El Monte Family Lawyers

Admissions: State Bar of California, 2008. Education: Whittier College School of Law Practice Areas: Tax, Family Law I started my legal career in tax resolution and bankruptcy law. As a tax attorney, I helped clients secure tax resolution with the IRS, FTB, and various California tax agencies. As a bankruptcy attorney, I worked in two large Sacramento bankruptcy firms that filed over 40 cases per month. Over the years I have shifted my practice to family law. Currently, my divorce practice ranks in the top 3 positions in Google for Sacramento divorce attorneys. As a result, I am currently managing...

Ms. Bateman Smith is a strong and compassionate family law attorney. She is a strong advocate for her clients' rights in divorce cases involving Custody and Visitation, Child and Spousal Support, and division of community property. She also makes the survivor of domestic violence cases heard by the court. Partition actions are another area of law on which she advocates.

Twenty-six years with the Sonoma County Superior Court gives her a unique perspective in helping clients through each step of their case.

Ms. Bateman Smith is an active member of both the California Lawyers Association (CLA), Sonoma County Bar...

Lorilee DeSantis is an attorney whose passion for helping families protect their loved ones and their assets shines through to all who work with her. Lorilee’s clients often comment that her ability to deeply listen and understand their concerns makes it very easy for them to talk to her about difficult subjects. Her clients also appreciate that Lorilee explains complex legal concepts in ways that are easy to digest so that clients fully understand their legal options. Lorilee’s dedication to helping people with family-oriented legal issues stems from personal experiences. When Lorilee was growing up, she saw...

Mike Darlington - Uniquely Qualified To Protect Your Interests

I have litigated and negotiated thousands of divorces. For 15 years I was called upon as a judge pro tem (temporary judge) in the family law courts of San Bernardino County. For over 10 years I held the contract to advocate for minor children in custody cases in the Rancho Cucamonga courts. These experiences give me a unique perspective, enabling me to more fully understand the legal issues at play and how the judge will view your case.

I am familiar with every stage of the legal process, from filing the initial paperwork...

Indy Colbath is a licensed California attorney who has focused the entirety of her legal career on family law issues, including: divorce, annulment, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, and domestic violence restraining orders. Indy has a breadth of courtroom experience she relies upon when assessing her clients’ family law matters, as well as strong relationships with the local legal community and bench. Indy has effectively represented her clients in an array of complex family law litigation, many of which involving high net worth individuals. Even though Indy has a passion for courtroom advocacy, she understands that every...

Mahal is a family law attorney based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She began her practice in 2014, having spent the previous fourteen years as a law clerk, educator, and paralegal specialist for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Her law practice integrates her passion for civil rights and her love for community. Mahal was born in Vallejo, and after a series of family tragedies enrolled herself in the tenth grade at Oakland Technical High School. She was legally emancipated as a minor the following spring. These childhood experiences inspired her to become an attorney and...

Ilona Antonyan is a Founding Partner of Antonyan Miranda, a litigation trial attorney, and a Certified Family Law Specialist. Ms. Antonyan became the youngest person in California to become a Certified Family Law Specialist, after achieving the rigorous requirements in only five years of practice.

Having immigrated to the United States in 1992 as an Armenian refugee, Ms. Antonyan is fluent in English, Russian, and Spanish, and is collaterally licensed as a real estate broker, and also obtained Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. Ms. Antonyan focuses her practice exclusively on family law matters, specializing in high-net worth cases and those...

Nancy M. Martinez is a California native. She grew up in Los Angeles and moved to the San Francisco Bay Area to attend college. Nancy is a native Spanish speaker. In her spare time, Nancy enjoys photography, traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.

Ms. Martinez attended the University of California-Berkeley where she earned a bachelor’s degree in U.S. History. After Cal, Ms. Martinez worked as a paralegal for several years in the areas of business litigation, antitrust, class-actions, and intellectual property.

Ms. Martinez attended the University of San Francisco, School of Law where she earned a Certificate of Concentration...

Stephen W. Penn is a Certified Family Law Specialist who has been in private practice since 1991. He received a Bachelor of Science from California State University, Los Angeles and his law degree from Glendale College of Law. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University, Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University and Master of Arts from John F. Kennedy University in Counseling Psychology.

Prior to commencing his legal career, Mr. Penn served as Vice Chancellor of the West Valley-Mission Community College District and Director of Finance and Chief Business Officer of California State University...

