Atty. David B. Starks

Atty. David B. Starks

David B. Starks is a Partner at the Pacific Northwest family law firm McKinley Irvin, PLLC.

Call (206) 397-0399 Book Appointment

Profile Summary

About David B. Starks at a glance

David B. Starks is a family law attorney based in Seattle, Washington, practicing at McKinley Irvin. Admitted to practice in Washington, Washington State Bar Association, Oregon, Oregon State Bar, and Texas, State Bar of Texas. Educated at Seattle University (J.D., 1998). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Family Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Awards: (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Rated 10 out of 10 "Superb" on Avvo.com (2026). Serands clients in Seattle, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.

Verified attorney profile · Updated June 2026

About

  • David B. Starks is a Partner at the Pacific Northwest family law firm McKinley Irvin, PLLC. He is a Fellow of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (IAML), and current president of the Washington chapter of the AAML
  • David’s practice concentrates on divorce cases involving difficult custody matters as well as the protection, valuation, and distribution of significant assets or business interests
  • His passion for resolving complex family law matters has also led him to routinely represent clients with international divorce and family law issues, and he is a frequent speaker on international matrimonial topics
  • He is a Past Chair of the ABA International Law Section’s Family Law Committee and an ABA Section Advisor to the Drafting Committee for the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws as regards the Implementation of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children
  • David is licensed to practice in Washington, Oregon, and Texas and has been designated by his peers as a Super Lawyer (top 100) in Thompson Reuters Washington Super Lawyers magazine and as one of The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Family Law

Practice Areas Explained

David B. Starks's Areas of Practice

Each practice area below reflects the types of cases David B. Starks handles, with a brief overview of what that area of law covers.

Family Law

Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.

David B. Starks is one of 187,066 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Washington →

Jurisdictional Context

Why local counsel matters in Washington

Practicing law in Washington. Legal matters in Washington are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Seattle are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate Washington state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in Washington brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this andnue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in Washington courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.

Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Seattle or all attorneys in Washington.

Frequently Asked

Common questions about David B. Starks

Where is David B. Starks's law office located?
David B. Starks's law practice is located in Seattle, Washington. The firm is McKinley Irvin. You can contact the office directly through this profile page.
What practice areas does David B. Starks handle?
David B. Starks focuses on family law. Each practice area listed reflects experience handling cases of that type in Washington.
Where did David B. Starks go to law school?
David B. Starks earned their education at (J.D., 1998).
How can I contact David B. Starks for a consultation?
You can contact David B. Starks directly through this profile page. Click "Ask the Attorney" to submit a question, or "Schedule a Consultation" to book a meeting. Most claimed-profile attorneys respond within one business day.
What awards or recognition has David B. Starks received?
David B. Starks's notable recognition includes: Best Lawyers in America — Family Law; Best Lawyers in America — Awards:; Best Lawyers in America — Rated 10 out of 10 "Superb" on Avvo.com; Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Attorneys in Washington State, Washington Super Lawyers, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018; Best Lawyers in America — Washington Super Lawyers, 2010-2018.

Practice Areas

Education

J.D.
Seattle University
- 1998

Awards

Best Lawyers in America — Family Law
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Awards:
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Rated 10 out of 10 "Superb" on Avvo.com
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Top 100 Attorneys in Washington State, Washington Super Lawyers, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
- 2026
Best Lawyers in America — Washington Super Lawyers, 2010-2018
- 2026
Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (Seattle)
- 2024
Lawyer of the Year — Family Law (Seattle)
- 2022

Bar Admissions

Washington, Washington State Bar Association
Oregon, Oregon State Bar
Texas, State Bar of Texas

Reviews

These reviews belong to platform users; they do not constitute advertisement or promotion for the attorney. Opinions are published for informational purposes only.

No reviews yet.