In 1986, Ms. Koehmstedt prosecuted for the
City of Kennewick under a limited license. Upon receiving her Doctorate of Laws, she was hired as a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the Benton County Prosecuting Attorney's office in 1987. There, she worked
prosecuting numerous cases in district and juvenile court, handling appeals in Superior Court and the Court of Appeals. She opened her private practice in 1990 and has practiced law in municipal, district, superior and appellate courts. She is an experienced litigator on many issues of family law and civil litigation. Ms. Koehmstedt has tried hundreds of cases in and represented thousands of clients as a tenacious advocate on various legal matters.
Career Experience
Private Practice - Kennewick, WA
1990 - Present
Emphasizing custody, collaborative divorce, estate planning, criminal defense, mediation, and arbitration. Ms. Koehmstedt has been appointed as Guardian ad Litem in Domestic relations and RCW 11.130 actions. Regularly practicing in District, Municipal, Superior Courts. Negotiated and tried hundreds of cases in an effective; professional manner.
Juvenile Court Defense Panel Attorney
1990 - 1996
Defense of juvenile offenders, litigation of child dependencies, termination of parental rights, involuntary commitment proceedings, youth at risk petitions and material witness representation. Represented over 2,400 individuals while providing high-level legal representation. Developed working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Deputy Prosecuting
1987 - 1990
Ms. Koehmstedt was a Deputy Prosecuting Attorney at the Benton County Prosecutor's Office from 1987 -1990. During her tenure there, she prosecuted thousands of cases in District Court and Superior Court Juvenile Division. She also represented the State on Criminal appeals, Involuntary commitment hearings (psychiatric and alcohol,) and civil matters such as drafting the Dangerous Dog Ordinance.
Education
University of Puget Sound School of Law - Tacoma, WA
Juris Doctorate awarded Cum Laude, 1987
University of Puget Sound - Tacoma, WA
Bachelor of Arts awarded, 1984
Hanford High School - Richland, WA, 1980
Membership and Licenses
- Washington State Bar Association
- Benton-Franklin Counties Bar Association
- Eastern Washington Collaborative Law Association
- Court-Approved Mediator
- Court-Approved Arbitrator
- Title 11 Guardian ad Litem/Court Visitor
- Title 26 Guardian ad Litem
