Introduction
Sara Vandenbelt is an Associate at the firm. Sara is an experienced family law attorney who focuses her practice on dissolutions of marriage, child custody and parenting plans, relocations, post-dissolution enforcement matters including modifications, and representing survivors in domestic violence cases.
Before joining Wechsler Becker, Sara practiced family law in King County both in private practice and as a Domestic Violence Staff Attorney at Northwest Justice Project. Most recently, she worked as an Assistant City Prosecutor for the City of Seattle where she managed a high-volume caseload and worked collaboratively with criminal justice stakeholders and victims.
Sara prides herself on listening to and understanding her clients’ positions and objectives to best assist them and provide the highest quality representation. She believes in partnering with her clients to ensure that they understand the legal process, what comes next, and so that they receive responsive and tailored legal representation. Knowing the impact of litigation on families and children, where possible, Sara prioritizes seeking amicable solutions to avoid unnecessary and costly trips to court, and to get parties working together to address their unique circumstances. Many of Sara’s cases are high conflict, involve domestic violence or sexual assault, and involve parallel criminal proceedings where there are no contact orders, and other civil or legal matters, so a collaborative approach is not always possible. In these cases, Sara strategizes practical legal solutions geared towards safety and anticipating risks.
Sara received her Juris Doctor from Seattle University. Throughout law school, Sara focused her course and clinical work on family law issues and securing justice for survivors of domestic violence. She was an extern at Eastside Legal Assistance Program, Northwest Justice Project’s family law unit, and served as a judicial extern in King County Superior Court.
Prior to attending law school, Sara graduated magna cum laude from University of California, Santa Barbara, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Chicano/a Studies.
Sara is a Seattle native. When she’s not working, you can find her obsessively researching anything and everything – local food adventures, and PNW real estate; at her crafting table, or enjoying time with her husband, son, and two French bulldogs.
Education
Seattle University School of Law, Juris Doctor
University of California, Santa Barbara, BA in English and Chicano Studies
Professional Associations and Bar Admissions
Washington State Bar Association