Lawyers of DistinctionRecognizing Excellence In The Practice of Law

Home / Browse by state / California / Family and Divorce Law

California Family and Divorce Lawyers

77 distinguished family and divorce law attorneys in California, each reviewed by the Lawyers of Distinction Selection Committee.

California family and divorce law directory

Allison F. Tilton

Family and Divorce Law

38977 Sky Canyon Drive, Suite 105, Murrieta, CA 92563

When Attorney Allison F. Tilton decided to pursue family law, she chose a path that would allow her to directly address the legal needs of her clients. She takes great satisfaction in working one-on-one with clients, listening to their wishes and goals, and assisting them through some of the most difficult moments in their lives. Her dedicated work at The Grey Legal Group has helped countless families benefit from her years of legal knowledge and expertise. Allison is admitted to the California State Bar, the New Jersey State Bar, and the Massachusetts State Bar. She is also admitted to practice before the U.S. Tax Court, the U.S. District Court Central District, and the U.S. District Court Southern District. Allison received her Juris Doctor Cum Laude from the New England School of Law in Boston, MA and her Masters in Taxation (LLM) from the Boston University School of Law. She sits on the Board of Directors (2012–present) of the Southwest Riverside County Bar Association and was President of the Association in 2014. She is also a member of the Riverside County Bar Association and the Family Law Section of the California State Bar. Allison can represent you in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, child custody and visitation, and Qualified Domestic Relation Orders. With her diverse legal background, she is uniquely qualified to address financial matters related to taxes, businesses, and estate planning. If you’d like to take advantage of the knowledgeable legal counsel we offer at The Grey Legal Group, please give us a call today. We hope to hear from you soon.

read more
Amir Nader

Amir Nader

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

6320 Canoga Ave, 1620, Woodland Hills, CA 91367

Amir has developed a talent for finding the best solutions for his clients while aggressively litigating on their behalf. Throughout his career he has focused on advocating for litigants in highly contested divorce cases with a particular interest in the challenge involved in discovering evidence and legal research to support his clients position. Amir’s skill in all aspects of litigation strategy as well as his expertise in the courtroom make him a very effective family law attorney. His unique background coupled with his passion for helping others allows him to maneuver through family law cases skillfully, calmly, and efficiently. He has helped hundreds of people maneuver through the crises in their lives and continue their lives in a stronger position. As a family law and divorce lawyer, Amir delivers a client-focused approach. His extensive experience in both mediation and litigation on issues including child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, property dispute, and domestic violence restraining orders, allows him to constantly look for ways to settle a case where possible, while also aggressively litigating to protect his client’s interests where necessary. Prior to graduating from UCLA for his under graduate degree, Amir worked as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – a position that allowed him to satisfy his need to help people and his community. The position also refined his ability to deal with stressful situations in a calm and professional manner. Your initial consultation with Amir will allow him to understand you, your situation, and to get to know you on a personal level so that he can explore your best possible options under the law. If hired, Amir works closely with his clients and the staff at Nader and Woodcock, APLC to ensure that your case is handled with compassion, efficiency and care.

read more
Amy Lass

Amy Lass

Member

Family and Divorce Law

2540 Gateway Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92009, USA

Amy Lass has been guiding families through the nuances of family law for over 15 years, and her commitment to transparency and empathy, combined with a no-nonsense, straight-to-the-point communication style, has made her a client and community favorite for several years. Amy graduated from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law and subsequently became a Certified Family Law Specialist. She was able to learn from the best of the best while working within highly prestigious firms and took that experience with her as she ventured into her own partner-based firm. After more than a decade together, Amy decided to take all her experience and knowledge one step further by starting her own exclusive firm! At Lass Law APLC, there is a systemic approach to family law that focuses on providing exceptional service to each and every one of our clients, and Amy herself spearheaded that commitment. She believes in advocating for her clients, with a relentless desire to achieve the best outcome for all parties involved. In a moment where you may be struggling to see the light at the end of the tunnel, Amy is committed to keeping you focused with the end result in mind, no matter how challenging that may be. Amy and her team are prepared to stand beside you during this process, providing support and guidance at every available opportunity.

