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Dena Pickering Allen

Family Attorney at Spokane, WA

5.0   8 reviews
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Outstanding Advocate
anonymous
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
Professional, Caring, and Compassionate
Rick & Liz
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired Attorney
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About Dena

Learn Dena’s areas of practice.

5
Practice areas
  1. Family
    70%
    Including Divorce, Legal Separations, Custody, Support, Nonparental Custody

  2. Guardianship
    10%

  3. Probate
    10%

  4. Adoption
    5%

  5. Estate planning
    5%

Dena is known as a tough but fair litigator, who emphasizes in her practice the need for settlement before the trial where this is possible. She has many years of experience using mediation, both for her client's benefit and as the neutral mediator. Additionally, her experience has shown that Collaborative Law can also provide positive results for her clients. Which process is used is dependent upon the circumstances related to the specific case, and the underlying desires and motivations of her clients. Dena states "I believe that an important contribution I provide to my clients is a supportive atmosphere that emphasizes respect and decency. Whether it is a divorce, or a disputed estate, these are legal matters between family members that are just inherently prone to emotional escalation. It isn’t ‘just business.’ Because of that, it is important to focus on both an equitable end result and a process to get there that strives for respect and common decency. My philosophy: The journey is just as important as the destination. Depending on how it is done, and regardless of the outcome, these most difficult of life events can be something that will be looked back upon with a sense of shame or pride.” Dena’s practice runs the spectrum of legal issues that divide families: Estate and Trust disputes, Guardianships, Divorce, Custody, Prenuptial Agreements, Modifications of existing Court orders, and Adoptions.

Licensed for 28 years
State WA
Status Active
Acquired 1994
Updated 05/19/2023

We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.

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ALLENǀFISCHER, PLLC
510 West Riverside, 6th Floor
Spokane, WA, 99201
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Reviews

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5.0 / 5.0
  8 customer reviews
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Posted by anonymous | April 23, 2020
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Outstanding Advocate
Dena Allen is a joy to work with. She was a calm, methodical, and tenacious advocate for me. She clearly had my best interest, and that of my two children, at heart. Dena helped me navigate the fastest way to gain legal and financial autonomy from my adulterous ex-spouse in the most cost-effective and efficient way available. She was a steadfast guide from our first consultation all the way through to the final divorce decree. Dena is patient, thoroughly explains factors involved, and responds quickly to emails. Her office staff is supportive and it is clear people work as a team. I have recommended her to others and will continue to do so.
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Posted by Rick & Liz | November 20, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Professional, Caring, and Compassionate
We Highly recommend Attorney Dena Allen. We contacted her recently to answer questions about estate issues. She returned our calls in a timely matter and was very methodical in talking to us about our concerns. She laid out an approach to this topic and was forthcoming with what the results and cost could be. We are very confident in her abilities and knowledge. Previously, we used Dena to guide us through a parent's probate. With Dena's help it went extremely smooth. As soon as we met Dena we felt comfortable with her. She is the first Attorney we would turn to with estate planning and probate issues.
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Posted by Glen | May 25, 2016
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
| Hired Attorney
Outstanding Attorney
Dena's approach to handling divorce saves those involved financially and emotionally. Through my divorce, Dena was always considerate and understanding. She steered the process into mediation where a reasonable settlement was reached that allowed me to immediately move on with my life. While some lawyers take a very confrontational approach that exacerbates an already bad situation, Dena always seeks to limit the emotional and financial toll divorce has on her clients. I have the greatest respect for Dena professionally and have recommended her to friends in need of a top notch family law attorney.
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Posted by Dwight "Ike" Schneider | August 5, 2015
Dwight "Ike" Schneider
Dena Allen and her staff at he Burke Law Group represented my mother during recent divorce proceedings. we live in Colorado so all actions were through phone calls, emails, and by mail. Absolutely incredible support and sound legal counsel by Dena. She went the extra mile to ensure my mother was represented in accordance with Washington State Law. An outstanding attribute is Dena's ability to "problem solve" rather than being a staunch client advocate. Dena was able to mediate our case and avoided a costly divorce trial saving my mother thousands of dollars in attorney and court costs. Thank you bring an outstanding attorney. I also have to give huge praise and kudos to Dena's paralegal, Joanna, billing clerk, and front office staff. Simply amazing team who kept us informed and guided us through the divorce process with superior communication and professional skills. I highly recommend Dena and her staff at the Burke Law Group for all your legal needs. Dwight "Ike Schneider
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Posted by anonymous | April 25, 2015
Professional, time efficient, and personable
Unfortunately, I have had my fair share of experience with divorce lawyers for my own personal dealings with my children, as well as for friends and family members and through my profession as a psychologist. Dena Allen is by far the best divorce lawyer I have ever dealt with. She is on time, knowledgeable, treats you well, has a great sense of humor, knows the law and sends you a reasonable and well detailed bill. She handled my children's college financial parenting settlement. I wish I knew her earlier in my divorce proceedings. I fortunately no longer need her services but would recommend her without hesitation
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Posted by anonymous | April 2, 2015
Great Lawyer
During this difficult process in my life Dena was very informative and supportive. She is an incredible advocate in the courtroom. I always felt like Dena had my back.
Posted by Keith | April 1, 2015
Client Review of Attorney; Dena Pickering Allen
As a former client of Ms. Allen in regards to Family Law, I would recommend anyone who is searching for an attorney who gives sound advice. I received reliable legal guidelines, with an explanation which I could understand. As our case progressed, legal decisions were always shared, not one sided, which promoted fairness. I would recommend Ms. Allen, who I believe possesses wisdom from her many years of experience. I truly appreciated Ms. Allen's professionalism, being real and truthful, and taking the time to explain the legal system in regards to making decisions.
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Posted by Shannon | March 30, 2015
Review of Dena Allen
I have recommended Dena to several of my friends. She has helped me for many years and I am fortunate that she has remained my attorney. There are others in my situation that have been disatisfied with their attorney and had to change,(some more than once) starting from scratch every time. I have confided in Dena my whole trust. She goes in the court room and each time my kids are at stake, and she doesn't take that lightly. I really like her professional yet non aggressive approach, it is highly effective.
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Cost

