Mark R. Arend - Tacoma, WA
Attorney at McKinley Irvin
Family Law Lawyers in Tacoma, WA
1201 Pacific Avenue Suite 2000 Tacoma, WA 98402
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
18
Years
Experience
Tacoma Family Law Lawyer
Updated: 03/16/2026
Areas of Practice
- Family Law
Attorney Information
Overview
As a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot, businessman, and now family law attorney, Mark knows how to go into an adversarial environment and achieve a beneficial outcome. He puts these skills to use every day to help his clients get successful results, often despite difficult circumstances.
While Mark is aggressive in pursuing his clients' objectives, he is well known for his compassion and patience in working with his clients. Mark has firsthand experience of the emotional devastation and confusing legal issues that a person is faced with when getting a divorce—it’s one of the reasons he became a family lawyer.
"I understand how my clients are feeling," says Mark. "They are going through a stressful time and are counting on me to navigate the legal system for them, which is often much more of an art than anything else. I counsel my clients carefully about their options, then act directly to achieve their objectives."
Mark distinguishes his approach to family law by handling every case with common sense, confidence, unwavering ethics, and professionalism. He has specialized training in both litigation and mediation, making him equally comfortable—and skillful—inside or outside the courtroom.
With a philosophy to “do better” for his clients than they’d get from anyone else, Mark works hard to earn his clients’ trust through clear and frequent communication, highly knowledgeable legal advocacy, and real compassion.
Mark represents clients in all types of family law matters and is highly experienced in cases that involve high-conflict situations, business ownership, or military families. He works mainly from the firm's Tacoma office.
Mark lives in Black Diamond, WA with his wife and children, where he coaches and referees the children's sports teams and enjoys exciting outdoor activities, whether on land, water, or up in the air.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Washington Rising Star by Super Lawyers®, 2012 - 2013
- WSBA Pro Bono Award, 2012
- Avvo.com 10.0 “Superb” rating since 2010
Other Sources of Feedback About Mark R. Arend
Included on the 2026 Washington Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2018 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2017 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2016 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2015 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2014 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2013 Washington Super Lawyers list
- 2012 Washington Super Lawyers list
Education
-
Legal Education
-
Seattle University School of Law,
Seattle,
Washington
J.D.
-
Seattle University School of Law,
Seattle,
Washington
Current Employment Position(s)
-
Partner
Past Positions
- United States Air Force, Fighter Pilot and Officer, 1983 - 1988
Classes and Seminars
-
Speaker, “Estate Planning Basics,” South Hill Professionals, 2012
- Speaker, “Estate Planning Essentials,” Edward Jones Client Roundtable, Puyallup, WA, 2013
Bar Admissions
- Washington, 2008
Other Affiliations
- Washington State Bar Association, 2011 - 2012 ( Family Law Section; Rules of Professional Conduct Committee)
- Washington State Bar Association, 2011 - 2012 (Continuing Legal Education Committee)
- Washington State Bar Association, 2009 - 2011 (Professionalism Committee)
- Tacoma-Pierce County Bar Association
- Cascade Vista Youth Athletic Club (Board of Directors)
Contact
1201 Pacific Avenue
Suite 2000
Tacoma, WA 98402
Phone: 206-489-0991
Fax: (206) 223-1999
Email: Send a message
-
https://www.mckinleyirvin.com/
- http://www.mckinleyirvin.com/Family-Law-Blog.aspx (Family Law Blog )
Hours: Monday - Friday: 8:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
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