Reviews

I hired Carena for a mid-life/long term divorce. What won me over from the very first meeting was her promise to be handle the case first hand without handing it off to a junior mentor, her experience, her humor and compassion, and her commitment to fight for me. What I noticed right off the bat is that she did not make promises like a couple of the other attorneys that I initially consulted. She explained the law and the landscape and what was possible from mediation. Carena walked me thru the process every step of the way. What is instrumental in Carena's approach is the sense of urgency and care that her staff handles the day-to-day tasks and asks. You realize that her team is looking a every detail from your side and the opposing side with the lens of experience. Given Carena's depth of experience in the Seattle area, she knows many of the other attorneys, mediators and judges in the area and positions your case with that insight. When you are older and go thru a divorce after a long marriage it can be very disorienting, Carena made me feel ok about the process, was there to answer a couple of panicked calls and helped me get thru the other side. I was satisfied that my outcome was the best I could ask for and didn't "burn down the house" to do so. Carena is smart, wise and a personality you look forward to talking to during a very challenging time.

Carena was simply amazing. She was able to listen, formulate a strategy and execute very effectively. In the end, I was able to get a settlement I was extremely happy with, without by having to go to trial. Additionally Carena and staff were very easy to work with!

I hired Carena for my case, who assisted me during a tough divorce with lots of details, involving properties abroad and various types of assets. I have been always surprised by her vast knowledge of various sub-areas and her very thorough preparation and attention to detail. She helped me protect myassets with the right facts and documentation and to keep conversations very well-targeted. I would definitely have lost a lot of money unnecessarily if I did not have someone like Carena to help me out. I need to call out her team, especially her Paralegal, Anthony, who goes above and beyond. He is the best in class, all one can hope for. Carena and her team are absolutely responsive and will lead you seamlessly through your divorce case. Definitely recommended.

There is no smarter, kinder, hard-working attorney (who wields the law like a sword) than Carena! After a nearly 20 yr marriage I left an abusive, money-hungry loser who hadn't worked in 10 yrs. As the breadwinner (mom) of 3 kids, I had everything to lose. I began with a big Firm attorney charging $420/hour and little was accomplished. Carena took over my case and wasn't ensnared by the litigious nature and manipulative tactics of my ex, if it didn't move the ball forward and protect my kids and financial future, we ignored it. Every communication had a purpose; we always had a clear path and a plan. Carena works smart, focuses on what matters, and goes deep into those issues. If it matters to you, it matters to her. I repeatedly watched her bury opposing counsel throughout the process with her extensive knowledge of the law and quick wit. When an abusive leach doesn't want to be left he does everything not to settle; he pursued me relentlessly, so we had to jump through all the hoops: mediation, motions, depositions, GAL and trial. Throughout this stressful process Carena was a beacon of strength and levity; walking right beside me every step, reminding me that 'She's got this'...she always did. And even during this dark time we laughed, we laughed a lot. At each decision-point, she presented me with options, potential outcomes and counseled me through to a decision. I always felt like I understood each move we made and why we made it (even if it was to benefit us ten steps down the road)...she's so tactical. I often counted my blessings that she was MY attorney, because going up against her would be terrifying. Carena is especially patient, kind, and adept at issues concerning children. I have 3 teenage kids: the eldest was emotionally abused by his father, and two younger teens who were actively being poisoned and manipulated against me by their father. Immediately she identified the need for protection of the children from their father, greater time in my care, and that all decisions relating to the children be mine solely. We meticulously crafted a Parenting Plan (adopted by the Court) which ensured all of these needs for my children were met. Carena so expertly conveyed the abuse and manipulation to the Court that the Judge included the details of my ex's abuse and manipulation in the Parenting Plan and a provision that should any of these situations arise, I have immediate recourse - protecting my children immediately and into the future. At trial she was nothing short of amazing, her preparation and hard-work were unmatched. Her command of the law, sharp-tongue and razor-quick mind was incredibly effective. She successfully had many contentious pieces of evidence (home surveillance videos, cell phone videos, letters) admitted by knowing the law (leaving his attorney flat-footed and slack-jawed), overturned the recommendation of the wildly incompetent Guardian ad Litem, achieved more custody of my children than requested, and achieved no ongoing spousal maintenance. Don't be fooled by her genuine kindness, it is disarming, and she uses it tactically to get her client's needs met. However, her teeth are equally sharp, her associate calls her an 'F'ing alligator' (which is true). She knows when to bring teeth, and always does so with the law alongside as her armor. There is NO ONE better in your foxhole than Carena! No review of this Firm is complete without including Anthony..the insanely responsive, organized, hard-working, smart, fantastically cynical, top-of-his game Paralegal who is part of the package. He is an absolute pleasure to work with, keeps a million balls in the air without dropping one, and will bring a smile to your face. If you are seeking legal guidance, you would be tremendously blessed to stumble upon this small Firm of incredibly smart, hard-working, experienced Legal professionals with hearts and minds of gold. She saved all that mattered most.

