Tacoma, WA Lawyers

Family and Divorce Law

1505 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402

Barbara is a shareholder at Smith Alling. Her work focuses on all aspects of family law. Prior to attending law school, Barbara spent several years in the contract administration section of a large regional bank handling secured transactions. Barbara was an Associate Editor of the University of Puget Sound (“UPS”) Law Review, and was employed as a legal intern by Smith Alling Lane, P.S. during her second year of law school.She graduated magna cum laude from UPS Law School (now Seattle University Law School). After graduation, Barbara became an Associate at Smith Alling Lane, where she was initially involved in major antitrust litigation involving power plant construction. Barbara served for 10 years as a commissioner pro-tem in the Pierce County Superior Court, and was a Nisqually Tribal Court judge for a year. Barbara serves as a mediator at the Pierce County Center for Dialogue and Resolution and as a pro tem settlement conference judge for the Pierce County Superior Court.

Personal Injury Law

4303 Ruston Way, Tacoma, WA 98402

Ben F. Barcus is a trial lawyer whose firm emphasizes plaintiff's personal injury, wrongful death, civil rights and insurance matters. He has enjoyed both trial and appellate success. His is listed in the Bar Register of Pre-Eminent Lawyers, enjoys the highest peer-reviewed rating - AV

Criminal Defense Law

1201 Pacific Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402

My career as an elite criminal trial lawyer has focused on defending good people. When facing allegations of sexual crimes, domestic violence and felonies and misdemeanors. These types of cases are high-stakes and emotional. Of course, these allegations have a devastating impact on the accused if not handled correctly. I understand that being charged with a crime is beyond stressful. As such, I strive to explain each step of the case. More importantly, I give each client a road map to getting their life back. Without exception, I promise that when you hire me, I will work diligently and aggressively to produce the best outcome for you. My experience, awards and ratings speak for themselves.

Family and Divorce Law

1201 Pacific Avenue, Suite 1503, Tacoma, WA 98402

Family law has always stood out to Cloie Chapman as an important area of the law because it requires compassion and a greater understanding of systemic issues such as race, gender, and relationships. Cloie has always been passionate about addressing social issues and family law is a great opportunity for her to connect with clients and advocate for them. This passion first developed when Cloie worked for Planned Parenthood in high school as a sexual health educator and learned about healthy relationship building. She earned her BA from Western Washington University, creating her own interdisciplinary major in environmental policy and ethnic studies. Cloie continued to work for non-profit organizations throughout college and law school, including Disability Rights Washington and ACLU of Washington. Each of these experiences has deepened her empathy for others and allowed her to understand how systemic issues relate to personal conflicts. After graduating from Seattle University School of Law, Cloie Chapman was admitted to the Washington State Bar Association in 2020. She then started her own firm and represented clients in Seattle on issues including protection orders and contracts. She also supported criminal defense attorneys representing Black Lives Matter protestors. In 2021 Cloie clerked for Washington State Supreme Court Justice Mary I. Yu and stayed at the court for another few months to work as a staff attorney in the Commissioner’s Office. During her time at the court Cloie was able to sharpen her research skills by diving into a variety of legal topics. Cloie grew up in Issaquah, Washington and has lived in Seattle, Bellingham, and Olympia. She now lives in Lynnwood with her husband and three cats. Cloie spends her free time listening to podcasts, playing video games, and thinking of new home renovation projects.

Family and Divorce Law

1201 Pacific Avenue, Suite 1503, Tacoma, WA 98402

Jacqueline Clark is licensed in both Washington State and the province of Ontario in Canada, where she started practicing in 1996. After moving to the US, she took time to raise her three children, and when her own marriage ended, she returned to law as a paralegal in Washington in 2011. While working full-time in a busy family law firm, she went back to school to obtain an LLM for Foreign Attorneys from Seattle University in 2020. She became a member of the Washington State Bar in 2021. In Canada, Jacqueline practiced family law for over 7 years, where she had the privilege of appearing in front of the BC Court of Appeals on a Hague Convention child abduction case. She was a part of a team that took a child custody matter up to the Supreme Court of Canada. She has also written and presented papers on various aspects of family law, including finding hidden assets. As a trained life coach and attorney, Jacqueline stands out amongst the lawyer community. Jacqueline understands most parents want to minimize the impact of their separation on their children and to resolve their disputes privately and cost-effectively. Her training as a life coach assists her in understanding the family dynamics, keeping the resolution process as amicable as possible, and assisting her clients through both the legal and emotional hurdles of a family law matter. When away from her desk, Jacqueline is “throwing rocks” at the local curling club, spending time with her children and two Havanese dogs, skiing, reading, and exploring restaurants around town.

