A Day in the Life at Elise Buie Family Law Group: Meet Paralegal Stephanie Baumann

This June marks my fourth anniversary with Elise Buie Family Law Group, a milestone that highlights both my commitment to the legal profession and the invaluable experience I have gained. With over two decades in the field, I have worked with only four family law firms, each shaping my perspective on client advocacy and workplace culture. However, EBFLG has stood out by offering an unparalleled balance between professional fulfillment and personal well-being, reinforcing that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

Before joining Elise Buie Family Law Group, I had been working with another family law firm for about a decade when I got a call from a former colleague who was an attorney here. She thought this firm would be a perfect fit for me.

At the time, I had just had a baby and was coming off a short maternity leave — eight weeks, with a little extra time because it was my third C-section. The laws in Washington had shifted slightly, giving me that additional time, but it still felt like a whirlwind. I returned to work just as COVID-19 hit, which brought a whole new layer of chaos. 

The attorney and I had worked together at the firm I was presently at, where she started as an associate. I helped her find her footing back then, and we kept in touch over the years. When she told me she thought this opportunity was worth pursuing, I trusted her judgment.

I wasn’t actively job hunting, but I’ll admit that the idea of a change appealed to me. Financial stability is always at the top of my mind, as I am the sole provider for my family, and I thought, “I need more money.  I have a lot of kids to support.” So, I applied. The process moved quickly — I sent in my résumé and had an interview, and before I knew it, I was hired in June of that year. The attorney at EBFLG had only reached out to me a month earlier, in May.

My first day at EBFLG came with a pleasant surprise: They paired me with Veronica, another paralegal I had worked with at a different firm. Seeing her face made the transition even smoother than it was shaping up to be, and we quickly found our rhythm. 

Over time, my role hasn’t changed drastically in terms of the tasks I handle, but my position within the team has evolved. I’ve been here long enough now that people look to me as one of the senior paralegals, alongside Emily, who joined shortly after I did. 

I’ve worked with nearly all the attorneys in the firm and adapted to the changes and growth we’ve experienced over the years. I take pride in my loyalty to the firm and to Elise. Her leadership style and business ethics resonate deeply with me. She genuinely takes care of us, and that’s something I truly value.

Looking back at my career, it’s been an interesting ride. I graduated from Western Washington University in Bellingham in 2004 with a degree in political science. At the time, I thought I might go to law school, but my parents, who had graciously funded my undergraduate education, made it clear that I’d be on my own financially if I pursued further schooling. 

I wasn’t ready to take on that burden, so I started exploring other options. That’s how I found myself in a paralegal program at the University of Washington in Tacoma. My first job was at a family law firm in Renton, where I discovered my passion for family law.

Starting out as a paralegal isn’t glamorous; the pay is modest, and the workload can be overwhelming. However, I was determined to grow in the field, and I gradually progressed in my career over the years.  

My first boss was a strong-willed and passionate attorney. At the time, we didn’t always see eye to eye, but I now appreciate the experience and lessons I gained from working with her. She was tough and strong-minded, and I often found the experience challenging. In hindsight, I see that working with her was incredibly character-building. She taught me so much, and those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career. Like many in this field, I didn’t have formal training, so I learned everything I needed to on the job. There was a steep learning curve, but one that shaped me into the professional I am today.

An eye-opening moment in my career came in 2018 when my significant other went through his own family law case. It was a heartbreaking experience for us. My bonus daughter, whom I have loved, nurtured, and helped raise since before her first birthday, was caught in the middle. Seeing the system from the perspective of a parent was eye-opening. As a paralegal, you’re trained to look at things from a professional distance, but going through it personally was devastating.

One of the most painful parts of that experience was witnessing the unfair biases my partner faced. With his tattoos and beard, people judged him before they ever knew his heart, and it was heartbreaking to see. Despite our unwavering efforts, the trial ended in devastation and heartbreak. The weight of that moment was crushing, leaving me questioning whether the system held any real justice. 

Even now, the memory lingers, a wound that never fully heals. But through that pain, I found purpose. That experience strengthened my resolve to stay in family law, to fight for those who feel unheard, and to help others navigate a system that too often feels stacked against them. Even when the outcomes aren’t perfect, I remain committed to making a difference.

Since joining Elise Buie Family Law Group, I’ve felt supported in ways I hadn’t experienced at previous jobs. Work-life balance is a priority here, and the firm consistently checks in to make sure I’m not overextending myself. I’ll admit I have a tendency to push myself too hard. If things are quiet at home, I’ll work late into the night to get ahead. But Elise and the leadership team remind me to take care of myself, and that’s something I genuinely appreciate.

As a working mom, the flexibility of working remotely has been life-changing for me. I can pick up my kids from school, chaperone their field trips, and be there for the small moments that, when we look back on them, will matter. At my previous job, the commute often meant missing out on those things. Here, I never feel guilty for prioritizing my family. Elise and the rest of the leadership team have created an environment where I feel supported in my personal life and in my job. If something urgent comes up, I know the door is always open. That kind of understanding is hard to come by.

By far, though, the moments that stand out to me the most come from how Elise acknowledges our hard work in meaningful ways. She asks everyone who comes to work here what their love language is, and mine is financial stability. Coming from where she has, Elise understands that. I’ll never forget when she sent me a Visa gift card to show her appreciation for something I’d done at work. It wasn’t just about the money, which was a gift in itself; it was the gesture, the recognition, and the feeling of being valued. Elise goes out of her way to let us know our contributions matter. That we matter.

If you're interested in learning more about Elise Buie Family Law Group and the possibility of joining our team, please check out our current job openings.

Elise Buie is a Seattle divorce and family lawyer and founder of Elise Buie Family Law Group, a law firm devoted to divorce and family law and estate planning. A champion for maintaining civility throughout the divorce process, Elise advocates for her clients and the best interests of their children, helping them move forward with dignity and from a position of strength.