Laura Carlsen
Associate
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Parenting Plans
- Relocation
- Adoption
- Child Support Modifications
- Parenting Plan Modifications
Download and print this profile:
Wa_Divorce_Attorney_LAURA_CARLSEN
When she was just 14 years of age, Laura Carlsen joined the high school debate team and immediately fell in love. Since then, she has been on a single-minded track toward a career in law that was launched officially in 2009 when she joined McKinley Irvin as an associate.
But back for a moment to debate, an extracurricular activity that has dominated Laura's discretionary time for more than a decade. Not only has she been a nationally ranked high school debater, she also has coached debate at Mercer Island and Auburn high schools and helped launch the Bay Area Urban Debate League for inner-city children in northern California.
"Debate is all about thinking quickly on your feet, finding an angle that helps you win, being smarter and faster than your opponents, and adapting your argument to each particular situation," she explains. "In sum, it encompasses the very attributes that combine to produce good lawyers."
Since Laura is equally passionate about helping people as she is about debate, this Washington native has found an ideal professional focus in the practice of family law.
"There are so many areas of the law that are impersonal and detached," says Laura, "like reviewing contracts for large corporations, for example. In family law, we deal with real people, not faceless corporations. For me, it is much more satisfying to help families during the most difficult times of their lives."
"Members of the McKinley Irvin team are caring, devoted people. They love what they do and they do it for good reason--they really want to help. Beyond that, they demand excellence. Nothing but the best will do."
--Associate Laura Carlsen
According to the outdoor enthusiast who spends weekends hiking in the Cascades, family law is very exciting and always changing because "every client who walks in the door has a different life story."
"I never know what the day will bring," muses McKinley Irvin's newest associate. "Emotions often run high in our type of practice. It is a challenge for family law attorneys to strike an appropriate balance between compassion and empathy on one hand and calm objectivity on the other. But that is precisely what we must do."
EDUCATION
- J.D., University of Oregon School of Law
- B.A. in Sociology and B.A. in Political Science, University of California at Berkeley
- Managing Board, Oregon Law Review
- Teaching Assistant, Legal Research and Writing
- Moot Court
IN THE COMMUNITY
- Volunteer, King County Bar Association Legal Clinic
- Washington State Bar Association
- King County Bar Association
McKinley Irvin proudly serves Washington State with offices in Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Puyallup and Gig Harbor.
For more information about McKinley Irvin, or to contact us about your case, click here.
"My experience with everyone at McKinley Irvin was positive. Attorneys and staff treated me with the utmost respect and provided me whatever information I needed in a timely manner. It is important to find a firm that not only practices excellent law, but professionalism and respect along the journey."
--Former Client L.P., Redmond, WA