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Mark L. Alexander
About Mark
Biography
One of the states in which I am admitted licenses me not only as an attorney but also a “Counsellor at Law”. I best counsel my clients as a supportive but calm buffer during their time of stress and emotion. With over 40 years in practice, I can clarify what seem to be incomprehensible procedures and legal gibberish to my clients, and explain how their facts fit into the legal factors the court weighs in deciding the issues.
If safety is not an overriding concern, I believe my client’s best interests (both emotional and financial) are served by negotiating agreed orders when possible, minimizing the mudslinging common in contested hearings. When hearings are necessary, my background as an accomplished debater, and writing skills derived as a legal writing instructor and Harvard English major, both help persuade the court.
In addition to full representation, I also offer hourly advice / drafting ("unbundled") legal services to individuals representing themselves. When the parties have their own attorneys but are unable to reach agreement, I have also served as mediator in settlement conferences since 1997.
Life is not all work, though. In my free time, I like digital photography, paddling a kayak, hiking, squash, tennis, cross-country skiing --- and playing Wii tennis, baseball, and bowling. Finally, I love tasty food and drink enjoyed with my wife and other good friends.
Favorite quote (from the late Judge McCutcheon, during a trial several years ago): “There’s still room in the law for common sense.”
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
70%
40 years | 1,350 cases
Child Support
20%
40 years | 750 cases
Family
6%
40 years | 1,500 cases
Mediation
4%
29 years | 46 cases
Fees and Rates
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in Washington for 35 years
State: Washington
Acquired: 1990
No misconduct found
Licensed in Arkansas for 46 years
State: Arkansas
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Licensed in New Jersey for 37 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 1988
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 41 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1984
No misconduct found
Licensed in Nebraska for 46 years
State: Nebraska
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
Location
Seattle Divorce Services
2317 NW Market St, Seattle, WA
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Mark L. Alexander's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
9 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Character & Conduct
Posted by Melanie | January 25, 2024 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Professional, Respectful and Excellent Representation
Mark and SDS firm have been a rock for me during a long, 2-year and complicated legal separation/divorce. Mark and all staff were very responsive and supportive. I felt in good hands from the get go. I selected SDS and Mark because of his respectful persona. I didn't want to go through the stress...
Posted by Michelle | March 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
The best in Seattle!
Simply the best! I cannot say enough about this firm. I had a very high profile and high level divorce. The service, compassion and discretion I received is more than 5*. Mark Alexander may be the best kept, hidden gem, best family attorney in all of Seattle. Thank you seattle divorce and Mark!
Posted by anonymous | December 09, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Great attorney!
Mark helped me years ago with my initial divorce as well as with a more recent parenting plan modification initiated by my ex. Our case was by no means collaborative or friendly. A saving grace for the emotional tumult of family court is a calm and knowledgeable attorney. Mark is that and then some. ...
Posted by anonymous | October 28, 2013 | Divorce & Separation
An Exceptional Lawyer
Going thru divorce is a most difficult time. It was for me. Having an experienced lawyer is very critical. Mark was my lawyer and I could not be more fortunate to have him. He did not escalate the dispute. He maintained his steady position and responded well to the accusations. He is very profession...
Mark L. Alexander's Lawyer Endorsements
"Mark is the voice of wisdom. He and I were opposing counsel on a divorce case, and I saw his practice style first hand. He demonstrated encyclopedic knowledge of the law, and was a tough advocate for his client. He never made an argument he couldn't back up, and the respectful tone of his arguments makes them even more powerful. He also never seems to have a "bad day," probably because he loves what he does. I ended up with tremendous respect for Mark by the time our case finished, and he has been a "go-to" guy for sound advice when I need it. I've been happy to refer clients to Mark, and endorse him wholeheartedly."
"I endorse Mark. He is a highly skilled attorney that is well respected in the legal community."
"I have had the pleasure of working with Mark Alexander over the past year. He is a diligent, thoughtful and incredibly smart attorney. I highly recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I strongly endorse Mark Alexander for his legal knowledge and great advocacy and mediation skills."
"I highly endorse this lawyer. We worked together on a very difficult divorce case. Mark was extremely ethical and professional. He was respectful throughout, and a great mentor."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Alexander's legal advise on the AVVO forum is informative, practical and well thought out."
"Years before I had the pleasure of working with Mark at the same firm, I knew him as a smart and diligent leader within the King County Bar Association family law section. Mark kept the group informed about the latest court rules, even alerting us in advance when local procedures were about to change. As a colleague, Mark made being at the office fun, and he was always up for a brainstorming session about a thorny legal situation. As an advocate, Mark is patient and consistent, and he keeps his eye on the client's ultimate goals. He is well-respected by the bench and bar alike, and he is a valuable member of our legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Mark has not only a great legal mind, but a compassionate, common sense approach to resolving legal problem. I endorse this lawyer without hesitation."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mark has been a mentor for me for many years and I still often seek his advice on complex or new issues. His knowledge of the law is extensive and thorough. He brings a calm perspective to even the most contentious issues."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have followed Mr. Alexander's answers on AVVO for some time and found that he is gives very thoughtful, practical and experienced advice to families even though we have a limited time and space to give thorough advice. He clearly has the years of experience to be able to cut to the chase and recognize how to efficiently and effectively help his clients. He is someone I would refer to in the Seattle Metro area."