read more
Amy Laughlin

Amy Laughlin

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

950 Tower Lane, Suite 925, Foster City, CA 94404

Amy Laughlin’s practice is devoted to expertly handling whatever crisis the day brings. Whether it’s responding as a child custody lawyer when a client calls with a mental health crisis on a Friday morning. Or being a heads-up domestic violence lawyer when a report of a violent outburst at a client’s home occurs on a Sunday night. Or investigating complex financial matters as a high-net-worth divorce lawyer every other day of the week, she embraces opportunities to step it up: to learn a new skill, explore a new technology, and be at least one step ahead of opposing counsel. Ms. Laughlin is uniquely skilled in navigating the convergence of mental health and family law. She has broad expertise in custody litigation involving neurodivergent children, including autism spectrum disorder. Negotiation expertise is another of Ms. Laughlin’s distinctive advantages. Most recently, she completed Harvard Business School’s Online Negotiation Mastery course to brush up on the latest developments in the science of negotiation. As a result of years spent practicing securities litigation and representing the C-suite elite in Silicon Valley, Ms. Laughlin is an authority regarding high finance, specifically investigating and analyzing sophisticated and complex financial assets – including business valuations, venture capital, allocation of equity interests, tax and property characterization, etc. – and their impact on spousal and child support, move-away requests, Child Protective Services investigations and domestic violence. The experience trained her to take an exhaustive approach when dividing assets or determining custody and support in complex divorce cases, and as a result, Ms. Laughlin has delivered extraordinary outcomes in some of San Mateo’s most complex divorce & family law trials. In addition to traditional divorce representation, Ms. Laughlin is certified to offer divorce mediation services and acts as consulting counsel to mediations. She also prepares and negotiates PreNuptial and PostNuptial agreements. Ms. Laughlin’s commitment to creating positive change in people’s lives is also manifested in her work as a passionate advocate for metabolic health. Her journey began when she witnessed profound improvements in her own family’s mental wellness after converting to a low-carbohydrate diet. Further inspired by the insights she found in Brain Energy by Dr. Christopher Palmer, Ms. Laughlin came to understand the profound connection between metabolic function and mental wellness, and became dedicated to empowering individuals to take control of their health. Ms. Laughlin is also a published writer at work on her first book. In April of 2026, she participated in a writers’ retreat in Tuscany led by five accomplished writers and professors from Oxford University, with lecturers from Oxford, Harvard and Cambridge. The work continues. Ms. Laughlin is the divorced mother of two sons. Her policy of 24/7 responsiveness means she’s as likely to answer an evening call from a concert she’s attending with family as she is from the office or at home.

read more
Ana Voloshko

Ana Voloshko

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

1501 N Broadway, STE #261, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

At Voloshko Law Office, PC., we specialize in family law and immigration matters, offering compassionate and dedicated legal support to help you navigate life's most critical transitions. Whether you're seeking assistance with family-related legal issues or guidance through the complexities of immigration processes, our experienced team is here to advocate for your rights and provide personalized solutions tailored to your unique circumstances. We understand the emotional and legal complexities our clients face, and we are committed to delivering comprehensive support every step of the way. Explore our website to learn more about our services or contact us directly to schedule a consultation. Let us be your trusted legal partner in achieving the best possible outcomes for you and your family. We practice in Alameda, Contra Costa, Santa Clara, San Francisco, and San Mateo counties. Upon request we are able to provide assistance in English, Spanish, Romanian, and Russian language.

read more
Andrew Marcellino

Andrew Marcellino

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

1625 The Alameda, San Jose, CA 95126, USA

The Law Offices of Andrew G. Marcellino was founded by Andrew Marcellino in 2002 in Santa Clara County in the heart of San Jose, California. Andrew Marcellino opened the law office with the philosophy that people are not numbers and that every case is unique. Andrew Marcellino believes that it is incumbent upon us to recognize the individuality and diversity amongst us and make sure that our client’s voices are always heard. Andrew Marcellino is a trusted and skilled advocate in family law and criminal defense matters with an extensive background in representation. He aggressively works protect your rights and is a seasoned veteran of the courtroom as well as a tough negotiator, whether he is Mediating Custody issues, a property settlement or defending clients against criminal charges. Andrew Prior to founding the law firm, Andrew Marcellino worked extensively as a contract negotiator, corporate financial analyst and as an accountant for companies including Lucent Technologies/Octel Communications, Space Systems/Loral, and Etc Networks Inc. Andrew Marcellino has a juris doctorate as well as a bachelor of science degree in business finance. When not in the courtroom or office, Andrew Marcellino is an avid scuba diver and underwater photographer with a divemaster certification.”

read more
Andrew Shorb

Family and Divorce Law

11440 W. Bernardo Ct, Ste. 300, San Diego, CA 92127

I am a founding parter at Shorb & Connor and make it a point to get to know every client that walks through our firms doors. We are a small firm and offer small firm personal service but have the technology and team attorney approach of the larger firms. Our goal is to help our clients, and what better way than to provide them with our entire firm's knowledge, not just their single attorney. I practice Family Law exclusively and have for many years., However, I have litigated countless cases and obtained sizable awards for my clients in cases ranging from Medical Malpractice, negligent loan servicing, and financial elder abuse to administrative appeals before the Office of Administrative Hearings. As an experienced family law attorney with extensive trial experience, I use that same tenacity I developed as a civil litigator and public defender to better the lives of my clients. Whether seeking divorce, dividing marital assets, or battling a messy child custody matter, I am always a tireless advocate for my clients and believe that getting to know every client and personally investing myself in their cases is what has led to my success.

read more
Ashley Carlson

Ashley Carlson

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

16316 Agave Ave, Fontana, CA 92336

Ashley M. Carlson is a family law attorney who has been with the firm since January 2016. From the time she entered law school, she knew that Family Law was her calling. Mrs. Carlson studied and received her undergraduate degree from California Polytechnical University at Pomona before attending law school at Western State University. Mrs. Carlson has worked for Christopher R. Abernathy, APLC since her time in law school, first clerking for the office and eventually becoming one of the firm’s trusted attorneys in 2020. Mrs. Carlson managed the office for 2.5 years before relocation with her family to the East Coast. Mrs. Carlson has remained with the firm remotely and is known to be patient, compassionate, and to fiercely advocate for her clients. Mrs. Calson works with her clients to try to find common ground and resolution for their cases, whether that be in the court room or out of it. Mrs. Carlson has been recognized for “Excellence in Family Law and Divorce” by Lawyers of Distinction 2022 through current date and as a “Top Rated Lawyers in California 2024” by American Registry.

