Keith Law & Mediation

Adrienne Keith, Compassionate and Collaborative Family Law Attorney

As a Seattle-based family law attorney, I help couples and families work to reach a common ground based on their interests and the best interests of their children. For separating and divorcing couples, these interests vary widely, but they often include values such as financial well-being, acting in the best interest of children, maintaining privacy and dignity, and simply moving on in their lives. My work as a collaborative and cooperative lawyer, as well as mediator, means that clients and I can work according to several legal approaches. Together, we determine how we can best address a client's interests, while meeting the demands of the legal process.

In our initial consultation, clients and I typically discuss the range of lawyer involvement during the case, which can span from limited involvement to extensive involvement. Through this conversation, we can identify your priorities. In general, clients who are able to break the process into pieces—and apply a “project management” type approach—find they feel more at ease and less overwhelmed by their case.

Resolving Divorce Outside of Court

I help clients in finding a mutually agreeable resolution, and whenever possible, achieving that resolution outside of court. What often surprises people is that the court system is not a forum where “the truth” inevitably emerges, and that lawyers and judges are human beings with their own quirks. The people who work in the legal system often face the same challenges that we all do: too much information and not enough time.

This could negatively impact your case if it leads to an outcome that neither party really wanted but that the judge believed was right. I think it's important for clients to know this, because it helps them make an informed decision about which legal approach will best resolve their situation. Enthusiasm for out-of-court Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is why I became a lawyer, and my passion for that kind of work has only grown as I have been in practice.

Biography

Adrienne Keith graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and attended the University of Wisconsin Law School, where she served as an Editor-in-Chief for the Wisconsin Women’s Law Journal. Since relocating to Seattle in 2003, Adrienne has been active in bar and community groups. She is active in King County Collaborative Law. She has been chair of the King County Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution section, and is also a volunteer mediator with the Bellevue Neighborhood Mediation Program. She also serves on the board of Centerpoint Institute, an organization devoted to helping people discover creativity, passion, and renewed commitment in life and at work.

Client Services

Keith Law & Mediation:
Family Law and Mediation Services Tailored to Your Needs

Through my collaborative family law practice, Keith Law & Mediation, I offer a range of services designed to help separating and divorcing couples and families find the best fit for their legal needs. These services include traditional legal services as well as Alternative Dispute Resolution services. I also provide prenuptial agreement services.

Legal Counseling and Representation—Family Law Cases

I provide legal counseling and representation in family law cases, including the following services:

• Marriage dissolution (divorce) / legal separation
• Marital agreements (prenuptial or postnuptial agreements)
• Non-marital cases (property division, parenting or child support for unmarried clients)
• Modifications of existing orders (including parenting or child support)

An important part of every family law case is deciding what approach makes sense for you, whether that's collaborative or cooperative, legal representation, or legal support.

Collaborative Law. There are three key qualities of collaborative law: The voluntary and free exchange of information between parties; the pledge not to litigate (go to court) and subsequent withdrawal of both attorneys and other team professionals if either party litigates; and a commitment to respect for both parties' shared goals. Collaborative law is a team-oriented approach to helping parties resolve the issues necessary to move forward in their lives. Find out more at www.collaborativepractice.com.

Cooperative Law. Similar to collaborative law, the cooperative approach relies on many of the same principles. It is common for cooperative cases to draw on collaboratively trained professionals and techniques. However, cooperative law cases do not require that both attorneys withdraw if going to court becomes necessary.

Legal Representation. An attorney is hired to act as your advocate and representative to the court and to the other party. In some cases, clients prefer that the information-gathering and negotiation phases be handled by an attorney, but in an amicable manner. To the extent possible, I assist clients in reaching resolution outside of court. In cases where court action is necessary, this is a service I also provide.

Legal Support. Also called “legal coaching” or “pro se assistance,” an attorney provides assistance with evaluating options, preparing paperwork or other limited, specific assistance in a case. This kind of help can complement the management of your own case and/or your choice to work with a mediator.

Mediation and Mediation Support

In addition to legal services, I also offer facilitative-style mediation and mediation support. Mediation is a process where a neutral person (the mediator) facilitates communication and negotiation between parties to assist them in reaching a voluntary agreement regarding their dispute. Attorneys may or may not be present at mediation, depending on what is a “fit” for the parties. Mediate.com is an extremely informative website regarding the benefits and possibilities of mediation.

When You're Ready to Begin

For all services, I offer an hour-long initial consultation for $125. If you would like to learn more to determine whether collaborative or cooperative law or mediation services are the right fit for your legal needs, please contact me at (206) 523-3047. 

Lawyers

Adrienne Keith, Esq.

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Location : Seattle, WA

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