Personal Injury Law

4701 South 19th Street, Suite 300, Tacoma, WA 98405

Mike's journey at Rush, Hannula, Harkins & Kyler, PLLC, began as a summer intern in 2000 while he was still in law school. After graduating from Seattle University School of Law in 2002, he joined the firm as an Associate Attorney and later became a Partner in 2009. As a tenacious trial lawyer, Mike dedicates his utmost effort and enthusiasm to his work. He approaches each client's case with thoroughness, exploring every possible angle to find the best solution. His extensive legal research, covering procedural issues and substantive law, is highly regarded within the office. Mike possesses a deep understanding of the dynamics and strategies involved in preparing personal injury and wrongful death cases for trial, often leading defendants to opt for settlement. Specializing in representing victims of personal injury and wrongful death, Mike handles a diverse range of cases, including litigation related to truck, boat, vehicle, and motorcycle accidents, construction site injuries, premises liability, medical malpractice, and nursing home negligence. "I cannot let these people down," says Mike. "Our clients are hard-working individuals who have suffered the worst imaginable due to personal injury or death. Even in the era of 'tort reform,' I refuse to apologize for representing these people. It's a privilege. My aim is to help my clients achieve as much healing as the law allows, so they can rebuild their shattered lives." According to Mike, "true justice would require undoing the tragedy that has befallen my clients. However, we know that's impossible, which is why the law mandates full compensation to balance the harm and losses my clients have endured. I consider myself fortunate to make a positive difference in the lives of so many." Trial work is Mike's true passion, and he thrives in the courtroom, tirelessly advocating for justice on behalf of his clients. Throughout his career, he has had the privilege of trying numerous cases, and in 2021, Mike was honored to be invited to join the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Mike holds a particular interest in representing the most vulnerable members of our community, specifically those who have suffered injuries or death due to nursing home negligence. He frequently speaks at legal education seminars on nursing home litigation and has contributed a chapter to the Nursing Home Litigation Deskbook published by the Washington State Association for Justice. In 2009-2010, Mike served as the Chair of the Nursing Home Litigation Section for the Washington State Association for Justice.

Personal Injury Law

2501 Fawcett Ave, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

Nicholas "Cole" Douglas is an attorney well-known for his passion, energy, and commitment to protecting his clients’ best interests. Cole prides himself on direct, honest communication and his ability to truly understand his clients’ needs. His practice focuses on the litigation and trial of complex personal injury cases involving wrongful death and sex abuse. These are high-stakes situations. People who come to him have an inspiring determination to achieve justice in their case. Cole strives at every step to match this desire with his trademark tenacity. After graduating from law school with honors, Cole began his legal career working for the Seattle/Tacoma-based law firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala. He ultimately left to open his own firm, Cochran Douglas, PLLC. Taking the risk to co-found his own practice has been incredibly rewarding since it allows Cole to set high personal standards for every aspect of his representation.

Personal Injury Law

5411 100th St SW, Tacoma, WA 98499, USA

Personal Injury Law

1107 1/2 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402, USA

In late 2005, Mr. Freeman decided to open a practice in Tacoma, where his family was growing. Mr. Freeman’s connections locally and nationally nourished his practice over time. He has served the local community as well as handling cases in federal courts across the country. Locally, Mr. Freeman has assisted local businesses in such matters as contentious shareholder disputes and individuals in matters ranging from catastrophic injuries to class A felonies as well as lawsuits against insurance companies for bad faith claims practices. He tried a Whatcom County Superior Court case for a bail bond company that resulted in the first appellate law in Washington truly outlining the rights of fugitive recovery agents. He has tried cases in many counties throughout the State of Washington, argued before the Court of Appeals Division I and Division II and the Washington State Supreme Court.

Family and Divorce Law

1505 Dock St, Tacoma, WA 98402

Barbara is a shareholder at Smith Alling. Her work focuses on all aspects of family law. Prior to attending law school, Barbara spent several years in the contract administration section of a large regional bank handling secured transactions. Barbara was an Associate Editor of the University of Puget Sound (“UPS”) Law Review, and was employed as a legal intern by Smith Alling Lane, P.S. during her second year of law school.She graduated magna cum laude from UPS Law School (now Seattle University Law School). After graduation, Barbara became an Associate at Smith Alling Lane, where she was initially involved in major antitrust litigation involving power plant construction. Barbara served for 10 years as a commissioner pro-tem in the Pierce County Superior Court, and was a Nisqually Tribal Court judge for a year. Barbara serves as a mediator at the Pierce County Center for Dialogue and Resolution and as a pro tem settlement conference judge for the Pierce County Superior Court.