Joseph Linehan

Mr. Linehan’s areas of practice include a wide range of family law matters including: divorce, support, parenting plans, modifications,  adoptions, appeals, domestic violence; as well as juvenile matters involving parent representation in dependency, guardianship, CHINS/At-risk youth, and termination of parental rights. He has been appointed as a special master for discovery issues.  Mr. Linehan also serves as a Spokane County Superior Court Pro Tem Commissioner.  

Mr. Linehan has represented hundreds of claimants who have applied for Social Security Disability Insurance Benefits and Supplemental Security Income. His primary focus has been successful representation at the local hearing level in front of Administrative Law Judges. However, Mr. Linehan has also successfully represented claimant’s on appeals to the Appeals Council, as well as federal court appeals that occur before the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Mr. Linehan’s experience in arguing SSDI/SSI cases has helped numerous individual’s be approved for benefits.

Prior to joining Allen Fischer, PLLC, he had a longstanding contract with the Washington State Office of Public Defense in representing parents in every area of dependency matters, including guardianship and termination of parental rights trials. This representation has provided Mr. Linehan a vast experience in successfully litigating cases in Superior Court and Juvenile court.  He specialized in cases involving the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA); and has been a presenter regarding numerous topics in this area.

In addition to his litigation experience, Mr. Linehan has a great track record in successfully negotiating cases without the need of court intervention. He has helped negotiate child custody orders in dependency proceedings, nonparental custody, dissolution, residential schedules/parenting plans, dependency-guardianships, Title 13 guardianships, and open adoption agreements.

Mr. Linehan is a graduate from Gonzaga University. He earned a Bachelor’s degree with majors in both Political Science and Philosophy. After earning his undergraduate degree, Mr. Linehan decided to remain in Spokane, Washington and earned his law degree from the Gonzaga University School of Law. Mr. Linehan is married and is the father of three children.