Rates
  • Hourly Rates $ 325-325 per hour
Payment methods
Cash, Check, Credit Card

Resume

AVVO RATING 10.0 (Superb)

Work Experience

  • Member/Partner of the Firm
  • Allen|Fischer, PLLC (formerly known as Burke Law Group)
  • 2015 - Present
  • Family Law Mediator
  • Allen|Fischer, PLLC
  • 2005 - Present
  • Of Counsel
  • Burke Law Group, PLLC
  • 2013 - 2015
  • Adjunct Instructor - Paralegal Program
  • Spokane County Community College
  • 2008 - 2016
  • Attorney
  • Dena P. Allen, PLLC
  • 2000 - 2015
  • Associate Attorney
  • Speidel Law Firm
  • 1995 - 1998
View all work experience

Education

  • Gonzaga University School of Law
  • Juris Doctorate
  • 1994
  • UCLA
  • Bachelor of Arts
  • 1990

Associations

  • SCBA - VLP Standing Advisory Council
  • 2000 - Present
  • SCC Paralegal Advisory Committee
  • Member
  • 2008 - 2019
  • Spokane County Collaborative Professionals
  • Board of Directors
  • 2007 - 2018

Languages Spoken

  • English

Honors and Awards

  • Top Lawyers in Spokane
  • Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine
  • 2018
  • Top Lawyer
  • Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine
  • 2016
  • Family Law Attorney of the Year
  • Spokane County Bar - Volunteer Lawyers Program
  • 2015
  • Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2013
  • Rated
  • Martindale-Hubbell
  • 2012
View all awards

Publications

  • Washington Women Lawyers Newsletter
  • Practicing Family Law and the Evolving Definition of the ‘Collaborative Lawyer’
  • 2014
  • SCBA Calendar Call
  • Collaborative Law - What it means for the family law practitioner
  • 2013
  • Handbook for Washington Seniors: Legal Rights and Resources (Contributing Author)
  • Family Relationships
  • 2012