read more
Brinda Gandhi

Family and Divorce Law

4300 Long Beach Blvd., Suite 240, Long Beach, CA 90807

Brinda Gandhi is the senior managing attorney with Envision Family Law, LLP. She is an experienced and acclaimed family law attorney, praised for her intelligent and insightful approach to litigation. Brinda obtains remarkable outcomes in family law matters. Brinda represents a wide variety of individuals–from the traditional middle-class to business owners, entrepreneurs, creative artists as well as those in legal and medical fields. Brinda’s broad-based knowledge, expertise and courtroom experience, allow her to quickly and deftly grasp the unique aspects each case needs to get the best possible result for her client. Not only is Brinda adept at representing people currently located in California, but she has extensive experience with international divorce and custody issues. Being licensed as an attorney in India as well as the USA allows Brinda to effortlessly advise her clients that have interests and/or children in both countries. Brinda has an impeccable reputation among the Southeast Asian community. Not only is Brinda a leader amongst her peers in the family law arena, she is a leader in her community at large. She is currently serving as Director for the non-profit organization South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency (S.A.H.A.R.A), working to provide services to victims of domestic violence. Brinda is also an Advisory Board Member for the organization Share a Smile, a non-profit which helps to provide opportunities for low-income communities in the field of education, healthcare and women empowerment. She was awarded the N24 Excellence Honor for her distinguished service to the South Asian American and South Asian community as an activist. Brinda has been recognized by political leaders. In fact, she was awarded Assembly District Woman of the Year by Assembly Woman Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens). Brinda has been an attorney for over 13 years. Brinda received her LL.B. at the K.C. Law College, permanently affiliated with the University of Mumbai where she graduated in the top 10% of her class. Brinda is fluent in English, Hindi, Marathi and Gujarati and can speak, read and write beginner level French.

read more
Brooke Bryant

Family and Divorce Law

925 Highland Pointe Dr, Roseville, CA 95678

Brooke K. Bryant is a family law attorney in Rocklin, California, and a founding partner of Merus Law, APC. She holds certification as a Family Law Specialist and has practiced in that field since 2007. Before helping establish Merus, Bryant handled bankruptcy and family matters at another local firm. Her background also includes probate and estate planning. Her family law work covers both financial disputes and matters involving children: divorce, division of assets, child and spousal support, custody and visitation. She has also handled guardianships, adoptions, grandparents’ rights and domestic violence cases. Her firm biography describes a preference for collaboration when possible and also notes her litigation experience. Bryant studied English and history at the University of the Pacific, earning bachelor’s degrees in both subjects and graduating summa cum laude from its honors program. She went on to graduate from the University of California, Davis School of Law. There, she coordinated events for the International Law Society and served as an Environmental Law Society representative. She also helped visiting Master of Laws students as a liaison and assisted with intercultural events. A summer program took her to Brussels and Geneva during law school. Hosted by the University of Oklahoma, it focused on international law. While in Geneva, Bryant worked at the United Nations in connection with the Working Group for Indigenous Peoples.

read more

Carol Adams

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

74900 CA-111, Indian Wells, CA 92210, USA

Carol Lee Adams is an attorney with Adams & Clark, with a California State Bar address in Indian Wells. Her California admission dates to August 13, 1990; her license, number 147803, is active. The firm names her as Carol L. Adams and identifies her and David C. Clark as its two attorneys and as certified family law specialists. Adams’s registered address is Suite 111 at 74900 US Highway 111. The same Indian Wells location appears on the firm’s homepage. Adams & Clark describes its service area as Palm Springs and the surrounding desert communities of Riverside and San Bernardino counties. It also names the places where its attorneys travel for court: Indio, Blythe, Joshua Tree, San Bernardino, Hemet and Riverside. Divorce and mediation are among the services described by Adams & Clark. Its published practice description includes legal separation and nullity actions, but also addresses disputes over premarital agreements and marital dissolution judgments through requests to set them aside. Property and debt division appear alongside spousal support in that description. The firm also handles child custody and visitation, move-away matters and modifications of child support. Paternity, guardianships and stepparent adoptions are separately named services. Its list includes domestic violence, restraining orders and cohabitation issues as well. These are descriptions of the firm’s work, rather than an individual case list for Adams.

read more

Christie M. Saenz

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

100 Pringle Ave Apt 235, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA

Christie Saenz has been practicing family law since 2010, and has significant experience in all areas of family law. She is detail-oriented and a skilled negotiator. Ms. Saenz handles her own cases in all areas of family law, including contested child custody, child and spousal support, and complex high-value division of assets. She is skilled in the preparation and negotiation of premarital and post-marital agreements. Ms. Saenz is well-versed in utilizing a variety of experts in her family law cases in order to achieve the optimal outcome for her clients, and has notable settlement and trial experience. She was named a 2018 and 2019 Super Lawyers Northern California Rising Star, a recognition that less than 2.5% of attorneys achieve. Ms. Saenz is licensed to practice law in the State of California, and earned her Juris Doctor at the University of California Davis in 2010. She graduated with honors from New York University in 2006 with a B.A. in Politics.

