Page 33 - Pierce County Lawyer - March April 2025

B Y L I Z A N N J O H N S O N
Advice for Attorneys and Clients
Lauren’s advice for her colleagues is
simple: “Be open-minded, collaborative,
and realistic. There’s always something
to learn, whether from a judge, opposing
counsel, or even your client.”
to soften things, to present them in the
most palatable way. But sometimes, it’s
just not enough. And that’s not always
your attorney’s fault.”
For clients, she offers hard truths:
“Litigation is like putting $20,000 on
black at a casino. I’ll fight tooth and nail
for you, but there are no guarantees. My
Looking Forward
While Lauren currently focuses on
Family Law, her future remains flexible.
“It’s not about the kind of law I practice;
it’s about work-life balance, mentorship,
and a supportive environment.”
realism doesn’t mean I’m not on your
side—it means I’m preparing you for
court’s realities.”
A Story of Advocacy and Service
Lauren Romero’s candid perspective,
Lauren shares a humbling reminder
about the unpredictability of the
courtroom. “Sometimes, you roll the
dice, and you have to live with the wrong
decision. I’ve been on DVPO cases
where everything—the testimony, the
presentation—was excellent. And at the
end, the Commissioner still said, ‘Yes,
but the text messages.’” Her honesty
reflects her humanity: “We do our best
unwavering commitment to justice, and
ability to approach complex issues with
humor and realism make her a standout
member of Tacoma’s legal community.
Whether in the courtroom or on a
skateboard, Lauren embodies the spirit
of service and advocacy.
And as Lauren reminds us, sometimes
the story’s ending isn’t perfect—but
it’s real. “When you roll the dice in
court, you don’t always get the decision
you want. But we do the best we can,
and sometimes, people just have to
understand that.”
As Desiree Wilkins Finch taught me,
“Whoever tells the story holds the
power.” This story is Lauren Romero’s,
and I had the distinct privilege of
listening, writing, and sharing Lauren’s
journey—a story that challenges me and
hopefully all of us to serve, protect, and
uplift those around us.
Liz Ann Johnson is
the 2025 TPCBA
President. Her practice
is Liz Ann Johnson
Elder Law, PLLC in
University Place.
As a local woman-owned
Pacific Northwest firm for
nearly 30 years, Buell is
dedicated to delivering
seamless litigation support
to every one of our clients.
To learn more about Buell and how we can
support your litigation needs, visit our website at
www.buellrealtime.com.
Seattle | 206.287.9066
Tacoma | 253.235.0111
Olympia | 360.534.9066
Bellingham | 360.671.6298
Eastern WA | 509.624.3261
National | 800.846.6989
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