Our Attorneys’ Experience

Desmond Kolke

Desmond Kolke joined the team at Clement Law Center after being a solo practitioner for over 25 years.  He has brought his valuable experience in court, including countless motions and trials. His reputation with judges and attorneys is excellent. He shares with us his mission statement, one that he has strived to live up to for all these years: “Making wrongs right in life’s matters.”

Experience counts. Family law cases involve the most important people a client’s life.  Desmond has represented hundreds of clients in the most important and emotionally charged legal matters possible. He understands that clients have a right to experienced and knowledgeable representation in Court. Desmond knows how to fight and protect the rights of clients and their loved ones.

Desmond is totally committed to his clients. His clients and their families greatly appreciate his skill and honesty. They always know the status of their case and their realistic options.  Clients and legal professionals appreciate the fact that Desmond is focused, respectful, and courteous. These personal traits carry over into his conversations, negotiations, and court appearances.

If your case can be settled favorably, Desmond’s straightforward approach achieves wonderful results. But not all cases can be resolved through negotiation. In such cases, Desmond’s impressive experience at trial is priceless. Desmond will emphasize the key facts, expose the weak points in your opponent’s case, and help you successfully present your case to the Judge.

Desmond looks forward to making wrongs right – in your life’s matters.

John Higa

John Higa has been an attorney for over 20 years, dedicating his career to providing quality legal advocacy for his clients. He was born and raised on U.S. military bases in Okinawa, which historically has had a high number of international marriages between American servicemen and Japanese nationals.

Mr. Higa speaks fluent Japanese. Through personal and professional experiences, John is familiar with the difficult situations that non-English speaking spouses often encounter when thrust into the complexities of the U.S. legal system.

Mr. Higa graduated with an Industrial Engineering degree from Arizona State University, a Masters in Accounting degree from the University of Nevada, and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Boyd School of Law. He is a Licensed attorney in Washington, Nevada, and Colorado, and has over 20 years of litigation experience.

Mr. Higa lives with his wife in Bellevue WA.

Christina J. Holman

Christina J. Holman is an attorney with a passion for family law. She graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law and is admitted to practice in the State of Washington. She is a member of Phi Alpha Delta Society of Scholars and the Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society. She was trained and worked as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for the Pierce County Juvenile Court, for which she prepared reports for the Judges and testified in court. This work included unannounced home visits, observation of parenting, confidential conferences with the child, interviews of school counselors and teachers, and review of medical and police records. During her work for the Court, Ms. Holman advocated for the best interests of children in dependency cases. She developed an excellent reputation with the Judges, Commissioners, Court staff, attorneys, and Program Coordinator. She has externed with the Washington State Supreme Court, the Federal Trade Commission, Northwest Justice Project, and Northwest Consumer Law Center. Outside of work, Christina enjoys hiking, fiction writing, and spending time with her family.

Bruce Clement (Of Counsel)

Bruce Clement has dedicated his career to providing the highest quality legal representation for his clients. He has advised and represented thousands of family law clients, and has tried jury and nonjury trials in 27 counties of Washington state. He was born and raised in Yakima Washington, and served two years in the Peace Corps (Philippines). He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with honors from the University of Washington. He worked his way through undergraduate school by working the night shift at a title insurance company. He received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law, published a Casenote and a Comment, and was the Casenote Editor of the Law Review. Bruce worked for the Washington State Attorney General’s office as an assistant attorney general for 17 years before moving to private practice. Throughout his legal career, he proudly served in the US Army JAG Corps Reserve. Bruce is admitted to practice in Washington and New York states, the Eastern and Western Washington Federal District Courts, the Sixth and Ninth US Circuit Court of Appeals, the US Court of Military Appeals, and the United States Supreme Court. He is highly skilled at negotiating, mediating, litigating, and appeals. Bruce enjoys music, gardening, reading, and spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, dog, and cat.

Gisell Mondragon

Gisell Mondragon is a dedicated attorney with a strong foundation in legal research and client-focused representation. A Juris Doctor Graduate from Seattle University School of Law, Gisell received multiple academic honors, including the National Order of Scribes and CALI Awards for excellence in Legal Writing and Advocacy. Her legal skills are complemented by her leadership role as the Lead Article Editor for the Seattle Journal of Technology, Environmental, & Innovation Law, where she strengthened her skills in critical analysis and legal scholarship. Gisell is admitted to practice in the State of Washington and is particularly passionate about family law, recognizing the deeply personal and impactful nature of this practice area. She brings empathy, attention to detail, and a commitment to protecting clients’ best interests in matters such as custody disputes and divorce proceedings. In addition to her legal profession, Gisell’s background in business administration, with an emphasis on accounting, equips her with a unique perspective on cases involving financial complexities. Gisell speaks conversational Spanish and outside of her profession, she enjoys long-distance walks, running, weightlifting, and literature.

Michelle R. Meza

Michelle Meza joined Columbia Family Law Center after earning her Juris Doctor from Gonzaga University School of Law in May 2024. During her time at Gonzaga, she actively participated in the Street Law program, educating high school students about their constitutional rights. She also pursued international legal studies in Italy and Germany, focusing on human rights and the international court system, and competed in a moot court competition in New Orleans. Michelle gained practical legal experience through a summer internship with the Snohomish County Public Defender’s Office in their misdemeanor division and an externship with Peninsula Community Health Services in Bremerton. She particularly enjoyed coursework in Family Law, Federal Indian Law, Employment Discrimination, and Constitutional Law.

Qing Li

Qing Li is a dedicated family law attorney based in Washington State, bringing a unique blend of legal expertise and business acumen to his practice. With a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law and a robust academic foundation in business administration from Boston University, Qing provides his clients with well-rounded, strategic legal counsel. His experience spans comprehensive legal research, drafting and reviewing complex agreements, and offering practical solutions for multifaceted legal challenges. Qing is committed to advocating for his clients’ best interests, drawing on his meticulous attention to detail and his passion for resolving sensitive family law matters with compassion and professionalism. Fluent in English and Mandarin, he effectively serves a diverse clientele, ensuring accessible and personalized legal support. Qing is also eligible to practice law in China, having passed the Chinese National Bar Examination. Outside of work, he is a powerlifter and loves to travel around the world. Whether in the weightroom or in the courtroom, Qing brings energy, focus, and determination to everything he does. Qing also adores his cute dog in China, who holds a special place in his heart and keeps him connected to his roots while navigating life abroad.