Unified Family Court Early Resolution Case Managers Family Law ...

King County Superior Court- Unified Family Court
Early Resolution Case Managers
Family Law Orientation (FLO)
The Early Resolution Case Manager (ERCM) position became operational in March of
2008 when King County Superior Court implemented a pilot project funded by the Trial
Court Improvement Accounts. Due to the success of the pilot project, the Court
presently employs three full-time ERCMs in family law and one half-time ERCM
operating in the dependency arena. Charged with the duty of assisting pro se litigants,
the ERCMs appear at all status/noncompliance calendars and most pretrial conference
calendars. ERCMs assist in preparation of agreed orders, provide limited scope
mediation services, and are responsible for the presentation of the Family Law
Orientation (FLO). While there is a fee for the FLO, there is no additional cost for
ERCM services.
The FLO was created in an effort to provide pro se litigants with an overview of the court
process and information regarding available resources. While KCLFLR 20 requires
attendance by all parties to 26.09 RCW actions within 30 days of filing or service,
attendance by parties to all family law actions is encouraged. For a $20.00 fee
(reducible depending on income), attendees are provided facilitator instructions specific
to their case type, resource information, and a presentation that provides an overview of
the court process and tips for navigating the complex family law arena. Since its debut
in April 2011, the FLO has had over 2,800 attendees.
The goals of the FLO are: 1) improved access to justice by providing unrepresented
parties with important information and resources; and 2) reduced caseloads by
providing early intervention and referral. Feedback received from FLO participants is
extremely encouraging. Over 90% of the evaluations completed by participants indicate
the FLO was helpful. One attendee asserts: “I feel the course was very helpful, very
clear communication. Very useful. I appreciate this class.” While others stated: “It was
very good class. After this class I knew so many things about my case” and “It is
surprisingly caring-I am still (do) not believe how government thinks about people, after
being in the US 20 years I am still surprised. Thank you very much.”
Family law attorneys are always welcome to observe the FLO at no cost. Please
contact Julie A. Allen, Family Law Orientation Coordinator at (206)296-9323 or Juliesc.allen@kingcounty.gov
to make arrangements.
KCBA Family Law Section Meeting 3.2.12

Melinda Johnson Taylor
Early Resolution Case Manager, Lead
King County Superior Court, Unified Family Court
(206) 205-2667
Prior to attending Seattle University School of Law, Melinda Johnson Taylor studied
Anthropology and Political Science at Western Washington University. During the
course of her studies, she gained experience as a sexual assault/domestic violence
advocate. After being admitted to practice in 2003, Melinda received her mediation
certification from the Pierce County Center for Dispute Resolution. She was family law
practitioner prior to joining King County Superior Court as a Court Facilitator in 2005.
Melinda became King County’s first Early Resolution Case Manager in 2008.
M. Christina Luera
Early Resolution Case Manager, Seattle
King County Superior Court, Unified Family Court
(206) 205-5502
Christina Luera graduated from Seattle University with a double major in
English/Creative Writing and Philosophy and she received her JD from the University Of
Washington School Of Law. Christina served as the Family Law Staff Attorney at
Snohomish County Legal Services for nearly five years before joining King County
Superior Court in 2011. She has volunteered with Northwest Immigrant Rights Project,
KCBA Family Law Mentor Program, Refugee Women’s Alliance and Northwest
Women’s Law Center (now known as Legal Voice).
Jamie Perry
Early Resolution Case Manager, Kent
King County Superior Court, Unified Family Court
(206) 205-2546
Jamie Perry graduated from the William O. Douglas Honors College at Central
Washington University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a
Bachelor of Science degree in Public Policy. She then went on to obtain her J.D. in the
spring of 2006 from the University of Oregon Law School. After law school Jamie
practiced family law in private practice for five years before starting her current job with
King County.
KCBA Family Law Section Meeting 3.2.12