read more
Christopher R. Abernathy

Family and Divorce Law

11118 Elm Ave., Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

Christopher R. Abernathy, A Professional Law Corporation is a sophisticated law firm dedicated to providing personalized legal services of the highest quality. This is founded upon Mr. Abernathy's work ethic and demand for perfection. These qualities have allowed Mr. Abernathy to be recognized by his clients and peers as one of the premier lawyers in his region. Mr. Abernathy has had the privilege of sitting as a Judge Pro Tem, a mediator and has been routinely appointed by the court to represent litigants in Family Law matters. A Southern California native, Mr. Abernathy was born in 1970 in Diamond Bar, California and resides in Rancho Cucamonga with his wife and their three children. His practice has been cultivated over many years in this region.

read more

Christopher R. Mallicoat

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

321 S. Beverly Drive, Suite A, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Christopher R. Mallicoat is a Beverly Hills attorney whose office bears his name, the Law Offices of Christopher R. Mallicoat. The office is on South Beverly Drive. Registered with the State Bar of California as Christopher Robert Mallicoat, he holds an active license and was admitted on June 3, 2003. Before his admission, Mallicoat worked at the Law Offices of Ronald A. Litz as a law clerk from 1998 through 2002. His education includes a UCLA bachelor’s degree in economics and a J.D. from the University of West Los Angeles School of Law. The attorney biography on his firm’s website records law review research and editorial work for 1998–2000, along with an externship with Candace Decarol Cooper in 1999. It also lists a 2000 Witkin Award in Ethical Lawyering and admission to the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in 2003. At the firm level, the published services cover business disputes as well as personal legal matters. Contract negotiation, lawsuits and landlord-tenant matters appear in its business-law listing. The estate-planning offerings range from preparing or revising a will to powers of attorney, trusts and guardianships; probate is listed separately. In family law, the office lists divorce and legal separation alongside custody, child support, domestic partnerships and domestic violence. Personal injury is another listed firm practice, including auto accidents, wrongful death and product liability.

read more
Christopher Sunnen

Christopher Sunnen

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

2121 Fifth Avenue, Suite 205, San Diego, CA 92101

Over the last fifteen years, Mr. Sunnen has worked to protect his client's rights both in and out of the courtroom and provides solutions to many challenging cases at a high level of professionalism. He specializes in both Family Law/Divorce and Bankruptcy Law. Mr. Sunnen is a member of the California State Bar and has been in private practice for over fifteen years, focusing on litigation in family court, federal court, tax court, bankruptcy court, and before various administrative agencies. Prior to his time in private practice, Mr. Sunnen was a clerk for Federal Magistrate David Noce in the Eighth Circuit. Mr. Sunnen graduated from law school at Washington University in St. Louis, where he was awarded "Best Brief" in Moot Court and was a three-year member of the Dean's List, recognizing academic excellence. Prior to his career as an attorney, Mr. Sunnen attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he graduated with a double major in Political Science and History and wrote an honors thesis. As a former Park Ranger, Mr. Sunnen has been, and is active in both the private and public sectors of the outdoor industry and has worked with many Fortune 500 companies to promote sustainable public lands appreciation, education and protection. Mr. Sunnen is also the former head of a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that he founded and operated for a three-year period; and currently serves on the board of directors of another 501(c)(3) organization.

read more
Craig Darling

Family and Divorce Law

6840 Vía del Oro suite 265, San Jose, CA 95119, USA

Craig A. Darling, Esq., is a Family Law Trial Attorney with more than 17 years of litigation experience and is proficient in all family law matters. Mr. Darling has substantial experience with Family Law Appeals having prepared or assisted in the preparation of numerous Writs and Appellate briefs and argued over a dozen cases before the California Court of Appeal, 4th District, Division 3. As an attorney, Mr. Darling previously volunteered for the Parking Lot Justice Program with Saddleback Church located in Lake Forest, California. This volunteer opportunity presents California-licensed attorneys to meet one-on-one to answer questions related to various areas of law including California Family Law. Mr. Darling worked closely with the Wings for Justice 403(b) Non-Profit Organization, representing underprivileged women and mothers victimized by Domestic Violence. Darling also has Appellate Litigation experience where he Argued 10 Writs or Appeals before the California Court of Appeal, 4th District, Division 3. During law school, Mr. Darling worked as a Research Assistant for the Honorable James N. Barr, Federal Bankruptcy Judge, United States Bankruptcy Court, Santa Ana, California. This research focused primarily on the potential conflict of in re Gruntz (9th Circuit) 202 F.3d 1074, and the “Rooker-Feldman ” Doctrine. Darling also interned with the Orange County Public Defender’s Office, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach, California, conducting legal research, interviewing clients, and drafting motions to suppress under California Penal Code Section 1538.5.

read more
Daniel Portillo

Family and Divorce Law

1630 N Main St, Walnut Creek, CA 94596, USA

I have 30 years of experience representing clients throughout Contra Costa and Alameda counties. I am a Certified Specialist in Family Law, certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. My practice includes representation in all areas of divorce and family law, including child custody; child visitation; child support; spousal support; division of community property (including high value assets); annulment; paternity; and drafting marital settlement agreements. I am also available to provide limited scope representation or consultation for self-represented parties.

