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Glenn E. Tanner
About Glenn
Biography
What You Can Expect
Your case is of extreme importance to you and to Glenn. Families are one of the most important and complicated aspects of our society. Your role, rights, and responsibilities to your Family are unique and deserve professionalism and respect. Glenn’s goal is to achieve the best possible results for his clients, while at the same time delivering the kind of personal service you deserve.
Practicing law should be a profession and that means you are entitled to great service and a high level of competence. Glenn strives to respond to phone calls and emails within 24 hours. He is available for after-hour appointments. You will be kept up to date about your case. Glenn believes clients should control the outcome, direction and tone of their litigation. His duty is to educate you about the law, advise you about your procedural options, and advocate for you strongly and effectively in a manner that is appropriate for your case.
It is important that you feel comfortable and confident with your attorney. Glenn welcomes your questions and phone calls. He relies on your feedback and strives to find ways you can save on attorney fees. A good attorney/client relationship depends on trust. Glenn trusts you will be responsive to requests for information and you can trust Glenn to do everything reasonable, within your budget, to promote your interests. Often you will see attorneys promise to “zealously advocate” for their clients. Such gonzo, warrior-like approaches often lead to pointless fighting and result in excessive attorney fees. Sometimes, a scorched earth approach is needed but many times it makes more sense to take a judicious and careful approach. In addition to the financial costs of litigation, Glenn understands there is a high emotional cost to everything you do in litigation. While keeping you informed and protected, Glenn also tries to empower you and make it easier for you to protect yourself and resolve conflicts more easily down the road. If you are not getting good service from your lawyer, let Glenn know and he may post your experience on his blog, Stupid Things My Lawyer Did, so he and other lawyers can learn from your unfortunate experiences.
When needed, Glenn will advise you about the use of various forensic experts such as accountants, appraisers and financial analysts. Glenn has established relationships with respected and knowledgeable experts in various fields including tax, financial planning, parenting, substance abuse, sexual abuse, computers, private investigation, business and pension valuations, personal property and real estate valuations. Glenn often uses the specialized skills of a certified divorce financial analyst to help value the marital estate, assess the parties’ income, trace separate property assets, and evaluate tax planning strategies for settlement. A financial expert can provide valuable assistance during discovery, settlement negotiations, trial and in collaborative cases.
Personal Information
Glenn was an orphan before working class parents in rural Wisconsin, close to Madison, adopted him. Glenn did not grow up the privileged child of lawyers or other professionals. Of the 262 persons in his law school class, he was one of a handful whose parents were not college graduates. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Glenn worked numerous jobs to pay for college and law school. He truly understands what it means to struggle financially and understands the need to be conservative with your hard-earned money.
Options Regarding Representation and Payments
Unbundled or Limited Services
Glenn often provides “unbundled legal services” or limited representation. Unbundled services is when an attorney provides limited assistance instead of full representation. This option often makes legal help affordable. If you only need advice, document preparation, and help preparing for court, unbundled legal services may work for you. Unbundled often works well for modifications, name changes, and uncontested divorces. Contact Glenn if you are curious about unbundled legal services. He can review your situation and provide just the limited services you need such as drafting of documents, and helping you prepare for questions the judge may ask. You can then represent yourself with more confidence but with much lower legal costs and greater control over how your case is handled
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 35 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Location
Glenn E. Tanner
901 N Adams St, Spokane, WA, 99201-2050
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Glenn E. Tanner's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 41 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Russell | November 19, 2025 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Job well done
Glenn is a very sharp very thorough attorney, he did an outstanding job for me basically shut down my ex-wife’s motions to get money and retirement and defend me to the extent that she received nothing. Glenn told me what the court would look at in my case and in the end he was correct on all points ...
Posted by anonymous | December 6, 2024 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Really informative
A really great job at making pealing the layers and giving advice on what to look for with my case. Some things you didn’t realize I could do.
