• 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

Rita Herrera Irvin

Partner

• Divorce cases involving business interests and complex financial issues.

Rita Herrera Irvin, a founding partner of McKinley Irvin, chose to practice in the area of family law because it is a dynamic, challenging legal environment requiring well honed negotiating and litigation skills. "I'm an Advocate," says Rita, "and in Family Law each case is unique and important. Family Law allows me the opportunity to be creative, to think strategically, and to focus my drive on one objective - winning." Strategic thinking is, in Rita's opinion, "often the difference between a good attorney and an excellent one."

"The same laws apply to everyone. What I do to maximize opportunities for client success is identify the objectives in our case, and then create a methodical roadmap to desired results." "And results," Rita says, "are what matter." As an advocate for individuals with significant financial interests and expectations of excellence, she says, "I am keenly aware of my clients' expectations concerning both personal attention and effective professional service – I share those same expectations in both my professional and personal life. From the moment I begin an interaction with a client, his or her goals become my goals. Period."

An accomplished negotiator and litigator, Rita is respected for her clear focus, her work ethic, and her intense advocacy. "You have to have a passion for this work," Rita says, "a willingness to fight, and fight hard, for your clients. If you don't love what you do, it is very hard to do an excellent job; I love what I do."

Professional and Community Service:

• Superior Court Family Law Commissioner Pro Tempore
• Trustee, Tacoma Art Museum
• Past Board Member, Centro Latino

Education:

• Seattle University School of Law '91
• University of Baltimore, English/Corporate Communications '87
• Graduated Magna Cum Laude '87

Representative Presentations:

• Sands McKinley & Rita Herrera Irvin, Family Law in Washington State, (1998)