Practice areas: Family Law; view more
Licensed in Washington since: 1992
Education: Seattle University School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2026 A partner at McKinley Irvin, Jennifer J. Payseno focuses her practice exclusively on family law. Located in the firm's office in Seattle, Washington, she represents clients throughout the state in matters involving divorce, asset valuation and division, child custody and support issues, contested relocations, and post-decree modifications.
Ms. Payseno is a leader in the legal community. She served as President of the King County Bar Association 2019-2020. She is also a member of the King County Judicial Screening committee, serving as its chair in 2009-2010.
Over the course of her legal career, Ms. Payseno has received numerous awards and honors. She has received a certificate of appreciation from the Housing Justice Project of the King County Bar Association for her contributions, and she is also a previous recipient of the Random Acts of Professionalism Award given by the Washington State Bar Association. Ms. Payseno's excellent reputation among her fellow professionals is further evidenced by her listing in Best Lawyers of America and Super Lawyers. Frequently sharing her knowledge and experience with others, she has delivered presentations on family law topics to continuing legal education programs of the Washington State and Tacoma-Pierce County bar associations, and she has also written articles for Seattle Business magazine, 425 Business magazine, and the KCBA Bar Bulletin.
Practice areas
Family LawFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, Dissolution, Divorce, Marital Property
- 100% Family Law
First Admitted: 1992, Washington
Professional Webpage: https://www.mckinleyirvin.com/attorney-profiles/jennifer-pay...
Bar / Professional Activity
- President, King County Bar Association, 2019-2020
- First Vice President, King County Bar Association, 2018-2019
- Second Vice President, King County Bar Association, 2017-2018
- President, South King County Bar Association 1998-1999
- Treasurer, King County Bar Association, 2013-2014
- Member, King County Bar Association, Family Law Section
- Chair, King County Judicial Screening Committee, 2009-2010
- Member, Washington State Bar Association
- Trustee, King County Bar Association, 2000-2003
- Member, King County Bar Association Judicial Conferencing Committee
Pro bono / Community Service
- Former Coordinator, South King County Legal Clinic
- Board of Directors, King County Boys & Girls Clubs
- Volunteer, King County Legal Clinic 1998-2006
Educational Background
- B.A., Georgia Southern University
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Author, “Preparing for the Future of the Legal Profession,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, December 2020 Author, “The Inevitable Evolution of Legal Services in Washington,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, November 2020 Author, “How Can We Help with the Immigration Detention Crisis?” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, October 2020 Author, “The Family Law Mentor Program and Call for Assistance,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, September 2020 Author, “Sheryl J. Willert: A Trailblazer in the Legal Profession,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, August 2020 Author, “Lawyers Doing Good,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, July 2020 Author, “Looking to the Future,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, June 2020 Author, “Safety and Security Issues at the King County Courthouse,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, May 2020 Author, “Serving Justice from Home: Working Remotely During the COVID-19 Crisis,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, April 2020 Author, “Seeking New Members for Judicial Candidate Evaluation and Judicial Conferencing,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, February 2020 Author, “Our Incredible Neighborhood Legal Clinics Need Your Help,” King County Bar Bulletin President’s Page, January 2020, Author, President's Page, King County Bar Bulletin, Legal, 2020
- Business Law's Frequently Asked Questions, Contributor, Business Law's Frequently Asked Questions, 425 Business Magazine, 2016
- Is Divorce in Your Retirement Plan?, Contributor, Is Divorce in Your Retirement Plan?, 425 Business Magazine, 2015
- Trends and considerations in gray divorce, Author, Trends and considerations in gray divorce, Avvo Stories, 2015
- Author, Own A Business? What You Should Consider Before Saying, "I Do." Seattle Business Magazine, Author, Own A Business? What You Should Consider Before Saying, "I Do.", Seattle Business Magazine, 2014
- Contributor, “What You Should Know About Gray Divorce,” 425 Business Magazine, October 2014, Contributor, What You Should Know About Gray Divorce, 425 Business Magazine, 2014
- Author, "Divorce and Economic Recession," King County Bar Association Bar Bulletin, January 2009, Author, Divorce and Economic Recession, King County Bar Bulletin, Legal, 2009
Honors
- Leading U.S. Family Lawyers, The Lawdragon 500 Leading U.S. Family Lawyers Guide,, 2025
- Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of Family Law, 2020-2025, Best Lawyer, Best Lawyers in America, 2025
- Ranked Band 2 in Chambers 2024 High Net Worth Guide for Family/Matrimonial in Washington State (7 years ranked), Ranked Band 2, Chambers 2024 High Net Worth Guide, 2024
- Ranked Band 2 in Chambers 2023 High Net Worth Guide for Family/Matrimonial in Washington State, Ranked Band 2, Chambers 2023 High Net Worth Guide, 2023
- Distinguished as Washington Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers®, 2010-2024, Washington Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers, 2024
- Peer Review Rated BV Distinguished 4.4 out of 5 by Martindale Hubbell, Peer Review Rated BV Distinguished, Martindale Hubbell
- Avvo.com 10.0 "Superb" rating
Industry Groups
- Not Applicable
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2010 - 2026
