Pala Family Lawyers

Attorney Heather Cullen is a Certified Family Law Specialist and practices exclusively Family Law. Attorney Cullen is a native Southern Californian who graduated Cum Laude with a dual bachelor's degree in Philosophy & Law and Society from the University of California, Riverside. Attorney Cullen then earned her Juris Doctor Degree from The University of California at Davis School of Law. Attorney Cullen is currently an active member of the State Bar of California. She is licensed to practice law in the State of California and the U.S. District Court Central District of California. Attorney Cullen is also an active member of the...

William Fitch, otherwise known as "Bill" is a senior attorney at Family Law Matters. Having a civil trial background for nearly two decades before joining the firm, Bill brings a unique knowledge of the law with him. He has tried hundreds, if not thousands, of cases over the years; and has conducted many jury trials. He also has extensive experience in discovery and law and motion issues. Bill's easy-going nature makes him easy to talk to, but do not underestimate his trial skills. Bill would always rather settle a case than try one one, because he recognizes the benefits to...

Scottie Leming is one of our senior attorneys. She graduated from Western State University College of Law and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1995. Scottie is an extremely experienced family law attorney and represented victims of domestic violence for twelve years before joining our firm.

Since 1995, Scottie has helped thousands of clients with great success. She understands the legal issues and uncertainties surrounding divorce, child custody and support are personal issues. She knows how to provide emotional support and clearly communicate with her clients. Scottie is well known and greatly respected within our legal community. She is...

“Integrity Matters”
As a young woman, Gina experienced the pain and uncertainty of a protracted custody battle over her first child. It was this experience that caused her to become a lawyer. Her daughter is now happily married and attending medical school. Gina married her second husband in 1992. They have a teenaged son together, who still lives at home.

Gina was licensed to practice law in the state of California in 1997. Since then, she has amassed vast legal knowledge and courtroom experience. Her practice has always been limited exclusively to family law. Over the years, she has learned to listen....

Beshoy F. Shehata is the managing partner. He goes by “B.” B graduated from California Western School of Law and was admitted to the California State Bar in 2017. B is passionate about his career choice and loves helping his clients.

B was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He migrated to the United States with his family in 2000. He has six siblings. He always wanted to become an attorney to help those going through tough times. He understands how difficult it is to go through a divorce or a custody battle. He understands the stress and uncertainty that accompanies...

Justine Marren received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University. Ms. Marren graduated from San Diego State University, Magna Cum Laude and was on the University’s Dean’s List every semester in attendance. Ms. Marren received her Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law, where she graduated Cum Laude and in the top fifteen percent of her class. Ms. Marren also received an Academic Achievement Award in Family Law which recognized her achieving the highest grade possible in her Family Law Class. During law school, Ms. Marren interned at the Family Law Facilitator’s Office...

Alexandria Jaquay is an Attorney at Cullen Family Law Group. Attorney Jaquay is currently an active member of the State Bar of California and practices exclusively Family Law. Attorney Jaquay is a Southern California native. She attended and completed law school while being a full-time paralegal and mother of two. Attorney Jaquay graduated in the top 1% of her class while excelling at legal writing and research. Attorney Jaquay has been with Cullen Family Law Group since 2002, and she has worked on family law matters ranging from a simple separation resolution to a contested divorce, including high asset division...

Attorney Moonazza "Mona" Naqvi is an Attorney at the Cullen Family Law Group. Attorney Naqvi is an active member of the State Bar of California and practices exclusively Family Law. Attorney Mona S. Naqvi has dedicated her life and work to helping others. Attorney Naqvi has been practicing Family Law since 2009. Attorney Naqvi uses her critical thinking skills and abilities to analyze client issues to achieve the best results possible for her clients. She is known for the impeccable service that she gives to her clients. Her passion is the welfare of children. She has taught Meditation to Elementary School...

Kristie Lee Bergamo has presided as a temporary judge in both Orange and Los Angeles Counties. She also has an extensive history serving as minor's counsel, and has taught classes to help other attorneys become certified as minor's counsel. Kristie joined Family Law Matters in August of 2018. She attended Willamette University Law School in Salem, Oregon, and was licensed to practice law in 2002. Since then, she has focused on the practice of family law. Prior to joining Family Law Matters, Kristie was a sole practitioner and earned a reputation as a fierce advocate of her clients. Kristie has...

Meet Melissa Wheeler Hoff, a distinguished Newport Beach divorce attorney driven by a fascination with family law's intricate blend of psychological, emotional, and financial complexities. Specializing in high-asset divorce and high-conflict custody disputes, Melissa guides clients through every phase of marital dissolution, from mediation to post-judgment matters like enforcement and modifications. Her unique strength lies in connecting with clients, easing the discomfort of divorce litigation with mindfulness and empathy. Melissa firmly believes in dissolving marriages without destroying families, a philosophy encapsulated in her words: "You can dissolve your marriage without destroying your family if you are willing to take the high...

