$ 200-350 per hour
Larry Jerome Couture
About Larry
Biography
I try to be an active member of my community and my profession. Over the years I have participated in many volunteer positions and on many boards. I act as a mentor to other lawyers and have done so for over 35 years. I have helped create many panels and other bar committees that did not exist before my participation. As a young deputy prosecutor, along with my boss, I met with various legislators and proposed law changes that were actually adopted and are now part of the laws of Washington.
I am happily married to Stepanie Hart and together we have three children, eight grandchildren and one great-greatchild. We love to travel both in the United States and abroad having been to more than 50 foreign countries.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Family
86%
54 years | 400 cases
General Practice
6%
54 years | 150 cases
Business
5%
54 years | 75 cases
Criminal Defense
3%
55 years | 500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Retainer
Always
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 54 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1971
Lawyer disciplined by state licensing authority in 1992
Location
L.J. Couture P.S.
3645 No. Pearl St, Tacoma, WA, 98407
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Larry Jerome Couture's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
34 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Lawsuits & Disputes
Posted by Margaret | April 09, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Larry is Great!
He defended me brilliantly against a restraining order from my ex husband 4+ years ago. His lightening fast responses and brilliant defense convinced the Judge to dismissed the case and the charges. Larry made my ex husband and the opposing council look ridiculous. It all happened so quickly the oppo...
Posted by Tiar | July 06, 2017 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Judgemental, no straight answers
I contacted Jerome Couture on Monday about a restraining order that I believe was filed on false accusations and complicated by the fact that I have Autism. This lawyer didn't seem to answer my question at all, even though I explained my situation to him as thoroughly as I could, and he blasted me fo...
Larry Couture
Replied last July 06, 2017I have no idea who this person is and I have never represented him or her in any case. From the little that is listed by the complaint it would appear that this litigation has been going on for 6 years and, therefore, is not a new issue. Further, without knowing more about what he or she is talking about I cannot really respond to specifics. That may be why he or she did not get "straight" answers-they didn't ask straight questions for even say what was false or how many court matters were addressed. Suffice it to say, however, that the person has issues that are greater than the question. Finally, he really knows very little about the web site he wrote to for advice. The AVVO site is a place where people can ask a question but they need to understand that they may not be answered in a way they want to hear. That appears to be the case here. I have never seen a court who was shown that the evidence presented was false who ignored that conduct and found for the wrongdoer so you sort of have to assume that something presented 6 years ago was, in fact, true and the outcome deserved. I am sorry that this person ignores reality but that has nothing to do with answering questions. One final note--he did not contact me as Jerome as that is my middle name. He contacted me, if at all, by the name on file which is Larry.
Larry Jerome Couture's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Couture provides a much-needed service on Avvo and donates time to individuals who are in need of immediate legal answers."
"I highly endorse and recommend this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. His answers to questions posed are very informative and well thought out."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"If you need an extremely smart and experienced lawyer and want to win your case, you need to hire Attorney Larry J. Couture. I endorse him."
"I fully endorse Mr. Couture. He has demonstrated a depth of knowledge in many areas of the law, particularly family law."
"I endorse this lawyer. He has left some pretty great and accurate responses."
"I endorse this lawyer. Larry has been widely regarded throughout Washington State as an expert on family law for many years. He is particularly adept at sorting out thorny legal questions that baffle good, experienced lawyers, saving parties from spending legal fees chasing down rabbit holes. Larry is my "go to guy" when I need a second opinion on choice of legal procedure in my family law cases."
"I endorse this lawyer. An excellent and knowledgeable attorney who really cares about clients."
"A very knowledge and competent attorney. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Larry is one of the best family law attorneys in the state. Smart, experienced and aggressive."
"I wholeheartedly endorse this lawyer. A brilliant, trustworthy and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Top-notch attorney."
"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Larry Couture has justifiably acquired a superb reputation among the Judges, Commissioners, and experienced family law attorneys in Pierce County WA. He recently acted as a mediator in a very messy and contentious case in which I represented the mother. My client wanted to relocate with the kids in order to remain with her husband, who had received orders in the military sending him to another state. Her ex-husband objected to her proposed modification of the existing parenting plan. Trial was scheduled to occur within days of the mediation. At first this seemed like a case which would be impossible to settle. At the conclusion of a lengthy mediation, we still had a number of unresolved issues. However, Mr. Couture's patience and encouragement during the mediation helped us to come to a settlement on all the remaining issues shortly after the mediation, and save our clients the expense and emotional toll of a full trial."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of exchanging information and views with Mr. Couture through the Washington Bar Association Family Law Section listserve for many years. He is very knowledgeable not only about the substantive law but also about the pragmatic side of practice. I am confident that he knows how to treat not only his clients but also opposing counsel and opposing parties professionally and respectfully. He is genuinely interested in the law and cares about his clients."
