DuBois Levias Law Group PLLC

Attorneys

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  Amanda DuBois

  Founding Attorney

  About twenty years ago I started my own family law firm. I envisioned a place where individuals going through the de-coupling process could feel empowered through education. Today, I am happy to say that our funky waterfront law firm in Seattle is exactly what I had in mind all those years ago. Our firm practices exclusively in family law, and we’ve managed to put together an amazing group of people. Our lawyers are smart, strong advocates – financially savvy, warm, passionate, and most importantly, family-focused. And our paralegals are second to none. Check out everyone’s bios here to see what I mean. We are a group of compassionate, fierce advocates. As a small business owner myself, I feel a kindred spirit with those who have put their hearts and souls into juggling career and family. When a family breaks up, the transition is overwhelming, not only from an emotional perspective but from a financial one as well. I pride myself on my ability to help people manage huge life transitions. In fact, prior to becoming an attorney, I was a high-risk labor and delivery nurse at the University of Washington. Over the years I have discovered that the divorce process is not unlike the process of labor and delivery – it’s scary, painful, and sometimes a little out of control – but in the end, it’s empowering to look back and see that you made it through. I find that my background as a small business owner and a former nurse helps me in a couple of interesting ways. My nursing background gives me a unique perspective as to how to support divorcing individuals that are undertaking the unimaginable stress of the often-unfriendly legal process. And my experience dealing with the day-to-day realities of managing a business gives me insight into the hopes and dreams of entrepreneurs. I particularly enjoy working with small business owners and professionals who need creative solutions for managing the financial aspect of divorce. Some of the issues facing small business owners include how to value a business, and if the business qualifies as a separate property interest. And then there is the difficult issue of spousal support. Here’s one thing I’ve learned from my clients in this regard: you had what it took to build your career or business – you can do it again. You just need some really good support and innovative legal thinking to get you through this process, so you can go back to focusing on what you’re good at and what you love. I’m lucky to work with a fantastic team of experts who have demonstrated a special commitment to serving our firm’s clients. Yes, that means weekend and evening availability for our busy entrepreneurs. We gladly give out our cell phone numbers to our clients when needed. Family law doesn’t happen between 9:00 and 5:00 anymore. In my personal practice, I focus exclusively on family law and mediation. I handle both amicable and complex family law matters. I regularly take particularly challenging cases to trial in King County. My experience as a trial lawyer and as a former Member of the Washington State Association for Justice Board of Governors has provided me with helpful litigation strategy and trial skills. In addition to my legal practice, I have also authored medical legal thrillers, The Camille Delaney Mystery series. I frequently speak and appear at events and book clubs to share my love of writing. The one accomplishment that I’m most proud of is founding a program called Civil Survival Project. A few years back, I had an opportunity to teach basic legal survival skills to formerly incarcerated individuals, and boy, did I learn a lot! What struck me was the enormous number of barriers faced by people who have done their time in prison and are trying to get their lives back on track. As I listened to story after story of unimaginable struggle just to get a job or housing, it occurred to me that all of these problems could be solved by changing laws and policies. So, I created workshops to teach formerly incarcerated people how to advocate for themselves at the state and local levels. Over the past few years, we have trained nearly four hundred individuals, and our group of formerly incarcerated people has testified in Olympia, at City and County Council meetings, and at Supreme Court symposia, and they have worked with over forty affiliated organizations that work to level the playing field for formerly incarcerated individuals. I now count as friends some of the most amazing individuals who have re-created themselves after prison.

  Education:

  Services:

