• David Starks
• Marc T. Christianson
• Jennifer J. Payseno
• Kathy S. Root
• Susan J. Shulenberger
• Elizabeth Hershman-Greven
• Justin Sedell
• Kim Schnuelle
• Lisa Dufour
• Sharon L. Friedrich
• Laura Carlsen
• Elizabeth Bianchi
• Jessica T. Moore
• Annelisa Smith
• Jamie Walker
• Christina Smith
• Lindsay Noel
• Krista Stipe
• Lindsay Camandona
• Rita Herrera Irvin
• Sands McKinley

David Starks

Managing Partner

• Divorce
• Complex Divorce
• International Divorce and Child Custody
• Hague Convention Cases
• Relocation
• International Relocation
• Child Support Modifications
• Parenting Plan Modifications

• Download and print this profile: David B. Starks

David Starks is McKinley Irvin's Managing Partner and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He focuses his practice on divorce cases involving complex financial interests and the protection, valuation, and distribution of significant assets and business interests. His passion for resolving complex family law matters has also led him to routinely represent clients with international divorce and family law issues in both state and federal court. Additionally, David continues to enjoy assisting clients through the challenges they face in other family law matters, including parenting and support modifications, relocations, and other matrimonial litigation. David is licensed to practice law in Washington, Oregon and Texas.

Although David is a seasoned negotiator and litigator, he is equally dedicated to providing his clients with excellent personal service. "The foundation of a successful attorney/client relationship is rooted in good communication and shared trust," says David. "Every client wants and deserves an attorney who will listen closely, speak honestly, and work tirelessly to identify and achieve their goals. Whether I am at the negotiating table or in the courtroom, I am always driven to protect and advance my client's interests."

"My clients are real people leading active lives with a lot at stake in their cases. I don't forget that. Their concerns are my concerns. Their stress is my stress. Their worries are my worries."

A well-known and respected family law attorney, David began practicing law in 1998. Early in his legal career, David gained significant experience in maritime and securities law in both federal and state courts. He also practiced before the National Association of Securities Dealers. His experience as the firm's Managing Partner along with his litigation, arbitration and negotiation experience in complex family, business, and commercial law make him particularly well qualified to represent divorce clients with financial, business, executive compensation, or spousal maintenance interests at stake, as well as clients involved in interstate or international family law matters.

David notes, "I enjoy practicing family law because of the personal connection that comes with getting to know my clients and then working to protect their rights and interests during one of the most challenging times of their lives." David adds, "Complex family law is an intense and challenging area of practice. From case to case, I routinely deal with many areas of the law including tax, real estate, corporations, ERISA, tort law, international law and treaties, immigration, employment benefits, trusts and estates, contracts, and so forth."

David is one of few family law attorneys whose practice includes international family law and treaties, including the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, as well as the local recovery of foreign support and maintenance awards. He is presently co-authoring a chapter in the Washington State Family Law Desk Book concerning the international aspects of family law in Washington and abroad. David is an active member of the International Law and Family Law Sections of the American Bar Association.

David lives in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle with his wife and two sons.

EDUCATION

• J.D., cum laude, Seattle University School of Law
• B.A., English, cum laude Southern Indiana University

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

• Selected by his peers as one of The Best Lawyers in America® 2012 in the field of Family Law
• Distinguished as Washington Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers®, 2010, 2011

MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFILIATIONS

• Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
• Member: American Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, State Bar of Texas, Oregon State Bar, King County Bar Association
• Member, King County Bar Association's Judicial Screening Committee
• Member, Washington State Bar Association Professionalism Committee

APPOINTMENTS

• Co-Chair, American Bar Association, International Law Section Family Law Committee (2010-present)
• Section Advisor of the American Bar Association to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws' Drafting Committee on the Implementation of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children (2011-present)
• Member

IN THE MEDIA

• David Starks on Legal Line with Bob Pittman on KTTH
• In Any Tongue, It’s Still 'Goodbye', Washington Law & Politics, Winter, 2009.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Panelist, Saving a Stolen Childhood: How to Prevent and Resolve International Kidnapping Cases, American Bar Association CLE (Las Vegas, 2011)
• Panelist, Family Enterprises in Distress: Issues to Consider, American Bar Association CLE (Dublin, Ireland 2011)
• Presenter, Divorce Litigation, Start to Finish, National Business Institute CLE (Seattle, 2011)
• Presenter, Nuts and Bolts of Family Law, King County Bar Association (Seattle, 2010)
• Presenter, Family Law Bootcamp, Washington State Bar Association, (Seattle, 2009)
• Moderator, NBI Domestic Violence: A View from the Bench, National Business Institute CLE (Seattle, 2009)
• Presenter, International Family Law - The Hague Convention, King County Bar Association CLE (Seattle, 2008)
• Author, Equal Custody: As published in the King County Bar Association Bulletin
• Author, The Globalization of Family Law: as published in the King County Bar Association Bulletin
• Author, "Shared" Custody is Now Shared
• Author, The Globalization of Family Law
• Author, The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction
• Author, International Travel with Children: Identification Requirements
• Co-Author, International Family Law, Washington State Bar Association Family Law Desk Book (Publication Pending)

Washington State Super Lawyers 2012.

McKinley Irvin proudly serves Washington State with offices in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Puyallup and Gig Harbor.