Independence Family Lawyers

I spent over a decade learning from two of the top Family Law attorneys in San Diego County. After being licensed I immediately began handling all areas of Family Law matters and building what became one of the best and well regarded practices in the field. My knowledge of the law often results in attorneys that have been in practice for more than 20 years regularly seek my opinion in their own cases.

At the beginning of 2019 I decided to join the law firm of GARWOOD ATTORNEYS, ALC primarily as a litigation attorney.

The core values in my practice are...

Attorney Morgan Nusbaum Jones handles a wide variety of family law matters in San Diego, CA. Born and raised in Charleston, SC, Morgan has called California her home since 2010. Morgan is a graduate of Loyola Law School, Los Angeles, where she competed in the Scott Moot Court Competition and earned recognition for drafting a top 10 appellate brief. At Loyola, Morgan was also a volunteer mentor in the Young Lawyer’s Program, where she helped high school students put on mock trials. Morgan began her family law career at the Law Office of Cynthia A. de Petris...

San Diego Esquire was founded by Ms. Kymeshia Morris in 2012. She has built a law practice that focuses on providing personal attention and candid legal advice to clients. San Diego Esquire is established on the belief that each and every client deserves the best legal representation possible. If you are looking for a lawyer that is hard working, professional, and honest, then you have come to the right place. We represent a diverse clientele in family, estate planning, personal injury & contract law.

San Diego Attorney Brian A. Victor has litigated complex family law matters ranging from child custody issues to community property debts resulting from loans. Brian A. Victor is the only attorney in San Diego County with prior work experience at Family Court Services (FCS) where for more than eleven years he worked with the most challenging child custody visitation matters and crafted more than 4000 child custody recommendations for Family Court judges. Attorney Victor sets himself apart from other family law attorneys in his ability to prepare clients for their FCS custody and visitation session when there is a custody dispute...

I've always had a passion for law and justice. As such, I gave up a business career in my mid thirties to obtain a law degree. I graduated from law school in 2001. While in school, I received multiple awards and honors, including top 5% of my class in the first year, as well as a merit scholarship. I received special training in trial work, earning certificates in litigation, public interest law, and mediation. My law practice began in commercial litigation, where I had certain aptitudes and strengths due to my business background....

Carrie began her career in family law in 2006 as a legal assistant. She became a paralegal in 2007. She began working for the Law Office of Annette Hall Neville in 2008 as a paralegal while she attended law school. She became an associate attorney in 2012. Carrie’s diligence and attention to detail are second-to-none. She is a vital part of our practice. Clients and colleagues alike respect her work ethic and easy demeanor.

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 issues, being deeply personal, can significantly disrupt your life. I approach these sensitive matters with compassion and care. I will be straightforward in evaluating the unique aspects of your case, clearly outlining your options, and providing realistic advice on how to proceed. For over 32 years, I have committed myself to assisting families in navigating the complexities of their legal issues. I have encountered a diverse range of families and challenges, which has broadened my knowledge and allowed me to offer high-quality representation to my clients. I ensure that each client receives the focused attention they deserve and strive...

At the Law Office of Matthew & Julia Kaemerle, L.L.P., we provide our clients with the personalized, experienced, and committed legal counsel that they deserve when facing a challenging legal matter. Our Carlsbad Family Law Attorneys have handled a wide variety of issues related to complex, high-asset divorces, contested custody and visitation cases, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements, as well as non-traditional family formation and dissolution. Our team will work with you to find the right strategy for your situation and will come up with solutions that address your goals and needs.

Additionally, we offer legal assistance in the areas of...

Mark T. Koo’s work includes Corporate Compliance and Governance, Estate Planning, Family Law, Non-Profit Formation and setting up the 501c3 Non-profit designation. Mark also helps companies file incorporation as well as other corporate legal assistance. Prior to becoming an attorney, Mark T. Koo has been involved with Silicon Valley’s technologies such as data warehousing, wireless software and hardware technologies, and internet technologies. Mark is a graduate of McGeorge Law School and is a member of the California Bar. Mark received his bachelors of science degree in electrical engineering and masters of science degree in materials science from University of California,...

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...

