• 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

Elizabeth
Hershman-Greven

Senior Associate

• Divorce
• Child Custody
• Domestic Partnership Dissolution
• Intimate Committed Dissolution
• Same-Sex Child Custody Disputes
• Second Parent and Step-Parent Adoptions
• Parenting Plan Modifications
• Child Support Modifications
• Relocation
• Protection Orders

Download and print this profile: Wa_Divorce_Attorney_ELIZABETH_HERSHMAN-GREVEN

Elizabeth Hershman-Greven's keen intellect, winning track record, and competitive, yet compassionate nature have made their mark on Seattle's legal community. And while Elizabeth is well known and admired by members of the bar and bench, she is held in highest esteem by the scores of clients she has served during her impressive career.

What sets this gifted lawyer apart from many of her peers, colleagues say, is her distinctive approach to clients. That approach combines concern with candor, pragmatism with perseverance, and determination with a healthy dose of realism.

"There is a real need for zealous advocates in family law," says the McKinley Irvin senior associate. "Our work is not simply esoteric and it is certainly not detached. We are dealing with real lives, real people, and real problems for which there are no easy solutions."

From the outset, Elizabeth works to encourage her clients' proactive involvement in the ultimate success of their cases to ensure the most favorable outcomes.

"I encourage my clients to invest in their own solutions and to make intentional, well-reasoned decisions," she explains. "I help them be their best in situations that can bring out the worst in people, and to fight hard for justice while keeping their integrity intact."

A prolific writer and sought-after speaker on a range of subjects, Elizabeth focuses her practice on cutting-edge issues of family law for both traditional and nontraditional families. In particular, she is an acknowledged authority on legal matters related to same-sex partnerships.

"Elizabeth represents the best in lawyering. She is smart, dedicated, genuine, compassionate, and an effective advocate. She is also progressive and forward-thinking--traits that enable her to think and operate outside of the box."

--Founding Partner Sands McKinley

No matter the type of case, Elizabeth attempts to minimize the negative impact (and maximize the positive) it can have on the people involved.

"I never forget that the costs to my clients are huge-even if they win," she notes. "From the beginning, I offer them my full consideration, my support, and my respect."

EDUCATION

• J.D., magna cum laude, Seattle University School of Law
• Indiana University, Sociology
• Associate Editor, Seattle Journal for Social Justice
• First Place, Client Counseling Competition
• CALI (first in class) Awards: Civil Procedure and Business Entities

AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS

• Distinguished as Washington Rising Star by Super Lawyers®, 2011

IN THE MEDIA

• "Domestic Partnerships in Washington," on KIRO TV and Northwest Cable News, March 2008
• Elizabeth A. Hershman-Greven featured in Domestic Partnership Northwest Cable News, March 12, 2008.
• Elizabeth A. Hershman-Greven featured in Domestic Registry Sparks New Issues, Puget Sound Business Journal, August 24, 2007.

IN THE COMMUNIITY

• Elizabeth Hershman-Greven & Justin M. Sedell, A Family Law Practitioner's Guide to Navigating the Domestic Partnership Expansion Bill, Washington State Bar News, June 2008.
• Justin M. Sedell & Elizabeth Hershman-Greven, Washington's Expanded Domestic Partnership Registry Grants Important New Rights for GLBT Couples, Perspective, May 2008.
• Elizabeth A. Hershman-Greven & Justin M. Sedell, Domestic Partnership Update: 882 Couples and Counting!
• Elizabeth A. Hershman-Greven, Second Parent Adoption - An Overview
• Elizabeth A Hershman-Greven & Justin Sedell, Legislature Acts Post-Andersen Domestic Partnership Bill Paves Way

RECENT PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

• Elizabeth Hershman-Greven: Expanded Washington State Domestic Partnership Legislation CLE
• "Rights, Benefits & Options: Unraveling WA State's New Domestic Partnership Law", Pride Foundation public event, Seattle Public Library, July 18, 2007, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
• "The Impact and Implications of the Domestic Partners Registry", King County Bar Association, June 14, 2007, Seattle, WA.
• "The Domestic Partnership Bill, what every Family Law Practitioner Needs to Know", King Countly Bar Association, April 11th, 2008, Seattle WA.
• "Successfully Representing Non-Traditional Families", MBI, August 25th, 2008, Seattle, WA.

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