Emeryville Family Lawyers

Lulu was born in Taiwan and raised on California’s Central Coast. After finishing high school, she moved to Southern California to attend U.C. Riverside. She later relocated to the Bay Area for law school and has made it her home ever since. Driven by a lifelong passion for helping others, particularly those who are underrepresented, Lulu pursued a career in law. Since then, she has been a dedicated advocate for survivors of interpersonal violence and is also a certified domestic violence counselor. Lulu is committed to championing individuals and empowering them to overcome challenges. Family law involves some of the most...

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...

Known for her expert representation of California’s senior executives and their spouses, Kiana protects her clients in high asset divorces and contested custody cases. In her twenty years of legal practice, Kiana has negotiated and litigated the full spectrum of disputes that occur in financially sophisticated divorces and contested custody cases. Kiana graduated Cornell Law School with a concentration in business law. Prior to finding her passion in family law, she was a business litigator at Reed Smith LLP one of the nation’s 20 largest global law firms. She has a B.A in psychology from UC Berkeley and has taken countless negotiation trainings at...

For over 14 years, Mr. Baello has litigated high stakes family law actions in three of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States - the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York City. Through this diversity of experience, he has the expertise and adaptability to obtain favorable results through trial or settlement in varied situations and tribunals. Ernest is a Certified Family Law Specialist (“CFLS”) per the California Board of Legal Specialization. He is also a graduate of the renowned National Family Law Trial Institute. Mr. Baello provides comprehensive and strategic representation in complicated and high conflict cases. Prior to becoming...

Before starting my family law practice, I worked for 5 years at a non-profit, where I successfully litigated in court on behalf of survivors of domestic violence and their children. I obtained Temporary and Permanent Restraining Orders, Child Visitation and Custody Orders, as well as Child Support. Since 2007, I have offered amicable, uncontested divorce and separation options for those who want to stay out of court, including high conflict and complex cases involving domestic violence, substance abuse and mental illness. I provide services as a Mediator (neutral third party), Collaborative Divorce attorney (using a team approach),...

Attorney Stratte's passion is family law. She brings significant experience with trials, highly contested dissolutions with custody, division of high value assets, 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...

Mr. Mastro was born in Oakland, grew up around the East Bay, and has spent his life living throughout the Bay Area, from San Francisco to San Jose. Mr. Mastro graduated from the Santa Clara University School of Law in May 2006. He then passed the California State Bar Examination in July 2006 on his first attempt. Thereafter, Mr. Mastro became a Deputy Public Defender in San Joaquin County, representing clients in all manner of criminal cases, in a high-volume capacity. In 2009, Joe decided to return home to open his own law firm. Since then...

We practice family law exclusively because we like helping people with legal issues that affect them personally. We handle our cases collaboratively, so you always benefit from the best of our expertise, skills, and experience. We're settlement oriented but trial ready.

Lucy Zheng is a California licensed attorney, experienced in individual tax debt relief, DUI law, family law, personal bankruptcy filings, and tenant evictions. Prior to forming her own practice, Lucy worked at a law firm handling multiple client cases all throughout Northern California. She witnessed the strengths and weaknesses of a larger law firm, and thus determined she could best provide her clients with the personalized attention and service that they deserve by starting her own practice. Lucy received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with an emphasis on Public Law in only 3 years, from the University of...

Joy recognizes that most clients only come see lawyers when life has thrown them a curveball. For this reason, Joy strongly believes in listening to her clients and providing them with a safe space to process their emotions. Joy seeks to understand her client’s true priorities and resolve conflicts so that her clients are able to move forward with their lives positively.

Joy understands that every family is different and is invested in ensuring that she zealously advocates for those unique needs. Joy believes in using her natural strengths of compassion and empathy to create a trusting relationship with her clients....

Amanda J. List is an associate at the Wald Law Group. She specializes in divorces of all kinds with an emphasis on gay divorce. The Wald Law Group practice areas include: Divorce, Dissolution & Contested Parentage Actions for all families; Custody Disputes. Legal services provided at both the TRIAL and APPELLATE level. Assisted Reproduction; Adoptions of All Kinds; Family Contracts; Parenting Law including Surrogacy; Donor Contracts for Egg and/or Sperm Donations; Pre-Nupital Agreements; Co-Parenting Agreements; Domestic Partnership Agreements; Name Changes.