read more
Darshann Wienick

Darshann Wienick

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

120 Vantis Dr, Suite 300, Aliso Viejo, CA 92656

Darshann M. Wienick is an attorney, coach, and therapist providing trauma-informed, child-centered litigation services to individuals engaged in high-conflict divorce/child custody disputes. Ms. Wienick is not just an attorney; she is a dedicated advocate, coach, and therapist. Drawing from personal experience, she understands the trauma associated with high-conflict custody disputes and takes a trauma-informed, child-centered approach. Ms. Wienick is fervently dedicated to advocating for the best interests of children. Her approach prioritizes mediation, recommending clients engage with qualified high-conflict family law mediators. However, should mediation fall short, Ms. Wienick stands ready to represent her clients in court, always placing the welfare of the children at the forefront.

read more
Dimitry F. Erudaitius

Dimitry F. Erudaitius

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

11440 W Bernardo Ct #300, San Diego, CA 92127, USA

Dimitry is a passionate advocate with an unwavering commitment to his clients. His thorough representation ensures no stone is left unturned. Fighting for you as fiercely as he would for his own family, Dimitry recognizes the gravity of your life’s challenges and understands that there's no room for error. The outcomes and results are crucial, necessitating a representative whose dedication mirrors your own. His expertise spans the entire spectrum of Family Law. Dimitry adeptly handles divorce cases and subsequent matters, including child custody, child support, spousal support, financial distributions, restraining orders, and other complex issues emerging from the sensitive dynamics of life. He has extensive experience working with military personnel, offering a deep understanding of the unique challenges in military divorces. Dimitry has continued to pursue excellence is his dedicated trade by passing the certified specialist exam early.

read more
Edward J. Thomas

Family and Divorce Law

5201 California Ave, Bakersfield, CA 93309, USA

The National Academy of Family Law Attorneys named firm founder, Edward J. Thomas, one of the "Top 10 Family Law attorneys in California," and the National Association of Distinguished Counsel recognized him as "a Member of the Nation’s Top One Percent" of family law lawyers. Both the American College of Family Trial Lawyers and the National Advocates include Mr. Thomas on their respective lists of the top 100 family law trial lawyers in the United States. Based on a survey of judges and lawyers who do family law, the Bakersfield Californian named Mr. Thomas "Bakersfield’s Best Family Law Attorney." Mr. Thomas is generally acknowledged to be Bakersfield's best divorce lawyer.

read more
Ekaterina Berman

Ekaterina Berman

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

99 S Almaden Blvd #600, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

My name is Ekaterina Berman. I help individuals and families with divorce, family law, spousal support, child support, custody and visitation, property division, and domestic violence restraining orders. My objective is to partner with you to help you ensure that the outcome of your matter is fair and appropriate, which means community and separate property interests are taken into account, support is set at the right level, and your relationship with your children is preserved. What sets me apart is that I am the one responsible for your case from start to finish. When we work together, we work as partners whose common goal is to put you in the best financial position to move on with your life. My practice is based on two values: excellence and efficiency in representation. My commitment to excellence includes providing quality legal and personal support to my clients. My commitment to efficiency includes moving the case forward to completion right from the start as well as addressing contested issues in divorce through alternate dispute resolution early on. Yet, I am not afraid to go to court if negotiation of a fair solution is not possible. I am a San Jose divorce lawyer, and have been serving individuals and small businesses since 2006. I decided to start my own office seeing how most clients do not get the legal service they deserve, and compromise their rights. I always work personally with my clients, and put emphasis on understanding their situation and adjusting the strategy to their needs. I am a meticulous researcher and I will make sure everything is done correctly the first time, and that nothing slips through the calendar or the local rules, as happens so often in larger law firms. I grew up in San Jose. I received my education at De Anza College and UCLA. I graduated from Whittier Law School magna cum laude at the top 15% of my class. While in law school, I received 2 scholarships, and I worked as an intern for the Honorable David G. Sills at the California Court of Appeal, 4th District, Division 3, in Orange County. I am fluent in Russian and in Spanish. If you are a Russian speaker or a Spanish speaker, I will speak with you in your language. I am able to provide legal services in Spanish. In 2016, the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys awarded me for my dedicated service to clients. The frequently asked questions page will give you practical advice based on real-life experiences. I invite you to browse my website to learn about who I am and what I do. I encourage you to take action to learn about your options. Having the right information and tools is the key to a successful outcome. I am here to give you a solution to achieve your goals.

read more

Family and Divorce Law

9100 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 725E, Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Emily E. Rubenstein practices divorce and family law in Beverly Hills, California, where she is the founding attorney of Emily Rubenstein Law. Her cases range from amicable divorces to contested family matters, with work at both the negotiating table and in litigation. On the financial side of those cases, she brings in appraisers, forensic accountants and other financial professionals to help identify assets and income, determine their characterization and protect them. Her California bar admission dates to March 13, 2014. The State Bar lists her license as active and her office at Emily Rubenstein Law PC on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. Rubenstein completed her undergraduate degree at The Ohio State University in 2009, earning a B.A. magna cum laude. Her J.D. followed in 2013; the firm lists the law school as University of California Law San Francisco. Bar association service is also part of her professional background. In 2016, she was co-president of the LGBTQ Lawyers Association of Los Angeles. Her firm biography records service on two Los Angeles County Bar Association committees in 2020: Judicial Appointments and Access to Justice. It also lists membership in the county bar association and the State Bar of California. A Los Angeles native, Rubenstein spends time away from work reading, enjoying music, following sports and exploring California’s mountains and coast.

