Elizabeth A. Arwood

Elizabeth is an experienced litigator and practitioner in the areas of juvenile law, family law, business law and criminal defense. Within the area of family law, she has represented clients in parenting and child support, parentage, nonparental custody, dissolution, modification, and adoption cases. Within juvenile law, Elizabeth has experience with Becca Bill cases (Truancy, At Risk Youth, and Children In Need of Services), representation of youth in juvenile dependency proceedings, and juvenile offender matters. She has successfully resolved many criminal matters including domestic violence cases, assault, DUI, MIP (minor in possession), violations of the Vancouver Municipal Code, unlawful camping, trespass, disorderly conduct, animal cruelty, robbery and others. Elizabeth has entered clients into diversion, deferred sentences, and represented clients on probation violations. Elizabeth especially enjoys advocating for clients at trial. Additionally, Elizabeth is trained in Collaborative Practice and is happy to offer this service to clients as an alternative for those who wish to resolve their cases entirely outside of court.

Prior to founding Arwood & Blum, PLLC, Elizabeth was the principal attorney at Arwood Law, PLLC for over five years. Elizabeth graduated from Gonzaga University School of Law magna cum laude. During law school, Elizabeth also earned a Masters Degree in Business Administration, with Beta Gamma Sigma honors. During school, Elizabeth worked as a graduate fellow and assisted two business school professors with research and scholarship. She co-authored published articles on the topics of international terrorism and its impact on organizations and management; and, servant teaching and its use in managing stakeholder relationships. Elizabeth’s experiences and studies in MBA school, as well as her successful operation of her own law practice, provide Elizabeth with the ability to approach business law representation with a unique perspective.

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Oregon

Oregon State Bar

Since 2010

Washington

Washington State Bar Association

Since 2011

Managing Member

Arwood & Blum, PLLC

2017 - Current

Principal Attorney

Arwood Law, PLLC

2011 - Current

Gonzaga University School of Law

J.D. (2010) | Law

2007 - 2010

Honors: Magna Cum Laude, Dean's Lists, Cali Awards (highest grade in class) in Property Law and Constitutional Law II

Activities: Tax Moot Court, Business Law Club, Externships

Gonzaga University

MBA (2010) | Business

2007 - 2010

Honors: Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society

University of Oregon

B.A. (2006) | Political Science

2006

Honors: Pi Sigma Alpha, Order of Omega, Dean's Lists

Clark County Bar Association

2012 - Current

Clark County Bar Association, Family Law Section

2012 - Current

Clark County Bar Association, Young Lawyer Section

2012 - 2020

Hearsay

Clark County Bar Association

Title 26 Guardian Ad Litems, Clark County Bar Association Family Law Section Monthly Meeting

September 12, 2013

Clark County Bar Association Family Law Section

Q. Is there anything I can do if my children's mother keeps telling my kids lies and things they do not need to hear?

May 8, 2019

A: As your question indicates, it is not in a child's best interest to discuss the Court case with children, involve them in parenting decisions, or disparage the other parent to the children. Your remedies regarding this situation depend on a lot of contingencies, such as if you already have a parenting plan that addresses this issue. Many parenting plans contain provisions indicating topics that are not to be discussed with the child. If your parent plan contains such a provision, you may have a remedies, but it depends specifically on what your parenting plan says. If you have a good working relationship with the other parent, you might try discussing your concerns with them, and seeing if they will agree to change the way they talk to the children. Your parenting plan, if you have one, may also contain alternative dispute resolutions that would allow you a neutral forum to discuss your concerns. If you don't have required alternative dispute provisions in the parenting plan, and there is a violation of the language in the parenting plan by the other parent, you might have a basis for contempt. If there is no language in the parenting plan regarding not discussing the court case, not disparaging the other parent, etc. you might have a basis for a minor modification to add non-disparagement type language into the "other provisions" section of the parenting plan. It is usually best if you can work with the other parent to resolve minor issues before involving the Court process. There are a lot of options that an experienced family law attorney would be able to discuss with you. This answer is not intended to be specific legal advice. ... Read More

Q. My spouse and I are going thru custody case.I learned child has missed 12 days-47 tardy. Is this neglect?

May 8, 2019

A: It's difficult to answer this without more information regarding the cause of the absences. Neglect in Washington is defined as negligent treatment or maltreatment of a child by any person under circumstances which indicate that the child's health, welfare, and safety is harmed. In Washington, unexcused absences can result in a separate court action called a truancy proceeding. The truancy proceeding would be brought by the school district. There are very specific procedural safeguards outlined in the truancy statute that the school district must comply with before bringing a truancy action; after they have met those, if a child has more than 10 unexcused absences in a school year, or 5 unexcused absences in a month, the school district can file a truancy petition. It is in your child's best interest to figure out the underlying cause(s) of the unexcused absences, and help him/her with those barriers, as it may or may not have anything to do with the other parent. If you believe the other parent is causing the unexcused absences or contributing to them in some way, you should raise this issue in family court with documentation including school records. This answer is not intended as legal advice, and it is always best to consult an attorney about your individual circumstances for advice. ... Read More