"It is a pleasure to endorse Larry Couture, one of Washington State's top family law attorneys. His firm is the best family law litigation firm in Pierce County; they are an all-star group of attorneys, and of course, when you hire one of them, they are all on your side. Larry is a smart, talented, experienced lawyer who also does some criminal defense and business law; he brings 40+ years of experience to every case, and all the judges and commissioners know him and respect him. Larry is a founding member of a group of senior family law attorneys who consult each other by e-mail; he's helped me many times. There's no better lawyer in Washington State."
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Experience
Professional misconduct
This lawyer was disciplined by a state licensing authority in 1992.
Censure issued in WA, 1992
updated on 03/03/2011This 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.
Honors
1985
Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association
Work Experience
2012 - Present
President, L. J. Couture P.S.
2010 - Present
Volunteer Mediator, Superior Court-Pierce County
2010 - Present
Owner, LJ Couture PS
2004 - Present
Advisor, US Military-Operation Stand-by
1995 - Present
Pro Tem Judge and Commissioner, Tacoma Municipal Court
1978 - Present
Pro Tem Judge and Commissioner, Pierce County district Court
2014 - 2014
Pro Tem Judge, Pierce County Superior Court
2013 - 2014
Pro Tem Judge, Fife Municipal court
2009 - 2012
Of Counsel, Tuell-Young PS
2003 - 2019
Pro Tem Commissioner, Pierce County Superior Court
1992 - 2009
Shareholder, Tuell, Couture, Tuell & Young PS
1992 - 2009
Sharehold, Tuell & Couture PS
1989 - 1992
Associate, Dolack-Hansler
1984 - 1989
Partner, Gelman Couture & Pate
1980 - 2000
Owner, Larry J. Couture Inc PS
1972 - 1980
Partner, Gelman & Couture
1971 - 1972
County Attorney, Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
1962 - 1965
Enlisted Member, United States Army
Associations
2019 - Present
DRAW (Dometic Relations Attorneys of Washington)Trustee
2009 - Present
YMCA Mock TrialAttorney Rater or Judge
2008 - Present
Washington State Bar Assoc. Mediation PanelMediator
2005 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Criminal Law SectionMember
2004 - Present
ABA Operation Stand-byLegal Advisor for Military Members
2001 - Present
Puyallup Tribal CourtMember
1994 - Present
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Family Law SectionPresident 1995
1990 - Present
Tacoma Pierce County Bar AssociationSpeaker Bureau Member
1981 - Present
Washington State Bar Fee Arbitration PanelArbitrator
1980 - Present
Washington Bar Assoc. Family Law SectionMember
1972 - Present
United States District Court for the Western District of WashingtonAttorney
1971 - Present
Washington State Bar AssociationMember
2015 - 2015
Univ. of Washington Law SchoolHonor Bd Judge of Mock Law Off Competiton
2011 - 2017
Family Law Executive Committee (FLEC)Trustee
1996 - 1997
Tacoma Pierce County Bar AssociationTrustee
1995 - 2007
Broadway Center for the Performing ArtsTrustee (President 2004-05) 1995-2007
1994 - 1997
First Place for ChildrenTrustee
1992 - 2007
Tacoma Sunrise RotaryMember and President 1997-1998
1990 - 1999
Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Neighborhood Law Clinic VolunteerMember
1981 - 1985
Tacoma Estate Planning CouncilMember
1980 - 2007
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Lawyer Referral CommitteeMember
1979 - 1982
TrusteeFamily Counseling Service
1976 - 1979
Puget Sound Legal Assistence FoundationTrustee
1972 - 2008
American Bar AssociationMember
1971 - 1975
Custer Elementary PTAPresident 1972-1973
Sample of Legal Cases
In re the Marriage of Perkins
Reversed and remanded
State v Bell
Dismissed by State
Education
1971
University of Oregon School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1968
University of Washington -Seattle
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
Family Law Mid-Year 2016
Interstate Jurisidiction for Children
2016
Family Law Mentor Program
Getting Paid as a Lawyer
2016
Call to Duty
Child Support for Military Families in Washington
2016
"Love Stinks 9"
Initial Consultation with new Client
2014
WSBA Call to Duty: Days of Service
Parenting Plans & Residential Schedules
2014
Family Law Section Skills Training
Initial Case Preparation in Dissolution Matters
2013
Family Law Mid-Year Seminar
Parenting Plan Modifications-Do's & Don'ts
2012
Family Law Section Mid-Year Conference
Conventional Representation or Collabrative
2011
Tacoma Newcomers Club Meeting
Humor in the Courtroom
2010
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Ethics and Getting Paid
2010
Evergreen College Education Seminar
Landlord-Tenant Rights
2007
TPC Bar Assoc-Family Law Section
Getting Paid
2003
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Assocaiation Convention
Fee Agreements
1976
Tacoma CLE
Function of a GAL in Custody Dispute
1974
Univ of Puget Sound
Child Abuse
Languages
English
Activity
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Legal Answers
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