Ceres Family Lawyers

I was a family law paralegal for many years prior to my attending law school. During that time I received my 25-Hour Basic Mediation Certificate (1995) and in 2009 I received my 40-Hour Basic Divorce Mediation certificate. In 2009 I also received training in Foreclosure mediation as well as a 10 hour "brush up" course in community mediation and 3 hours of Advanced Mediation training in "Mediating Civil Harassment Cases." I presently limit my practice to Divorce Mediation, Premarital and Postmarital agreements, Prenuptials and Postnuptials, All types of mediation, and Stepparent Adoptions Guardianships.

Navy Veteran, Certified Family Law Specialist, Experienced. I take the time to explain the law to you. Property Division. Child Custody, Child and spousal support, Domestic Violence,
Dept. of Child Support Services.

Genevieve Suzuki, a dedicated advocate for family unity, brings over twelve years of experience as a family law attorney in San Diego. With a strong belief in minimizing conflict within families, Suzuki prioritizes empathetic representation, guiding clients towards amicable resolutions. Her journey into family law began with a childhood aspiration to support families during their most challenging moments. Armed with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism from the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa and a Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law, Genevieve seamlessly merged her passion for storytelling with her legal expertise. Before entering the legal field, Genevieve flourished as a...

Ms. Feral puts the needs of her clients first, even if that means dealing with conflict. Passionate about making sure her client's voice is heard, you can count on her to fight and not back down. Ms. Feral is rated one of the best criminal defense attorneys in the area and has earned the respect of clients and San Diego Defense Lawyers throughout California.

Juanita Guillen-Mellman is a co-founding partner of Mellman & Mellman LLP, a law firm that has represented clients in various legal matters, including estate planning and probate, family law, real property, civil litigation and estate litigation. As an attorney licensed to practice in all California state and federal courts, Ms. Guillen-Mellman has gained extensive litigation experience by conducting and successfully arguing hundreds of motions, trials, and other hearings. Attorney Guillen-Mellman is well versed in what it takes to obtain results, both in and out of court. At Mellman & Mellman, LLP attorney Juanita Guillen-Mellman is an integral part of the...

Mr. Mellman provides clients with a full range of legal services including estate planning, estate litigation, family law, divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, civil litigation, business transactions, business law, intellectual property, real property, and asset protection. Mr. Mellman received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law, where he graduated in the top four percent of his class with honors of Magna Cum Laude. While in law school, Mr. Mellman served as the Managing-Editor of the Thomas Jefferson Law Review...

Linda Jazo is an experienced and trusted Family, Divorce and Juvenile Law attorney. She is committed to quality advocacy, representing the best interests of children in California.

Linda is singularly focused on achieving her clients' goals. With passion and integrity, she is dedicated to ensuring the brightest future for your children and family.

Contact Linda today for a free consultation, and see how she can assist you with your legal needs.

Elizabeth Swiller is an experienced Family, Divorce, and Juvenile Law attorney. She provides legal services to parents, relatives, foster parents and other caregivers throughout the San Diego area. Elizabeth is dedicated to zealous advocacy focused on accomplishing your goals and achieving the best possible outcomes.

Elizabeth offers smart, sensible and cost-effective solutions for your family law needs. She will passionately fight for your child and family.

Elizabeth is here to assist you in securing the brightest of futures for your child and family. Contact her for a free initial consultation.

Ashley L. Dudley is the owner, president and lead counsel at the Law Offices of Ashley L. Dudley, APC. Her law practice focuses on family law and estate planning. Her family law practice focuses primarily on high conflict child custody cases, child and spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, high value asset division. Her goal is to provide quality legal services not only to those who can afford it, but to all those who need an advocate to navigate the legal system on their behalf. Her first and foremost priority is to figure out the best avenue for helping her...

A lawyer who understands the concerns you have and the situations you are going through, may be hard to find. As someone who has been through a divorce and heavily involved in the criminal justice system, attorney Heath L. Baker may understand your concerns regarding your family law, criminal law, and personal injury cases, more than you would expect. Mr. Baker understands what it is like to face emotionally difficult situations, which go beyond “winning” a case. Mr. Baker retired from the Riverside Police Department after obtaining years of experience with the courts, investigations, and the judicial process, seeing both sides of...

Rivka Israel, Esq. is an experienced and knowledgeable internationally licensed attorney who has been practicing law for over 20+ years. Attorney Israel is admitted to practice in: State of California U.S. District Court - Central District State of Israel Rivka was admitted to the State Bar of California in 2000. In June of 2009, after years of working for large law firms, Rivka opened her own law office and redirected her focus to self-help assistance, uncontested divorces, Prenuptial and Postnuptial Agreements, individual assistance and personal guidance in the area Family and LGBT Family Law issues. Rivka also provides document drafting services...