For over 8 years Mrs. Bansmer has been practicing law and providing legal services in the areas of Divorce and Family Law. She has a degree in economics and psychology from the University of California-Davis. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She founded Bansmer Law with the strong conviction that clients deserve practical advice with sound legal counsel. At Bansmer Law, compassionate and aggressive legal representation is implemented to produce winning results.

With over two decades of legal experience, Spanish-speaking attorney Marco A. Torres has been representing clients across San Diego County since 2001. A dedicated advocate, he understands the complexities and sensitivities of family law matters and is committed to guiding his clients through difficult legal challenges with compassion and respect. Marco is a dedicated family law attorney known for his compassionate and strategic approach to guiding clients through some of life’s most challenging legal matters. Marco represents clients in a wide range of family law matters, including divorce, child custody, child support, paternity, moveaways, and domestic violence cases. He is particularly...

Sandy L. Meade has over 20 years of experience practicing law in California. Through open communication and a commitment toward the empowerment of her clients, Sandy has earned an outstanding reputation among both colleagues and clients for her professional and compassionate approach to family law.

Vincent Gorski practices in the areas of bankruptcy, family law, and business law. He is a certified bankruptcy specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He handles routine and complex bankruptcy, family law/divorce, and business matters. He serves as a Chapter 7 bankruptcy trustee for the Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of California.

Gillett Law has served clients throughout California for over a decade.  Mr. Gillett and his staff understand that any legal issue, whether it be a family issue, a problem at school, a brush with the law or a chance to grow your business, can be a difficult time in one’s life.  That is why the firm takes every effort to understand who you are, where you are coming from and what actions need to be taken to serve your interest.   Mr. Gillett has a broad caseload and resume to match.  Throughout his practice he has been committed to...

For all your criminal, DUI and white collar crime needs, call B. Scott Winkler, The Shafter Lawyer!
661-746-0235

Born and raised in Bakersfield, CA. I studied Finance and Political Science @ CSUF & CSUB, receiving a degree in both fields. I attended law school at California Pacific School of Law. I have been practicing Criminal Law for 17 years, with offices in Bakersfield & Shafter CA. Specializing in Criminal Law, DUI trials, Family Law and Personal Injury. I am blessed to call Bakersfield my home, and coming from a hard working family where money was only necessary to pay bills, I...

Traci is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She graduated from Santa Clara University in 2000 and was admitted to the bar in December of that year. During her tenure at Santa Clara, she was the Sr. Technical Editor of the Computer Technology Law Journal and received a Certificate of Excellence in Legal Research and Writing. After graduation, Traci was recruited by a top corporate law firm. She worked at Gray Cary (now DLA Piper) from 2000 - 2002 as a securities and corporate transactional attorney. She was involved in...

Jennifer is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She earned a B.A. in Law and Society from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her law degree from Santa Clara University. Jennifer is a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, and member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association and is a member of the Family Law Executive Committee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. Jennifer has lectured at multiple seminars for the Santa Clara County Bar Association, and Santa Clara University School of Law,...

Magdalena Chattopadhya practices all areas of family law, providing comprehensive legal representation for matters related to divorce, separation, child custody/support, paternity, retraining orders, and more. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, she is hands-on with her clients from the initial consultation all the way to negotiations, trials, and even appeals when necessary. Ms. Chattopadhya focuses on the big picture – the long-term impact of a case on her clients’ lives. As a certified mediator, she strives to help parties move forward from a conflict in an amicable and dignified manner. She is dedicated to pursuing the best possible result, no...

Michelle Tidalgo, a founding partner of Morgan Tidalgo Sukhodrev & Azzolino LLP and a Certified Family Law Specialist, is an experienced trial lawyer who practices family law exclusively, focusing on diverse financial issues including business valuation, property division and child and spousal support. Ms. Tidalgo also represents clients in difficult custody disputes. Before the founding of Morgan Duffy-Smith & Tidalgo LLP in 2008, she spent part of her career practicing civil litigation and handling cases involving claims of unfair competition, breach of contract, fraud, trade secret misappropriation and employment law with a management orientation. Ms. Tidalgo began to practice family...