Colleen Dillon Robinson has been licensed to practice law since 2009. Collen attended college at the University of Madison, Wisconsin. She graduated from California Western School of Law in 2009. Thereafter, she spent the first nine years of her legal career practicing in San Diego County before jointing Family Law Matters in 2018. Colleen is empathetic and a go-getter. She loves working at Family Law Matters because everyone is so positive and it allows her to help people through the most difficult times of their lives.

Colleen grew up as the third youngest of four children. Even so, her...

As the founder of the Law Offices of Michael D. Iverson, APC, Attorney Michael D. Iverson provides knowledgeable and compassionate representation to his clients in family law, estate planning, and business and civil litigation matters. He has been named a 10 Best Attorney: Client Satisfaction by the American Institute of Family Law Attorneys™ in 2017 and 2018. Before entering law school, Mr. Iverson amassed extensive experience in varied fields. He worked as a dental technician, earned a paralegal certificate, climbed the ladder as a paralegal at a large personal injury firm in Salt Lake City, and obtained a real estate...

Melody Trujillo is a graduate of McGeorge School of Law who brings to her clients 28 years of legal practice. She and her partner have successfully litigated thousands of cases in Southern California. Ms. Trujillo practices primarily in Family Law representing clients in Hemet, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville and all of the San Diego Courts. She is dedicated to her clients. The attorneys and paralegals at Trujillo & Trujillo, APLC are all caring individuals who put their client's needs as paramount. Each paralegal has at minimum a paralegal certificate and an Associate Degree. The...

Scott H. Finkbeiner is a co-founder of Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, LLP and is an expert in Family Law as he is California State Bar Certified Family Law Specialist. Scott is also a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Scott has dual degrees in accounting and finance from the University of Arizona. Scott serves as a volunteer for the Superior Court as a judge pro tem, Family Law settlement judge and mediator. Scott specializes in all aspects of complex family law cases from mediations to trials. Scott has litigated all issues involved in divorce and paternity cases...

Drew received his Bachelor of Arts from Queens University of Charlotte, where he majored in Psychology and served as captain of the university tennis team. After college, he attended graduate school at West Virginia University, where he earned master’s degrees in social work and public administration, and participated in many community outreach projects. He also demonstrated exceptional work ethic by completing two master’s programs while simultaneously working as a tennis coach to help pay for his education. He later received his Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law, where he was a Dean’s List student and member of...

Dahann Bowers was born in Panama and immigrated to Southern California at a young age. She is fluent in Spanish. She attended California State University San Marcos where she double majored in Political Science and Spanish. Dahann then attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. During law school, Dahann interned with the Department of Child Support Services where she gained insight into child support issues and parental rights. She began working at different family law firms and was exposed to the complexities of family law. At the end of 2022, Dahann took the step to go out on...

David K.Wilkinson is a Fellow with the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), and started his education when he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington, one of the highest ranked undergraduate business schools in the United States. He was awarded membership to the National Dean’s List. David received his Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law School and graduated in the top one-third of his class. Co-founder of Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, David practices family law for the firm, handling all facets of the practice area, from straightforward negotiation...

Criminal and Family Law cross over more often than one would expect. I believe that practicing in both of these areas of law gives me an edge on the representation I can provide, because I can easily recognize the effects one case may have on the other. This also allows me to better plan your case accordingly in order to give you the best possible outcome.

Michael Fischer is a licensed California attorney licensed to practice in both state and federal court. Mr. Fischer has handled hundreds of contested and uncontested family law matters. He is known for his ability to guide his clients through the tumultuous processes of family court in an aggressive yet compassionate manner. Mr. Fischer graduated Cum Laude from Saint Joseph’s College in Rensellaer Indiana with a degree in Business Administration and Marketing and a minor in Political Science. For twenty-two years he oversaw the growth of his photography studio and photo processing laboratory in Soldotna, Alaska as well as owning and...

If you are going through a divorce, you no doubt are dealing with a plethora of issues. A Murrieta divorce attorney at Singleton Smith Law Offices, Inc. has experience with all kinds of divorce issues and can help you. Attorney Singleton Smith has earned her honorable reputation and is well qualified to support you during this time. She has a membership with the San Bernardino County Bar and the American Bar Association. She also has associations with the State Bar of California, the Southwest Bar Association, and the Riverside County Bar Association. On top of that, she received the Justice...