“Breaking Up is Hard to Do On Your Own – We will lead you through the toughest decisions you will ever have to make, whether it is to protect you, your children, your property and your future.” – Michelle Paul, Esq. Michelle is an East Coast native who has been successful in the business arena as an entrepreneur for 37 years. She went back to school after 20 years as a non-traditional student and obtained a Political Science degree with Summa Cum Laude 4.0 honors from Coastal Carolina University. She has worked in Civil Litigation for the past eight...

MS. BASHAR obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona in Management Information Systems in 1987 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona College of Law in May 1990. She joined the firm after 7 years as a sole practitioner focusing on civil litigation, business and family law. Prior to opening her own office, Ms. Bashar was an associate attorney in a civil litigation firm where she represented financial institutions as well as individuals with personal injury, fraud and contract matters. She has also worked as a Volunteer Attorney with the Family Law...

The only San Diego State Bar Certified Family Law Specialist who was also a Former Federal and County of San Diego Prosecutor with Over 20 Years of Experience!

Emiliza San Diego practices family law, with experience in issues including divorce and child custody. She received her Juris Doctor from California Western School of Law and completed her undergraduate work at University of California, Santa Cruz. Emiliza is well-regarded among her peers in the legal profession, having previously served as Vice Chair of the Solo, Small Firm & General Practice Section of the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division.

Emiliza chose a career in family law to guide people through difficult times in their lives. She takes pride in explaining complex legal concepts in a straightforward manner and providing clients...

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...

My practice is devoted to Family Law, Divorce, Custody and Visitation, Domestic Violence and Support. PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE

Since 2007, Diana L. Martinez has dedicated 100% of her legal practice to out-of-court, informed, and family focused solutions. The destruction Ms. Martinez saw while battling divorce cases in court, led her to this re-structure. The reality is that few people enter a divorce ready to make legal and financial agreements on support, parenting, and asset and debit allocation. Even fewer enter divorce with the trust and confidence that their soon-to-be ex will be open, honest, and "fair". Ms. Martinez provides her clients with the tools to prepare themselves emotionally, financially, and legally, so that all...

I received my BA in history from UCLA in 1993. I attended Ventura College of Law and received my Juris Doctorate. While attending Law School, I was a law clerk for the District Attorney's office for Child Support. In 2007, I became certified as a family law specialist. I volunteer as a settlement officer in the Ventura County courts. In 2009, I opened my own practice where I continue to focus primarily on family law cases. I have tried complex custody, domestic violence and child/spousal support cases. My focus is to educate my client about the law and life...

"Live so that when your children think of fairness and integrity, they think of you." Erin Farley brings over 24 years of legal experience to the firm. She is well-respected in the community for her work and was voted in 2013 and 2015 as the Best Attorney in Petaluma by the Argus-Courier's People's Choice Awards. Ms. Farley's work focuses on dissolutions, child support, child custody, spousal support, post-judgment support, comprehensive property division, and prenuptial agreements. Ms. Farley brings experience, insight, and compassion to what is likely the most emotionally difficult of court proceedings. Ms. Farley is a member of the...

Mrs. Jafari is a graduate of Southwestern University School of Law. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and minor in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University. In 2003, Mrs. Jafari began her private practice in Sherman Oaks, California representing clients in all family law matters such as divorce, mediation and collaborative law. By using her background in psychology and law, Mrs. Jafari helps her clients navigate the dissolution process from in-take through settlement in the most competent and compassionate way. Academic Positions: -NYU Schack (Assistant Adjunct Professor: Real Estate Law) -Southern California Institute of Law (Adjunct Professor: Family Law; Community Property)

Bio for Donna A. Laurent, Certified Family Law Specialist Donna graduated from Southwestern University School of Law, Summa Cum Laude, in May 1994. While at Southwestern, she earned American Jurisprudence Awards in Legal Research & Writing, Constitutional Law and Torts. She also received Corpus Juris Secundum Awards in Civil Procedure and Torts and an Outstanding Achievement Award in the International Protection of Human Rights. She was invited to Law Review and Moot Court, but chose, instead, to devote her non-school hours to raising her young son, who started kindergarten when she started law school. Prior to law school, Donna...

Farzad Nezam is the principle at the boutique divorce and family law firm of Nezam & Associates serving Los Angeles and orange County. He handle only a handful of cases so he can give his clients the attention to detail and support that family law cases needs. Nezam & Associates serves, Los Angeles, Orange County, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas and many other cities in the Southern California Area

Attorney Madaen has been active in litigation whether in Bankruptcy, real estate, or contract litigation since becoming attorney in February of 2004. He attended California State University Los Angeles for his undergrad school in international business and economy. He have been constantly in trade and business and he was the owner of several businesses. He speaks Spanish and Farsi. He strive to give the best services to clients.