  Link: Amanda DuBois

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  Lucia Ramirez Levias

  Partner

  When I was in law school my colleagues and professors kept suggesting that I practice family law. I had no interest in family law – it sounded depressing, to tell the truth. Prior to law school, I spent a decade working in the non-profit sector helping families and children. I also had experience in international relations, living abroad, and working with international government agencies. I wanted to bring those experiences to my law practice and was primarily interested in immigration law, initially. Then I found this amazing little law firm in Fremont that has a completely different view of family law than the one I had in my head. Here, we look at divorce and other family transitions as the beginning, not the end. I met with clients who were at the darkest moments in their lives and then helped them to attain a new and better life for themselves and their children. It turns out that practicing family law is inspiring, positive, and deeply meaningful work. Because of my interest in international studies, I expanded my family law practice to include cases that involve parents that are foreign born, live overseas, or have interstate and international custody issues. I developed my pro bono work around helping children who arrive in the U.S. unaccompanied (without a parent) and need to be cared for by a relative. In short, it turns out my colleagues and professors were right when they pointed me in the direction of family law 15 years ago in law school. I am passionate about decreasing the negative impact that divorce can have on children. I also believe that kids need loving caregivers in their lives and they need protection when a caregiver is a risk to a child. My father was the first man in his home state to win full custody of his children. I know firsthand the effect that divorce can have on the lives of children and parents. I also recognize that life transitions can be positive when supported by the guidance of a caring professional. I am an experienced litigator and have significant courtroom experience. At the same time, most family law cases are resolved through mediation and I am committed to de-escalating cases that don’t need to go to court. I aspire to reach my client’s goals by listening, analyzing, and advocating. I enjoy complex analysis and problem solving. I have experience as a litigator in criminal court, immigration court, and family court. I analyze complex family law issues including interstate and international custody, parental kidnapping, and non-parental custody actions, relative visitation, among many other issues related to family law. My analyses have been included in amicus briefings to the Washington Supreme Court and in briefs to the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th District. I am a member of the Washington State Bar Association and member of the family law section. I was recognized in Super Lawyer Magazine and Seattle Met Magazine as a “Rising Star” and “Outstanding Young Lawyer.” Only 2.5% of Washington attorneys are selected for this honor. When not working, my husband and I are just trying to keep up with our two busy sons. We love weekend getaways, Seahawks games, and volunteering in our community. I enjoy traveling, including to my ancestral country, Peru.

  Education:

  Services:

  Link: Lucia Ramirez Levias

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  Freya Wormus

  Attorney

  I have always been the friend people come to for advice and moral support when they need it most. I was inspired to go to law school with the goal of working in family law after providing emotional support to a close friend going through a divorce. The moment I met Amanda DuBois and the team, I knew DuBois Levias was the perfect fit for me and I was thrilled to join this outstanding team in March of 2019. I believe in providing legal representation with compassion and empathy. I understand the pain and fear that can accompany facing the unknown – especially with children. I became divorced when my son was 10. I know first-hand the importance of maintaining stability, civility, and crafting parenting plans that will be best for the children. Having lived with a parenting plan myself, I know the questions to consider and many issues that can arise. I find great satisfaction in helping clients to find clarity in the middle of the disruption divorce can bring. Together we create a clear path they can follow as they navigate through the legal process. It is extremely satisfying to help clients see the possibilities of a happier future post-divorce – and even more, helping them get there. As part of the DuBois Levias team, I have worked on a wide variety of cases: assisting clients to separate closely held businesses and untangle complex property issues; helping to negotiate amicable divorces; modifying parenting plans; obtaining emergency orders, and helping clients through mediations and arbitrations. While no two cases are the same, there is one constant – I will listen to you and represent your best interests. Becoming an attorney was an exciting change of careers for me. After earning a B.A. in Dance from Connecticut College, my earlier days were spent managing, choreographing, performing and touring with a modern dance company. Next, I worked as a Finance Manager for non-profit arts organizations, which gave me invaluable skills for family law: budgeting, creating complex spreadsheets and analyzing financial documents. I graduated magna cum laude from Seattle University School of Law. While no two cases are the same, there is one constant – I will listen to you and represent your best interests. When not working, I enjoy cooking, hiking, skiing, jumping into Lake Washington all times of the year, and trying to keep up with my incredible teenage son, my fantastically supportive partner, and our blended family including his three amazing children.