We are built on meaningful connection with local communities and helping people. We focus on core legal services and extensive use of technology to cut down on legal costs. We believe in a compassionate approach that adds significant values to clients. We believe in strong and competent advocacy for clients.

Robin M. Birnbaum practices exclusively family law, having done so since 2010. Robin’s experience as a mediator, litigator and Minor’s Counsel gives her a unique perspective into the practice of family law and she is able to offer creative and strategic solutions to address the most challenging and complex family law matters, including child custody, domestic violence and support.

Robin is a Certified Family Law Specialist, having been certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization in July 2016. Robin is currently serving on the Executive Committee of the State Bar of California, Family Law Section...

Amy Laughlin has been achieving exceptional results for clients since 1992. After graduating with honors from The University of Michigan Law School, Amy joined the San Francisco office of Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe, LLP. While there, she counseled individuals and corporations in a wide range of complex financial matters. In 2013, Amy opened her own practice where she focuses primarily on divorce, business and entertainment law.

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...

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),...

Lisa R. Murray has practiced law since 1987, and family law since 1989, assisting families through the difficult divorce process. Ms. Murray assists her clients in reaching amicable and equitable settlement by offering services as a mediator, Collaborative Practice lawyer, consulting attorney for clients in mediation, and negotiating settlements. Ms. Murray has served her community as a court-appointed child advocate representing children in divorce cases, and Judge Pro Tempore. Ms. Murray's focus on consensual dispute resolution, such as mediation and Collaborative Practice was borne from her experience of the destructive manner in which litigation separates parents' and...

For 22 years, I have devoted my career as a lawyer to helping parties resolve their conflicts efficiently, effectively and respectfully. I believe the quality of a mediated resolution, and of the mediation process, to be as important to the parties as the fact of resolution.

My family law practice is entirely limited to mediation and coaching. After witnessing the financial destruction and emotional distress that accompanies a litigated divorce, I decided to devote my career to helping couples separate constructively, peacefully and with dignity. Not only does a mediated divorce typically cost tens of thousands less than a drawn-out courtroom battle, but it also maximizes the likelihood that the parties will enjoy a civil relationship after the legal work is done. This is critically important when children are involved. I handle the entire divorce process for my clients, from our initial meeting to drafting...

We are a small law office offering family law and divorce related services to the people of the San Francisco Bay Area. We provide individuals and families with the help they need to resolve family law issues surrounding dissolution of marriages or domestic partnerships (divorce), adoption and surrogacy, prenuptial agreements, child custody, spousal support (alimony), and offer counsel and legal services to couples contemplating marriage or domestic partnership. We pride ourselves in being able to offer resposive and personalized service at affordable rates. By eliminating the crippling overhead and high management salaries that are common among larger Bay Area law firms,...

Kate Reder is an associate attorney at Wald & Thorndal. She specializes in family formation, divorce, and dissolution for both traditional and non-traditional families. Firm practice areas include: Divorce, Dissolution & Contested Parentage Actions for all families; Custody Disputes; Mediation; Marvin Actions. 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.

Shelley M. Kennedy is a family law attorney and private mediator with Lawhon Law & Mediation, P.C.

Shelley's mediation practice includes high-asset dissolution of marriage matters including division of property, preparation of complex financial models, calculations for various settlement options, as well as determination of support. In addition to Shelley’s experience in financially complex matters, her practice also includes mediation for couples with smaller estates.

Shelley serves as a Settlement Conference Master for the San Francisco Unified Family Law Courts and as a volunteer attorney for the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Pro Bono Family Law Project.

Shelley has participated in over 200...

Ashley is founder of Talbot Law Firm. As an attorney in the firm’s emerging business practice, Ashley counsels startups with incorporation, early stage financing, employment issues, intellectual property protection, technology licensing, commercial partnerships and various other corporate transactions. Ashley believes that understanding a company’s vision and priorities is important to devising strategies to solve legal problems so companies can focus on their goals. Ashley has nearly 3 years in-house experience representing entrepreneurs in a wide range of corporate, commercial and intellectual property matters. Ashley received a J.D. from University of San Francisco School of Law and a B.A. in...

Leann Kaufman is a Certified Specialist in Family Law* with a focus on settlement oriented divorce and mediation. She is very effective at handling complex child custody issues. Ms. Kaufman can handle all matters related to divorce and enjoys working with parties that want to minimize stress, maintain control over the ability to make their own decisions and preserve wealth. Divorce is a transition, not an end, especially if there are children involved.