Sharon L. Tate was admitted to the California State Bar in 1997, and has spent most of her career as a trial attorney, handling family law matters, personal injury litigation and general civil litigation. She has also worked as a law school professor and tutor, helping students to succeed in law school and pass the California Bar Exam.

Sharon finds that family law satisfies her love of legal research, writing and courtroom advocacy as well as her desire to help others, particularly families. She enjoys working closely with clients to craft practical solutions to their problems.

In law school, Sharon was a...

Joseph V. Camarata prides himself on providing more personalized, experienced representation to clients facing criminal charges and family law matters. Mr. Camarata is a former prosecutor with substantial trial experience. When you discuss your case with him, he provides only his honest assessments and carefully explores your options in detail with you. He is aggressive in seeking the best possible outcome yet compassionate when guiding you through the legal system. Mr. Camarata is highly respected by the legal community for his ethics and for his impressive results.
With over 15 years of legal experience, Attorney Joseph V. Camarata has spent the...

Education
Ms. Blair graduated from the Menlo College, Atherton, California where she was a magna cum laude graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business. Ms. Blair then received her juris doctor degree from the Thomas Jefferson School of Law, San Diego, California and was admitted to the California and Federal bars in 2002.

Professional Associations
Family Law Section, California Bar Association
San Diego North County Bar Association

Family law attorney and mediator with substantial trial experience in both family law and other fields, including business, real estate, and other civil matters.

Experienced Attorney Kathy Bloom has helped family law and divorce clients for 36 years. Practice areas include annulment, divorce, child custody, child support, child visitation, domestic violence, military divorce, paternity, prenuptial agreements and spousal support.

Locally owned and operated, the attorneys at Bloom & Rudibaugh Law Firm proudly serve the Hemet, Temecula, Murrieta, and Riverside County areas. We are our clients’ best advocates, offering legal advice and counsel as we help you through your time of need.

A former prosecutor, Heather K. Gray spent thousands of hours in a courtroom. She is a powerful advocate in the courtroom and a voice of calm for the uncertainties that family law issues can bring. While a Deputy District Attorney, Heather handled all types and severity of cases from simple assault, domestic violence, child abuse to complicated drug trafficking cases. She founded both the Southwest Mental Health Court as well as the Southwest Drug Courts. Her years in the DA's office taught her the value of a case and the worth of her time. She is a tireless advocate for...

Hannah J. Engholm received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, as a University of California Regent’s Scholar. Hannah simultaneously earned her Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law and her Master in Social Work degree from San Diego State University. She served as Senior Editor for the California Western International Law Journal. Hannah is involved in several volunteer opportunities, including San Diego’s Voices of Children where she has been a Court Appointed Advocate since 2010. Ms. Engholm has experience with all family law issues.

Since 1997, Riverside County Attorney Shaun Hanson has handled more than 5,000 cases in the family law courts of his community. The complexities of family law that can make cases of this nature particularly difficult are ones for which Attorney Hanson has a deep understanding, and he has made it his mission to achieve amicable resolutions / settlements for the clients he represents both in and out of the courtroom. Dedicated to ensuring that the rights and best interests of his clients are protected throughout the legal process, Attorney Hanson is a clear choice for representation. As an active...

Stephanie Mendez attended law school in Orange County, CA, and passed the California State Bar on the first attempt. She first became interested in Family Law while interning at The Legal Clinic, in Fullerton, CA. After graduating law school, Stephanie began working at a local law firm in San Diego, CA, where she handled all aspects of family law, including child custody and visitation, child support, paternity actions, divorce actions, domestic violence issues, and spousal support. She is well versed in the complexities of family law, and the emotions that are involved. Her goal is to guide the client and...

Scott Levin is a California family law attorney mediator in San Diego. As the only family law attorney in the greater San Diego area with the designation of Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™ who is entirely committed to resolving disputes in mediation, Mr. Levin is a skilled experienced California divorce mediator. After obtaining his Juris Doctorate from the prestigious University of Virginia School of Law and previously graduating Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts from New York University, Mr. Levin helps clients negotiate equitable settlements with his finance, legal and dispute resolution expertise. Many know him as the...

PHONE CONSULT AVAILABLE. I have personal experience with hundreds of bankruptcy cases, ranging from simple chapter 7 cases to complex chapter 13 cases. I work with the majority of the bankruptcy trustees in this district and have appeared in the 341a hearings hundreds of times. I know the process and the nuances of bankruptcy law. Few attorneys possess my background and extensive experience in this area of the law.

EXCLUSIVE PRACTICE. My practice is limited to bankruptcy cases only. I keep up to date on all the laws related to bankruptcy to make sure I give you the best representation...