Karl L. Flaccus
Associate Attorney

Professional Profile

Karl Flaccus’s practice focuses on estate planning, trusts, probate, and litigation involving wills, probates, and

guardianships. He has guided thousands of families in successfully structuring important personal documents

and plans, and the successful resolution of trust and estate conflicts.


Karl has an extensive background in the legal field predating his 2023 merger with Brothers & Henderson. Before

attending law school, he practiced tax accounting and representing clients in audits before the IRS for 11 years in

Alaska. During law school, he interned with Judge Hugh Bownes of the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals in

Boston, and clerked for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Concord, New Hampshire. After receiving his Juris Doctor, he

clerked for U.S. District Court Judge Barbara Rothstein, and for Judges Marshall Forrest and Jack Scholfield of

Division I of the Washington State Court of Appeals. In 1994, he opened his own private law practice in Seattle,

Flaccus Law, where he served of clients in the successful structuring of important personal documents and

plans. He understands the heavy emotional and financial costs of litigation for his clients.


Beginning in the late 1990’s, Karl ran a free monthly legal clinic at the Shoreline Senior Center for almost 20 years,

where he offered pro bono legal advice to hundreds of seniors and their family members


Outside of work, Karl enjoys a myriad of outdoor activities. During his time in Alaska, he kayaked thousands of

river miles and built two cabins outside of Fairbanks. He has run a number of marathons, including the Boston

Marathon. Nowadays, he likes to ski, hike, and spend time with his family. The Flaccus family also spends a lot of

cabin time in the Cascades throughout all the seasons.

Education
  • Northeastern University School of Law, J.D., 1990
  • University of Alaska, AA, Psychological Counseling, 1983
  • University of Rochester, B.A., Philosophy and Comparative Literature, 1974

Admissions

  • Washington State Bar Association
  • US District Court Western District of Washington
Professional Memberships
  • King County Bar Association
  • Washington State Bar Association
  • King County Bar Association Guardianship and Elder Law Section, Executive Committee (past)
  • King County Probate and Trust Section
  • Washington State Bar Association, Real Property, Probate and Trust Section
  • National Academy for Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) (past)
Honors
  • Chair of the Elder Law Section of the Washington State Bar Association, 2007-2008
  • Clerk to Honorable Chief Judge Barbara Rothstein, U.S District Court, 1994
  • Clerk to Honorable Judge Jack Scholfield, Washington State Court of Appeals, 1991-1993
  • Clerk to Honorable Judge Marshall Forrest, Washington State Court of Appeals, 1990-1991
  • Intern to Honorable Hugh Bownes, First Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, Boston Mass, 1988
Speaking Engagements & Presentations
  • In the 1990’s and 2000’s. chaired, co-chaired, and spoke at numerous attorney CLE’s on topics of guardianship, probate, probate litigation, and estate planning.
Community Involvement
  • Shoreline Lake Forrest Park Senior Center: Ran a free community legal clinic for about 20 years
  • Flaccus Law, owner, 1995-2022