Law Office of Sophia M. Palmer

Attorney Sophia M. Palmer

Sophia M. Palmer has practiced in the Tacoma/Pierce County area for over 10 years. She began her career as a criminal prosecutor but has practiced family law exclusively for the last 10 years, and is the past president of the Tacoma Pierce County Family Law Section. She has handled over 500 family law cases that include dissolution, child custody, relocation, contempt, child support, parenting plan modification, UCCJEA and appeals. Over the course of her career, she has earned the distinction of being a first-class litigator and negotiator in all areas of family law., including complex high-asset dissolutions, child custody, parenting plan modifications, adoptions, and appeals.

In September 2017, Sophia founded her own firm practice, the Law Office of Sophia M. Palmer, located in Tacoma. where she continues to practice exclusively in the area of family law. Sophia’s background in Society and Justice as a prosecutor, coupled with her child custody and advocacy family law litigation experience, has enabled her to handle the issues associated with intricate child custody and financial matters, including complicated child custody evaluations matters, complex high asset marital estates, and valuations of complex business interests. Ms. Palmer has an established reputation for delivering superior legal representation that is reasonable, but aggressive when necessary. She is a passionate advocate, with superb oral advocacy skills. Sophia’s diverse clientele has ranged from high-net worth individuals, professionals in the medical and legal filed, pilots, business owners, employers, and homemakers.

Sophia graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law after receiving her B.A. from the University of Washington in Society and Justice. Sophia is a member of the Washington State Bar Association, and the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association. She has served as a liaison on the Pierce County Local Rules Committee, as Trustee for the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, and Trustee, Vice-President and President of the Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Family Law Section.

Attorney Hannah L. Gurewitz

Attorney Hannah L. Gurewitz is delighted to be joining the Law Office of Sophia M. Palmer. Hannah is admitted to practice in the State of Washington. Her primary area of practice is Family Law, which she practices exclusively. She handles all aspects of family law matters, including Divorce and Legal Separation, Division of Property, Mediation, Arbitration, Preparation of Prenuptial Agreements, Preparation of Post Nuptial Agreements, Registration of Out of State or Foreign Orders, Claims for Meretricious Relationships, Restraining Orders, Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Anti-harassment orders, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, Paternity Matters, Third Party Custody Actions, Adoptions, Spousal Maintenance, Arguing Jurisdiction and Venue Cases, and Handling No Contest Divorces.

At Seattle University School of Law, Hannah focused on food justice law, advocating for the rights of people of all income levels and socioeconomic backgrounds to have access to fresh and healthy food. She spent a summer at Harvard’s Food Law and Policy clinic, where she dedicated her time to drafting effective food policies for small towns, and an initiative focusing on diabetes prevention at a state and city level. The common thread in her interests, she found, was ensuring the common welfare of all people, and found the most satisfying work in family law cases, where she could help individuals get through one of the most challenging and emotionally difficult times of their lives. Hannah values getting to know each of her clients individually, and knows that no two family law cases are identical.

As an Oregon native, Hannah has spent her whole life in the Pacific Northwest. She attended the University of Oregon Robert D. Clark Honors College, where she studied Spanish and Theatre Arts. She decided to pursue a career in law after graduation, and worked at an immigration law firm where she helped many obtain legal residency in the United States.

Attorney Stacey D. Swenhaugen

Stacey D. Swenhaugen has established herself as a tenacious litigator and effective problem solver. Known for her determined litigation efforts and bear knuckle work ethic, Stacey has built a solid reputation for getting client’s cases solved quickly without compromising core client values. Besides Stacey’s effective oral argument, one of her greatest strengths is in her legal writing. Through written advocacy, Stacey effectively helps the Court to understand the strengths in her clients’ position before even stepping foot in the court room.

