“A successful outcome achieves that which is most important to my clients while honoring them with respect and dignity.” -Loretta Story
Main practice areas: Family Law with an emphasis on Collaborative Law and Dispute Resolution. Experienced Mediator and Arbitrator.
Experienced and passionate, Loretta’s face lights up at the mention of what it means for her to accomplish a successful outcome for her clients and their families. “Successful” for Loretta means honoring each client with respect and dignity and achieving the results that are most important to them.
Her domestic violence litigation background allows her to recognize the importance of listening to and supporting clients. She often finds creative solutions to complex financial or parenting issues.
As one of the first attorneys in the Seattle Metropolitan Area to bring the practice of Collaborative Law forward as an alternative to traditional litigation, Loretta is always seeking new methods that will yield enhanced results, greater value and less stress for her clients. Loretta was instrumental in obtaining the Washington statute governing the practice of Collaborative Law.
Acting as a mediator to facilitate parties in reaching a resolution which fits with the family both economically and emotionally is one of Loretta’s strengths. She also acts as an arbiter for complex Family Law cases.
Clients have described Loretta as warm, professional, and accessible in her working style. Her standards of professional and personal excellence are extremely high, especially in communications and in her commitment to ethical behavior.
Recent Community Leadership: President of King County Collaborative Law (2012-2014); President of Collaborative Professionals of Washington (2015-2016).
Rated AV Preiminents, the highest possible professional and ethical standards, by Martindale-Hubbard for the past 20 years.
Loretta is currently rated a perfect 10 out of 10, “Superb” by the attorney rating site AVVO.
Selected as 2012-2019 "Super Lawyer" by Washington Law and Politics Magazine
Selected as one of "Seattle's Top Lawyers" by Seattle Met Magazine in 2010 - current
Washington State Bar Association "Local Hero Award" in 2011
Eastside Legal Assistance Program "Volunteer of the Year" for 2009
King County Collaborative Law (Board of Trustees & President 2012-2014)
King County Bar Association (Board of Trustees 2005-2008; co-founder & chair Collaborative Law Section 2007)
Washington State Bar Association (Professional Committee 2004; Fee Mediation Panel, 2003-2008)
East King County Bar Association (Board of Trustees 1997-2002)
Eastside Legal Assistance Program (Board of Trustees 1999-2012; Volunteer at Legal Clinics; Legal Instructor; Advisory Board Member)
National Association of Professional Women (2012-2013)
Eastside Collaborative Family Law (founding member and co-chair 2006)
National Assoc. of Legal Secretaries Instructor
Tam-O’Shanter G&CC HOA (Board of Directors 1998-2001, 2006-2009)
University of Washington Mediation Training, 1999
High Conflict Institute Training, 2007
Harvard Law School Advance Negotiations, 2008
Washington State Insurance License; 2012