read more
Erica Bloom

Family and Divorce Law

1808 Aston Avenue, 235, Carlsbad, CA 92008

Ms. Bloom has been in the family law field for ten years, and has experience helping her clients understand and navigate the legal process. Erica’s aim is to guide her clients through these procedures with dignity and respect. Erica loves her career and is dedicated to advocating for all my clients. When Ms. Bloom is not working, she is on the Board of Directors for the North County Bar Association in San Diego and she is a member of the San Diego County Bar Association.

read more
Erin Grey

Erin Grey

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

8439 W Sunset Blvd, Suite 300, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Erin Grey has more than 20 years of legal experience handling a full array of family law issues. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist with the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Family law is complex and constantly changing. As a Certified Specialist, Erin is committed through certification to maintaining the highest level of experience and proficiency in family law. Furthermore, Erin is dedicated to helping clients through honest, passionate and results-driven representation. She provides personal attention through every stage of her client’s cases. She strives to find out-of-court solutions. However, if litigation becomes the only path forward, her clients can trust that she will be in their corner every step of the way.

read more
Erin Stratte

Erin Stratte

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

1 Sansome Street, Suite 1400, San Francisco, CA 94104

Attorney Stratte's passion is family law. She brings significant experience with bench trials and alternative dispute resolution to assist her clients with compassionate resolution of these deeply personal legal issues. In addition, she has many recent wins at long cause trials in property division, domestic violence restraining orders, custody, contempt of court and fee awards, among other successes. Attorney Stratte received her Bachelor of the Arts from the University of California Berkeley in Women's Studies, located in Berkeley, California. Thereafter, she received her professional doctorate in law from Southwestern Law School located in Los Angeles, California. She was admitted to the California State Bar in December 2012. Attorney Stratte is also admitted before the United States Eastern, Northern, and Central Districts for the Court of California. She has served in various positions with the Sacramento Bar Association and is a lifetime member of the Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity. She enjoys experiencing the outdoors in this beautiful state of California, is an active member of her church, and volunteers for various organizations throughout the region. Attorney Stratte is dedicated to providing her clients with zealous advocacy combined with shrewd legal strategy, utilizing innovation and creativity, designed to maximize results. When you need excellent legal representation-Attorney Stratte delivers!

read more
Gina Azzolino

Family and Divorce Law

160 W Santa Clara St, San Jose, CA 95113, USA

Gina Azzolino has practiced family law exclusively since 2005. Ms. Azzolino has significant experience in all areas of family law, including child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, domestic violence, date of separation disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, set-aside of a prenuptial agreement, property division, reimbursement claims and other complex financial issues. Ms. Azzolino works closely and regularly with forensic accountants and mental health professionals to reach successful results for her clients. With considerable courtroom experience, including law and motion practice, settlement conferences and trials, Ms. Azzolino's legal experience also includes immigration, bankruptcy and contested guardianship matters which often overlap with family law matters. Ms. Azzolino received her undergraduate degree from the University of California at Davis in 2000. She double majored in International Relations and Italian, going on to receive her law degree from Santa Clara University School of Law.

read more
Hossein F. Berenji

Hossein F. Berenji

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

9465 Wilshire Blvd #333, Beverly Hills, CA 90212, USA

Hossein F. Berenji is the Founder and Managing Attorney of Berenji Divorce & Family Law Group and a highly experienced family law practitioner with a practice focused on complex, high-net-worth divorce and family law matters. For more than two decades, Hossein has represented professionals, executives, business owners, and high-asset individuals in sophisticated divorce proceedings involving substantial assets, business interests, and sensitive parenting issues. His disciplined, strategic approach has resulted in consistent multi-million-dollar property settlements, favorable spousal and child support orders, and strong custody outcomes throughout Los Angeles County. Known for his sound judgment and meticulous preparation, Hossein advises clients through every stage of the legal process—whether resolving matters through negotiation and settlement or litigating decisively when necessary. He is widely respected for his ability to evaluate risk, anticipate opposing strategies, and craft solutions tailored to each client’s priorities and long-term interests.

read more
Inderraj Singh

Inderraj Singh

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

1706 Chester Ave, Suite 412, Bakersfield, CA 93301

Inderraj was born and raised in Punjab, India and relocated, with his family, to Los Angeles, California. Inderraj graduated from high school in Los Angeles and went on to serve in the United States Air Force. Inderraj won several awards, medals, and accolades for his dedicated service to the Air Force. While serving full time in the Air Force, Inderraj graduated with his Bachelor of Science degree specializing in legal studies. After graduation, Inderraj went to study law at well-recognized and highly ranked Pepperdine University School of Law. At law school, Inderraj served on various student bodies such as Veterans Legal Society and served as the Immigration Chair for the National Lawyers Guild. In addition to studying law, Inderraj specialized in dispute resolution at Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution—one of the leading dispute resolution institution in America. Inderraj also received the prestigious CALI award at law school for Selected Issues in Dispute Resolution and Products Liability. In 2019, Inderraj graduated from law school, along with Certificate in Dispute Resolution, and was admitted to the California Bar later that year. In addition to aggressively counseling for his client's interest, Inderraj also serves, pro bono, as the General Counsel for the Guru Angad Darbar Khalsa School, a non-profit organization based in Bakersfield, California. In his spare time, Inderraj loves to spend time with his wife and his son.

