Meet Attorney Leslie Blankman
Leslie M. Blankman is a Washington State licensed attorney practicing in King County. Leslie is a graduate of Seattle University School of Law. In addition to her legal studies, Leslie’s background in Behavioral Sciences provides her the ability to navigate her clients through the legal and the emotional aspects of divorce. She is a compassionate advocate with a focus on meeting the goals and desires of her clients.
Leslie is an active member in the Collaborative Practice community. She is the 2022 President of Collaborative Professionals of Washington, a board member of King County Collaborative Law, and on several committees. She enjoys supporting clients through the Collaborative Process.
Leslie is a certified mediator. She completed Basic Mediation Training through King County Dispute Resolution Center and completed the mediation practicum through the Dispute Resolution Center in Snohomish, Island, and Skagit Counties. Her mediation practice focuses on disputes where there is a need for an ongoing relationship including, family law (divorce, legal separation, parenting plans, child support, custody issues), neighbor, landlord/tenant, work-place, Home Owner Association (HOA), and partner disputes. Leslie is a mediation instructor. She has taught courses in basic mediation and family mediation.
Prior to launching Blankman Law & Mediation, Leslie spent 14 years at Microsoft in engineering, where she worked on Microsoft Office for the Mac, Windows Phone, and Microsoft Speech Technologies, and in Legal and Corporate Affairs, where she supported the Silicon Architecture Team and the Developer Division. To facilitate the change from technology to family law, Leslie completed a one-year Family Law Fellowship through Eastside Legal Assistance Program where she represented clients in Domestic Violence Protection Order and Family Law matters. Working in legal aid was a rewarding experience that is the cornerstone of Leslie’s practice.
Professional Associations
- King County Collaborative Law
- Board Member (2020-Present)
- Public Outreach Co-Chair (2021-Present)
- Professional Development Committee Chair (2016-2017)
- Collaborative Professionals of Washington
- President (2022-Present)
- Board Member (2018-2020, 2022-Present)
- Website Committee Chair (2018-2020)
- International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
- King County Bar Association
- Washington State Bar Association
- Pro-bono and Public Service Committee (2015-2017)
- Panel Member of WSBA Moderate Means Program
- American Bar Association
- Washington Mediation Association
- Washington Women Lawyers
Pro-bono work
- Eastside Legal Assistance Program
- Leslie served a member of the advisory board for the ELAP Family Law Fellowship Program. She also assisted clients through the ELAP Family Law Clinics.
- Dispute Resolution Center of Snohomish, Island, and Skagit Counties
- Leslie served as a volunteer mediator through the DRC of Snohomish, Island, and Skagit Counties. Leslie mediated family law and work-place matters.
- Neighborhood Legal Clinics
- Leslie counseled clients on various legal issues through the Neighborhood Legal Clinics.
Speeches and Publications
Family Mediation Training
April 13 2021- Ongoing
Leslie teaches the Dissolution Process session of the Family Mediation Training course through King County Dispute Resolution Center and Dispute Resolution Center of Snohomish, Island, and Skagit Counties.
Basic Mediation Training
August 25, 2020 – Ongoing
Leslie currently teaches the Mediator Ethics and Legal Framework and Client Opening sessions of the Basic Mediation Training (BMT) through the Dispute Resolution Center of Snohomish, Island, and Skagit Counties. She also provides coaching, assessment, and feedback for mediation practicum candidates and students.
Domestic Violence Screening in Collaborative Law
September 5, 2018
Leslie presented a lecture on Domestic Violence Screening to Eastside King County Collaborative Law colleagues.
Domestic Violence Considerations during Mediation
May 17, 2016
Leslie presented a lecture on Domestic Violence Considerations during Mediation through the Dispute Resolution Center of Snohomish and Island Counties.
New Lawyer Education: Mediation Basics
January 19, 2016
Leslie served as faculty member and panelist for “New Lawyer Education: Mediation Basics” CLE, through the Washington State Bar Association.
Divorce Roadmap: Taking the Mystery out of Dissolutions
January 21, 2016
Leslie presented community lecture on the dissolution process at the Redmond library in partnership with the Eastside Legal Assistance Program.
ELAP Breakfast for Justice
May 14, 2015
Leslie spoke about her experience as a Family Law Fellow at the ELAP Breakfast for Justice, ELAP’s annual fundraising breakfast attended by over 500 people.
Divorce Roadmap: Taking the Mystery out of Dissolutions
March 31, 2015
Leslie presented “Divorce Roadmap: Taking the Mystery out of Dissolutions” at the Mercer Island Community Center.
ELAP Family Law Fellowship Experience
December 2014
Leslie wrote about her experience as an ELAP Family Law Fellow.
