Laura M. Zeman
Top rated Estate Planning & Probate attorney in Bellevue, Washington
Zeman Law Group, PLLC
Practice areas: Estate Planning & Probate, Business & Corporate, Family Law; view more
Licensed in Washington since: 2000
Education: The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
Languages spoken: English, French
Call today:
425-947-5405
Zeman Law Group, PLLC
3006 Northup WaySuite 100
Bellevue, WA 98004 Visit website
Laura M. Zeman is the founding principal of Zeman Law Group, PLLC, based in Bellevue, Washington. Since establishing her practice, she has built a reputation for delivering sophisticated, client-focused counsel in the areas of estate planning, trust administration, probate, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, charitable giving, and business planning. She approaches each engagement with a keen understanding of her clients’ unique circumstances, goals and concerns, employing the most effective and efficient strategies to secure their objectives.
Ms. Zeman’s academic path began with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Boston College in 1994, followed by a Juris Doctor from the Columbus School of Law (formerly Catholic University of America School of Law) in 1998. Before launching her own firm, she spent seven years at a well-known Seattle law practice, sharpening her skills while guiding a wide range of clients through challenging, high-stakes legal matters.
An accomplished speaker, Ms. Zeman has shared her knowledge before a variety of professional audiences, including the Washington State Bar Association and the King County Bar Association. Her presentations delve into evolving trends in fiduciary law, best practices for family wealth preservation and emerging considerations in premarital contract drafting.
Committed to accessibility and clear communication, Ms. Zeman combines technical legal knowledge with a collaborative spirit. She guides individuals and families through each phase of planning and administration, striving to minimize stress and maximize peace of mind. In recognition of her dedication to client service and community engagement, she remains an active participant in local legal organizations.
Fluent in the language of estate law and practice, Ms. Zeman also speaks conversational French, further enhancing her ability to connect with a broad spectrum of clients. Whether advising entrepreneurs on business succession, crafting tax-efficient philanthropic vehicles or negotiating marital contracts, she delivers tailored solutions grounded in integrity, insight and professionalism.
Practice areas
Estate Planning & Probate, Business/Corporate, Family LawFocus areas
Business Formation and Planning, Estate Planning, Living Wills, Power of Attorney, Prenuptial Agreements, Probate & Estate Administration, Trusts, Wills
- 80% Estate Planning & Probate
- 10% Business/Corporate
- 10% Family Law
First Admitted: 1998, Oregon
Professional Webpage: https://www.zemanlaw.com/the-group.html
Bar / Professional Activity
- Member and Past Committee Member, Executive Committee Real Property, Probate and Trust Section, Washington State Bar Association
- Member, Washington State Bar Association
- Past Board Member, Board of Directors, Seattle French American Chamber of Commerce
- Past Committee Member, Planned Giving Advisory Committee, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
- Past Board Member, Board of Directors, East King County Estate Planning Council
- Past Board Member, Overlake Hospital Planned Giving Board
- Past Chair, Swedish Hospital Planned Giving Board Committee
- Member, Washington Women in Tax
- Member, Seattle Estate Planning Council
Pro bono / Community Service
- Member and Legacy Advisor, Legacy Council, Seattle Children’s Hospital Foundation
Educational Background
- Boston College, Bachelor of Arts, Major: Political Science and French, Honors: cum laude, 1994
- Université de la Faculté Libre de Droit, Paris, France, 1992-1993
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Note, “State Sovereign Immunity: Myth or Reality After Seminole Tribe of Florida v. Florida?” 46 Catholic University Law Review 1005 (1997)
- “Estate Planning: Ethical Considerations of Using Medicaid to Plan for Long-Term Medical Care for the Elderly,” 13 Quinnipiac Probate Law Journal 187 (1998)
- “Estate Planning and Conveying Information to Loved Ones Outside of a Will,” Overlake Hospital Foundation (2018)
- “Living Wills & Powers of Attorney,” Healthcare Planning Seminar, Virginia Mason Foundation (2004, 2005)
- Durable Financial Powers of Attorney and Durable Health Care Powers of Attorney, publication of the WSBA Real Property, Probate & Trust Section (2005)
- “An Overview of the Law Relating to Financial Powers of Attorney, Health Care Powers of Attorney and Directives to Physicians,” Estate Planning for Small to Medium-Sized Estates, Washington State Bar Association, CLE (2006)
- “Estate Planning for the Female Business Owner,” The Rainier Club (2007)
- “Planning Methods to Control Medical Treatment,” Drafting Effective Wills and Trusts CLE, McQuillan Education, (2008)
- “The Estate Planning Techniques,” Children's Hospital Foundation (2008-2009)
- “An Overview of French Inheritance Laws,” Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP), Seattle Chapter, (2010)
- “Fundamentals of Estate Planning,” Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (2010)
- “Why Isn't a Green Card Really Green? Practical Tips and Pointers for Working with International Clients,” WSBA Midyear Meeting (2012)
- “Practical Estate Planning Tips and Pointers for French Nationals,” French American Chamber of Commerce (2015)
- “An Overview of French Inheritance Laws” Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP) (2015)
- “Estate Planning is No Longer Just Developing a Will or Tax Plan for the Wealthy,” Overlake Hospital Foundation (2015)
- Note & Comment Editor, Catholic University Law Review, The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law
- Speaker, King County Bar Association
- Speaker, Washington State Bar Association
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Attorney, Defense of Obrenovic, United Nations War Crimes Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, 2001
Honors
- The Catholic University of America Columbus School of Law, Moot Court
- Named “Rising Star” by Washington Law & Politics (2004, 2005, 2008)
- Named “Super Lawyer” by Washington Law & Politics (2011-2019, 2022)
Industry Groups
- Legal
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2011 - 2019, 2022 - 2026
- Rising Stars: 2005, 2008