Mary Joyce McCallum
Attorney at Law
Mary Joyce “M.J.” McCallum graduated cum laude from Seattle University School of Law in 2014. She received CALI Awards for Excellence in Legal Writing and Comprehensive Trial Advocacy. In addition, Ms. McCallum was one of the top six competitors in the 2013 James E. Bond ABA Moot Court Competition, earning her the opportunity to compete as a semifinalist in the National Appellate Advocacy Competition sponsored by the American Bar Association.
Ms. McCallum interned as a Rule 9 with the Snohomish County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office where she appeared as the prosecutor on civil traffic infractions calendars in all four of the District Courts in Snohomish County. There, she successfully argued misdemeanor criminal motions in Everett District Court as well as South District Court. She also gained valuable experience, taking two gross misdemeanor cases to trial. Ms. McCallum also worked as a Rule 9 attorney at Zachor and Thomas, a firm that provides contract prosecution services to nine cities in Snohomish County. After becoming an attorney Ms. McCallum worked as an associate at Skantze Law, PLLC and Jay Carey Law Offices. In 2020, she opened her own law office - Solutions Legal Group, PLLC.
Prior to earning her JD, Ms. McCallum was an advocate for survivors of domestic violence for seven years. In this capacity, she accompanied her clients to court in Snohomish County, helping them obtain Protection Orders/Anti-harassment Orders, defend against allegations of domestic violence in Protection Orders/Anti-Harassment Orders, and navigate the legal system in general. Ms. McCallum also facilitated a support group for men who had been impacted by domestic violence and for victims who had been arrested for domestic violence-related crimes. This experience provides Ms. McCallum with an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of domestic violence and a unique perspective on the effects intimate partner violence has on the family as a whole.
Ms. McCallum is in her 6th year of practice and is a familiar face in Snohomish County Courts. She has earned a positive reputation with the Commissioners, Judges, and court staff as a result of her many years appearing as a friend of the court and as a practicing attorney.
In her spare time, Ms. McCallum enjoys cooking and listening to opera. She has experience as a costume designer for local theatre, including Edmonds Community College and the Driftwood Players. She has appeared in Lawyers for Lawyers Production of Judgment at Nuremburg. She enjoys spending time at the beach with her dog and watching movies with her significant other and his son. Ms. McCallum is an avid football fan, both college and pro. She also has a love for the arts and is a published poet.
A member of the Washington State Bar Association and the Snohomish County Bar Association, Ms. McCallum’s law practice emphasizes Family Law matters and misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and civil traffic defense. Additionally, Ms. McCallum prevailed on a Division One Washington State Court of Appeals case involving a complex family law matter. Ms. McCallum was one of the attorneys who represented members of the Delta 5, protest group who were charged with criminal trespass and delay of train, invoking the novel defense of necessity, in a 5 day highly publicized trial out of Everett District Court.
Ms. McCallum is empathic to her client’s needs and understands how to assist her clients through their cases. She is the voice for the client and recognizing the client is perhaps at the most difficult time of their life. Moreover, she is skilled at helping clients navigate the legal process. While Ms. McCallum is skilled at trial, she is also an advocate and understands the importance of mediation and that not all cases are best resolved at trial.
Ms. McCallum is currently accepting consults for family law cases of all types (including appeals), criminal cases including juvenile, and a variety of civil litigation matters.