About Kim L Schnuelle
Kim Schnuelle, Senior Attorney, McKinley Irvin Kim Schnuelle is an experienced, strategic negotiator and litigator who focuses on complex child support, paternity, judicial enforcement cases, and divorce. She typically serves clients from our Seattle law office. Kim honed her skills in the Family Support Division of the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, where for nearly 17 years, she negotiated and litigated thousands of cases, and assisted a countless number of families and individuals in resolving their family law matters. Kim always puts her clients first, and never loses sight of the human aspect of each case. She dedicates herself to providing each client with exceptional legal service tailored to their individual needs. "Clients facing family law litigation are living through one of the most stressful periods of their lives," says Kim. "As an attorney and advocate, it is my role to reduce significant legal stress in their lives by actively listening to their desired goals and then implementing those goals into a strong, well prepared and effective case strategy." Kim's sense of compassion is the driving force behind her dedication and commitment to each case and she works alongside each individual to understand their specific goals. She enjoys the challenges of litigation and working with each client to achieve successful outcomes. "Depending upon the individual situation, subtle negotiation, forthright advocacy in litigation, or a mixture of the two may be required," Kim states. "Each case is unique and requires an approach perfectly tailored to the individual client and their situation." Kim is known for her sharp legal mind and strong litigation skills. Her drive for excellence and strong work ethic is consistent with the firm's core values. She is well established within the family law legal community and enjoys professional relationships with the family law judges, commissioners, and members of the bar. In addition to her time in the courtroom, Kim also has a keen interest in writing and public speaking. She is an active leader and participant in numerous statewide legal education seminars, and continues to publish many well-regarded articles in county and state legal publications. In her spare time, Kim has employed her strong Spanish-speaking skills by volunteering with the King County Bar Association's Bilingual Spanish Legal Clinic. Since 1985, Kim has volunteered with AIDS projects in both California and Washington, including the Necessities of Life Program in Los Angeles and the Lifelong AIDS Alliance in Seattle. Kim is also an avid hiker, certified yoga teacher, and loves traveling with her husband and son. She has visited much of Europe, Asia, and the South Pacific. She has a soft spot for animals, especially horses and dogs. . Learn more about Kim Schnuelle at https://www.mckinleyirvin.com/Attorney-Profiles/Kim-Schnuelle.aspx. Awards and Honors Super Lawyers® Selectees Kim L Schnuelle included in a Super Lawyers® list Honors A.V. Preeminent Rating by Martindale-Hubbell, January 19, 2015 - Present Avvo.com 10.0 “Superb” rating Distinguished as a Washington Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers®, 2014 - 2017 Avvo.com "Clients' Choice" Award Other Sources of Feedback About Kim L. Schnuelle Included on the 2026Washington Super Lawyers list Past Lists 2025 Washington Super Lawyers list 2024 Washington Super Lawyers list 2023 Washington Super Lawyers list 2022 Washington Super Lawyers list 2021 Washington Super Lawyers list 2020 Washington Super Lawyers list 2019 Washington Super Lawyers list 2018 Washington Super Lawyers list 2017 Washington Super Lawyers list 2016 Washington Super Lawyers list 2015 Washington Super Lawyers list 2014 Washington Super Lawyers list
Education
Legal Education
- University of Washington School of Law, Seattle, Washington
- J.D.
Non Legal Education
- University of California at Los Angeles
- M.A.
- University of California at Berkeley
- B.A.
