Hester Mallonee | Federal Way Divorce & Family Law Lawyer

I represented a young man who was riding his bicycle where he should have been safe, and got hit by a driver who was asleep at the wheel. He had a lot of short-term suffering and plenty of permanent damage, but all of it was internal. It was easy to show that the driver was in the wrong; it was a lot harder to prove that this handsome strong-looking young cyclist was now injured for life. To make matters tougher, he preferred chiropractic care to the traditional M.D. care that arbitrators and juries trust. He risked getting a jury full of unsympathetic folks who thought he was making most of it up, even though he wasn't. But I am skilled in choosing the forum that will maximize my client's advantage. Here I chose mediation, and in that setting I was able to use my client's medical history effectively, and to present him as an individual who had suffered real changes to his body and in the possibilities available to him in his life. The result was a significant settlement.

I have built a successful practice over the last 33 years by winning cases and doing high-quality legal work. My methods include: thorough fact-gathering and research; innovation when the case is unusual; tenacity when the case is difficult; and an effective, well-prepared, professional and assertive courtroom presence. I still get referrals from people I helped many years ago, because I make the effort to really listen, I give clients the straight truth, and I get results. I also have a long track record of working effectively with non-native-English-speaking clients.

Clients should look for depth of experience, particularly in the subject matter area where their case falls; for rapid access to the lawyer who will actually do the work; and for clear information about the fees and costs. If it is a contested matter, also look for an attorney who will give the client an unvarnished assessment of whether the case is worth pursuing, and a clear discussion of benefits versus risks in the case. Beyond those, both the client and the attorney should be looking for a good fit -- the feeling that these two people can understand each other, and that the attorney cares about the client's matter.

Local knowledge is vital. I've practiced in the same area for 33 years. I know where things are and how people live. That helps me understand how events happen, as well as planning things which are to happen in the future. I always go out and walk the scene if the case has a physical setting, like an injury, a crime, or a boundary fight. If the matter isn't site-specific, I still make sure I'm on top of the area and the context.

If it's a straightforward will or contract, I'll describe how the process works and what it costs, and set the client a prompt appointment, usually within one or two days. If it's complex or it's contested, I can tell the client whether the case is worth coming in to see me about, an initial cut on how I see it turning out, what it will cost in the short term, and an estimate of what it will cost in the long term. In all cases, I guide the client to pull together the documents and information we'll need, to get the most out of our first conference.

First, I need the name of the prospective client, other involved parties, witnesses and opponents, to screen out conflicts of interest. Then, I simply need a clear statement of the facts, covering where the case is now, and how it got there.

Clients can understand me because I speak ""human"" rather than ""lawyer"". I'm dogged in pursuit of my client's rights. I partner with the client in looking straight at our realistic options. I can help clients who have civil law and criminal law problems at the same time. I bill fairly. I believe in keeping legal services affordable. I am highly mobile, so if the client's matter is spread out all over the state or the client is too injured to come into the office, I'll go where the client needs. I'm experienced in working with clients of all ages and backgrounds. I'm resilient, hard-working, compassionate, and frank.

If it's a fight, winning. If it's a negotiation, getting the most out of it. If it's proactive, like wills and contracts, it's creating the structures and documents that will work well for my client and protect him/her into the future.

I enjoy art. I like to hike and I do some entry-level boulder-scrambling. I speak several languages.

I've given presentations to seniors about estate planning and about second-marriage issues. I've taught art to 5th and 6th graders. I do natural-resources restoration volunteering for the National Park Service.

• Member, Washington State Bar