About Ginger Boyle
Q: What are your credentials as a divorce lawyer and mediator in Seattle and Puget Sound?
A: Since 1982, 90% of my work as an attorney and mediator has been with separating and divorcing families. My other 10% is estate planning and probate. My philosophy is “We can work it out.” I have helped many people end their marriages and begin their post-divorce lives without going to Court. I trained formally in divorce mediation in 1990. I enjoy being a witness and support for people who are making positive changes in their lives.
Q: How can you be a divorce attorney and stay out of court?
A: Since I am committed to law as a healing profession, I help people be in charge of the decisions which affect their lives. Rather than asking a Judge to decide how their post-divorce family looks, I support dialogue among spouses and professionals who are working with the family. I facilitate discussions of options and negotiation of outcomes which are acceptable to everyone involved. By listening for the needs and interests of all family members, especially the ones who are disadvantaged and vulnerable, I hear both feelings and facts. My goal is to help people find ways to honor not only their feelings, but also give informed consent to many complex decisions.
In many divorces, people feel unsafe, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I support people to create the safety they need to move forward. Once people feel safe, they begin to speak about and listen to relevant information. I practice and teach conflict resolution skills in my practice. One place I begin is to treat people with kindness and respect.
In 2004, I embraced collaborative divorce, which transforms divorce through teamwork. In 2006, I adopted the multidisciplinary approach, adding financial specialists, divorce coaches, and child specialists to teams when appropriate. If people prefer a traditional divorce, or need an advocate in the adversarial legal system, I refer them to other lawyers.
Q: What are your core values?
A: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you,” sums them up. My core values also include the following:
Simplicity I appreciate clear and easy to understand thoughts and actions.
Peace I treat myself and others with respect.
Integrity I am honest and live according to my values.
Community I connect with individuals and groups to share support.
Equality I respect living beings and treat them as worthy of respect.
Q: What is your philosophy of life?
A: I believe that we all have gifts to share and challenges to overcome. We human beings are vulnerable and need one another. “Work is love made visible,” as Kahlil Gibran said. I believe that having fun is healing.
Q: What experience do you have in your professional divorce community?
A: Although I participated in my family law profession in many ways since 1982, 2004 marked a turning point in my career. I have become excited and reinvigorated professionally with the advent of the collaborative law movement in the Seattle. After getting my feet wet with other Puget Sound pioneers in this field, in 2006 & 2007 I served as Chair and Co-Chair of the Family Law Practice Group of King County Collaborative Law.
I attended the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals conference in Toronto, Canada. Additionally, I am Co-Vice Chair of the new Collaborative Law Section of the King County Bar Association. I am a founding member of Cascadia Collaborative Divorce, an alliance of independent collaborative professionals. In over 25 years working in the Greater Seattle and Puget Sound area, I have developed an extensive network of professional colleagues. Use me as a resource when you have questions about law or mediation.
