I have been a family law attorney in Olympia and Tumwater, Washington, since 1990. In 2004, I pioneered a way to practice law called One Lawyer, where one attorney serves both parties in a case. All communication about the substantive matters in the case must be shared with both parties at all times. The lawyer functions as a mediator, settlement conference judge, mentor, legal advisor, one-person collaborative lawyer, and the attorney preparing legal documents and presenting the agreed documents to the court for entry and resolution of the case. The lawyer's level of experience and mentor/mentee relationships are essential components to making this work. It is not just a way for conflict-avoidant attorneys to avoid court.