Biography
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 is also a member of the Honorable Robert J. Bryan American Inn of Court.
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.
Practice Focus Areas
- Divorce
- Child Custody
- Dependency
- Child Support
- Adoption
- Minor Guardianships
- Committed Intimate Relationships (CIR)
- Paternity
- LGBTQ+ Family Law
- Domestic Violence Restraining Orders
Education
- Seattle University School of Law, Seattle, Washington
- J.D. – 2018
- Law Journal, SJSJ, Student Editor, 2016, 2018
- University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- M.S.W. – 2000
- The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington
- M.P.A. – 1995
- University of Puget Sound, Tacoma, Washington
- B.A. – 1990
- Major: Psychology
- Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute, American Bar Association
- Graduate – 2025
Bar / Professional Associations
- Washington State Bar Association (#54031)
- Tacoma Pierce County Bar Association
- Thurston County Bar Association
- King County Bar Association
- National LGBT Bar Association
- The Honorable Robert J. Bryan American Inn of Court, Member
Classes & Seminars
- The Landscape of LGBT rights, University of Houston, 2012
- LGBT Rights Seminar, Washington State University, 2011
Pro-Bono Activities
- City of Tacoma Human Rights Commission
- National LGBT Speaker for GLAAD and HRC, 2007 to 2015
Awards
- Presidential Citizens Medal, 2011
- Recognized by Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027
- Selected to Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026
- Attorney and Practice Magazine Top 10 Family Law Attorney – 2026
- 10 Best Female Attorneys, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys (AIOFLA) – 2026
- Best of the Best Family Law Female Attorney, Best of the Best Attorneys – 2026
- Avvo 10.0 Rating
- Lambda Legal Liberty Award
- Human Rights Campaign National Equality Award
- National Equity Award – Human Rights Campaign (2010)
