travel and photography when she was a youngster. These relationships inspired her to choose elder law as a practice area when she began her own law practice in 1989.
5
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State: Washington
Acquired: 1984
No misconduct found
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Trusts
Posted by Roberta | August 08, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Trusts
Probate, Will Guardianship, Trust
I first met Robin when I hired her when my Father passed away in 1990. My Mother had her assist her in setting up a Special Needs trust for my Sister. I later became my Sister's Legal Guardian after my Mother had passed. She helped me find an Adult Family Home where she resided for over 15 years. I h...
Posted by Drew | November 20, 2014 | Trusts
Review of my experience as a client of Robin Balsam
I retained Robin Balsam in June of 2013 to assist me in dealing with my aging mother and her irrevocable trust, of which I am a beneficiary. My mother was diagnosed with pre-senile dementia which progressively got worse. I came across evidence that the assets in the trust were being misused, to the...
Posted by anonymous | October 28, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Trusts
Hidden fees and red tape
Robyn managed a special needs trust for myself and my family. The initial cost she quoted was much lower than what she billed us each year. Her excessive fees drained the trust of value and lessoned its lifespan. Her billing process was complicated and obtuse, leading to questions and emails which...
"I endorse this lawyer. Robin is extremely professional, thoughtful, and thorough. Her experience and ability to communicate with both her clients and collegues is truly unique in the field."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
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2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2015
AV Preeminent Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016 - Present
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Volunteer Legal Services Committee
2000 - Present
American Inns of CourtMaster Barrister
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
Member
1999 - 2004
Washington State Bar AssociationSpecial District Counsel
1990 - 1993
Washington State Bar AssociationSpecial District Counsel
2013
LL.M - Master of Laws
1983
JD - Juris Doctor
1979
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2007
Special Issues in Representing Professional Guardians and Trustees
2007
Guardianship Issues
2007
What Steps to Take When You have an Incapacitated Client
2007
Challenges of Applying Substituted Judgment as Opposed to the Best Interest Standard in a Guardianship
2006
Death & Dying Issues
2006
Real Estate
2005
Guardianship Issues (Moderator)
2004
Establishing, Managing, and Terminating a Special Needs Trust (Panel Speaker)
2004
Competency, Capacity, and Insanity
2004
Guardianship Issues (Moderator)
2003
Vulnerable Adults, Civil Perspective
2003
Personal Injury Settlements, Trusts, and Ethics (Moderator and Speaker)
2003
Representing Incapacitated Persons in a Dissolution Action
2002
Real Estate Sales and Ethics
2001
Guardianship And Related Issues, Code Verses No Code Issues, How Does One Determine What Code To Establish For A Client?
2000
Real Life Issues and Cases, Panel Discussion
1999
Computer Seminar
1999
Computer Seminar
1999
Civil Discovery
1999
What Happens After A Guardianship Is Entered?
1999
Taking Stock Or Stocking Up, Y2K
1998
Community Property Agreements, Durable Powers of Attorney and Changing Wills
1998
Who Is Your Client