Ms. Mariya Furman is a Los Angeles family and divorce attorney. She co-founded Furman & Zavatsky in Encino, California, with a focus on representing clients in all types of Family Law matters in the Southern California area at their office in Encino,

Focusing her practice in family law, Ms. Furman represents clients in matters such as divorce, paternity, child custody, child support, spousal support and visitation. She also handles cases involving post-judgment modifications of custody and support, as well preparation of prenuptial agreements. Ms. Furman is also very experienced in cases involving domestic violence and she helped many...

Mr. Lee Zavatsky practices divorce and family law in Los Angeles California. Mr. Zavatsky has worked on hundreds of divorce and child custody matters. He is also a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the San Fernando Valley Bar Association, and the California DUI Lawyers Association.

Ashley W. Edwards joined Walzer Melcher with four years of experience as a litigation associate at a well-respected law firm in Sherman Oaks. Ashley successfully represented landlords and management companies of both residential and commercial properties in Los Angeles and Orange counties in all aspects of landlord-tenant, fair housing, and real estate law.

Ashley’s experience both in and out of the courtroom, coupled with her enthusiasm for the law, enable her to effectively represent her clients in all aspects of complex family law matters. Ashley recognizes each case is unique and takes time to provide her clients with thorough legal analyses...

Our firm focuses on divorce and civil litigation matters. I have 30 years of experience in state and federal courts. I have been awarded the highest possible rating for legal skill and ethical conduct by Martindale Hubbell, the oldest attorney rating company in the United States and a 10/10 Superb rating by avvo.com. I am a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. Membership is limited to attorneys who have won million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. Less than 1 percent of litigation attorneys are members. The three most important characteristics of our firm are accessibility of the attorney,...

Amir practices all areas of family law, including child custody and support issues, mediation, and litigation.

Practicing family law since 1981, Jeffery S. Graff boasts more than 35 years of legal experience. In that time, Attorney Graff has handled thousands of cases covering a variety of issues. He has a firm grasp on the Ventura County and Los Angeles County procedures in regards to child custody, visitation, support, and other similar matters. Most importantly, Attorney Graff understands the overwhelming emotion and frustration that can come into play in these types of cases. That is why he provides compassionate and personalized legal counsel every step of the way. Attorney Graff is there to answer any questions you...

CLARKE LOGAN YOUNG Law Offices, based in Santa Monica, California, is a full service family law firm litigating primarily in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego Counties. Mr. Young also consults nationally and internationally, and is an expert witness on all aspects of litigating Borderline cases. Mr. Young's high net worth ("HNW") clients are often involved in high conflict child custody and visitation proceedings, including UCCJEA (Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act), Hague Convention, and parental kidnapping proceedings. Mr. Young and his team of experts specialize in litigating and winning custody cases against parents who suffer from Borderline Personality...

Sophisticated Divorce Attorney Prime Divorce Attorney Francisco Zavala, J.D. Honored at U.C.L.A. School of Law Divorce lawyer Francisco Zavala, J.D., previously served as a Los Angeles County Temporary Judge. Divorce Attorney Francisco M. Zavala is listed in Who's Who in California, and Who's Who in American Law. Family Law Attorney Francisco Zavala graduated from the following academic institutions: - UCLA School of Law - Class of 1996 - UCLA Undergraduate School - Class of 1993 Divorce Lawyer Francisco Zavala has completed additional advanced legal education from the following academic institutions: -Harvard School of Law, Boston - 2003 -Hastings College of the Law, College of Advocacy, San...

Mr. Gill graduated from San Luis Obispo High School as a Valedictorian. He obtained his Undergraduate training at the University of California, Santa Barbara. At U.C. Santa Barbara, he majored in Law & Society and Religious Studies, and was awarded the prestigious Dean's Honors in Fall 1989 and in Spring 1992. After graduating from U.C.S.B., he enrolled at California Western School of Law for his law degree with a Dean's Scholarship. After graduating, he passed the California bar exam on his first attempt. Mr. Gill is admitted to the State Bar of California and the United States District Court...

Charles "Chip" Oxton is a Santa Barbara attorney representing clients in all aspects of family law and civil litigation. Chip is a highly-skilled and respected legal advisor and litigator with nearly 40 years' experience practicing law in Santa Barbara. He has represented clients in a broad range of legal matters, including divorce and custody cases, personal injury and civil disputes, conservatorships and guardianships, wills and probate administration, real estate law, and landlord-tenant law. Legal disputes are often intense, emotionally-charged experiences for the parties involved. Chip's approach to practicing law involves providing clients with calm, reasoned advice in an environment devoted...

Georgia L. Staab has been practicing law in Santa Barbara for over 22 years. Her practice is devoted to representing clients in all aspects family law, including divorce, child support, child custody and visitation, spousal support, guardianships, pre and post nuptial agreements, post-judgment modifications, post-divorce issues, domestic violence, paternity and move-aways. As a seasoned family law attorney, Georgia can explain your rights, responsibilities and the alternatives available for resolving the issues of your case. She will listen to your unique situation, and work to find solutions that are in the best interests of you and your family....