Brooks’ unique background includes a lengthy stint as a seasoned litigation attorney in criminal defense, followed by a 14-year career as a premier freelance journalist in the spa and wellness industry.
During her 8+ year career as a litigation attorney, Brooks became disenchanted with the acrimonious and competitive nature of the litigation process as well as the resulting exorbitant expenses borne by the participants. Passionate about writing, wellness, and travel, Brooks executed a dramatic 180-degree career shift reinventing herself as a freelance writer reporting on spas and related topics of wellness, global spa travel, consumer reviews, and industry news.
In 2005, following her own anguishing divorce, Brooks became a volunteer facilitator for the “Beyond Divorce” program at University Presbyterian Church (UPC) in Seattle. This had been a primary goal of Brooks’ since she and her young children had benefited so greatly from the program during her own divorce. While in her facilitator capacity, she also received Stephen Ministry training provided by UPC so as to provide heightened care to support group participants.
Brooks dedicated a decade to her role as a volunteer facilitator, serving in a variety of weekly divorce support groups throughout the Puget Sound area. Compassionately reaching out to others enduring painful and traumatic divorce experiences and shepherding them gently through it, became a fulfilling and meaningful endeavor for Brooks.
In 2011, having learned about the Collaborative Law movement in Family and Divorce matters and its many benefits to divorcing couples and their families, Brooks returned to legal practice, albeit in a Collaborative capacity, respectfully bypassing the acrimonious and costly litigation process and intimidating courtroom atmosphere.
Augmenting her legal services, and in accordance with her passion for coming alongside those in need of heightened emotional divorce support, Brooks also offers one-on-one divorce support “coaching” services, and (depending on the availability of participants) divorce support group facilitation.
Brooks opened her practice in her cozy and charming historical home in the winsome Lake Forest Park/Shoreline area in Seattle’s north end. This convenient location allows her to easily serve clients in Seattle, east and north King County including Bothell, Kenmore, Woodinville, Bellevue, Redmond, and Kirkland, as well as south Snohomish County including south Everett, Lynnwood, and Edmonds.
Understanding the value, convenience, and time and cost-saving benefits of video technology, Brooks is happy to now offer the firm’s full range of legal services remotely to spouses involved in Washington State divorce, and Support Coaching services to those anywhere with internet accessibility.
For those seeking a respectful and dignified path through the challenging divorce process, Collaborative Divorce (and other related services) may provide the restorative solution you and your spouse or partner are seeking. Please contact Brooks to learn more about Collaborative Divorce and related services.
CREDENTIALS
- Juris Doctor, Seattle University School of Law
- Member of Washington State Bar Association (1989)
- Member of KCCL (King County Collaborative Law)
- Member of IACP (International Association of Collaborative Professionals)
- Member of Cascadia Collaborative Divorce
- UW School of Law Professional Mediation Training
- Co-Founder of Divorce Well, A Divorce Wellness Project
- KCBA Neighborhood Legal Clinic Volunteer - Family Law Specialist
- Stephen Ministry trained
- CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocate for Children) trained
