Attorneys

Diana Lynn Kiesel
dkiesel@tacomalaw.com

Qualifications:
I have 24 years of extensive legal experience in all areas of law presided over by Superior Court Family Law Commissioners and Judges.  Experience as Judge Pro Tempore and Commissioner Pro Tempore regarding issues of custody, visitation, domestic violence, child support, division of property and debts, paternity, guardianship and probate. Served as mediator of parenting plan issues and property division. Fifteen (15) years as court-appointed guardian ad litem in Family Law matters and Probate/Guardianship matters. Served as a mediator of parenting plan issues pursuant to mandatory dispute resolutions under RCW 26.09.184 (3).

 

Education:
J.D., 1984, University of Puget Sound School of Law, Tacoma, WA;
B.A., 1981, University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, WA;
Pacific Family Mediation Institute, Inc., Family Law mediation training, February 1992, Seattle, WA;
Fort Steilacoom Community College, paralegal training and Associates Degree, 1976-1979, Ft. Steilacoom, WA;
ITT School of Business, legal secretary training, 1971, Seattle, WA.

 

Professional Experience:
Private practice, 1984 to present. Initially my practice included the following areas of law: Personal Injury, Family Law, Probate, Guardianship, Landlord-Tenant Litigation, Bankruptcy, and Social Security Disability claims. In 1985, I served as defense counsel for six months at the mental Involuntary Commitment hearings. My present practice is limited to Family Law, Probate Law, Guardianship Law, Civil Commitment, Domestic Violence and Tort Litigation related to Family Law and Guardianship issues. Family law includes dissolution of marriage (divorce), legal separation, contested parenting plans (custody), third party custody (nonparental custody/ grandparent rights), spousal maintenance (alimony), child support, paternity, visitation issues, domestic violence, and meretricious relationships (common-law marriage). I have fifteen (15) years of experience as court appointed guardian ad litem in parenting plan and probate/guardianship matters. By stipulations of litigants and counsel, I frequently mediate or arbitrate Superior Court general jurisdiction issues.

 

Prior to the Washington State Bar Association, I was employed as a legal secretary and legal assistant.  Over 30 years of experience in every aspect of the legal profession.

 

Courts Admitted to Practice:
Supreme Court of the United States of America, August 6, 1990;
United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, May 22, 1990;
United States of America, Western District of Washington, May 22, 1985;
Supreme Court of the State of Washington, November 6, 1984.

 

Memberships:
American Bar Association, American Trial Lawyers Association, Washington State Trial Lawyers Association, Mediation Consortium of Washington State, Phi Kappa Phi, Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Family Law Section of the TPCBA and WSBA.  Past President of the Family Law Section of the Tacoma Piece County Bar Association.  Current member of Board of Trustee for Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association.  Current co-chair of the Continuing Legal Education Committee of the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association.  Current Washington State Bar Association Committees: Mediation Panel and Adjunct Investigative Counsel Panel.  In 2005 and 2006 I was awarded with with the outstanding service award from the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association and also in 2005 I was awarded with the Tacoma Pierce County Family Law Attorney of the Year award.

 

"My goal is to provide you with the best resolution as efficiently as possible so your family can begin to HEAL."
- Diana Kiesel