Julie was raised in Jamestown, North Dakota before moving to Spokane to attend Whitworth University. At Whitworth, she obtained her bachelor’s degree and confirmed her total lack of natural ability for snow sports. She graduated with honors in 2003 before following her love of debate to its logical conclusion at Gonzaga University School of Law.At Gonzaga, she received the school’s Thomas More Scholarship and the WSBA Hanel Memorial Scholarship. Her “free time” as a law student was spent writing articles for the student newspaper, editing material for the Gonzaga Journal of International Law, serving as research assistant for several professors, and experimenting with the boundaries of caffeine tolerance. While a student, she served as extern to Judge Patricia C. Williams at the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington, and a Rule 9 intern for the Gonzaga Center for Law and Justice.Shortly after graduating in 2006, she served as law clerk to Chief Judge Dennis Sweeney at the Washington State Court of Appeals (Division III). She also spent time as a fundraiser for the Spokane Symphony and the Fox Theater and a year as an Administrative Specialist with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington (where she worked closely with the IT department and learned to understand jokes based on computer programming).Since that time, Julie has spent most of her years in private practice running her own law office, focused primarily on family law issues and appeals of all kinds. Julie recently expanded her staff to include two associate attorneys and a paralegal. Julie appreciates bad puns and good jokes, and, to her chagrin, she has been known to accidentally snort in response to both.Julie is admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Washington State Supreme Court, the United States District Court and Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington.
Practice areas
10 years
10 years
10 years
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
WA | Active | 2011 | 02/24/2021 |
Legal answers | 8 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Top 40 Under 40 | American Society of Legal Advocates | 2019 |
Top 10 Attorney | Attorney and Practice Magazine | 2019 |
Top Lawyers 2018; Family Law | Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine | 2018 |
Top Lawyers 2017; Family Law | Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine | 2017 |
Top 40 Under 40 | American Society of Legal Advocates | 2016 |
Top Lawyers 2016; Appeals | Spokane Coeur d'Alene Living Magazine | 2016 |
---|---|---|
Nation's Top 1% | National Association of Distinguished Counsel | 2015 |
10 Best Family Law Attorneys | American Institute of Family Law Attorneys | 2015 |
CALI Award for Jurisprudence | CALI | 2006 |
Hanel Scholarship | WSBA | 2005 |
Thomas More Scholarship | Gonzaga University School of Law | 2004 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Administrative Specialist | U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington | 2009 - 2010 |
Law Clerk to the Honorable Dennis Sweeney | Washington State Court Of Appeals | 2007 - 2007 |
Judicial Extern | U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington | 2005 - 2005 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
United States Supreme Court Bar | Member | 2018 - Present |
National Association of Distinguished Counsel | Member | 2015 - Present |
Washington Women Lawyers | Member | 2013 - Present |
United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington | Member | 2012 - Present |
Washington State Bar Association | Member | 2011 - Present |
Spokane County Bar Association | Member | 2011 - Present |
---|---|---|
Washington Young Lawyers Division | N/A | N/A |
Alpha Sigma Nu | N/A | N/A |
Spokane Civic Theatre Board | President | 2014 - 2016 |
Parkinson's Resource Center | Secretary | 2013 - 2015 |
Washington State Association for Justice | EAGLE Member | 2012 - 2016 |
Publication name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
NW Lawyer | The Legal Mind | 2012 |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Gonzaga University School of Law | N/A | N/A |
Whitworth University | N/A | N/A |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Gonzaga University School of Law; Law Practice Management Class | Law Practice Management Attorney Panel | 2014 |
23rd Annual Bankruptcy Seminar and Retreat | 341 Meetings: This Time We Ask The Questions | 2013 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Boyd v. Pandrea | Ms. Watts represented the defendant, who appealed a $250k judgment against her. The trial court's decision was reversed and remanded. |
Posted by Justin
Wed Jan 23 2019
Posted by Louie Flores
Wed Apr 06 2016
Posted by Jeremy
Fri Feb 13 2015
Posted by Mary
Wed Apr 30 2014
Posted by Rebecca
Tue Apr 22 2014
Posted by David
Tue Apr 15 2014
Posted by Moravia
Tue Apr 15 2014
Posted by Terry
Thu May 02 2013
Posted by Robert
Fri Feb 10 2012
Susan Nelson, Appeals Attorney on Oct 27, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Julie is an amazing attorney.
