Allen|Fischer, PLLC is a family law firm that has been operating in the Spokane, Washington area for many years. We are an experienced, friendly, and personable company that works primarily in family law, but handles a variety of other practice areas as well. We work with individuals in our community on issues regarding divorce, probate, estate planning, mediation/litigation, collaborative law, and guardian ad litem. In this article, we will meet the outstanding staff of Allen|Fischer, PLLC, and learn about their areas of expertise and personal interests.
Dena Allen
Dena is a partner of the firm who emphasizes collaboration and cooperation to her clients. She believes that matters of family law inherently involve individuals that are very close to us, and for that reason, she advises respect and decency in all matters of the legal process. “These are legal matters between family members,” she says, “It isn’t ‘just business.’”
A native Washingtonian herself, Dena joined the Washington Bar Association in 1994. She soon began assisting with the full spectrum of legal issues that affect most families, including divorce, custody, guardianship, adoption, and estate and trust planning. She lives in Spokane with her husband, two grown children, and six chickens. She is also an artist and a published novelist.
Matthew Fischer
Matthew is the managing partner of the firm and has been long honored in our community as one of the area’s “Top Lawyers” by the Spokane Coeur d’Alene Living Magazine. His success is due in large part to his caring and personalized approach when practicing law. He believes that establishing a personal relationship with his clients allows him to lobby more effectively for their needs. This is how he’s able to consistently provide them with results that exceed their expectations.
A loving husband and father of five, Matt has also served a Pro Tem Commissioner with the Spokane County Superior Court. This means he periodically presides over cases similar to the ones he often counsels for, which helps him to see every family law issue from multiple perspectives.
With all this time spent working, you might think Matt would have little time for anything else. On the contrary, Matt finds time to volunteer with the Volunteer Lawyer’s Program, sit on the Board of Trustees for the Spokane County Young Lawyers Division, coach youth baseball and basketball teams, and even lead a group of Cub Scouts.
Joseph Linehan
Joseph is a senior associate attorney for Allen|Fischer, PLLC. He has a fierce passion for helping families with their legal issues and assisting disabled people with navigating the Social Security benefits program. In addition to his exhaustive litigation experience, Joseph has an excellent track record of solving disputes without the need for court intervention, which can protect his clients from the steep fees usually associated with guardianship disputes or custody orders. Joseph is happily married with three children.
Robin Schmahl
Robin is a senior associate attorney with a storied and diverse background. Before finding her true calling as an attorney, she proudly served in the U.S. Army, managed a bed & breakfast, trained horses on a ranch, tracked government grants for scientists at Berkeley, and taught puppetry in Borneo.
Her unique perspectives give her a multifaceted approach when considering legal issues. She is a firm believer that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for legal problems, particularly when families are concerned. Instead, she forms a partnership with her clients, so each one receives a bespoke experience tailored to their needs.
Liberty Johnson
Liberty is an associate attorney and Spokane native. She graduated from the University of Oregon in 2016 and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2020. Although a passion for family law initially led her to Allen|Fischer, she has since expanded her practice to include Estate Planning and Probate. An exceptional legal writer and researcher, Liberty advocates for her clients with care and determination. She can often be found exploring the Pacific Northwest with her dog, Moose.