"It is a pleasure to endorse Mark Alexander, who has been one of Seattle's most respected family law attorneys for many years. He takes good care of his clients, settling what can be settled and fighting only when necessary. Mark's firm, Seattle Divorce Services, has been a pioneer in alternatives to traditional litigation, such as collaborative divorce and innovative solutions to keep the process affordable. His thoughtful comments on the WSBA Family Law Section listserv have been very helpful for me and many other lawyers. Mark has three other excellent attorneys working with him at his firm, so his clients always get top-notch service. Mark is the right choice for anybody who wants to get a divorce without going broke in the process, and who wants the process to be humane and child-centered. We need more lawyers like Mark Alexander!"
"I endorse this lawyer without hesitation or qualification. Mark brings a strong legal mind to his practice. He is insightful, thoughtful, and effective in representing his clients' interests."
"Attorney Alexander exemplifies the very best attributes of an active attorney and displays a high level of professionalism, confidence and skill we should all aspire to. Honesty, dedication and a love of the law, which means. giving back to others who lack our understanding of the law and a benefit from our inherent desire to provide solutions to problems. The thousands years of combined legal experience of professionals activity participating in this forum represent some of the very best of our profession, which is after all, at its base is desire to help those in need. This Attorney’s experience and knowledge, I believe, demonstrates that there is a desire to provide accurate advice and obtain appropriate results for clients. Most importantly, this Attorney is willing to help complete strangers (as is the case in this forum) with their legal problems for which we collectively provide useful information, thereby demystifying the legal process as much as possible. I recommend him."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Alexander has repuation as being the best of the best and is a true credit to the legal profession. He is an outstanding attorney and a strong and zealous advocate for his clients. I highly endorse him."
"Mark has an incredible depth and breadth of legal knowledge in his area of practice and I find myself regularly bending his ear when novel questions of law arise in my own practice. His advice and guidance never fails to be helpful in my experience. His calm yet firm and thoughtful demeanor is a real asset in a field of practice that understandably draws clients in varying states of emotionality, especially when opposed by one of our more vitriolic brethren. In short, Mark is a true Oracle of family law in Washington."
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Experience
Honors
2024
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Washington Super Lawyers
2019
Lifetime Achievement Award, Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section
2016
Re-elected to Executive Committee, Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section
2013
Chair, committee commenting on statewide family law civil rules, King County Bar Association Family Law Section
2013
Elected to Executive Committee, Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section
2012
Plain Language Forms Workgroup, Administrative Office of the Courts / Washington State Access to Justice Board
2010
Pro Bono Publico Service Commendation, Washington State Bar Association
2010
Professional Mediation Skills Certificate, University of Washington School of Law
2008
Superior Court Commissioner Screening Panel, King County Bar Association
2004
Bench-Bar select committee to revise Family Law Local Rules, King County Superior Court
1996
Guardian ad Litem Training Certificate, King County Bar Association
N/A
Underhill Scholarship, Backus School of Law, Case Western Reserve University
Work Experience
2006 - Present
Attorney, Seattle Divorce Services
2005 - 2005
Managing Attorney, King County Bar Association Family Law Mentor Program
1993 - 2006
President, Mark Alexander, P.S.
1990 - 1993
, Bonneville, Viert, Morton & McGoldrick
Associations
2022 - Present
Domestic Relations Attorneys of WashingtonSecretary
1990 - Present
King County Bar Association
1990 - Present
Washington State Bar Association, Family Law SectionExecutive Committee 2013, 2015; Newsletter Editor 2015-2019
2016 - 2019
Washington State Bar Association, Family Law SectionSecretary
1997 - 1998
King County Bar AssociationChairman, Family Law Section
1994 - 2006
East King County Bar Association
1990 - 1994
South King County Bar Association
1990 - 1994
Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association
1990 - 1993
American Bar Association
1990 - 1993
Washington State Trial Lawyers Association
Education
1979
Case Western Reserve University School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1976
Harvard College
A.B. with honors
Speaking Engagements
2019
Family Law Midyear
Seminar Co-Chair
2019
Family Law Midyear
Mediation-Arbitration
2017
Often Overlooked: Family Law Issues
Seminar Chair
2017
Mentor Program
Family Law
2017
Family Law Midyear
The UCCJEA: A Systematic Approach
2016
Plain Talk on Plain Language Issues
Seminar Chair
2015
Mentor Program
Family Law
2015
Family Law Changes
Seminar Chair
2014
Family Law Skills Training
Presenting Your Case - Do's and Don'ts of Family Law Motion Practice
2013
Mentor Program
Family Law
2011
Mentor Program
Family Law
2010
Parenting Plans
Decision Making and Dispute Resolution
2009
Mentor Program
Family Law
2007
New Hurdles to Enter Final Parenting Plans
Court Database Checks and Residential Time Summary Report
2005
Mentor Program
Family Law
1999
Mentor Program
Family Law
1998
Introduction to Law
Family Law Overview
Publications
2016
King County Bar Bulletin
State Bar Association Choices
2014
King County Bar Bulletin
A Dozen Family Law Tricks Before Trial
2012
King County Bar Bulletin
Service by Mail in Divorce After Ralph's Concrete
2011
King County Bar Bulletin
Child Support Table: Then and Still Then
1993
Washington State Trial Lawyers (WSTLA) Trial News
Business Expense Deductions for Support Purposes
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
My ex boyfriend is in a child custody battle He owed me money and I told his ex he paid me but he didnt he threatened me?
23 Mar 2024
Q&A
What happens in the state of WA if a person cannot be found to serve divorce papers on?
23 Aug 2012
Q&A
Foreign Divorce Recognition (Washington State)
16 Aug 2012