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  Link: Freya Wormus

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  Jordyn Sifferman

  Attorney

  Growing up in a divorced family, I switched elementary schools six times in five years. My family of four (my mom, dad, brother, and I) quickly evolved into a much larger extended family with two sets of parents, four step-siblings, and two half-siblings. In my teenage years I craved a “normal family.” Now, I cherish having a large, blended family with even more people to love. My childhood experiences helped me understand both the positive and negative impacts of divorce on children. My divorced parents were not always best friends, but they learned to co-parent successfully which ultimately benefitted my brother and me. Looking back, I believe it was my experiences (good and bad) that made me passionate about minimizing the impact of divorce on children and celebrating the new families that emerge post-dissolution. Dealing with family law related issues is not easy on anyone or their loved ones. I try to approach each new case with an open mind and sense of empathy. The legal issues that impact our children, spouses, and extended families require solutions tailored carefully to each family and set of facts. The solution that works best for your family may be different from the solution that worked best for your sister or best friend. My goal is to help you create the best solution for your unique life situation. Whenever possible, I enjoy working with families to come to amicable solutions avoiding unnecessary trips to court and costly litigation. Family law agreements and orders often have the power to impact the lives of our clients for a decade or more. So it is important to examine how each decision can alter the lives of our clients not just today, but for a lifetime. I grew up in Maple Valley and I graduated from Seattle Pacific University in 2014. Prior to attending law school, I worked in the fashion department at Amazon while prepping for the LSAT. Throughout law school I was always drawn to family law and knew I would practice family law after graduation. During my time at Seattle University, I interned with Northwest Justice Project in the family law section where I worked primarily on dependency cases. I spent my 2L summer working with the Honorable Judge Johanna Bender at King County Superior Court in Kent where I learned about the civil, criminal, and family law systems from a judge’s perspective. I was honored to receive the Cali Award of excellence for my work in Seattle University’s Youth Advocacy Clinic where I represented children in the juvenile justice system and worked on a special immigrant juvenile status case in collaboration with KIND. I graduated from Seattle University magna cum laude in 2020. Since graduating I have enjoyed working with families in King and Pierce County. I love helping my clients work through such a difficult time and emerge stronger on the other side. During my free time I like to stay active trying out new workout classes, running, chasing my dogs through Magnuson dog park, reading, and traveling to new places with my husband (who, coincidentally, is also named Jordan). I enjoy testing out the latest vegan and vegetarian restaurants in the Seattle area, and exploring the outdoors in the beautiful Pacific Northwest whenever the weather allows. I have volunteered as a coach for Girls on the Run and helped to encourage voter turnout through projects such as Vote Forward.

  Education:

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  Link: Jordyn Sifferman

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  Karamvir K. Dhaliwal

  Attorney

  While I began law school with a strong focus on immigration, my first summer of law school I landed an internship at a family law firm. I quickly developed a love for the practice of family law as I got to experience the legal complexities, high emotions, and reward involved in every case. I quickly learned that no two divorces are the same. People often come to us when they are experiencing one of the most difficult times of their lives. It is our job to make sure we can mitigate fears clients have about navigating the legal process and allow them to feel confident that they are being advocated for. It is slightly ironic that I ended up in family law because I come from a community where divorce is taboo. I was not exposed to divorce much at all growing up, but I was exposed to unhappy marriages. Being able to talk about divorce openly is empowering and provides individuals with the knowledge and tools to make the decision to leave an unhappy and unhealthy relationship. I graduated from the University of Washington and received my bachelor’s degree in 2016. I graduated from Seattle University School of Law in 2020. During my time in law school, I was a part of the Gender Violence Immigration Clinic and an extern at the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project. I worked to get relief for an LGBTQ asylum seeker, assisted on a U-visa case for a domestic violence survivor, and worked on various naturalization cases. Due to my background in working with survivors of domestic violence in immigration cases, I am well equipped to delicately navigate the domestic violence issues that often arise with family law clients. In my free time I love to try out new recipes, play volleyball, and spend time with my family.

  Education:

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  Link: Karamvir K. Dhaliwal

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  Megan Motley

  Attorney

  I first became interested in family law while I was teaching in an early elementary school. My students were very young but many were involved in legal issues affecting their families. During law school, I interned with an organization that represented parents going through cases with Child Protective Services, so family law was a natural fit once I graduated from law school. I have stayed in family law because I want to be a source of compassion and guidance in a process that can be stressful and confusing. I enjoy working with clients to find solutions to even the most complex problems. I want clients to feel empowered and understood, no matter the situation. I love genealogy and family history research, as well as Irish dance and music. I have stayed in family law because I want to be a source of compassion and guidance in a process that can be stressful and confusing.”

