Aggressive Legal Help

ABOUT US

Valerie Shuman

Valerie is your first point of contact with Shuman Law Office. Shuman Law firmly believes that you should have instant telephone access to a lawyer – not a phone tree, an answering service or a receptionist to put you on hold. When you call in, the friendly voice you hear is Valerie.
 
Valerie has been practicing law for nearly 30 years and brings to Shuman Law the knowledge gained from a wide range of practice areas – from criminal law to consumer protection and personal injury. She spent 6 years practicing with Robert Deutscher, long one of Washington’s most respected and learned medical malpractice and personal injury attorneys and then spent a few years at home with a young family.
 
In 2000, Valerie returned to personal injury law, working with numerous local firms when they had a large stakes case that needed intensive preparation. In 2004, Valerie made the decision to join Stephen at Shuman Law Office. With two attorneys on staff, Shuman Law Office was able to polish and perfect what makes them unique: instant access to knowledgeable and compassionate legal representation. Valerie is a great listener, a fast researcher and has a common sense approach to law. She’ll give you the simplest, most cost-effective answer to your questions – even if it means that you don’t hire Shuman Law. Her greatest professional pride is the humanity she brings to her practice.
 
In her spare time, Valerie has two passions: reading and travel. You can often find her at Tacoma Book Center or King’s Books. If she’s not there, she’s probably in front of a National Geographic map, checking on train connections between European cities. She travels with a focus on World War II sites and unusual architecture. Her favorite places include Krakow, Budapest, Barcelona and anywhere in Italy.

Stephen Shuman

Stephen grew up in the Bay Area, graduated from University of Colorado, Boulder, and then attended law school here in Tacoma at the University of Puget Sound, where he graduated in 1992. He has devoted his practice to criminal defense since 1993, and he occasionally acts as a pro tem judge for the Pierce County District Court. 
 
A gifted writer, Stephen started Shuman Law as a law student, helping local lawyers write legal briefs for $10 an hour. Upon graduation, he devoted his time and energy to building a firm that offered trustworthy legal help at a fair price. For 27 years, Stephen has worked towards maintaining that vision. Stephen prides himself on his great relationship with the courts and prosecutors, and his reputation amongst his peers as a wise and vigorous advocate for his clients. 
 
In his free time, Stephen’s two greatest passions are music and reading. He plays mandolin and guitar, performs with his bluegrass band, and enjoys listening to classical, jazz, bluegrass, reggae, and jamband music. He walks Mac, the office dog, every day, and he enjoys hiking, kayaking, and ethnic dining.

MacBeth

MacBeth (“Mac” for short) is a rescue mutt from Kitsap Humane Society. He brings very little to the table from a legal point of view. However, his happy presence boosts the morale of everyone he meets.

His main skills are waiting around patiently for a walk, loudly crunching treats, drinking water, and shedding large amounts of hair which usually stick to Stephen’s suits.