Despite her ability to advocate aggressively when the situation calls for it, Stacey is a firm believer that not every problem should be treated as a nail that must be hammered. Many family law disputes, particularly those involving children, are better resolved with civility and diligent negotiation outside of the court room. Stacey is passionate about listening to client needs and crafting remedies specific to each families’ unique set of circumstances.

Before joining the Law Office of Sophia M. Palmer, Stacey interned for attorney Diana Kiesel, now a sitting Pierce County Superior Court Commissioner, and worked for family law firms in both Pierce and King County. As a result, she has an established reputation in both counties, and has significant familiarity with the family court commissioners and procedures.

Prior to establishing her legal practice, Stacey volunteered as a King County CASA, investigating child custody disputes. This valuable experience has allowed her to successfully apply her inside knowledge of how GALs and Parenting Evaluators make their decisions in child custody matters.

Stacey graduated from Seattle University School of Law. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Washington. She has over twelve years of experience working directly in the legal industry.

Attorney Robert E. Sciranko

Robert has practiced law for thirteen years, having first been admitted in 2008. He began his career in criminal law, gaining experience as both a prosecutor and defense attorney. He has tried over 30 felony jury trials and over 30 bench trials. Not only did he learn his way around a courtroom, but this experience gave him the unique perspective of arguing both sides of the same issue, a valuable skill in helping clients navigate their family law matter. Robert also has experience in immigration law and has taught Trial Advocacy and Legal Writing at the University of Central Florida.

Robert was drawn to Family Law because it provides a unique opportunity to help protect families. He enjoys the challenge of making sure each client has the opportunity to tell their story, so that the Court can make a fair and informed decision about their case. He enjoys working with clients to make sure their voice is heard, and their family’s best interests are represented.

To achieve his clients’ goals, Robert uses a variety of litigation techniques, both in and out of the courtroom. At the outset of each case, he works closely with his clients to tailor the most effective case strategy for achieving his clients’ goals, without driving up costs.

Robert is mindful of the benefits of preserving his clients’ financial resources and therefore strives to favorably settle cases and issues while avoiding excess litigation, when possible. He works hard to prepare your case and work with opposing counsel, but when settlement is not an option, Robert is a formidable trial attorney and stands ready to fight for you in court.

The breadth of Robert’s experience uniquely positions him to assist your family throughout your case. Unfortunately, family law cases often intersect with other areas of law (mental health, substance abuse, domestic violence) and his experience with juvenile, criminal, and family law will help your family with all of the issues your case may present.

Robert practices primarily in Pierce and King counties. He handles all aspects of family law matters, including Divorce and Legal Separation, Division of Property, Mediation, Arbitration, Preparation of Prenuptial Agreements, Preparation of Post Nuptial Agreements, Registration of Out of State or Foreign Orders, Claims for Meretricious Relationships, Restraining Orders, Domestic Violence Protection Orders, Anti-harassment orders, Qualified Domestic Relations Orders, Paternity Matters, Guardianships, Spousal Maintenance, Jurisdiction and Venue Cases, and No Contest Divorces.

Attorney Kathryn J. Cooperman

Kathryn J. Cooperman is not only an assertive and compassionate advocate who fights for her clients, but she understands the importance of being able to resolve a matter amicably and expeditiously without protracted and expensive litigation. Said one satisfied client, Kathryn “brought peace of mind, clarity to the bottom-line issues, kindness, professionalism, superb communication, and straight talk about what my best course of action/realistic outcomes were.”

Practicing exclusively family law, Kathryn handles all range of family law matters including Divorce, Child Custody, Minor Guardianships, Termination of Committed Intimate Relationships, and De Facto Parentage actions and in 2021 was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. She represents clients in Pierce, King and Kitsap Counties.

Kathryn graduated summa cum laude with her bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado and is a member of the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. She earned her Juris Doctorate from Syracuse University College of Law and was licensed in Washington State in 2017.

When Kathryn is not practicing law, she enjoys exploring the PNW with her husband and two children and slalom water skiing.