Current Employment Position(s)
- Senior Attorney
- Languages
- English (Primary)
- Spanish
Classes and Seminars
- Unique Enforcement Techniques in Child Support Child Support Collections , Washington State Association of Prosecuting Attorney’s Child Support Enforcement Training, 2008
- Special Collection Techniques, King County Bar Association , 2008
- Enforcement and Post-Trial Modifications, Divorce Litigation: From Start to Finish, NBI, 2011
Pro Bono Activities
- Past Volunteer - King County Bar Association Bilingual Spanish Legal Clinic
- Volunteer, Lifelong AIDS Alliance
Published Works
Articles
- Don't Get Tangled in the Web (Co-Author), King County Bar Bulletin, May, 2012
- Defending the Deposition: A Study in Preparation (Co-Author), King County Bar Bulletin, February, 2012
- Don’t Take Deposition Practice Lightly, King County Bar Bulletin, November, 2011
- Supreme Court Finds No Civil Right to Counsel, King County Bar Bulletin, October, 2011
- Maintenance and Marriage: The Changing Nature of Support, King County Bar Bulletin, August, 2011
- Split Decision: Is Divorce the First Course?, King County Bar Bulletin, May, 2011
- Grandparent’s Rights and Visitation, King County Bar Bulletin, February, 2011
- Collecting Child Support Takes Many Forms, King County Bar Bulletin, November, 2010
- Equitable Defenses May Provide Child Support Relief, King County Bar Bulletin, September, 2010
- Every Day is Father’s Day….Until it isn’t, King County Bar Bulletin, June, 2010
- The Jurisdictional Puzzle of Multi-State Paternity and Child Support Establishment Cases, Washington State Bar News, May, 2010
- “Voluntary Unemployment” in Today’s Economy, King County Bar Bulletin, March, 2010
- Higher-Ed Need May Merit Plan Change, King County Bar Bulleting, October, 2009
- Child Support Systems Protect Domestic Violence Victims, King County Bar Bulletin, July, 2009
- Finding the Cure for Default Judgments, King County Bar Bulletin, June, 2009
- Using QDROs to Collect Child Support Payments, Washington State Bar News, May, 2009
- Military Service Compounds Default Efforts, King County Bar Bulletin, December, 2008
- Keeping the State out of Family Law Cases, King County Bar Bulletin, July, 2008
- When the Bough Breaks, Federal and Washington State Indian Child Welfare Law and Its Application, University of Puget Sound Law Review, Fall, 1993
- Roamin' with a Child, King County Bar Bulletin, August, 2012
- Working with Limited English Clients, King County Bar Bulletin, November, 2012
- Tribal Interests Cloud Indian Child Welfare Proceedings, King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin, February, 2013
- CR2A: The Way To Go To Confirm Informal Agreements, King County Bar Bulletin, June, 2013
- Modifying Domestic Violence Protection Orders under Amended RCW 26.50.130, King County Bar Bulletin, December, 2013
- Commingling Assets: When Mine becomes Ours, King County Bar Bulletin, March, 2014
- Shuttling Children of Divorce: A Long Distance Primer, King County Bar Bulletin, August, 2014
- Revising Third-Party Custody Order is a Challenge, King County Bar Bulletin, February, 2015
- Effective Preparation for Family Law Mediations, King County Bar Bulletin, July, 2015
- Waste of Assets/Fraudulent Transfers in Dissolutions, King County Bar Bulletin, October, 2015
- Do You Have a Solid Parenting Plan?, ParentMap, December, 2015
- Incarcerated Parents Complicate Family Law Cases, King County Bar Bulletin, March, 2016
- Foreign Comity Principles May Apply in Divorce Proceedings, King County Bar Bulletin, October, 2016
- New Federal Rule Changes Child Support Landscape, King County Bar Bulletin, February, 2017
- Child Support and Uninsured Medical Costs, King County Bar Bulletin, January, 2018
- What Makes a Marriage?, King County Bar Bulletin, June, 2018
Bar Admissions
- Washington, 1992
Other Affiliations
- Washington State Bar Association (Member, Family Law Section)
- King County Bar Association (Member, Family Law Section)
Attorney Details
| Full Name | Kim L Schnuelle |
| Firm | McKinley Irvin |
| Address | Seattle, WA, 601 Union Street, Suite 3030, Seattle, WA |
| Phone | 206-705-2621 |
| Phone | 206-223-1999 |
| Website | www.mckinleyirvin.com |
| Website | www.mckinleyirvin.com/family-law-blog |
| New Clients | ✓ Currently accepting |