Ms. Kaufman has practiced exclusively in Family Law since being admitted to the bar in 2007. Ms. Kaufman has a passion for helping families in transition, so practicing...

Graduated Cal State University Fullerton with degree in Criminal Justice in 1978. Attended and graduated Western State University School of Law in Fullerton in 1981 and passed and admitted to the CA. State Bar in 1982 (on the first try). Have been in practice since 1982 and private practice since 1992. I am also licensed in Calif. as a Private Investigator and owner of Stearman Investigative Services.

Visit our website: www.BFLEISHMANLAW.com for contact information and to schedule a consultation. Ms. Fleishman is a Certified Family Law Specialist and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. She has practiced Family Law exclusively since 1976. Ms. Fleishman has been certified by the California State Bar as a Family Law Specialist since 1981. Ms. Fleishman practiced in the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area (Century City and Beverly Hills) for 12 years before moving to Westlake Village in 1988. In her previous career, Ms Fleishman was a High School Teacher in the subjects of History and...

Attorney Debra Kay has been a Certified Specialist in family law since 1993, and has been practicing law throughout courts in Ventura and Los Angeles since 1987. Ms. Kay earned her Bachelor of Sciences degree in Engineering cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania, and her Juris Doctorate degree from Pepperdine University School of Law. In 1986, Attorney Kay was admitted to both the State Bar of California and to the United States District Court Central District of California. She is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association, the Ventura County Bar Association, the East County Bar Association,...

Jeffrey L. Hoffer is a widely recognized Divorce and Family Law Attorney who represents clients with cases in the Ventura and Los Angeles County court systems. For more information on Jeffrey L. Hoffer, go to his website, http://805divorceattorney.com. Jeffrey focuses his efforts on achieving outstanding results for his clients in child custody, support, and all matters of family law. Over the past several years, he has obtained excellent results for fathers seeking more favorable child custody orders and has successfully obtained and/or modified support orders resulting in millions of dollars in savings. In...

Attorney Caitlin Rodriguez was born and raised in Ventura County and attended California State University Channel Islands (CSUCI) where she obtained a Bachelors Degree, with honors, in History. After graduating from CSUCI, Ms. Rodriguez attended California Western School of Law in San Diego, CA. During her law school career, Ms. Rodriguez was a member of the Pro Bono Honor Society, and was awarded the Academic Achievement Scholarship and the Diversity Scholarship. In addition, she interned with the San Diego County Alternate Public Defender's Office, the Community Law Project (a San Diego based organization that provides free legal advice to low-income...

Admitted to the California Bar in December 1996, I started as a solo practitioner in Westlake Village. Later, I began enjoying work on key areas of dissolution, custody, parentage plus cohabitation issues, prenuptial contracts, surrogacy, adoptions and division of retirement plans. I moved to the office I have now in Thousand Oaks (Newbury Park) in 2005. I was raised by divorced parents and have been my own client in a divorce case. I realize why clients become depressed and arrive at the court with devotional books and best friends. I, just as virtually all family...

Kristina Kell is a seasoned Family Law and Divorce Attorney with over a decade of experience serving clients in Malibu, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Los Angeles, Ventura County and surrounding areas. Ms. Kell has a long and prestigious record of guiding clients through the often emotional and complex landscape of divorce, child custody, support, and other family law matters. As a Los Angeles native, she has extensive knowledge of the local legal system in Southern California and is licensed to practice in all California state courts. An active member of the California State Bar, Ms. Kell is also involved with...

Practicing Family Law and Probate w/ emphasis on Trusts and Estate Planning for over thirty years. Two offices in the Inland Empire. Ms. Turner has been featured in several newspaper articles as an expert in her field, and aggressive and successful in trial work in particular. Ms. Turner is also exceptional in peaceful, mediated solutions if avoiding trial is possible.

My approach is simple – to provide value to your case. I am committed to providing client-centered representation and finding ways to benefit the client. I strive to return phone calls and emails within 24 hours. I am committed to keeping clients informed every step of the way. I work hard to bring your case to a timely and cost-effective resolution.