Janice Langbehn

Janice Langbehn spent her first career in social work, primarily in Child Protective Services throughout Pierce, Thurston, and Lewis counties. During her 18-year career with the State of Washington, she worked with more than 1,000 children and families, while at the same time raising her own four adopted children and earning two Masters degrees in Social Work and Public Administration.

Upon retiring from social work Janice became an advocate for the LGBT community, seeking equal treatment for families in hospital visitations. In 2011 her work was recognized by President Barack Obama, who awarded her the second highest civilian honor in the country: the Presidential Citizen’s Medal.

After five years as a Guardian ad Litem, Janice then set her sights on a career in family law. She attended Seattle University School of Law, completing her Juris Doctor in May 2018. While at law school Janice was involved in a number of school groups including co-president of the LGBT student law society, OUTLaws, president of the Student Bar Association, member of Moot Court Board, student editor of the Seattle Journal for Social Justice, and Student Bar Association Diversity Representative.

Janice currently serves on the Washington State Bar Association’s Diversity Committee and is a member of that organization’s Q-Law and Family Law section. She is a member of the American Bar Association, and the Pierce and King County Bar Associations.

Janice’s service to families has been at the heart of her long career in the law, advocacy, and social work. She is committed to helping families navigate the complexities of family law, whether in high conflict custody matters, adoption, surrogacy, or dissolutions.

Classes & Seminars

The Landscape of LGBT rights, University of Houston, 2012

LGBT Rights Seminar, Washington State University, 2011

Pro-Bono Activities

National LGBT Speaker for GLAAD and HRC, 2007 to 2015

City of Tacoma Human Rights Commission

Professional Associations

Washington State Bar Association, Present

Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association, Present

National LGBT Bar Association, 2019 to Present

King County Bar, Member

Thurston County Bar, Member

QLaw and Family Law Sections of the Washington State Bar, Member

Honors

Presidential Citizens Medal

Lambda Legal Liberty Award

Human Rights Campaign National Equality Award

National Equity Award – Human Rights Campaign (2010)

Rising Stars – Super Lawyers (2021-2026)

Attorney and Practice Magazine Top 10 Family Law Attorney – 2026

American Institute of Family Law Attorneys 10 Best Female Attorneys – 2026

Best of the Best Family Law Female Attorney – 2026