read more
Janine Frisco

Family and Divorce Law

1 World Trade Center Ste 630, Long Beach, CA 90831, USA

Janine M. Frisco has practiced for more than 15 years with a focus on California complex family law matters, including child custody, asset and property division, child and spousal support, as well as domestic violence including criminal matters for over 10 years. Ms. Frisco regularly handles trials and acts as a mediator on behalf of her clients. Prior to joining Gilligan, Frisco & Trutanich, she served with the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office.

read more
Jessica Cha

Jessica Cha

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

1851 E First St, Santa Ana, CA 92705, USA

Attorney Jessica B. Cha is a State Bar of California Certified sigma essay Family Law Specialist and is licensed to practice law in California, Maryland and the District of Columbia. Jessica is a passionate litigator, vigorously representing her clients on matters of divorce, child custody/visitation, child support, spousal support and division of assets/debts. Having gone through the divorce process herself, Jessica has a unique sensitivity to what her clients are going through. Jessica’s family law practice also includes representing clients whose children were abducted to and from the United States and another count by their spouse or partner. She has an intimate knowledge of the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and has even traveled abroad to advocate in front of foreign judiciaries and officials.

read more
Jordana Better

Family and Divorce Law

1600 Bryant St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA

Jordana Better is an experienced family law attorney whose practice focuses on dissolution, support issues, high-value asset separations, and child custody disputes. With a goal-oriented approach, she focuses on seeking settlement when possible while preparing the best/strongest case for trial, in case necessary. Jordana has practiced throughout the state of California but has extensive expertise in Los Angeles, San Diego, and the Bay Area. Jordana graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a double major in Communications and Political Science. After college, she became a Marketing Director in the Bay Area, prior to following her passion for the law and attending Syracuse University. While at Syracuse, she clerked for the Hon. Ralph C. Hofer, in the Los Angeles County Family Law Courts, was a founding member of the SUCOL Divorce Clinic, was a student attorney for Utica Corporate Counsels Office, and clerked for one of the top divorce firms in the Bay Area.

read more
Josefina Valdez

Family and Divorce Law

242 E Airport Dr, Ste 213, San Bernardino, CA 92408

Josefina L. Valdez is a highly accomplished attorney with approximately ten years of legal experience. She began her career dedicated to helping underprivileged and underserved individuals as a staff attorney and later as the Executive Director of a local non-profit legal services organization. Her background as a legal services attorney gives clients a unique advantage because Josefina had to learn a wide array of practice areas and is able to apply that expertise to each case she works on. Additionally, she learned how to provide quality representation while maintaining a large case load.

read more
Joseph Kibre

Family and Divorce Law

9777 Wilshire Blvd., 400, Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Joseph Kibre is a 1975 Order of the Coif graduate of the UCLA School of Law. He received his B.A. Degree from UC Berkeley with distinction in general scholarship and an honors program in political science with distinction. Joe was an NDEA Graduate Fellow at UCLA, where he received M.A. and C.Phil. Degrees in European and American history before attending law school. Joe began the private practice of law in Los Angeles in 1975. He is a member of the bars of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit and the United States District Courts for the Central and Eastern Districts of California. Since 1985, Joe’s practice has been devoted to family law, and entertainment and business litigation. Joe has handled complex and high profile cases, including the successful defense of prominent family law attorney Marvin Mitchelson against a civil rape action brought by one of his former clients and made public on CBS’ 60 Minutes, Sondra Locke’s action against Clint Eastwood for “palimony” and infliction of emotional distress, and an action brought by Mohamed Al Fayed against fraudsters who attempted to sell him forged government documents concerning the deaths of Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed. Joe has handled hundreds of family law cases, including matters for actors, directors, producers and other prominent people, including Sandra Bullock, Dick Wolf (Law & Order), Joss Whedon (Avengers, Buffy) Bruce Helford (Drew Carey, George Lopez), former California State Controller Kathleen Connell, pianist/composer George Winston, actors Pat Morita and Julie Brown, and the spouses of Joe Eszterhas, James Brolin, Christopher Lloyd, and Ronald Meyer (one of the founders of Creative Artists Agency), among others. (All of the foregoing were cases filed in courts as a matter of public record; the names of clients in matters in which there was no such public filing, including numerous premarital agreements, are not listed in order to protect their privacy.) Joe has also handled sophisticated and often high-profile business litigation matters for Sony Music and such “mini-major” independent motion picture production companies as Carolco Pictures Inc., Cinergi Pictures Inc., C-2 Pictures LLC, New Regency Productions, Inc. and Hyde Park Entertainment, including litigation on major motion pictures such as L.A. Confidential, Terminator 2, Rambo 3, Evita and others. Joe has also handled numerous appeals, including one resulting in a published opinion reversing a trial court, Lefton v. Kessler, 141 Cal. App. 3d 94; 190 Cal. Rptr. 109 (1983). He is rated AV by Martindale Hubbell.

