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Dee Ellen Grubbs
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Dee Ellen Grubbs
Dee Ellen Grubbs Attorney and Counselor at Law
5502 NE 44th Street
Vancouver, WA 98661
Phone: (360) 695-5432 | Fax: (360) 694-5945
Attorney & Counselor at Law
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
My preference is to work with clients whose primary concern is for the welfare of their children. I specialize in minimizing conflict and encouraging settlement, although I do have a good deal of experience in litigation and will not agree to settle a case that is unfair for my client.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Custody
- Paternity
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Domestic Partnerships
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Competency Hearings
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Long-Term Care
- Nursing Homes
- Powers of Attorney
- Medicaid & Medicare Planning
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
My preference is to work with clients whose primary concern is for the welfare of their children. I specialize in minimizing conflict and encouraging settlement, although I do have a good deal of experience in litigation and will not agree to settle a case that is unfair for my client.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
Bar Admissions
WA, Nov 1996
Bar Number: 26381
Other Court Admissions
Washington Court of Appeals
Association Memberships
Washington State Bar, Clark County Bar
Continuing Education
I attend at least thirty hours of continuing education each year. I take courses in family law, elder law and estate planning.
Example Cases
I have litigated a contested community property case involving a family farm and prevailed through an appeal by the non-prevailing party to the Washington State Court of Appeals. In addition, I settled prior to trial a contested community property case involving two jurisdictions, obtaining for my client a share of community property acquired in two different jurisdictions. I have prevailed in a contested case of child custody involving a child adopted by her step-father. I have also settled many child custody cases and I have served as a guardian ad litem for child custody cases.
Education
Degree:
JD
School:
University of Idaho College of Law
City:
Moscow
State:
ID
Year:
1995
Honors:
Dean's List for three semesters
Focus and Accomplishments:
Law
Degree:
MVEd
School:
Consortium of California State Colleges
City:
San Jose
State:
CA
Year:
1978
Focus and Accomplishments:
Master's in vocational education; Nursing.
Degree:
BSN
School:
San Jose State University
City:
San Jose
State:
CA
Year:
1969
Honors:
Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Twenty-five year career as a registered nurse in intensive care and nursing administration.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
Washington
Firm Focus and History
I began my solo practice in 2000 in Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington. I relocated to Vancouver, Clark County in 2003 and have practiced in the areas of family law, elder law and probate law since that time. I now practice exclusively in Washington and primarily in Clark County.
Previous Employment Summary
I am a "second career" professional. I graduated from the University of Idaho Law School in 1995, after a twenty+ year career in nursing, nursing education and hospital administration. In addition to four years of experience in a general practice firm where I served clients in administrative and health care law, elder law and estate planning, domestic relations and insurance defense cases, I have an extensive background in health care delivery and administration, personnel management, client counseling and mediation. I am licensed to practice law in Washington and Idaho. In 1996 I received the Pro Bono award from the Idaho Law Foundation of the Idaho State Bar Association. In 2000 I started my solo practice firm.
My additional experience in law includes one year as part-time assistant to the prosecutor for the City of Lewiston and several months as a part-time deputy prosecuting attorney for the County of Nez Perce and as a part-time law clerk to Nez Perce County District Court Judge Carl Kerrick. During my tenure in the City Attorney's office I voluntarily attended and graduated from the Lewiston Police Department's Citizens' Police Academy.
I am a trained mediator and have successfully used a mediation approach and/or a litigation approach to accomplish settlement of cases.
From April 2002 to July 2003 I served as part-time Superior Court Commissioner in Asotin County. The Honorable William Acey is the Superior Court Judge for Asotin, Garfield and Columbia Counties. I attended Washington State Judges' College in January 2003. During this time I also served as District Court Judge Pro Tem for a criminal jury trial, substituting when District Court Judge Ray Lutes had a conflict.
Activities and Awards
I volunteer regularly at the food pantry at Trintiy Episcopal Cathedral in Portland, Oregon.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
My approach to the practice of law is to educate my clients about the process and the issues of their case as we proceed through it. I am always happy when a client has started the research for themselves and has an opinion about how they wish to proceed with their case. Regardless of the degree to which a client is informed prior to retaining me as their attorney, I strive to keep my clients fully informed about their case and completely involved in the decision making process.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I am willing to review documents prepared by clients for my regular hourly fee, I will not, however, advise them regarding their legal position, their legal rights or propose strategy if all they are requesting is a document review. Clients are asked to sign a waiver if the service they are requesting is simply a document review.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I will not coach a client who wishes to represent himself.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I decided to return to law school to expand upon my twenty-five years of experience as a nurse. I wanted to be able to build a flexible and individualized law practice to assist average families with the issues that typically arise, such as divorce and planning for disability.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have worked as a registered nurse and nurse administrator, so I have developed skills in individual interviewing and in-group and family dynamics that allow me to quickly identify issues and areas of possible agreement.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I enjoy the variety--each case of family law is different.
What do you like best about your career?
I enjoy identifying and addressing the individual issues of a case.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a sole practitioner.
What are your strengths and style?
I am skilled at quickly identifying the issues of a case and working toward a quick resolution. I am able to identify early on if a case will not settle and work towards a quick resolution through litigation in court.
I am holistic in my approach and individualize my strategy to the needs of the particular case.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy participating in the cultural activities available in the Portland area and often attend the ballet, symphony, Broadway Series and the Portland Art Museum. I am active in my church and serve on the altar guild, the food pantry and am a member of a local Benedictine community associated with Trinity Episcopal Cathedral.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(360) 694-5945
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.,
or as scheduled.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
Consultation fees, costs such as mailing, copies, filing fees, etc.
Hourly Rates
$200 per hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
Initial consultation is at the regular hourly rate. I do not offer free consultations.
Typical Retainer
$2,000
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
