Of Counsel

Kathryn V. Fields

Kathryn V. Fields
Kathryn V. Fields

Kathryn V. Fields is of counsel with Elise Buie Family Law Group. She comes to our family law practice with more than thirty-eight years of experience helping clients successfully navigate the complex requirements of family law in Washington State. 

Her breadth of experience includes working with multicultural families, non-traditional family relationships, and families in conflict and crisis due to domestic violence. 

Philosophy and Background

Kathryn believes one of the hallmarks of civilized society is how it treats members who do not represent the majority or the most powerful. She is passionate about issues such as access to justice, domestic violence, and integrity of both the legal system and those who operate in it. 

Family law in Washington gives people protections, rights, and options when faced with disintegration involving their marriages, children, finances, and future. Guiding clients through the chaos is both a privilege and great responsibility. Kathryn finds reaching clients’ goals and affecting positive change, especially in tough cases, is both professionally and personally rewarding.

Kathryn holds her B.S. in Elementary Education, with an emphasis on Early Childhood Education, conferred by Portland State University and her J.D. from Willamette University College of Law.     

Role in the Seattle Community

During the fall of 2013, Kathryn was appointed to serve as a Family Law Commissioner Pro Tempore for King County Superior Court. She served in that capacity at both the Seattle Courthouse and the Norm Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent for ten years until 2023.

In her free time, Kathryn enjoys live theatre, short film projects, and the Pacific Northwest outdoors. She is also active in the miniature art community.

AT A GLANCE

Industry Accolades & Awards

 

  • Received Washington State Bar Association Pro Bono Public Service Commendations for 2004, 2007, and 2010
  • Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell from 2005 to present
  • Appeared in Washington Law & Politics “Who’s Who in Family Law” in 2006 and 2009
  • Recipient of AVVO Client’s Choice Award in Domestic Violence attorneys for 2012, and the AVVO Top Contributor Award in Domestic Violence attorney for 2013
  • Served as a volunteer attorney for Eastside Legal Assistance Program in 2017

Bar Admissions

 

  • State of Washington 1985
  • United States District Court, Western District of Washington 1989

Certifications

 

  • Professional Mediation Skills Training program, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 2016
  • Advanced Divorce Mediation Training, Center for Dialog and Resolution, Tacoma, WA, 2015

Professional Associations

 

  • Washington State Bar Association Member, 1985 – Present
  • Washington Family Law Section
  • King County Bar Association

Reported Decisions

 

  • Dammarell v. Dammarell Docket No. 44014-4-1, unreported decision, 07/06/1999 Court of Appeals, Division I, State of Washington.

Publications

 

  • Cases of Note: Selected 2012 Decisions Impacting Washington Family Law, Self-published course book for CLE presentation, March 2013
  • Mysteries of the Forum Non Conveniens Motion, Self-published course book for CLE presentation, November 2007
  • Chapter Sixteen: UCCJEA, the Replacement for the UCCJA, Washington State Bar Association, June 1999
  • What’s a Lawyer Worth?, Letters, CHRISTIANITY TODAY, April 3, 1987
  • Field Burning: New Tinder for the Flame of Strict Liability, 19 WILLAMETTE LAW REVIEW 767, 1983

Speaking Engagements

 

  • Selected 2012 Decisions Impacting Washington Family Law, Speaker, East King County Bar Association, Bellevue, WA, March 2013
  • A Review of the UCCJEA Using Four Case Scenarios, Speaker, East King County Bar Association, Bellevue, WA, November 2007
  • UCCJEA, the Replacement for the UCCJA, Faculty Member and Speaker, Family Law Section Annual Meeting, Seattle, WA, June 1999

Media

 

  • Divorce and Real Estate, Guest, Real Estate Radio – KGNW 820 AM, Seattle, WA, August 14, 2010

Contact Us

 

We would be happy to set up an initial consultation. Thank you for taking the time to read through our site; we look forward to supporting you.

 

Please do not include any confidential information in your communications until we verify that our office can represent you and confirm our engagement with you in writing. Prior to that, Elise Buie Family Law, including but not limited to any of its agents and representatives, does not legally represent you. Therefore, we have no duty of confidentiality to you, and there exists no attorney-client privilege between us.