Gina Azzolino is a Partner at MTSA and a Certified Family Law Specialist with the State Bar of California. She 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 (including high-earner disputes), spousal support, domestic violence and restraining orders, date of separation disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, set-aside of premarital agreements, property division, reimbursement claims, business valuations and other complex financial issues. Ms. Azzolino works closely and regularly with forensic accountants on complicated financial issues as well as with mental health professionals...

Andrew Marcellino is a seasoned lawyer who has represented many clients throughout Santa Clara County in the trial and mediation process. He fights for his clients in the courtroom, but emphasizes negotiation and mediation as alternatives whenever possible. He does this to save his clients time, money and emotional stress, and to help them retain control over their legal results.

We assist family law clients in matters of domestic violence, divorce, custody and visitation, child support, restraining orders, property division, modifications of court orders, paternity matters, and other issues related to family law. We also provide experienced representation in criminal...

Mr. King began his legal career with the Sacramento County Public Defender's Office as a California State Bar Certified Law Student. He has defended juveniles during Sacramento County Juvenile Court detention hearings, assisted psychiatric patients placed on Conservatorship holds, and represented in-custody and out-of-custody clients during Sacramento Superior Court misdemeanor arraignments. Mr. King twice earned academic honors for his internship work at the Sacramento County Public Defender's Office. After graduation, Mr. King served as a Law Clerk and Deputy District Attorney in Del Norte County where he prosecuted felony and misdemeanor juvenile cases. As a prosecutor, Mr. King...

My approach to each family law case is specifically tailored to the needs of each client. Some cases require aggressive litigation, while other times, settlement is the best (and cheapest) choice for all involved. As your attorney, you can expect me to give you guidance based on the law, and to be transparent with you about your options. My role is to advise you, but not to make decisions for you. I enjoy partnering with my clients to get them their desired outcome. I am also very responsive to client communication. I pride myself on keeping you...

Christopher W. Dietrich is the principal attorney of Dietrich Family Law practicing in the areas of Family Law (including Divorce, Legal Separation, Annulments, Child Custody and Domestic Violence Proceedings), Estate Planning, Probate, and Estate Administration. Prior to establishing Dietrich Family Law Mr. Dietrich directed the Sacramento operations of the Modesto based firm the Law Office of Thomas P. Hogan practicing in the same areas of law. He is an active member of the Sacramento County Bar Association where he has served on several committees. He also volunteers his time for Empower Yolo in Woodland to assist low...

Charlie has extensive litigation and trial experience, having litigated countless contested hearings and various jury trials. Although Charlie practices all areas of family law, his practice now focuses on complex and high-asset dissolutions, many of which require collaboration with business counsel, estate planning counsel, and/or criminal counsel. Charlie practices in all Bay Area Counties, including but not limited to San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and Alameda County. Charlie believes that no two family law cases are alike and that each case requires a clear understanding of his client’s needs and ultimate goals in order to achieve...

Sarah Arnott is an Attorney at Van Voorhis & Sosna LLP. Ms. Arnott was certified as a specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in 2015, and served as the chairperson of the family law section of the San Francisco Bar Association's Barristers Club in 2013.

A native of New York and North Carolina, Ms. Arnott moved to California to attend Santa Clara University School of Law, from which she received her J.D. Ms. Arnott has exclusively practiced family law since 2008. She is well-versed in all areas of family law, including dissolutions, custody,...

Kim Ma graduated with High Honors from UC Davis with a degree in Managerial Economics. She went on to attend the Santa Clara University School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctorate. After graduating from Law School and passing the bar exam, Kim was hired by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office. Kim worked as a Deputy District Attorney where she developed impressive trial skills. Kim went on the work for one of best criminal defense firms in California before eventually joining making the shift to family law. Kim is now a practicing family law attorney who can be...

Susan Cohen graduated from the University of California at Davis School of Law. She holds a Juris Doctor Degree from Martin Luther King, Jr. School of Law at the University of California at Davis. Her Law Office is in Downtown Sacramento. Her practice experience includes Family Law, including Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Spousal Support and Property Division. She accepts Domestic Violence, and Civil Harassment cases. She also practices in the area of Employment Law, including Discrimination on account of race, racial harassment, sex, sexual harassment, sexual orientation discrimination, age discrimination, disability discrimination, ...

Michael D. Raysor was born and raised in rural Shasta County, California. He is the son of a forester and a horticulturalist. He maintains a large vegetable garden and a small orchard with the goal of becoming self sufficient.