Getting a divorce has had to be one of the hardest things I have done, but it was so much better going through it with Carena guiding me. Her meticulous attention to detail all of the time blew me away. She works hard! At our trial she got information allowed in that was being objected to becauseshe knows the law that well! She also made sure with every big decision she had educated me on the pro's and con's to help me make the best decision for myself. However, aside from being an excellent professional, she made me feel that all my questions and concerns had validity and never once made me feel a bother for asking. Going through a hard life change, her sincerity and kindness were welcomed and appreciated.

Carena and her Team are phenomenal and that is ultimately an understatement. I had worked with a few attorneys prior, with at best, limited results. It is in my honest opinion that Carena is the most superb Divorce Attorney in the Pacific Northwest.

Carena is a treasure. When my ex husband fired all of my autistic son's wonderful therapists, I had to fight and I am SO grateful I found Carena. She doesn't enter a battle unless she feels she can win and she loves fighting for kids and justice. She won for me, and my son, and now he gets to staywith the medical providers that are helping him so much, every day. I've never seen any attorney perform so well in court and absorb the details of my case so thoroughly. I have no regrets hiring her for my situation.

First and foremost, Carena is an outstanding attorney and the consummate professional. I started out behind the 8 ball, after wasting valuable trying to just work with my wife’s attorney in order to save both of us attorney’s fees. After interviewing a number of attorneys, I hired Carena, and she was a dream come true. She is an extremely knowledgeable, aggressive and thorough attorney who leaves no stone unturned. She has a very charming demeanor in working with her clients, and the required “Pit Bull” aggressiveness when dealing with opposing counsel. Carena was always prepared and is one of the most pleasant attorneys I’ve ever dealt with. She is a very diligent attorney whom is always responsive to her clients. Every email, phone call, or questions that I ever had was promptly answered. She is head and shoulders above her peers in her ability as a Family Law attorney. If you want the best, hire Carena, she is worth every penny.

Dealing with the other parent is a headache. When it comes to your child well being. Carena has been very helpful. She explains every detail of the process and makes sure you leave with all your questions answer. Look no longer call Carena.

I hired Carena to represent myself and my son in a recent divorce that went all the way to trail and 5 full days in court in front of a judge with evidence and witnesses. Originally I almost released Carena from the case because she was so “nice”. What I wanted was someone who would be aggressiveand get me the best results. I did some research and interviewed several other firms and lawyers and all of them indicated I would lose a custody battle here in Washington. I also learned that Carena was to put it best; a "Pit-bull" in the sense that once she grabbed on she wouldn't let go. This is what I wanted AND she was the only one who told me she couldn't guarantee a win or loss where all others guaranteed a loss. She was honest with me which I appreciated. Carena was great in the fact that she gave me "homework" which helped gather facts that she needed and gave me some ownership in my own destiny. She never speculated the outcome of a judges ruling but gave me actual facts. I never had any false hopes from Carena because she was always up front and truthful. I learned that the schedule was driven by court dates and not so much by our wants or whims. Even if we had months before another court appearance Carina was always responsive to my e-mails, telephone calls or e-mails. She always gave me the option of a telephone conference so I would not have to spend the travel time to get to her office from work and back again. I was always kept abreast of the latest rulings because she would call or e-mail me and send a copy of any paperwork she received from the courts or opposing consul. She is well organized and keeps fantastic notes and records so she was always up to speed at any given moment with my case. Carena treated me with respect and dignity the whole time we worked together. Because the judicial system is foreign to me I had a lot of questions and she helped educate me in the process. The fact that I am a “Dad” in Washington and that I won primary custodial parent is a testament in itself.

I hired Carena to spearhead my divorce case after I had lost considerable ground due to the incompetence of another lawyer. With a deceptive and formidable opponent at hand, Carena was able to pull the pieces together, effectively hold our ground and reach the best outcome I could ever have hoped for. Not only was Carena legally sharp and strategically commanding, but it was a joy to work with her. She was reasonable in our approach and targets and on top of it all, she was very personable, pleasant, understanding and actually made me laugh through those very stressful times. It was also nice to feel like Carena had my best interest at heart. Would I recommend her or hire her again (should that day ever come)? You bet ... without a second thought!

My ex-wife took me back to court after the settlement of our divorce and attempted to get additional items. Carena successfully argued that the case was settled, and showed that my ex and her attorney were being vindictive. The judge was not happy with the opposing counsel’s attempt and ended up denying them everything. Because of Carena’s expertise and charm, she took a tense situation (divorce court is not fun) and made it bearable and in the end I had a smile on my face. I continually recommend Carena and her team.