Robin Balsam, a seasoned attorney with 40 years of private practice experience, has a deep-rooted connection to the military through her close family members. Her father, Ralph Hoyt, served in the Army, while her grandfather bravely served in the Navy during World War II. Adding to this legacy, her stepfather, Les Walker, served in the Coast Guard.
Since establishing her practice in 1984, Robin has established herself as an assertive litigator specializing in highly contested probates, will contests, uncovering fiduciary fraud and elder abuse perpetrators, and managing complicated guardianships, trusts, estates, and related matters. Her expertise in guardianship, trust, and probate law, particularly in representing families with special needs, has been honed since 1989.
Robin’s dedication to her field is evident in her numerous speaking engagements and leadership roles within legal seminars, focusing on ethical issues surrounding her practice areas since 1998. She holds an LL.M. Masters in Elder Law from Stetson University School of Law, earned in 2013.
As the Director of Commencement Bay Fiduciary Services, a certified professional guardian agency, Robin assumes a pivotal role in decision-making for incapacitated individuals and trust beneficiaries. Managing a team of three professional guardians and support staff, along with a four-attorney law firm, she oversees day-to-day operations and ensures the best care and representation for her clients.
In addition to her litigation prowess, Robin is collaboratively trained and proficient as a mediator. Her diverse skill set also extends to her role as a current Pro Tem Court Commissioner and former Pro Tem Judge for Pierce County Superior Court.
Robin’s commitment to her profession is further evidenced by her active involvement in professional affiliations and her role as associate counsel to attorneys less experienced in representing the elderly, incapacitated, and disabled. Through her firm, she offers a collaborative and resourceful approach to legal issues, ranging from negotiated agreements to traditional advocacy, tailored to meet the unique needs of elders and the disabled.
Admissions and Licenses
- Washington State Bar Association: 1984
- S. District Court for the Western District of Washington: 1984
- S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit: 1984
- Provisionally Certified Professional Guardian: 1999-2000
- Washington Certified Professional Guardian: 2001 to date
Current Affiliations/Memberships
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
- Elder Law Section of Washington State Bar Association
- Washington Professional Guardian Association
- Guardianship section of Pierce County Bar Association
- Tacoma/Pierce County Bar Association Guardianship Committee, 1993-1996 and 1998 to date; chair of Committee 2004 and 2010
- Adjunct Investigative Counsel Panel Member, Board of Governors, Washington State Bar Association; 2004-2009 and 2010-2015
- Master Barrister (emeritus status 2009), Inns of Court; 2000 to date
- Collaborative Law Professionals of Pierce County, 2006-2020
- International Academy of Collaborative Law Professionals, 2008-2020
Previous Bar/Professional Activity
- Certified Professional Guardian Board, WSBA Representative, October 2003 – September 2013
- Member of Advisory Committee to the Washington Department of Social and Health Services to review training programs for Title 11 Guardianship guardians ad litem, 2010
- Special District Counsel for Washington State Bar Association, 1990-1993 and 1999-2004
- Arbitration Panel member, Pierce County Superior Court, 1991-2004
- Pierce County Settlement Guardian ad Litem for injury victims, 1989-1998
- Pierce County Guardian ad Litem for guardianship, domestic and probate cases, 1989-1998
- South Puget Sound Estate Planning Council, November 2013 to 2016
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