SHARON J. BLACKFORD
- Practicing in the Washington Court of Appeals, Washington Supreme Court and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals
EXPERIENCE
- Owner/Attorney, Sharon Blackford PLLC, Seattle, Washington 1995 – 1997 | 2004 – Present
- Represent clients, perform all research, writing and argument in appellate and trial cases in the Washington Court of Appeals, Washington Supreme Court, and Federal Appellate Courts. Emphasis on complex briefing and appellate litigation in family, property, and criminal matters.
- Senior Appellate Attorney, Washington Appellate Project, Seattle, Washington 1997 – 2004
- Appeal felony criminal, civil, and parental termination convictions in Washington Court of Appeals and Supreme Court. Mentor junior attorneys, emphasis on research, writing, and editing of appellate briefs.
EDUCATION
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) – Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, Washington 1995
- Cum Laude graduate, Dean’s List
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), English Literature – University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 1992
- Quarterly Honors every quarter – GPA 3.85, National Merit Scholar
AFFILIATIONS
- Appellate Section, King County Bar Association
- Domestic Relations Attorneys of Washington (2017-present)
- Family Law Section, Washington State Bar (2004-present)
- Advisory Council, Family Violence Appellate Project of Washington (2021-present)
- Panel Member, Criminal Justice Act (federal appellate defense) (2008-present)
- Washington Appellate Project – Board Member (2006-2013)
- Washington State Bar Association (WSBA) (1995-present)
- Court Funding Task Force Problem Definition Committee Member (2003 – 2004)
- Committee of Bar Examiners — Wrote and graded Bar Examinations (1996 – 1999)
- Family Law Section (2010 – Present)
- King County Bar Association (Court Rules Working Group 2012-2013)
SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
- 2018 WSBA Family Law MidYear, Presenter, How to Make Your Record for Appeal (June 29, 2018)
- Washington State Senate, official testimony advising re: proposed marijuana legalization (March 14, 2011)
- CLE International, Presenter, Continuing Legal Education Seminar on Medical Marijuana in parenting and family litigation (July 12, 2010)
- Washington Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Seattle, Washington
- Chair, Continuing Legal Education seminar “Suppressing Evidence” (March 2008)
- Presenter, Continuing Legal Education Seminars on Appellate Practice (Spring and Summer, 2005)
PUBLISHED ARTICLES
- Online Divorce: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly, Washington eLawyer, July 2014
- Dragging Family Law Into the 21st Century, Washington eLawyer, June 2014
- A New Kind Of Law Practice, Washington eLawyer, March 2014
- Helping Your Client Win on Appeal, Washington Criminal Defense, Spring 2004
- Trial Practice, Washington Criminal Defense, Summer 2004
