Rebecca J. Torgerson

Rebecca began her law career with Brewe Layman, P.S. in 2001 as a legal intern.

Since earning her law degree in 2002, she has worked exclusively in the area of family law. Rebecca is skilled at guiding her clients through the complexities of divorce and family law issues, including property/business valuation, property division, spousal maintenance, and child support matters. Rebecca has experience representing parties in cases involving Committed Intimate Relationships (CIR) and is familiar with the case law, arguments and evidence necessary to both prove and disprove the existence of such relationships. She also works with clients on thorny child custody matters and understands and employs the most successful strategies to the benefit of her clients and their families. She co-authored the Washington Practice chapter relating to Prenuptial Agreements.

Having seen divorces and family-law matters of all stripes and varieties, Rebecca knows that having a deep understanding of each client’s goals and objectives is critical to a successful outcome. Every client is different, and she is attentive to the needs of each individual client and the nuances of every case. Rebecca prides herself on being able to balance a client’s need for aggressive advocacy with a realistic sense of what is fair and possible. She finds creative solutions to the most complicated matters, including those involving parenting plans or complex financial or estate issues.

When not practicing law, Rebecca can be found spending time with her family. She is an avid reader of historical fiction and biographies and loves to bake. Rebecca is active in the Seattle Children’s Guild she co-founded, which raises money to benefit the uncompensated care fund at Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Representative Matters & Engagements

Represented a client in a parenting plan modification action where the Guardian Ad Litem recommended a reduction in her client’s residential time. Rebecca negotiated a parenting plan that increased her client’s residential time and granted her sole decision-making authority.

Successfully argued in favor of dismissal of a Committed Intimate Relationship action on summary judgment.

Litigated a high-conflict dissolution action involving a party with a previously undiagnosed personality disorder.

Represented a client in a high conflict parenting plan modification, where the Guardian Ad Litem recommended a change of custody in favor of the opposing party. At trial, Rebecca successfully defended against the modification and convinced the judge not to follow the Guardian Ad Litem’s recommendations. Client also received a significant attorney fee award.

Secured a significant increase in child support for a client in a child support modification, where opposing party was self-employed and much of his income was under the table.

Obtained a favorable settlement for a client involving a family business and negotiated a significant spousal maintenance award to the client.

Represented a client in a highly contentious divorce involving complex financial dealings which required extensive discovery and exchange of records/documents and a several expert witnesses

Published Cases

In Re Parentage of M.F., 141 Wn. App. 558, 170 P.3d 601 (2007)

Professional Recognition and Honors

Recognized by Best Lawyers in Family Law 2023

Recognized by Best Lawyers in Family Law 2022

Selected Publications

October 2017 – Red Flag Spotting in Prenuptial Agreements

2017 – Chapter Author, Washington Practice Family and Community Property Law (Prenuptial Agreements)

December 2010 – Separate VS. Community Property – Problems Regarding Characterization

December 2010 – Current Developments In Meretricious Relationship Law