Lisa Dufour

Senior Associate

AREAS OF PRACTICE

Lisa Dufour is a senior associate at McKinley Irvin. She is an accomplished attorney, experienced litigator, and a fearless client advocate. Lisa is not afraid to tackle the most difficult, complex cases with persistence, hard work, and dogged determination.

Although she is tough and tenacious when advocating for her clients, she is also warm and approachable when interacting with her clients. She listens to her clients and quickly determines the best course of action for the cases. She also ensures that each client understands their choices, as the decisions they make during a family law proceeding can have long-lasting effects. She strives to educate her clients and to make the legal process as easy to understand and navigate as possible.

"I want clients to know that they can make it through this. It may be emotionally difficult, but I will be there to help them make sound decisions that will enable them to resume normal life again."

--SENIOR ASSOCIATE LISA DUFOUR

Lisa has a passion for helping others and has an extensive public service and volunteer record that speaks for itself. She spent 15 years with the Family Support Division of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office representing the best interests of children. As a King County Prosecutor, Lisa filed over 4,000 child support modifications and over a thousand paternity cases, successfully argued a family law case in federal district court, and gained extensive family law trial experience.
When asked why she chose family law, she said, 'I love family law, and I take great pride in helping clients navigate through one of the most difficult times of their lives.'

Lisa has received numerous accolades for her creativity and innovative approach to practicing law. She has spearheaded cases on collection of child support from pension accounts, retirement plans, probate, insurance proceeds, foreclosures, civil suits, and trust funds. In 2008-2009, Lisa's team collected an unprecedented $1.3 million in child support from these unusual cases. Her strong attention to detail and her ability to work independently as part of a complex team effort are some
of the many skills her clients benefit from.

Lisa enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking, and riding motorcycles with her husband. She has also worked in television production, and has appeared in numerous commercials, videos, and television shows.

EDUCATION

J.D., University of Washington School Law
B.A., in Speech Communication, magna cum laude, University of Washington

MEMBERSHIPS AND AFFIATIONS

Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section
King County Bar Association, Family Law Section
United States District Court, Western District of Washington, Admitted to Practice
United States Supreme Court, Admitted to Practice

CASES OF FIRST IMPRESSION

In re the Marriage of Borracchini and Jones,Washington Sstae Supreme Court, Co-counsel on trial and appeal of constitutional due process in passport revocation for past due child support, March 2010.
In re the Marriage of MacGibbon, Washington Appellate Division I, Co-counsel on trial and federal district court case on garnishment of disability under ERISA for child support, June 2008.
State ex rel v. Wood, Sole trial and appellate attorney representing best interests of child conceived though artificial insemination ot a lesbian mother, 2001.

IN THE MEDIA

"If All Else Fails, Ask the Queen, "Interview featuring Lisa Dufour and Kim Schnuelle in Washington Law & Politics, December 2009.

RECENT PUBLICATIONS

Maintenance and Marriage: The Changing Nature of Support, King County Bar Bulletin, August 2011 (co-authored with Kim Schnuelle)
Split Decision: Is Divorce the First Course?, King County Bar Bulletin, May 2011 (co-authored with Kim Schnuelle)
Grandparent Rights and Visitation, King County Bar Bulletin, February 2011 (co-authored with Kim Schnuelle)
Collecting Child Support Takes Many Forms, King County Bar Bulletin, November 2010 (co-authored with Kim Schnuelle)
Can you give it all away? The Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, Washington State Bar Association Bar News, November 2010
Military Moms and Dads: How to Protect the Rights of Deployed Parents, Tacoma-Pierce County Bar News, November 2010 (Co-authored with Laura Carlsen)
Child Support Systems Protect Domestic Violence Victims, King County Bar Bulletin, July 2009 (co-authored with with Kim Schnuelle)
Child Support Owed Share of Wealth Transfers, King County Bar Bulletin, May 2009.
Using QDROs to Collect Child Support Payments, Washington State Bar News, May 2009 (co-authored with Kim Schnuelle)
Presumed Fathers Compound Family Structure, King County Bar Bulleting, April 2009.

RECENT PRESENTATIONS

"Divorce Litigation From Start to Finish," National Business Institute CLE, July 2011
"Military Family Law Practice Tips," King County Bar Association CLE, Nov 2010
"Use of Supplemental Proceedings in Child Support Collections," Division of Child Support Staff Meeting Presentation, June 2009
"Collection of Child Support from Probate," Divisions of Child Support Staff Meeting Presentation, June 2008
"Paternity Establishment and Child Support," Guest speaker for high school classes, 2005-present.
Guest Speaker, Seattle University School of Law Legal Intern class, 2005-2006.

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