High-level expertise. Proven results.

Skellenger Bender attorneys have assisted in the formation of countless families through all types of adoption, including independent, agency-assisted, interstate, international, co-parent, stepparent, relative, adult, and foster-adopt. We enjoy the deep satisfaction of providing representation to adoptive and birth parents with dignity and respect for each of their circumstances.

Our attorneys are also respected for their expertise in the evolving field of assisted reproduction law. We provide advice and representation regarding known and unknown egg donor, donor insemination, and embryo donation agreements, as well as surrogacy arrangements.

Our attorneys handle marital dissolutions and related property division, custody, child support and spousal maintenance matters. We also represent unmarried persons and domestic partners on matters of property rights and parenting. While we cannot eliminate the difficult transitions of separation or divorce, our knowledge and conscientious advocacy will help to address the emotional and financial burdens of family disputes, allowing our clients to feel more at ease as they move forward with their lives.

Skellenger Bender attorneys provide legal advice and representation to businesses and individuals facing investigations and inquiries from regulatory agencies and criminal investigations and charges. Our attorneys have handled criminal matters arising out of environmental regulation, governmental procurements, import and export activities, insurance and bank fraud, health care fraud, embezzlement, currency reporting, corporate governance issues, and the full spectrum of other federal and state criminal matters. The earliest possible legal consultation and advice is prudent when a business or individual is faced with a potential regulatory or criminal investigation. If agency or court defense become necessary, our attorneys have the trial skills and experience necessary to vigorously defend our clients’ interests.

For decades, the attorneys at Skellenger Bender have committed themselves to promoting the interests of LGBTQ+ individuals and families involved in the legal system. Our attorneys assist LGBTQ+ individuals and families with estate planning, family formation (including adoption and assisted reproduction), parentage matters, divorce and separation issues, child custody, child support issues, criminal defense, and employment issues. We recognize the legal issues that are unique to our LGBTQ+ clients, and we are experienced in handling these matters with care and compassion.

Clients receive the benefit and knowledge of our experienced attorneys who are leaders in both local and national LGBTQ+ legal organizations, including QLaw (the LGBTQ+ Bar Association of Washington), the National LGBT Bar Association’s Family Law Institute, and the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Our attorneys regularly speak throughout the state and nation on legal issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community, they author various publications regarding LGBTQ+ legal issues, and donate time to advance important impact litigation promoting the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and families. We are proud of our depth of knowledge in this practice area, as well as our long-standing commitment to our LGBTQ+ clients.

SB Mediator and Arbitrator William Bender has been providing civil mediation and arbitration services for over 20 years with a proven track record of helping parties resolve their disputes without resort to expensive and often risky litigation.

He is a Panel Member for the American Arbitration Association, frequently serving on commercial litigation, simple and complex construction and international commercial matters as a sole arbitrator and on three arbitrator panels. He also arbitrates for the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and is chairman qualified as a “Public Arbitrator” to lead panels in these cases. He also handles cases for various mass tort arbitration panels such as the various asbestos trusts. In addition to providing arbitration services, Mr. Bender provides mediation services for these organizations.

Mr. Bender will also accept private arbitrations and mediations in a wide variety of subject areas, drawing upon his 40 years of experience in commercial law practice. Every dispute is unique and requires an ADR process responsive to the needs of the parties and designed to achieve resolution.  Commitment to this principle is the core of this area of our practice.

Our Alternative Dispute Resolution Professionals assist parties to resolve family law disputes through mediation and arbitration.  We bring solid legal experience, creativity, and heart to all of our cases.  We appreciate that every case is different, and tailor our approach to the needs of the people we serve.

Mediation is a voluntary process that allows parties to have control over the outcome of their family law matter with the assistance of a third-party neutral.  Our mediators are seasoned family law attorneys who use their depth of experience and knowledge to facilitate practical settlements for parties in contested family law matters.

In the event parties are unable to reach a resolution through mediation or otherwise want a decision without a formal court appearance, they can submit disputes for resolution in arbitration.  Arbitration is a flexible tool that allows for parties to obtain a decision regarding a family law matter without having to appear in court. The format can be set by agreement of the parties or by the arbitrator, and can include oral argument or be based solely on written submissions.

We are available to assist with mediations and arbitrations of temporary or final orders in family law disputes relating to any of the following areas:

• Divorce or Legal Separation
• Parenting plans and child custody issues
• Child support
• Property division and spousal maintenance (alimony)
• Domestic partnerships
• Unmarried parties and Committed Intimate Relationships
• Parentage actions
• Non-parent custody matters
• Post-Dissolution disputes
• Prenuptial and Cohabitation Agreements
• LGBTQ+ Family Law Issues

Skellenger Bender attorneys provide a broad range of legal services tailored to the professional practices of medical and mental health professionals, architects, and other design professionals. We take pride in continually informing ourselves on the latest state and federal regulations and ethical rules applicable to these practices, in order to assist in addressing emerging issues. Skellenger Bender attorneys also provide legal services tailored to the defense of attorneys in disciplinary proceedings before the Washington State Bar Association.

We offer our professional clients advice on issues of professional ethics and risk management, as well as representation in disciplinary and licensing matters and at mediation, arbitration, litigation, and in other dispute resolution forums.

The Trusts and Estates practice group at Skellenger Bender is ready to assist you with your estate planning, including:

• Advice on fiduciary duties of trustees and personal representatives
• Preparation of wills, trusts, powers of attorney, healthcare directives and other documents
• Guardianship
• Planning for complex family structures, including multi-parent and blended families
• LGBTQ+-focused considerations