Estate Washington

Dovinh Law, PLLC is a law practice based in Seattle, Washington where its founder, Betty Trang Dovinh, was born and raised. The daughter of Vietnamese refugees, Ms. Dovinh’s experience as a first generation American gives her important insight into the unique challenges that historically disadvantaged groups face. She’s dedicated her career to advocating for those communities and fighting every day for the American principles of justice and equality for all to be upheld in the legal system and beyond. Ms. Dovinh has over 20 years of diverse professional experience, helping local businesses and serving the Greater Seattle community. Prior to launching Dovinh Law, she served as Strategic Initiatives Officer for National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for Children, Director of Development & Community Relations for Millionair Club Charity and Executive Secretary for Seattle King County NAACP. She has also served as a strategic adviser to DNPro Counsel (now An Legal), an international corporate law firm based in Vietnam. She has has held leadership, consultation and operational roles for a range of other businesses including a nationally recognized capital investment firm, and the largest independently family owned and locally operated electrical distributor in the West. As an attorney, Ms. Dovinh has helped ease the burden for children and families experiencing the hardship of a variety of issues such as abuse, divorce and separation. She fights vigorously against discrimination in the workplace and other civil rights abuses. She litigates in both state and federal court, as well as administrative bodies such as Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), The Department of Labor and Industries (L&I), and The Board of Industrial Insurance Appeals (BIIA). In her immigration practice, she’s authorized to represent clients from all 50 states and around the world in U.S. visa, immigration and naturalization matters. She has successfully reunified families in Washington and other states with their relatives abroad as well as assisted businesses expand in the local economy. Ms. Dovinh earned a B.A from the University of Washington and J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. Ms. Dovinh is a member of the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington, the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Asian Bar Association of Washington, and the Vietnamese American Bar Association of Washington. She is natively fluent in English and Vietnamese.

Brittany S. Bitar is an attorney licensed to practice law in Washington state and California. She focuses on business, intellectual property, and real estate law, but also takes cases in various other areas. Brittany also holds her real estate brokers license in Washington state. In addition to having her own law firm, Brittany works as general counsel for a corporation in Seattle. She has litigated copyright infringement, contract, and real estate related cases, and worked on real estate, HOA, land use, and other contractual, business, and property related non-litigation matters. In addition to taking individual client matters, she also does contract work for other firms including in family law cases. Brittany has interned with Judge Morris at Dauphin County Courthouse and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Civil Litigation Section during law school. She additionally holds a certificate in Dispute Resolution. Brittany has worked with firms that practice in estate planning, business law, employment law, contract law, family law, torts, personal injury, intellectual property, trademark law, copyright law, civil rights, real estate law, copyright law, nonprofit organization law, landlord tenant law, RICO and fraud, breach of contract, civil racketeering, corporate law, commercial torts, and other areas. She has also done contract work in business and trademark law. In 2015, Brittany founded and managed a charitable nonprofit organization, Diëresis, which focused primarily on assisting the homeless in the greater Seattle area. She has also volunteered with the American Red Cross as a lead, Bread of Life Mission, Hopelink, and other nonprofit organizations. In her spare time, Brittany enjoys day hikes, resin painting, playing the acoustic guitar and piano, and playing with her dogs.

Practicing for nearly twenty years in the areas of business law, estate planning, and tax law, Chris has worked with small business owners and start-ups to large corporations to solve problems involving legal and tax structuring and operational issues that may derail their success. He has advised hundreds of clients on setting up their businesses, growing their enterprises and ultimately retiring from their companies by selling them or passing them to their children. And, since a client’s business is only as successful as having a strong strategy for protecting what his clients have built, Chris develops working, practical estate plans including trusts and wills that provide certainty for asset preservation and tax minimalization. His passion for and extensive knowledge of his areas of practice allow Chris to provide guidance through the confusing, intimidating, while yet important steps of preparing the success of both businesses and ordinary lives.

With deep experience in family law, high-asset divorce, estate planning, and civil litigation, Collin McKean brings a strategic, no-nonsense approach to legal challenges across Oregon and Washington. As a founding partner of McKean Smith, Collin combines sharp legal insight with a background in business and accounting to help clients resolve emotionally and financially complex disputes. Known for his compassion, creative problem-solving, and unwavering advocacy, Collin is a trusted ally for clients who need clarity, confidence, and results.