Posted by anonymous | August 19, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Professional
Glenn patiently explains the law and gives sound legal advice, while also considering the costs and ethically billing for his time. Every divorce has different details to work out-some more difficult than others-so Glenn's experience and attention to detail were valuable to me. I would recommend hi...
Posted by anonymous | December 22, 2020 | Consulted Attorney
This review is from a potential client who consulted with this attorney.
Excellent support in my situation
I was provided with very useful information that helped in my situation greatly. I feel way more confident in my standing now and that boost to my morale alone has pivotal even in a short period of time. My deepest gratitude because this advice was done as volunteered time by Mr. Tanner.
Posted by JJ | August 28, 2020 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Understanding, not pushy
I really appreciate the help received from Mr. Tanner and his assistant Kailee. Understanding and not pushy at all, professional and prompt response. The rate is very reasonable too.
Glenn E. Tanner's Lawyer Endorsements
"I am proud to endorse Glenn; as he is an excellent attorney and well-respected colleague. Glenn is both knowledgeable and committed to providing quality representation for his clients. He is always prepared and willing to resolve matters without needless and costly litigation."
"I endorse Glenn. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I highly recommend Glenn Tanner to anyone needing legal assistance in a family law matter in the Spokane area. I met Glenn through our mutual work on collaborative divorces and I was highly impressed with his intelligence and professionalism. I have heard great feed back from those clients who have hired Glenn to help them."
"Glenn is extremely dedicated to his clients. He takes the time to learn exactly what his clients want and why, and he spares no effort in passionately pursuing their goals. He is always courteous, respectful, and patient, which are qualities that are appreciated by his clients and colleagues alike."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have been the opposing counsel on several cases with Glenn. I find him to be professional and reasonable in the handling of legal disputes. He puts the interests of his clients at the forefront of his legal strategizing and and never loosessight of the fact that he is impacting the lives of his clients and their families. Glenn is a pleasure to work with."
"I endorse and would recommend Mr. Tanner to everyone and anyone. I have been practicing for 24 years. I was the youngest judge in Colorado history, a magistrate, a prosecutor in three districts, a law professor, and have worked in private practice for years. I still learn from his Avvo answers each and every day. He is a huge credit to the legal system. Hire him."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have worked multiple collaborative law cases with Glenn. He works diligently to help his client achieve their goals, but in a thoughtful and conscientious way that builds trust between the parties. I consider him an extremely good collaborative law attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Glenn and I have been on opposing sides on some pretty contentious cases. He is good at putting emotions aside and focusing on the facts and law. On one case the parties wound up sitting together to finalize their case."
"I endorse this lawyer. Glenn conducts himself with the utmost professionalism. He is both a strong litigator and one of the few collaboratively trained attorneys in the Spokane area. Glenn is able to wear both "hats" as (both) an effective trial attorney and collaborative attorney."
"I have had many cases over the past 5 years with Glenn Tanner representing the other spouse. I have found him to be very professional, and is a strong believer in the strengths of collaborative practice for divorcing couples. I know that when we are respresnting spouses in a collaborative divorce case, the clients will get the results that are interest based, and not tainted by intimidation and baseless allegations, which often happen in litigated divorces. I always look forward to working on a divorce case when Glenn is reprseenting the other spouse."
"I endorse this lawyer. Glenn is an articulate, thoughtful practitioner. When I need to refer folks to a family lawyer in the Spokane area, he is the one I choose. Glenn offers top-notch legal services with an eye towards peaceful, out-of-court resolutions. One client of mine who I referred to Glenn for a Spokane County matter reflected back to me that while she was certainly impressed with Glenn's obvious legal acuity, she was even more impressed with his empathy and integrity. "A true gentleman", said she. I have to say I agree."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I use to share offices with Glenn for 5 years in West Seattle. Having seen him in action many many times, I can say without hesitation that he is an excellent attorney and great guy! I would highly recommend his services. ."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Tanner is wise and noble. He does a difficult job with a very professional flair."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Mr. Tanner has gone to great lengths and personal sacrifice in order to hone the tools necessary to achieve his client's goals in a conflict-free manner by using collaborative and restorative techniques to guide parties to a satisfying result. Despite the inherent difficulties in his areas of practice, Mr. Tanner continues to provide the highest quality legal advice. We are lucky to have him in Spokane and I have recommended him to friends and clients alike."