read more
Kevin Martin

Kevin Martin

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

2029 Century Park East, 6th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90067

Kevin B. Martin is a highly accomplished attorney who handles all aspects of family law matters. During his 17-year career, he has developed broad experience in many areas of the law, including commercial litigation, securities litigation, accounting fraud, and governmental/regulatory investigations, and brings these valuable perspectives to his family law cases. Kevin offers his clients a truly multifaceted outlook, especially those with proprietary business interests. Prior to joining Blank Rome, Kevin co-founded Sonoma Risk Insurance Agency, LLC in Los Angeles, where he developed first-of-its-kind and patent-pending insurance product, “Attorney Fees Risk Insurance,” which covers the risk of paying an adversary’s attorneys’ fees in litigation. This innovative product was hailed by the legal community as a “game changer” and legal “safety net.” As the CEO of Sonoma Risk, Kevin raised capital, negotiated countless contracts, and eventually sold Sonoma Risk to a publicly traded insurance company. His clients also benefit from his experience as a civil litigator and as an enforcement attorney at the Securities Exchange Commission (“SEC”), where he investigated and prosecuted many different types of financial fraud. His financial investigative experience has been tremendously valuable when analyzing complex and multifaceted financial issues that are pertinent to many high-net-worth estates. Kevin has handled and practiced litigation from all angles, and his clients benefit from his ability to view cases through a variety of lenses. He has managed all phases of litigation in both state and federal courts, and understands the serious effects that negative outcomes can have on personal finances, businesses, and professional reputations. Kevin is the author of numerous published articles in periodicals such as the Los Angeles Daily Journal, Smart Business Los Angeles, California Family Law Monthly, LJN’s Franchising Business & Law Alert, Orange County Lawyer 360, and other publications. He has also served as a co-editor of the ABA’s Class and Derivative Action Newsletter.

read more
Kim Lynn Hoang

Kim Lynn Hoang

Featured Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

7755 Center Avenue, Suite 1100, Huntington Beach, CA 92647

Kim Lynn Hoang is an attorney with KL Family Law in Orange, California, whose professional background includes family-law matters and advocacy for children with disabilities. The State Bar of California lists her as Kimlynn Thuy Hoang, with an active license and admission dated June 1, 2006. Before entering law school, Hoang worked as a behavioral therapist with families of children with special needs. Her firm biography describes that work as the reason she pursued legal training to address those families’ legal needs. While studying at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, she clerked for the Western Law Center for Disability Rights, where her work concerned children’s educational rights. Hoang also worked at the Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles. There, she assisted families with domestic violence, custody, support and guardianship matters. Her work also included helping human-trafficking victims with family reunification and obtaining immigration status in the United States. She earned a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School and holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of California, Irvine. KL Family Law serves families in Orange County. The firm lists divorce, child custody and visitation, child support, spousal support, and division of assets and debts among its services. Its listed practice areas also include paternity, guardianship, family-based immigration and grandparents’ visitation rights. The firm’s office is on City Boulevard West in Orange, matching Hoang’s State Bar address of record.

read more
Kristen Howard

Family and Divorce Law

301 E. Colorado Boulevard, Suite 610, Pasadena, CA 91101

Kristen M. Howard, partner at the firm, received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from San Diego State University in 1996 and her Juris Doctor degree from American College of Law in 2000. Before becoming partner, Kristen worked as a law clerk for Carolyn A. Makupson and completed an internship with the Los Angeles District Attorney's office. Kristen has served as a volunteer for the Los Angeles County Bar Pro Bono Domestic Violence Project and as a volunteer for the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law Pro Bono Attorney Panel. She also served as a committee member for the Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law Annual Gospel Brunch fundraiser. Kristen is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association and Pasadena Bar Association. Kristen resides in Pasadena with her husband, their twins, and their Italian greyhound, Basil and doberman, Bruno.

read more
Lacey London

Family and Divorce Law

400 N Tustin Ave, 340, santa ana, CA 92705

Lacey L. London is the Managing Partner at Rallo|London. She focuses her litigation practice in the area of family law. She received her Bachelors degree from the University of California, Irvine where she received Departmental Honors and earned her Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School. Prior to joining and subsequently becoming a partner of Rallo|London, Ms. London was a sole practitioner, specializing in the practice of law pertaining to debt collection and enforcement of judgments. Ms. London now focuses her litigation on family law issues, including but not limited to dissolution of marriage, child custody disputes, spousal support, child support, move-away request, restraining orders, paternity matters and property division. Ms. London is a passionate advocate for her clients and litigates these sensitive issues with compassion and integrity.

read more
Lance Claery

Lance Claery

Distinguished Lawyer

Family and Divorce Law

2121 Avenue of the Stars, Los Angeles, CA 90067, USA

Lance Claery is a family law attorney in Los Angeles and the founding partner of Claery & Hammond, LLP. Admitted to the California bar on December 4, 2001, he holds an active license under his full name, Lance Raymond Claery, and bar number 217133. An internship helped draw Claery to family law. Through the University of Maryland, he participated in the Hope Housing project in Washington, D.C., where he helped families develop cooperative enrichment programs for their children. His firm biography traces his interest in the field to that experience. Claery’s work in family law spans more than two decades, according to the firm. Its account describes thousands of divorces and other family matters, with clients ranging from people of modest means to multimillionaires. His experience includes both trials and the taking of depositions. He has also handled arbitration, mediation and court hearings, including emergency hearings. Family law is not the only area in his professional background. His biography also records federal and administrative law experience and security clearance matters handled across the country. It notes that he obtained Series Seven and Series Sixty-Six financial licenses. Beyond his legal work, Claery has supported college scholarship programs as well as local and national philanthropic organizations.

read more

Choosing a family and divorce lawyer in California

Every Lawyers of Distinction family and divorce law member in California is licensed to practice law and has passed a review of achievements, peer recognition and ethics. Compare profiles and reviews, look for experience with matters like yours, then contact an attorney directly from their profile.

All California lawyers

Other practice areas in California