Introduction
Grant Broer and Mark Passannante graduated from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College in the same graduating class, 1994/1995. That shared legal education forms the foundation of a law firm at 8904 NE Hazel Dell Ave, Vancouver, WA 98665, where the two partners divide their practice along complementary geographic and subject matter lines. Grant Broer handles Washington State matters including family law, real estate, estate planning, probate, and business law. Mark Passannante focuses on civil litigation across Washington, Oregon, and Federal Courts.
The result is a two-attorney firm that covers Pacific Northwest legal needs from family disputes to federal court litigation without requiring clients to seek separate counsel for related matters.
Practice Areas
Grant Broer – Washington State Practice:
- Family law: divorce proceedings, custody arrangements, support negotiations, and other domestic relations matters
- Real estate law: transactions and disputes in Washington State
- Estate planning: wills, trusts, advance directives, and planning documents
- Probate: estate administration and related court proceedings
- Business and corporate law: business formation, transactions, and corporate matters
Mark Passannante – Washington, Oregon, and Federal Courts:
- Civil litigation in Washington state courts
- Civil litigation in Oregon state courts
- Federal court civil litigation across jurisdictions served by both courts
Together the two practice areas give clients access to both transactional legal services and litigation representation under one roof. This structure is particularly useful when a business dispute, family transition, or estate matter escalates toward formal proceedings. Grant Broer handles the transactional and planning side; Passannante handles formal litigation.
Washington divorce law follows community property principles: assets and debts acquired during marriage are generally divided equally. However, separate property, inherited assets, and pre-marital property are treated differently, and distinguishing between community and separate property in long marriages with complex finances requires careful legal analysis.
Estate planning in Washington requires attention to the state estate tax, which applies to estates above the state exemption threshold. That exemption differs from the federal exemption, meaning Washington residents with modest estates by federal standards may still face state tax liability. Proper planning accounts for both federal and state considerations.
Attorney Profiles
Grant Broer
Grant Broer graduated from Northwestern School of Law, Lewis & Clark College, and has built his Washington State practice around the family law and transactional matters most clients in the Vancouver area need. His family law work covers divorce, custody, support negotiations, and related domestic relations issues, providing comprehensive representation through family transitions.
Mark Passannante
Mark Passannante, also a Lewis & Clark Law School graduate from the same class as Broer, focuses on civil litigation in Washington, Oregon, and Federal Courts. His litigation practice complements the firm transactional work by providing a path to court when disputes cannot be resolved through negotiation.
Location and Service Area
Broer & Passannante, P.S. operates from 8904 NE Hazel Dell Ave, Vancouver, WA 98665.
Grant Broer: Washington State
Mark Passannante: Washington State, Oregon, and Federal Courts
Contact: 360-576-7947
Client Focus
The firm structure reflects practical legal reality: family law clients often have overlapping needs. A divorce may trigger real estate questions, estate planning updates, and business structure changes simultaneously. Having two attorneys who cover those areas under the same firm produces coordinated guidance rather than fragmented advice from multiple unconnected sources.
The personalized approach, technical legal knowledge applied to each client individual situation, allows individualized service without the overhead structure of larger firms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the firm handle cases in Oregon?
Mark Passannante is licensed to practice in Oregon and handles civil litigation in Oregon state courts and Federal Courts serving the region.
What family law matters does Grant Broer handle?
Grant Broer handles divorce proceedings, custody arrangements, support negotiations, and other domestic relations matters in Washington State.
Does the firm handle estate planning and probate?
Yes. Grant Broer handles estate planning documents and probate administration in Washington State.
Does the firm handle business formation and corporate matters?
Yes. Business and corporate law is part of Grant Broer Washington State practice.
How do I reach the firm?
Contact Grant Broer directly at 360-576-7947 or visit broerandpassannante.com/ for more information.
Closing
Broer & Passannante, P.S. brings two Lewis & Clark Law School graduates with complementary practices to clients in the Vancouver, Washington area and beyond. Grant Broer covers Washington family law, real estate, estate planning, probate, and business matters, while Mark Passannante handles civil litigation across Washington, Oregon, and Federal Courts. Reach the firm at 360-576-7947 or at broerandpassannante.com/
Washington real estate transactions involve title review, disclosure requirements, and purchase and sale agreement compliance that require careful legal attention. Grant Broer handles closing representation for buyers and sellers throughout Washington State, ensuring that transactions close with all legal requirements satisfied and that client interests are protected throughout the process.
Civil litigation before federal courts follows distinct procedural rules that differ from state court practice. Mark Passannante experience in federal courts means clients whose matters involve federal question jurisdiction or cross-border disputes have access to an attorney who knows those courts and their distinct procedural demands.