Meet a Member: Ali Keller
When did you first start practicing Collaborative Law?
I took the Collaborative Law Basic Training in 2015 and the 40-hour mediation training in 2016; however, I did not have my first full team Collaborative case until 2018. While many of the cases I handled at first felt collaborative in nature, it took a while to get a full Collaborative practice going.
What is one great thing about being a part of KCCL?
Our community! I truly respect and enjoy practicing with everyone in our community. I consider it a real privilege to get to work with such smart, creative, dedicated, and supportive people.
What are your favorite snacks for in-person joint meetings?
Popcorn, apple slices, chocolate.
What is one new thing you’ve been thinking about in your practice lately?
I have really been trying to remind myself in each case that clients come in with SO much history (both in their marriage and their entire lives prior to marriage) and that history comes into the room/meeting with them. It helps me to remember and acknowledge this so that I can have more empathy for how they experience and participate in their divorce process.
Is there a time of day that you’ve found works best for joint team meetings?
It doesn’t matter too much for me, but I prefer anytime after 9:30am (much earlier, and I am not yet fully awake!).
Do you work with the same professionals in most of your cases, or with different teams?
I really do not have any set groups or teams that I work with in my cases. I have enjoyed creating new teams of professionals that I hope might be a great fit for a particular client or couple. It’s fun to work with new professionals and learn how they might participate differently. We all have so much learning to do from each other as Collaborative professionals.
To learn more about Ali Keller visit her here
Ali Keller is an attorney with Holman Cahill PLLC and the 2024-25 President of KCCL. In addition to Collaborative family law, Ali practices estate planning and is a fellow of the Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproductive Attorneys (AAAA).
April Benson is a KCCL member and attorney. April joined Holman Cahill PLLC in 2023 and focuses her practice on amicable/collaborative family law: divorce, parentage, and guardianships. Her office is in North Seattle, but the nature of her practice (and the convenience of Zoom) often allows her to take clients throughout the State of Washington.
