About Janet A. George
Ask those in the know to name the finest family law attorneys in the state
and one thing is certain: Janet George will appear on every list. It’s
been that way for more than four decades—and counting.
With typical modesty, this gifted lawyer who one prominent Seattle attorney
calls “the most empathetic person I know,” shrugs off the
public accolades, including a 19-year, pace-setting appearance on the
pages of Best Lawyers in America.
“My success in the practice stems in large part from my intuitive
ability to accept people just as they are,” notes the psychiatric
nurse-turned-lawyer. “I meet interesting, accomplished individuals
in a state of crisis—people with a lot on the
line who can be difficult, angry, and upset.
“With my background as a therapist, I’m able to help them
work through their anger and begin to build a foundation for moving on
with their lives. I don’t consider divorce a failure. It’s
not right or wrong; there are no absolutes. But there is always hope for
a better tomorrow.”
While she dedicates her days to marital dissolutions for high-net-worth
clients, Janet’s after-hours avocations reflect her eclectic interests
and love of life: pilot, avid golfer, ski enthusiast, and lifelong equestrian
who, as a part owner of four racehorses, delights in her days at Emerald Downs.
Of counsel with McKinley Irvin, Janet continues to take on a select number
of high-profile cases (“The more challenging, the better!”)
and routinely shares her considerable expertise and experience with younger
attorneys.
“I could have retired years ago,” she quips. “But I
treasure the opportunity to give back to this great profession. It’s
been exceedingly good to me.”
Affiliations
Appointments
- AAML Washington Chapter: Past President, member of Board of Managers, CLE Chair and Judicial Conference Committee over many years
Memberships
- Washington State Bar Association, Family Law Section
- King County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Community Activities
- Longtime supporter of King County Family Law CASA and Treehouse, a non-profit that advocates for foster children.
Education
- J.D., University of Puget Sound (now Seattle University) School of Law
- M.A., University of Washington, Psychiatric Nursing
- B.A., Stanford University, Nursing
Publications & Presentations
Presentations
- Regular speaker and chairperson at family law and other area CLE presentations; most recently “Mastering Social Media” (KCBA, 2015) and “Family Law Hot Topics” (KCBA, 2014).
Publications
- Featured in "The Many Lives of Janet George," Super Lawyers Magazine, June 2018
- Washington Family Law Deskbook, “Methods of Discovery in Family Law Litigation,” 1999 and updated in 2012.