Mr. Raysor is a graduate of West Valley High School and Shasta College. In 2000, he moved to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Economics and History. In 2008, Mr. Raysor graduated from Golden Gate School of Law in San Francisco, where he earned a joint Juris...

Attorney Gary D. Sparks is an accomplished lawyer who has successfully provided legal services and representation to families, husbands, wives, parents, military service members, and same sex partners for nearly two decades. Gary was a regular guest for several years on the former Ronn Owens Program on KGO-AM 810 in San Francisco, and has been interviewed by local and national publications in addition to publishing several of his own legal guides.

Gary graduated first in his class from John F. Kennedy University School of Law, where he was awarded magna cum laude honors for excellence in academic achievement and received...

Michelle Trigger is the owner/attorney of Trigger Law Office, located in Sacramento, CA. Ms. Trigger's practice focuses on criminal defense and family law matters, including representation on all misdemeanor and felony offenses, divorce, child custody and visitation, and restraining orders. Ms. Trigger primarily serves Placer and Sacramento counties, but will accept matters in El Dorado, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, Butte, Lake, and most bay area counties on a case-by-case basis. Ms. Trigger's primary talent is in the court room, as she is a zealous advocate in all motions and hearings, and never afraid to take a matter to trial.

Matthew Roy graduated with a degree in Government from CSU, Sacramento and his J.D. from University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law. While living in Sacramento, Matthew has participated in various community groups and organizations. He has served on the Board of Governors of the California Community Colleges after his appointment by Governor Gray Davis as well as the Board of Directors for the Camellia Symphony Association of Sacramento. Mr. Roy volunteers with Habitat for Humanity, Women Escaping a Violent Environment (W.E.A.V.E.), the Los Angeles County Bar Association’s Domestic Violence Project, as well as oversees domestic violence prevention workshops...

Jaspreet Hundal is a premier Family Law Attorney and Owner at Hundal Family Law. His practice is limited to Family Law, including divorce, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division and domestic violence. He is known for his unique ability to settle basic to complex cases in Solano, Yolo, Sacramento, Placer, and Sutter County. He is a fierce and balanced litigator focusing on helping families have a way of life.

Business and International Experience
Wayne started in Auckland New Zealand, graduating after completing a challenging combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws in just 4 years, achieving top marks at his law school at Auckland University made up of 11,000 students where he was elected Student President in a landslide victory in his last year. Then recruited by a leading Merchant Bank, MARAC Corporation, Wayne moved to Citibank before becoming the founding Company Secretary for New Zealand's first publicly listed Investment Bank, founding Company Secretary for NZ’s first publicly listed Venture Capital company and a Director of a...

As a mother of four children, Nikki Farris understands the pressure of being responsible and taking care of family. When you fall into debt, it's not only you but those who depend on your that are in danger of financial ruin. If you cannot handle the debt, Attorney Nikki Farris can help you file for bankruptcy and find debt relief through various means. Nikki is experienced in bankruptcy law, as well as estate planning and business law. As a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, Nikki is held accountable to high standards of legal service for her...

I have represented clients in thousands of DUI cases, navigating the complex procedures and science involved. I have also defended clients accused of serious offenses, including sexual crimes and murder. Born and raised in Northern California, I have been practicing law in our local courts for over a decade, serving both as a criminal defense attorney and a prosecutor. My experience on both sides of the courtroom has equipped me with a unique set of skills and knowledge, which I leverage to advocate for your interests. In August of 2024, my firm, Prentiss Law, incorporated and became Prentiss Law & Associates, Inc. Currently,...

Bethanie L. Fanti has nearly two decades of experience helping families through divorce, custody, support, and domestic violence issues. Renowned for her integrity and heartfelt advocacy, she supports clients with both legal expertise and genuine empathy. Bethanie’s personal journey as a stepparent and someone who has experienced divorce firsthand gives her special insight into the challenges families face. She is especially appreciated for her steady, reassuring presence in emotionally charged custody cases, always keeping children’s well-being at the forefront. Clients rely on Bethanie for clear communication and a commitment to reducing conflict. She is an active member of the Orange County and...

I was born and raised in San Francisco and have been a San Mateo County resident for the past 34 years. I have been practicing law for over 20 years and understand the difficult time one goes through in a break up. No one can do better than I in achieving your goals and wishes.