I realized that the true function of a lawyer was to unite parties riven asunder. The lesson was so indelibly burnt into me that a large part of my time during the twenty years of my practice as a lawyer was occupied in bringing about private compromises of hundreds of cases. I lost nothing thereby --not even money, certainly not my soul.

-Mahatma Gandhi

About Us

Founded in 2007, Phinney Estate Law is a small law firm serving individuals and families in the Seattle area.  We focus or practice on Estate Planning Planning, Probate & Trust Administration, Guardianship, Mediation, and conflict coaching.

Attorney Profiles

Jamie Clausen founded Phinney Estate Law as a way of addressing a need she saw in the community for affordable, values-based estate planning and as a way to develop a legal practice that was consistent with her own values and legal philosophy.  Jamie works with our clients to develop their estate plans and heads our probate and dispute resolution practices.  A leader in the alternative dispute resolution community she acts a a mediator and collaborative attorney in probates and elder law disputes.  Learn More

Michael Ballnik joined Phinney Estate Law in 2009 as a way to use the legal drafting expertise he had developed in his prior legal experience working with corporations to help individuals and families and to pursue a legal practice that would allow him to spend more time with his own family.  At Phinney Estate Law, Michael serves as the Complex Drafting Partner.  In this position, he utilizes the skills he developed while interpreting and drafting complex insurance agreements and settlement documents for large commercial entities to draft trust agreements, LLC agreements, and other complex estate planning vehicles for Phinney Estate Law clients. Learn More

Holistic Approach

At Phinney Estate Law we are committed to a holistic approach to providing legal services and have structured our practice to that end.  Holistic law strives to provide services that take into account the whole person, including their emotions, values, and unique family dynamics.

As holistic lawyers, we  honor and respect the dignity and integrity of every individual involved in a case; listen intentionally and deeply in order to gain complete understanding of the clients needs; and encourage compassion, reconciliation, forgiveness, and healing.  Whenever possible we help clients to achieve a non-litigated resolution of any disputes that arise.

In the planning context, this holistic approach leads us to take the time to learn about clients family dynamics, values, and big picture goals for their families and their biggest concerns for the future.  In addition to drafting legal documents for our clients such as Durable Powers of Attorney, Advance Health Care Directives, Wills, and Trusts, we provide client who are interested with tools to developing non-legal tools such as the drafting of ethical wills, legacy letters, and parenting statements and the development of a legacy plan for during their life.

In the probate, elder law, and family law contexts we encourage clients to find solutions outside of traditional litigation through conflict coaching, mediation, and collaborative law.  Learn More


Pro Bono Service & Community Education

Jamie was inspired to found Phinney Estate Law after working as a pro bono volunteer providing estate planning and probate assistance to clients with AIDS and HIV through a King County Bar Association program.  Phinney Estate Law continues to dedicate at least 25% of their practice to direct pro bono service and free community education. 

Because of the huge need for pro bono services in our areas of practice, we regret that we are not able to take pro bono cases directly from the public and must rely on pro bono programs administered by the King County Bar Association, King County Senior Services, and Northwest Justice Project to screen cases.  If you are in need of pro bono services we encourage you to contact these agencies for assistance.

Environmental Sustainability

Phinney Estate Law strives to have our practice meet the highest standards of environmental sustainability.  To that end we have developed policies to reduce waste and energy use and otherwise minimize our impacts on the environment.  Establishing these practices is key to having the realities of our practice match our values and we recognize the importance of these issues to many of our clients as well.

Community Involvement

Phinney Estate Law is actively involved in our local community.  Our attorneys serve a volunteers with the King County Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, Phinney Neighborhood Association, Greenwood Senior Center, and Aurora Commons.  We also support local non-profits through our Charity Discount Program. 

Non-Discrimination Policy

Phinney Estate Law welcomes clients of all backgrounds into our practice and offer services to clients on a equal basis regardless of sex, age, race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, parental, marital, military, or veteran status.

We specifically welcome LGBTQ individuals and families into my practice and offer services to clients on an equal basis regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, and marital status. We believe that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender identities are within the spectrum of normal human experience and support the rights of their families, including their families of choice, to be respected, honored, and supported.

When working with clients with disabilities we work to make sure that support their right to be as independent as possible and to respect their fundamental dignity in our interactions and services.

We have had the good fortune to work with clients of a variety of religious backgrounds including some whose faith requires certain distributions, language, or symbols in their Last Will & Testament.  We are familiar with these requirements and can assist with making legal documents consistent with these obligations. 

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