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David Starks Partner
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Interesting notes about David:
First job: Lifeguard
Dream dinner guest: David Chang of Momofuku
Instruments played: Taylor Guitar

David Starks is a preeminent family law practitioner whose practice is exclusively focused on high-net-worth matrimonial matters. His cases involve complex dissolution proceedings, the protection, valuation, and division of significant assets and business interests, and cross-border disputes governed by international treaty frameworks, including the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children.

His standing in the field is reflected in a record of recognition that is, by any measure, exceptional. He holds Band 1 status in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Family/Matrimonial in Washington State, has been named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers in his practice area twice, and has appeared continuously in The Best Lawyers in America® since 2012 and in Washington Super Lawyers® since 2010.

David is among a select group of practitioners nationwide who hold all three of the discipline's most rigorous peer-elected distinctions: Fellow and Certified Mediator of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and Diplomate of the American College of Family Trial Lawyers.

Beyond his own practice, David has contributed meaningfully to the development of the field as a faculty member of the National Family Law Trial Institute, a member of the Executive Committee of the International Academy of Family Lawyers, and a Section Advisor to the American Bar Association's representation on the Drafting Committee for the Implementation of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children. He served as President of the AAML Washington Chapter and continues to serve as its National Liaison.

That record of achievement serves something David considers far more important: the people who trust him with the most difficult matters of their lives. He is known among clients for being as attentive as he is accomplished and as clear in his communication as he is sophisticated in his legal thinking. At every stage of a representation, his clients know where they stand, what to expect, and that their lawyer is fully in their corner. For David, that commitment to the client informs the thoroughness of his preparation, the clarity of his strategy, and the judgment to know when to press a case hard and when a negotiated resolution best serves those he represents.

"You wake up a little earlier than the other guy. You work a little later. And you make sure you've done everything you can to ensure the best possible outcomes. That's what exceptional lawyering is all about."

More About David Starks
  • Education
    • J.D., Seattle University School of Law, cum laude
    • B.A., University of Southern Indiana, English, cum laude
  • Professional Activities

    Leadership

    • Fellow, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
    • Fellow, International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
    • Diplomate, American College of Family Trial Lawyers (ACFTL)
    • National Liaison, Washington State Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
    • Faculty, National Family Law Trial Institute, 2021–present
    • Past President, Washington State Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), 2017–2018
    • Past Newsletter Ex Officio, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)
    • Executive Committee, International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
    • 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
    • Past Co-Chair, American Bar Association, International Law Section Family Law Committee, 2010–2011

    Memberships

    • American Bar Association
    • Washington State Bar Association
    • State Bar of Texas
    • Oregon State Bar
    • King County Bar Association
    • King County Bar Association Judicial Screening Committee
    • Washington State Bar Association Professionalism Committee
    • Domestic Relations Attorneys of Washington (DRAW)
  • Publications & Presentations

    Presentations

    • Panelist, “Family Assessments: From Errors to Excellence,” Washington AFCC 9th Annual Conference, April 2024
    • Presenter, “Complex Assets: Finding, Valuing and Dividing,” Top Challenges in Washington Family Law, National Business Institute, November 2022
    • Presenter, "Conclusion of Case, Final Pleadings, Trial Preparation, Dissolution from A-Z," King County Bar Association CLE (Seattle, 2017)
    • Presenter, "Innovations, Breaking Boundaries in Custody Litigation," AAML / University of Texas (Austin, Texas, 2013)
    • Presenter, "Equitable Distribution in Divorce," National Business Institute (2013)
    • Presenter, "Unconventional Issues in Child Custody and Abduction Cases," American Bar Association (Anchorage, Alaska, 2013)
    • Presenter, "Key Players in Cross Border Real Estate Investments," AIJA / American Bar Association (Cannes, France, 2013)
    • Panelist, "Recognition of Foreign Court Orders and Conflicts of Laws," American Bar Association CLE (Washington D.C., 2012)
    • Presenter, "For Better or Worse: International Issues in Marriage and Divorce," American Bar Association CLE (New York, 2012)
    • Presenter, "Marital Misbehavior, the Chronically Noncompliant Party: Remedies," AAML CLE (Seattle, 2012)
    • Presenter, "US Hague Cases and the UCCJEA," AAML CLE (Seattle, 2012)
    • 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, "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)

    Publications

    • Co-author, Chapter 71, "International Family Law," Washington Family Law Deskbook, WSBA Continuing Legal Education, 2022 (with Marguerite C. Smith)
    • Co-author, "International Family Law," Washington Family Law Deskbook, WSBA, 2010

    In The News

Distinctions

Fellow and Certified Mediator, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML)

Fellow, International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)

Diplomate, American College of Family Trial Lawyers

"Lawyer of the Year" 2022, 2024 by Best Lawyers in the field of Family Law, Seattle metro area

Chambers High Net Worth Guide for Family/Matrimonial in Washington State, Band 1, 2021–2025

The Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Family Lawyers Guide, 2024–2025

The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Family Law 2012–2026

Top 100 Attorneys in Washington State, Washington Super Lawyers®, 2012, 2014–2025

Washington Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers®, 2010–2025

Leading Family, Matrimonial & Divorce Lawyers (Seattle) by Doyle’s Guide, 2025–2026

President, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Washington Chapter, 2018–2019

Practice Areas

  • "David is a rockstar attorney. If you need a smart, wise, responsive, attorney for a tough case, David is definitely it."
    — Former Client
  • Best Law Firms 2026
  • Super Lawyers
  • Chambers High Net Worth 2025
  • AAML
  • PSBJ Best Workplaces
  • Best Lawyers 2026
  • Lawdragon 2026
  • AV Preeminent
  • Lawyer of the Year 2024
  • Avvo 10 Family Law
  • Doyles 2026

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