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  Link: Megan Motley

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  Ramsha Shakir

  Attorney

  In South Asian culture, divorce is heavily discouraged and rarely talked about openly. Naturally, the taboo around it sparked my curiosity. I’ve been exploring this area of law exclusively since my first year of law school. Family law often overlaps with other fields and that’s part of what keeps it exciting. I had the compelling opportunity to aid in drafting briefs at the appellate level as well as a 12(b)(6) motion to dismiss at the district court level. Coming into family law, these are not opportunities I anticipated I would encounter, and they’ve fueled my passion for this work. DuBois Levias Law Group stood out to me as a firm that not only empowers clients—but creates an empowering environment for its team. Being part of a women-owned and led firm is uplifting. Here, we prioritize the client experience and build trust and engagement with our clients. The high-stakes nature of family law requires a trusted legal professional to ensure clients are protected during legal proceedings that involve the most intimate moments of their lives. As a woman of color in the legal field, it makes all the difference to be able to dip into my personal experiences to understand and be sensitive to the individual needs of my clients. This is especially relevant in the context of family law, where cultural competency can be crucial to understanding the dynamics of diverse family structures. Attorneys can and should play a vital role in mitigating unnecessary conflict. Before becoming a lawyer, I worked in education. I returned to the Kent School District—where I went to school growing up—and worked as a substitute teacher. I’ve always enjoyed working with kids and helping them learn. I enjoy it so much that I continued as a substitute teacher throughout law school on my days off. On nights and weekends, I worked on an online platform with students in China to help them develop their English skills. I double majored in English and political science at the University of Washington and continued on to get my law degree at the University of Washington School of Law. Washington has been my home for nearly 25 years. I love everything about this state: the rain, the coffee, the diverse cuisine, the hikes, waterfalls, mountains—even the chaos of the city occasionally. In my free time, I volunteer at a local dog rescue in Tacoma, where I take the pups out for adventures, socialize them, snap lots of pictures, and of course, end the day with pup cups. I’m a huge foodie and love trying different cuisines. I also enjoy hiking around the Pacific Northwest and staying active. After a day outdoors, I like to cuddle up with my mini Australian Shepard, Aero, and watch true crime documentaries.

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  Link: Ramsha Shakir

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  Madeleine DuBois

  Attorney

  I was born in South Korea. My sister and I were adopted when I was five and she was seven. Growing up an orphan and being adopted at an older age has shaped my outlook, and I’ve always been drawn to helping families and children. Before becoming an attorney, I was a family law paralegal for over 10 years. As orphans, my sister and I had to assimilate into a new family and culture. Because we were older, we remember the struggles of coming from a “broken family” and having to build something new for ourselves. Being abandoned at the age of two, living in two different orphanages then with a foster family, and finally being adopted at five gives me a unique perspective into a child’s ability to adapt and overcome trauma to build a new life. I saw how my parents had to adjust their parenting style to welcome and care for two young children who had experienced trauma. Because of my experiences, I bring empathy and act as a strong advocate for our clients and their families who are going through challenging situations and evolving family dynamics. As we’re navigating their case, we remind clients of the bigger picture and what life will be like after they go through one of the most difficult transitions. Anytime we can provide compassionate advocacy where our clients can move on and build a better life after going through a difficult situation is a highlight. I love being in the Seattle area. I’ve lived in New York and California, but Seattle will always feel like home. The crisp, clean air is incomparable. Also, being surrounded by both water and mountains is the ideal setting. Outside of work, I’m an avid Kraken, Mariners, and Seahawks fan. I just got a new puppy, Kingston, who occupies most of my time when I’m not attending or watching a sporting event.

  Education:

  Link: Madeleine DuBois

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  Evan Baer

  Attorney

  My role as a family law attorney means facilitating the closure of one chapter and helping people begin a new one. To navigate the difficult process of going through a divorce, I hope to keep people focused on the future. At the end of a relationship, it can feel like you aren’t being listened to. As family law attorneys, we hear you and help you move forward. It motivates me that the better I do my job, the better the lives and co-parenting experiences are of my clients. In law school, my focus on working directly with individuals began through an internship with a non-profit focused on food and housing security for low-income and underrepresented communities in upstate New York. After law school, I worked at a personal injury law firm in Denver. I fought for people who were injured—helping them navigate an unfair system. I took pride in fighting insurance companies that tend to look at people as a statistic. That experience solidified my desire to work with and for people, not corporations. My move to family law was driven by a desire to work with people dealing with real-world, relatable problems. In family law cases, similar to personal injury, I often see people focused on blame, on how life was before, and on why life won’t be the same again. By taking the time to listen, I help clients reposition themselves to their new realities. Prior to joining the team at DuBois Levias, I found myself more and more impressed by their approach to law. DuBois Levias cares about the health and well-being of their people. They value work-life balance. It’s a place where I can grow and be a valued part of a talented team. I was raised in Mill Creek, north of Seattle. Before law school, I double majored in history and philosophy at Washington State University. I practiced law in Denver and New York for about eight years before returning to Seattle in 2019. I love the Pacific Northwest—the water, the mountains, the forests—and am happy to be home. I’m an avid hiker, backpacker, kayaker, snowboarder, and golfer. My time outside of work is spent with family, friends, and my 14-year old pup, Dylan.

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  Link: Evan Baer