University of Michigan - BBA (Accounting)
Certified Public Account - Michigan
University of Detroit Law School - JD
Wayne State University - LL.M Taxation
Attorney Licenses in Michigan and California

Jennifer Phillips is a Family Law Attorney with over 15 years of experience in family law, including the areas of divorce, property division, custody, child support and alimony. She knows the players in a family law action and the expectations of the court, which reduces stress throughout the legal process. When she first meets with clients, she takes the time to answer all of their questions, listen to their concerns and provide essential information about the process of divorce and family law proceedings.

Attorney James L. Arrasmith takes great pride in addressing the diverse legal needs of the California community, regardless of each case’s complexity. Practicing in every county across the state, his unwavering commitment to excellence defines his professional ethos. He handles every case with meticulous care and precision, ensuring timely and professional service. For those seeking a reputable attorney in California, Mr. Arrasmith’s law firm stands out as the best choice. Known for his deep personal and professional commitment to clients, he has earned a prominent standing in the legal community. His extensive authorship of legal articles further reinforces his esteemed reputation. Diligence,...

With a progressive law practice since 2007, Mr. Ali Shahrestani is a bi-coastal litigation attorney representing international and domestic clients in state and federal legal matters in CA, NY, and MA. He has been featured in print and TV news for his legal expertise, is a recipient of multiple awards and a graduate of top rated universities with honors, and has donated much effort and time to public education, legal journalism, and social justice activism. 1) Education Law - K-12, College, Graduate, Students, Teachers, Schools 2) Divorce & Child Custody - High Conflict, LGBTQ, Father's Rights 3) Business, Contracts, & Real Estate Law...

Mr. Lederman is a Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association's Family Law Section and served as Section President in 2008. He is also a past State Bar Family Law Section Legislation Chair and is the 2017 Family Law Section Chair. He frequently speaks and writes on family law issues.

DEBRA R. SCHOENBERG, ESQ., HAS A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER.
More than thirty years ago, she established her own firm, which has vast experience and expertise in the highly sensitive and complex practice of family law. Ms. Schoenberg has established a professional reputation for thoroughness, strategic thinking, keen attention to detail, loyalty, and dedication to client service.

Today Ms. Schoenberg handles cases that range from complex financial issues and extensive marital estates, to high-conflict custody matters. Adept at negotiating resolutions as well as aggressively pursuing litigated outcomes, she also handles straightforward family law cases, pre- and post-marital agreements, and marital settlements. Ms....

Ariel Sosna is a founding partner of Van Voorhis & Sosna LLP. She is certified as a specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Sosna has been exclusively practicing family law in California (San Francisco Bay Area) since 2007.

Ms. Sosna received her J.D., with a concentration in Family Law, from U.C. Hastings School of the Law and her B.A. in Psychology from U.C. Berkeley.

Before starting her own practice, Ms. Sosna was an associate at a well-known San Francisco law firm. She was co-chairperson of the Family Law Section of the San Francisco...

Valerie Fenchel is the CEO and founder of Fenchel Family Law. Her legal services empower men and women to navigate marriage and divorce toward more vibrant futures. She advises clients, devises strategies, and works with therapists, actuaries, and forensic accountants to settle or litigate cases. As a witness to the damage caused by divorce over the course of her career as a family law attorney and educator, Valerie has gained extensive experience in helping families in crisis. Experience & Background Valerie is actively involved in the legal community. She is the lead attorney of Shalom Bayit’s Pro Bono Legal Panel, Secretary of...

I am an accomplished Divorce, Family, and Arbitration & Mediation attorney. I compassionately represent clients throughout the Bay Area with a broad range of family law matters.

As a Certified Family Law Specialist, I provide the experience, knowledge and skill needed to advocate for the best possible outcomes. I am dedicated to exceptional counsel to meet your family's legal needs and goals.