Valerie A. Villacin (shareholder)
Experience
- Smith Goodfriend, P.S. (2003-Present)
Shareholder in the firm since February 2011. Extensive appellate litigation practice, providing representation in cases in all three divisions of the Court of Appeals, the Washington State Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court. Trial practice limited to appeal-related matters. - STUDENT ATTORNEY, Child Advocacy Clinic, University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington (2002-2003)
Represented juveniles in dependency matters before King County Juvenile Court Commissioners for permanency planning hearings and contested motions. - LEGAL INTERN, Law Office of Janet A. George, Seattle, Washington (2000-2000)
Complex divorce litigation practice. Researched legal issues related to divorce litigation involving asset and liability division and contested custody matters. Drafted motions for temporary orders; motions for protective orders and motions to compel. Drafted legal memoranda, declarations and discovery requests. Prepared written materials for mediation, arbitration and trial.
Education
- J.D., June 2003, University of Washington
National Order of Barristers, Member, Moot Court Honor Board, Executive Board Member, Vice President of Judges 2002-2003, Moot Court Honor Board, Member 2001-2002, Mock Trial Competition, Fall 2002, Finalist, First Year Appellate Advocacy Competition, Spring 2000, Finalist. - B.A., June 1995, Rutgers University, Douglass College, New Brunswick, NJ
Dean’s List.
Bar Admissions
- State of Washington
- United States District Court, Western District of Washington
- U.S. Supreme Court.
Professional Activities and Publications
- Editor, Washington State Bar Association, Appellate Practice Deskbook, 3rd Edition Supplement (2011) through 4th Edition (2016)
- Editor, Appellate Practice Chapter, WSBA Family Law Deskbook
- Co-President, Washington Appellate Lawyers Association
- Member, KCBA Appellate Section. (2012-present)
- Chosen for inclusion in “Washington Superlawyers” (Washington Rising Stars).
Speaking Engagements
- Family Law Mid-Year Hot Topics, King County Bar Association, May 17, 2019
- Cutting Edge Conversations with the Appellate Court and Practitioners, Court of Appeals, Division II, Washington Appellate Lawyers Association, and Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association, May 3, 2019
- 25th Annual Family Law Conference, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, March 29, 2019
- Families Finding Peace and Justice, 8th Annual WA AFCC Conference, March 23, 2019
- Family Law Hot Topics, King County Bar Association, October 12, 2018
- Essentials of Persuasion: Appellate Legal Writing in Washington and Beyond, Seattle U Law, January 26, 2017
- Family Law Hot Topics, King County Bar Association, October 4, 2017
- Winning on Appeal: Rules, Strategy, and Advocacy, Washington State Bar Association, November 30, 2016
- Family Law Hot Topics, King County Bar Association, September 20, 2016
- 2016 Family Law Section Midyear Conference, Washington State Bar Association, June 26, 2016
- Family Law Hot Topics, King County Bar Association, October 2, 2015
- 6th Annual Mary H. Wechsler Family Law Symposium for The King County Bench, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, October 23, 2014
- Family Law Hot Topics, King County Bar Association, October 17, 2014
- Old School CLE, Clallam Jefferson Counties Pro Bono Lawyers, November 8, 2013
- 5th Annual Mary H. Wechsler Family Law Symposium for The King County Bench, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, October 30, 2013
- Family Law Hot Topics, King County Bar Association, October 18, 2013
- Clallam Legal V CLE, Clallam Jefferson Counties Pro Bono Lawyers, November 9, 2012
- Family Law Hot Topics, King County Bar Association, October 12, 2012
- Community Property Law in Washington, WSBA, April 12, 2012
- Family Law: Marital Misbehavior and Appellate Considerations, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, March 16, 2012
- 2nd Annual Mary H. Wechsler Family Law Symposium, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, March 5, 2011
- Family Law: Practice Tips/Avoiding the Pitfalls, American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, March 18, 2011
- Family Law Hot Topics, King County Bar Association, December 3, 2010
- Family Law Appeals, Clark County Bar Association, November 11, 2010
- Clallam Legal, Clallam-Jefferson County Pro Bono Attorneys, November 4, 2010
- Advanced Family Law Hot Topics for Hard Times, King County Bar Association, October 16, 2009
- Clallam Legal II, Clallam-Jefferson County Pro Bono Attorneys, November 6, 2009
- Family Law Hot Topics 2008, King County Bar Association, November 21, 2008
- Family Law Hot Topics 2007, King County Bar Association, October 5, 2007