Law Office of Donna Person Smith

For individuals in Puyallup, Washington, seeking legal assistance with a range of personal and sensitive matters, the Law Office of Donna Person Smith, now operating under the umbrella of Sterling Law Group, offers legal services accessible through platforms like "Lawyers Near Me." This firm, with its roots in local practice, aims to provide support and representation for clients navigating challenging legal situations.

The office is located at 3708 14th St Pl SW, Puyallup, WA 98373, USA. This convenient Puyallup address positions the firm to serve clients throughout the local community. For direct contact, the firm can be reached at (253) 840-0288, and their mobile phone number is also +1 253-840-0288.

The Law Office of Donna Person Smith, as part of Sterling Law Group, operates from a professional office space designed to facilitate confidential discussions and diligent legal work. Located in the South Hill area of Puyallup, next to Costco, the office aims for convenient access for clients. While specific details about the interior ambiance are not provided, legal firms typically strive for an environment that is both welcoming and conducive to serious legal consultation. The firm's association with Sterling Law Group suggests a structured and professional setup, likely with administrative support to manage client communications and case progression.

The Law Office of Donna Person Smith, under Sterling Law Group, provides legal services primarily focused on areas that often involve sensitive personal and family matters. Based on available information, their key practice areas include:

• Family Law: This is a core area of the firm's practice. They assist clients with various family law matters, including divorce, legal separation, child custody and visitation arrangements, child support, spousal support (alimony), and modifications to existing court orders. The firm emphasizes providing compassionate representation during these often-stressful times, aiming to guide clients through complex processes to achieve favorable outcomes.

• Criminal Defense: Donna Person Smith has over 20 years of experience as a criminal defense attorney. She has been in private practice in Washington State since 1994 and has personally handled thousands of criminal cases. She previously served as the Auburn Public Defender for a period of seven years (1999-2005). Her experience covers all aspects of criminal cases, from intake to trial, in Washington State Superior Courts, District Courts, and Municipal Courts. This indicates a strong background in defending individuals accused of various criminal offenses.

• Wills & Estates / Estate Planning: The firm offers services related to wills and estates, assisting clients with planning for the future distribution of their assets and ensuring their wishes are honored. This includes drafting wills, setting up trusts, and establishing powers of attorney. When a loved one passes away, they also help with administering the estate through the probate process and resolving any disputes that may arise.

• Civil Litigation: While not as explicitly detailed as family or criminal law, a general legal practice often involves civil litigation, which addresses non-criminal disputes between parties. This can encompass a broad range of legal conflicts that require court intervention or alternative dispute resolution methods.

The firm aims to help clients "get the information, guidance, and compassionate representation they need." They promote themselves as having "more than 20 years experience" and offer a "Talk to a Lawyer Now" option for consultation.

The Law Office of Donna Person Smith, now part of Sterling Law Group, highlights experience and a compassionate approach as key features. Donna Person Smith herself is noted for her extensive experience in criminal defense, having handled thousands of cases and argued before the Washington State Court of Appeals. The firm's team-oriented approach is also evident, with paralegals like Christina and Cheryl, and attorneys like Abigail and Chelsea mentioned in client reviews.

However, the available client reviews present a mixed and evolving picture of the firm's client experience, particularly after its acquisition by Sterling Law Group.

• Positive Aspects: One client highly recommends the firm, praising the entire staff as "polite, compassionate, and friendly." They specifically commend "attorney Abigail and her paralegal Christina" for being "amazing and always quick to respond," indicating a strong positive experience with a specific legal team within the firm, especially for "very difficult cases."

• Concerns Regarding Prioritization and Cost: Another lengthy review, while acknowledging Donna herself as a "very knowledgeable lawyer," expresses significant dissatisfaction regarding prioritization and perceived cost-motivation. The client felt they "became a bucket of money" rather than the issue being solved. Concerns were raised about responsiveness, particularly during pressing times, with the client feeling they were "never really felt like a true priority." The practice of charging for phone call requests was also deemed "pretty weird." This review suggests a perception that clients with "more money and trust" received higher priority.

• Impact of Acquisition and Specific Personnel Issues: The same critical review highlights a significant negative shift in client experience after the firm was "purchased by the Sterling law group." A specific individual named "Tiffany" is vehemently criticized, being described as "the absolutely worst human being on the planet" and accused of making "threatening statements of dropping me as a client," leading the client and their significant other to discontinue services. This feedback strongly suggests a decline in service quality and client relations following the organizational change. The reviewer concludes by stating the "law group does not have any sort of heart or emotion involved and feels purely money motivated," ultimately recommending other law groups for divorce cases or even self-filing.

These reviews indicate a significant divergence in client experiences, with a clear demarcation around the time of the acquisition by Sterling Law Group. While some individual attorneys and paralegals receive high praise, the overall firm experience for some clients, especially after the acquisition, appears to have been negatively impacted by communication issues, perceived lack of priority, and specific personnel conduct.

For users searching on "Lawyers Near Me," the Law Office of Donna Person Smith (Sterling Law Group) promotes its long-standing experience (over 20 years for Donna Person Smith), its focus on family law and criminal defense, and its commitment to compassionate representation. The positive review showcases the firm's ability to handle complex cases effectively and highlights the strength of specific team members in providing responsive and supportive service.

However, prospective clients should also be aware of the critical feedback, particularly concerning the alleged shift in client focus and service quality following the acquisition by Sterling Law Group. The negative comments regarding client prioritization, billing practices, and specific personnel behavior (especially concerning "Tiffany") are significant and could influence a client's decision. While the firm's website and general promotional material would likely emphasize their positive attributes and areas of expertise, the detailed client reviews offer a more nuanced perspective on the client experience.

Ultimately, the Law Office of Donna Person Smith (Sterling Law Group) presents itself as a firm with deep experience in family law and criminal defense, striving to provide comprehensive legal support. Potential clients using "Lawyers Near Me" would find information about their service areas and contact details, but should also consider the full range of client feedback to form a complete picture of what to expect from their legal representation.