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.
Education
Bar Admissions
Past Positions
Building Family Foundations in Glendale
This month, North Peoria Lifestyle Magazine featured an inspiring article on Catherine Medina, founder of Medina Family Law Associates. Catherine’s journey is deeply influenced by her family’s 40-year legacy in Glendale, which includes her family’s local business, GMS Concrete. Growing up surrounded by a supportive, close-knit family instilled in Catherine the resilience and values essential…
Back to School – Custody Considerations for Shared Parenting in Arizona
As summer draws to a close, the familiar excitement of back-to-school preparations fills the air. This season can be particularly complex for families navigating shared custody arrangements. Parents sharing custody in Arizona should ensure your child’s school has a current copy of your Education Order. What’s an Education Order? An Education Order, is a document…
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Summer is a time for relaxation, adventure, and creating cherished memories with your children. However, when you share custody with another parent, planning summer vacations can be a bit more complex. To ensure a smooth and enjoyable summer for everyone, here are three important things to keep in mind: 1. Review and Adhere to Your…