Atty. Mark Arend
Mark Arend, a partner at McKinley Irvin, is an experienced family law attorney recognized for strategic advocacy, practical judgment, and a client-focused approach. He handles divorce, child custody and support, mediation, relocation, and complex divorce cases involving business interests, professionals, and military families.
Family Law & More Attorney · Serving Tacoma, WA · 18+ Years Experience
Profile Summary
About Mark Arend at a Glance
Mark Arend is a family law and adr attorney based in Tacoma, Washington, practicing at McKinley Irvin. They have 18+ years of legal experience, licensed to practice since 2008. Admitted to practice in Washington, Washington State Bar Association (2008). Educated at Seattle University (J.D., 2008). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Family Law (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Family Law Arbitration (2026), and Best Lawyers in America — Family Law Mediation (2026). Serves clients in Tacoma, WA and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Mark Arend
- Mark Arend, a partner at McKinley Irvin, is an experienced family law attorney recognized for strategic advocacy, practical judgment, and a client-focused approach
- He handles divorce, child custody and support, mediation, relocation, and complex divorce cases involving business interests, professionals, and military families
- Clients and colleagues value Mark for his calm demeanor, responsiveness, and commitment to integrity throughout the legal process
- He is known for balancing compassionate client service with skilled representation, helping clients navigate difficult family transitions with confidence
- A certified mediator, arbitrator, and Commissioner Pro Tempore for Pierce County, Mark is recognized for his ability to navigate both highly contested litigation and negotiated resolutions with professionalism and steady leadership
- Mark has also serves in leadership and service roles within the legal community, including as current President of the Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and as a Fellow of the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL)
- Mark Arend is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law Arbitration, Family Law Mediation and Family Law
- Mark, who practices law in Tacoma, Washington, has been recognized since 2025
- This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Mark is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area
Practice Areas Explained
Mark Arend's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Mark Arend handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Tacoma.
Family Law in Tacoma
Family law attorneys handle divorce, child custody, child support, adoption, prenups, and protective orders. Find verified family lawyers near you.
Mark Arend is one of 185,688 family law attorneys indexed nationally. Browse family law attorneys in Washington →
Mediation & Arbitration in Tacoma
Mediators and arbitrators for civil, commercial, family, and employment dispute resolution.
Mark Arend is one of 73,315 adr attorneys indexed nationally. Browse adr attorneys in Washington →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Tacoma
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 Tacoma 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 venue, 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.
Tacoma Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Tacoma-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional Washington attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Tacoma or all attorneys in Washington.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Tacoma Choose Mark Arend
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Mark Arend's practice in the field of family law and adr.
Decade-Tested Legal Experience
Mark Arend brings 18+ years of hands-on legal practice — enough to have navigated the recurring fact patterns, procedural traps, and negotiation dynamics that shape case outcomes.
Broad Practice Area Coverage
Covering family law and adr, Mark Arend can address the full spectrum of a client's legal needs without requiring referrals to separate specialists for each issue.
Local Presence in Tacoma
A Tacoma-based practice means Mark Arend attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
Case Types
Common Legal Issues Mark Arend Handles in Tacoma
Below is a representative sample of the types of matters Mark Arend has experience with under Washington law. If your situation involves one of these case categories, this attorney may be well positioned to help you understand your options.
This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. Contact Mark Arend directly to discuss the specifics of your situation.
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How People Find Mark Arend Online
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Mark Arend's Practice Areas & Specializations
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