Laurie Kalivas

Meet Laurie Kalivas

Your Trustworthy divorce and child custody lawyer

Laurie is a compassionate listener and a fierce advocate with an approachable and straightforward personality. Laurie believes in the power of collaboration and the power of preparedness. Laurie works actively to seek positive resolution and outcomes for her clients. Laurie is an enthusiastic litigator, as well as a fierce negotiator. Her area of special interest is child custody, working toward the preservation of parental rights and the best interests of children.

Laurie holds a law degree from the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University, and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Arizona. Laurie has been licensed to practice law in Arizona for over 20 years.


Prior to entering private practice in family law, Laurie worked as staff attorney for a non-profit organization, helping to provide access to the legal system for survivors of human trafficking and domestic abuse. Laurie assisted clients there with family and criminal history repair matters.  Previously, Laurie has worked as an attorney for the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC), working in both tribal Children’s and Adult Criminal Courts, handling juvenile dependency, juvenile delinquency, and adult criminal prosecution matters.  Additionally, Laurie was responsible for developing GRIC’s in-house Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) program and appeared frequently in the Superior Courts of Maricopa, Pinal and Pima counties for the Community’s ICWA cases. 

Laurie has also worked as an Arizona Assistant Attorney General in Mesa, Arizona handling juvenile dependency matters. Laurie has served on the Board of Directors for DNA People’s Legal Services since January, 2021.  Additionally, Laurie has volunteered at Phoenix Children’s Hospital in multiple leadership and advocacy roles since late 2019. Laurie is a member of the Arizona Women Lawyers Association. In law school, Laurie held an externship with the Center for Law in the Public Interest, an internship with the Alternative Dispute Resolution Division of the Superior Court of Maricopa County, worked for the Citizens Clean Elections Commission in Phoenix, and served as Vice-President of the Women Law Students Association at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law. 

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Education

  • Arizona State University College of Law, Phoenix, Arizona
  • J.D. – 2003
  • University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona
  • Bachelors of Arts, Sociology – 1998
  • Honors: cum laude

Bar Admissions

  • Arizona

Past Positions

  • Frank Amar Matura, Associate Attorney, November 2023-May 2024
  • Arizona Legal and Woman Services, Staff Attorney, October 2022 – November 2023
  • Gila River Indian Community, Prosecutor/Trial Attorney, March 2007 – November 2011
  • Assistant Attorney General, Protective Services Section, September 2005 – February 2007
  • Juvenile Court of Douglas and Lancaster counties Nebraska, Guardian Ad Litem, July 2004- September 2005
  • Wagner Law Office, Assistant Attorney, October 2003- September 2005