Heather Hoover, Appeals Attorney on Aug 1, 2016
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer. i have both worked together and opposing Julie Watts on matters. She is both hardworking and dedicated to her cases. Her work on our appeal was superb and it showed, I would highly recommend Julie Watts.
Justin Alt, Litigation Attorney on May 19, 2016
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
I endorse Julie Watts. Julie is a talented lawyer and tireless advocate for her clients.
Michael Gainer, Family Attorney on May 22, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Julie and I recently had our first case against each other. I was impressed with her knowledge of the law and ability to get the best results for her client. She was also very professional to work with and responsive and timely. These factors are so important in choosing a lawyer. She was efficient and easy to work with, which means parties are able to resolve issues or agree to disagree and get help from the court in a respectful manner.
Julie Watts is hands-down one of the most caring, intelligent, creative, and determined lawyers I know. A client of Julie's can rest assured they are in competent and, more importantly, zealous hands, and is fortunate to have her as their advocate.
I endorse this lawyer. Julie is knowledgeable and an excellent litigator. She is well-prepared and confident when arguing to the court. I would recommend her highly to anyone in search of a litigator.
Shadan Kapri, Appeals Attorney on Sep 11, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Julie has a sharp legal mind while being incredibly creative. She will go the extra mile for her clients. One of the most compassionate attorneys I know.
Joshua Maurer, Family Attorney on Sep 10, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Julie Watts is a skilled professional. She works hard for her clients and is very well equipped to handle any legal battle. Few understand the law as well as Julie. I would recommend her to anyone seeking a family, bankruptcy, appellate or trial lawyer.
Geana Van Dessel, Litigation Attorney on Apr 18, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Julie is tenacious, fiercely dedicated, creative, professional and wicked smart.
Glenn Tanner, Family Attorney on Mar 19, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
I endorse this lawyer. Julie is a great advocate and attorney.
Dena Allen, Family Attorney on Mar 16, 2014
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Julie is a very smart and hardworking attorney. I am impressed by her breadth of knowledge on collateral areas of the law (to a domestic relations case) such as debtor/creditor, bankruptcy and business. Julie brings a unique resourcefulness to a case, and her clients are lucky to have her. I have recommended her to others, and would do so again.
Anastasia Karson, Litigation Attorney on Jan 15, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Julie has incredible skill, compassion, and determination. She is a valuable colleague.
Aimee Maurer, Family Attorney on Jul 29, 2013
Relationship: Friend
I endorse this lawyer.
Julie is brilliant, conscientious, and practical. I endorse her as an attorney.
Steven Wee, General practice Attorney on Feb 4, 2012
Relationship: Co-worker
I endorse Julie C. Watts without reservation - and do so, admittedly, as the person who invited her to work with me in this firm. Julie established her credentials as a Thomas More Scholar at Gonzaga University School of Law and in her post-graduate employment as a law clerk for the WA Court of Appeals and at the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington. In this law firm Julie quickly established herself as a potent advocate, particularly in the areas of bankruptcy/debt issues, estate planning and business matters. So impressive is Julie's work ethic and commitment to this community that this firm will rename itself in the near future in order to properly elevate her standing in this practice. All that said about her well-earned credentials, Julie is also a wonderful person who has earned gratitude from clients and praise from colleagues. In her spare time, Julie can be found performing for the Spokane Civic Theater and behind a camera as an accomplished photographer.