Hurricane Katrina slammed into New Orleans forcing the evacuation of my family. Initially we moved to rural Georgia, then to Minnesota and finally to the Pacific Northwest. After undergoing my own divorce and multiple relocations due to Hurricane Katrina, I truly understood what it meant to put the “best interest of the kids” ahead of my own, I decided to focus my practice on family law and serving as a Guardian ad Litem advocating for children's best interest in high-conflict divorce and dependency matters. I pride myself on my ability to work through huge problems and major life transitions. If Hurricane Katrina did not stop me but instead propelled me to my passion - families - then no problem is too big and no transition too messy. I know what it's like to be a "stay at home" mom thrust back into work in order to survive. I know what it takes to juggle a demanding career and a large family. I strive to preserve civility and respect during the divorce process. I educate my clients on the impact of conflict on children so they can make the best decisions for the future health of their family. I work closely with my clients to ensure they understand their options and rights so that they can make informed decisions about their future. I bring a breadth of experience with high-conflict families to every family law case I handle. My goal is to serve each client on an individual basis. I strive to find real-life workable solutions for the families I serve, realizing that a marriage might be over but a family still stands. My practice involves all aspects of family law: preparation of postnuptial and separation agreements, parenting plans, child support, simple and complex financial cases, relocation, and blended families. I am collaboratively trained and have had 40 hours of mediation training. I have a deep understanding of complex parenting issues which clients may face when divorcing. I bring the attention to detail and experience required to capably handle complex financial cases. Families run full speed 24/7. Our team at Elise Buie Family Law Group does too. We are available to you when you need us. Family law feels like an emergency room at times; people popping in with unforeseen problems at all hours of the day, night and on weekends. You can always reach me- I give my cell number to my clients. Oftentimes when a client calls at the beginning of what seems like a crisis, we can divert the storm with a little creative problem-solving and education. Having an emotionally available attorney who understands your rights and will frankly explain your responsibilities is an essential resource during your divorce.

James Doyle Kirkham Jr. earned a B.A. in Political Science and a B.S. in Public Policy from Central Washington University, graduating in the year 2000. He then attended Gonzaga University School of Law, where he earned a Juris Doctorate in 2005. That same year, he was licensed to practice Law by the Washington State Bar Association. After working as an attorney in Spokane, Washington for three years, James relocated to Ellensburg, Washington, where he founded Kirkham Law Office, PLLC. James Kirkham is also a member of the Washington Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the Kittitas County Bar Association, and in 2009 received a Pro Bono Publico Award from the Washington State Bar Association. He also taught Business Law at Yakima Valley Community College.

Attorney Griffin is a practicing lawyer in the state of Washington.

Justine grew up in the small farming town of Woodland, California. She stayed in the area for college, graduating from the University of California, Davis with a B.A. in Anthropology in 2013. In addition to scholarships and grants, Justine funded her undergraduate education with her job as a student bus driver. After graduating, Justine attended the University of Kansas School of Law on a full-tuition scholarship. While in law school, Justine excelled academically – earning election into the Order of the Coif, the 2016-2017 Robert E. Edmunds Prize in Corporation and Securities Law, the CALI Award in Secured Transactions for Spring 2017, and the CALI Award in Trusts and Estates for Spring 2017. Justine also participated in the 2017 Transactional LawMeet, in which her team won the Midwest Regionals, advanced to the National Finals, and won the National Best Draft Award. She also served as a Publications Editor for the Kansas Journal of Law & Public Policy and as a research assistant for J.B. Smith Distinguished Professor of Constitutional Law, Richard E. Levy. In addition to her academic pursuits, Justine worked as a judicial extern for the Honorable James. P. O’Hara, United States District Court, District of Kansas, and as an elder law intern with Kansas Legal Services. She also worked as a summer law clerk for Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. and a general practice law firm in Lawrence, Kansas. Justine moved to the Tri-Cities shortly after law school graduation, joining her husband who works for the railroad. She joined Leavy Schultz Davis, P.S. in the fall of 2017 as a litigation associate after successfully passing the Washington State Bar Exam.

Karim A. Hamir, Managing Attorney at The Cowlitz Law Group, is licensed to practice law in Washington State and the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington. With over 15 years of distinguished experience, his firm specializes in family law, probates, and estate law. Although Karim now focuses on managing firm operations at Cowlitz Law Group and does not take on new clients personally, he ensures the firm delivers exceptional legal services. This includes promoting Unbundled Legal Services to make quality legal assistance more flexible and affordable, thus increasing access to justice for underprivileged clients. Throughout his career, Karim has demonstrated exceptional leadership and executive guidance. His work includes a tenure as an adjunct faculty professor at a prestigious university in Canada, fostering business values and growth for various private and public entities. His extensive background in commercial banking enhances his adept handling of financial transactions. Karim’s career is marked by diverse legal exposure and industry experience, enabling him to offer creative solutions to unique legal challenges. He has served both as a Rule 9 prosecutor and a criminal defense lawyer. The Cowlitz Law Group is home to skilled attorneys such as Kenneth Anderson (Wills, Estate, Probate, Family Law), James Sansone (Family Law), Jay S. Ritchie (Family Law), Holly Henson (Estate and Probate matters), and Steve Karimi (Criminal Defense), all of whom handle cases under Karim’s operational leadership. Additionally, Karim values physical fitness and is an active sports enthusiast, enjoying tennis and golf in his spare time. His comprehensive approach to professional life and personal well-being exemplifies his commitment to excellence and balanced lifestyle.

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