Peder T. Punsalan-Teigen

Principal

Peder T. Punsalan-Teigen is a Principal of the firm. Peder focuses his practice on a wide range of family law matters including dissolutions of marriage, domestic partnerships and Committed Intimate Relationships, complex asset divisions, parentage, parenting and child custody, child support, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and LGBTQ+-specific family law issues.

Beyond his work with the firm, Peder is actively involved and committed to promoting excellence in the legal community and ensuring access to justice for LGBTQ individuals and families, as well as other minority and underrepresented populations throughout Washington. Peder routinely publishes and presents on topics in family law and issues facing the LGBTQ+ community, and he is an editor for the Washington Family Law Deskbook. He has also provided expert testimony in immigration and asylum cases on Washington statutory and common law.

Peder is a member of the American Bar Association, Washington State Bar Association, King County Bar Association, Family Law Institute, National LGBT Bar Association, QLaw (the LGBTQ+ Bar Association of Washington), Filipino Lawyers of Washington, and William L. Dwyer American Inn of Court. He is the Chair for the LGBTQ+ Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association. Peder currently serves on both QLaw’s Issues & Advocacy and Social & Services Committees, and he is a Co-Chair on QLaw’s Judicial Evaluations Committee. 

Peder received his J.D., Magna Cum Laude, from Seattle University School of Law. While at Seattle University, Peder was a Note & Comment Editor on Seattle University Law Review and served on the boards of Moot Court, OUTLaws, the International Refugee Assistance Project, and Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. Peder took first place in both mock trial and mock appellate competitions and represented Seattle University at the Texas Young Lawyers Association Regional Mock Trial Competition. He was inducted into the Order of Barristers.

When he is not working or volunteering, Peder enjoys spending time downtown with his husband, taking advantage of the great food, drink, and leisure activities that Seattle offers. As a Seattle-area native, Peder also enjoys exploring the region’s many parks and outdoor areas with his dog.  He rows recreationally and competitively with the Green Lake Adult Crew masters rowing team, for which he serves on the Masters Advisory Council.

Memberships & Affiliations:

  • American Bar Association
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • King County Bar Association
  • Family Law Institute
  • National LGBTQ+ Bar Association
  • QLaw (LGBTQ+ Bar Association of Washington)
  • Filipino Lawyers of Washington
  • William L. Dwyer American Inn of Court
  • Order of Barristers

Education:

J.D., Magna Cum Laude, Seattle University School of Law, 2018

B.A., History, Classical Studies, Minor in Latin, University of Washington, 2010

Awards & Honors:

Recognized as Washington State SuperLawyers “Rising Star” in 2022

Pro Bono Publico Honor Roll (recognized annually for the years 2019-2022), Washington State Bar Association

Mary H. Wechsler Scholarship for Social Justice in Family Law, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Washington

Order of Barristers, Order of Barristers / Seattle University School of Law

Presidential Law Scholar, Seattle University School of Law

Dean’s List, Seattle University School of Law

CALI Excellence for the Future Award (awarded in Family Law, Professional Responsibility, and Mediation Skills courses), CALI / Seattle University School of Law

Presentations:

2022 Judicial Fellows Clinic, Judicial Evaluations, Judicial Institute CLE, Seattle, March 2022

Hot Topics in LGBTQ Law, Washington State Bar Association CLE, December 2021

Self-Awareness and Boundary Setting: Strategies to Support Attorney Health and Ethical Practice, American Inns of Court / William L. Dwyer Inn of Court CLE, February 2021

Family Law Task Force Training, Discovery in Family Law Cases, Northwest Justice Project CLE, Seattle, February 2020

Hot Topics in LGBTQ Law, Updates to the Uniform Parentage Act, and the Impact for LGBT Relationships, Washington State Bar Association CLE, Seattle, December 2019

Publications:

Mississippi Black Codes, 1865-1866, BlackPast.org, May 10, 2021

Did Young Create an Absolute Bar Against Contempt?, King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin, November 2019

How to Become a Legal Parent in Washington, June, 2018

Attorneys

Rita L. Bender

Of Counsel

Caleb O. Bonm

Principal | Firm President

Meg E. Giske

Associate

Betsy A. Hershman-Greven

Managing Principal

Legal Professionals

Contact

Skellenger Bender, P.S.

520 Pike Street, Suite 1001
Seattle, WA 98101

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