Speaking Engagements

  • WWL Spokane Co. Chapter CLE
  • Family Law
  • 2014
  • Retirement Assets in Estate Planning and Elder Law
  • How Family Dynamics Impact Estate Planning and Estate Disputes
  • 2014
  • Collaborative Law CLE
  • Uniform Collaborative Law Act
  • 2013
  • Fundamentals of Elder Law
  • Planning for Incapacity
  • 2013
  • Third Biennial CLE Blitz
  • Collaborative Law
  • 2013
  • Advanced Family Law
  • Child Support
  • 2013
  • Continuing Legal Education
  • Estate Administration Procedures
  • 2012
  • Continuing Legal Education
  • Preparing your Family Law Case for Mediation of Trial
  • 2011
  • Continuing Legal Education
  • Your Family Law Practice in 21st Century
  • 2010
View all speaking engagements

Attorney endorsements

Received (8)
Given (12)
Endorse Dena
Rob R Cottle headshot
Rob Cottle
Divorce and separation Attorney | Apr 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer and would not hesitate to recommend her for either a collaborative or traditional family law matter."
Elizabeth Marie Mcbride headshot
Elizabeth Mcbride
Divorce and separation Attorney | Jan 31
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Dena Allen is respected and appreciated by her clients. Clients that I have talked to speak of her compassion and drive to get the best for them. As a fellow attorney, I know that she puts forth the effort and legal experience in her representation. She is professional and confident but courteous at the same time."
Holland Ilene McBurns headshot
Holland McBurns
Family Attorney | Sep 24
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I have known Dena for many years and have seen first hand how dedicated she is to her clients. She is extremely competent and trustworthy, I would highly recommend her for any of your legal needs."
Norma J. Tillotson headshot
Norma Tillotson
Family Attorney | Apr 03
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Dena Allen embodies professionalism in her representation of her family law clients. She is detail-oriented, which makes her an effective advocate in court. But above that, she shows compassion and understanding to her clients during a very difficult time in their lives. Dena Allen is a family law attorney that I would recommend to family and friends."
Julie Christine Watts headshot
Julie Watts
Unknown Attorney | Mar 13
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"Dena is compassionate, knowledgeable, conscientious, and fiercely dedicated to her clients. You can count on her to have your best interests at heart."
Karen E. A. Vache headshot
Karen Vache
Family Attorney | Feb 12
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
"I endorse this lawyer. Dena cares deeply for her clients. She is conscientious and extremely well organized which results in strong representation for each of her clients. She has very strong legal ethics. Dena is an exemplaraary attorney who I would be delighted to work with."
John Joseph Burke headshot
John Burke
Divorce and separation Attorney | Jun 02
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I have had several collaborative law divorce cases with Dena Allen representing the other spouse. I have found that Dena is very professional and embraces the interest-based approach to collaborative divorces. I believe the results have been consistently superior to a traditional litigation, and are most often a win-win for both spouses. I look forward to future cases with Dena."
Glenn E. Tanner headshot
Glenn Tanner
Family Attorney | Aug 25
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Dena is dedicated, thorough, and smart. She is honest and can serve clients well in both traditional litigation and collaborative practice. Dena is honest, knowledgeable and a lawyer I recommend with complete confidence. If I needed a lawyer I would hire Dena. Dena is also a very good mediator."
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Joanna Lee Puryear headshot
Joanna Puryear
Family
Rob R Cottle headshot
Rob Cottle
Family
Elizabeth Marie Mcbride headshot
Elizabeth Mcbride
Bankruptcy and debt
Holland Ilene McBurns headshot
Holland McBurns
Elder law
Randi Lee Johnson headshot
Randi Johnson
Social Security & Disability
Norma J. Tillotson headshot
Norma Tillotson
Unknown
Julie Christine Watts headshot
Julie Watts
Family
Karen E. A. Vache headshot
Karen Vache
Family
Matthew E Fischer headshot
Matthew Fischer
Divorce and separation
Kelly W Padgham headshot
Kelly Padgham
Divorce and separation
Glenn E. Tanner headshot
Glenn Tanner
Divorce and separation
John Joseph Burke headshot
John Burke
Divorce and separation

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Spokane Family Lawyer Dena Pickering Allen
Dena Pickering Allen
Family Attorney
Spokane, WA
Licensed for 28 years
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