Susan Shulenberger

Susan helps people navigate through divorce matters involving significant assets or complex financial issues with as little conflict as possible. With more than 40 years of experience as a lawyer, she has dedicated the last two decades to working in family law.

Susan looks for ways to avoid unnecessary conflict in divorce and family law matters and helps clients focus on their long-term well-being. She understands the stresses that come with these emotionally charged situations. Susan sees the big picture and narrows the issues. Much of Susan's practice is Collaborative Divorce.

She is viewed by her clients and peers not only as an astute and knowledgeable attorney, but also compassionate and transparent. Susan works with her clients as a team, discusses their end goals and engages them in analyzing their options and potential ways forward. A stepparent herself, she provides guidance on how to minimize impacts on children to maintain healthier relationships down the road. Susan also has a network of resources, including parenting mediators and counselors, to support clients and their families.

Her clients include high net worth individuals on cases involving substantial assets such as real estate, stock options, professional practices, ownership interests in varying legal entities, and ongoing management of closely held businesses that often raise complex valuation and distribution issues.

Susan brings a sophisticated skillset. Her legal career began with a solid foundation in business law and commercial litigation at leading global law firms in Seattle. She is also trained in mediation and experienced in collaborative law, which she emphasizes is a better option than costly litigation and trial. With a background in litigation, she has seen how situations can quickly escalate and is why she uses a more cooperative approach whenever possible.

Personal

Susan is a Seattle native. She and her husband, Doug, live in Burien, where they were both raised. Despite living with a dog and two cats, Susan and Doug have the freedom to travel and pursue their numerous athlete interests. Susan has competed in numerous triathlons and half marathons and has attended yoga retreats in Greece and in northern Canada. They welcomed their first grandchild in February 2018 and their second in December 2020. They are looking forward to welcoming their third grandchild in 2023.