"Glenn has been a key figure in the development of Collaborative Law in the Spokane area (and in Washington). I met him through my mutual interest and we've attended conferences and meetings together. He has always exhibited keen intelligence, attention to detail and devotion to providing meaningul service to clients."
"I worked with Glenn in a particularly hostile dissolution which also involved a business with significant income. Glenn was a pleasure to deal with and never bought into his, or my clients' desire to win at all costs. He remained professional, calm and legally effective throughout."
"I have worked with and consulted with Glenn Tanner on several difficult cases. Glenn has a great deal of experience in family law and other legal matters and I find his legal analysis to be well-reasoned."
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Experience
Honors
2010
2010 Top Attorney, Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine
2006
Master Male Runner of the Year, Bloomsday Road Runner's Club
2001
Male Runner of the Year, West Seattle Running Club
1990
cum laude, University of Minnesota Law School
1990
Dean's List, University of Minnesota Law School
Work Experience
1995 - Present
Owner, Glenn E. Tanner - Attorney at law
1991 - 1995
, Shiers, Chrey, Hague, Cox & Caulkins
1990 - 1991
, Scales & Associates
1990 - 1990
, deMers & Associates
Associations
2004 - Present
Spokane County Bar Association
2004 - Present
Bloomsday Road Runners Club
1996 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section
1995 - Present
West Seattle Running Club
1990 - Present
Washington State Bar Association
2007 - 2009
Collaborative Practice of WashingtonDirector
2007 - 2009
Washington Collaborative LawPast Director
2006 - 2017
Spokane County Collaborative ProfessionalsDirector and Vice President
2006 - 2017
Spokane County Collaborative ProfessionalsFormer Director
2005 - 2005
Spokane Preservation AdvocatesFormer Director
1996 - 2004
King County Bar Association, Family Law Section
1995 - 2005
King County Bar Association
1995 - 2004
King County Bar Association, Solo and Small Practice Section
1991 - 1995
Kitsap County Bar Association
Sample of Legal Cases
Collaborative Wife v. Collaborative Husband
Resolution of All Issues by Collaborative Process
Education
1990
University of Minnesota Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1985
Evergreen State College
BA - Bachelor of Arts
N/A
University of Wisconsin, Madison
non-degree
N/A
University of London, Birbeck College
non-degree
Speaking Engagements
2021
Spokane County Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education
Introduction to Collaborative Practice
2011
Preparing Your Family Law Case for Mediation or Trial
Alternative to Litigation
2010
Introduction for Mental Health Specialist to Collaborative Law
The Collaborative Practice Paradigm Shift
2008
Spokane Rotary
Collaborative Practice - Alternative to War
2008
Nuts and Bolts of Family Law
Asset Division in Dissolution Actions
2007
Spokane Financial Planners
Intro to Collaborative Practice
2007
Chelan-Douglas County Bar Association Luncheon
Intro to Collaborative Practice
2007
Boise Collaborative Practice Group
Intro to Collaborative Practice
2006
Spokane County Bar Association Lunch Seminar
Intro to Collaborative Practice
Publications
2009
In Touch: Newsletter of the Collaborative Professionals of Washington
How to Practice When You Don't Have a Full Team
2009
Book: SCCP'S Evolving Practice Protocols and Best Practices for Attorneys. 170 pages. Principal author and editor.
Rules of Professional Collaborative Attorney Conduct in Spokane County
2008
Spokane County Bar Association Calendar Call
Are Your Client Meetings Ethical?
2007
Spokane County Bar Association Calendar Call
What is Collaborative Law All About?
1992
Kitsap County Business Journal
How to Protect the Rights of Creditors
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
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20 Dec 2009
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