National City Family Lawyers

Stephen V. Smith is a dedicated and skilled Divorce and Family Law attorney. He exclusively represents men and women going through difficult divorces and complex family issues. When possible, Stephen uses a non-adversarial approach, involving mediation and settlement. Because emotions run high in this area of the law, Stephen is also prepared to proceed to court to resolve cases. In addition to over 18 years advocating for clients, Stephen has personal experience with divorce. More than 20 years ago, before becoming an attorney, he represented himself in his own divorce and contentious custody battle. During this difficult time Stephen realized what...

Michele B. Brown is an attorney licensed in the State of California and the United States District Court for the Southern District. She is a Certified Specialist in Family Law and the head of the Procopio Family Law Group. Ms. Brown has been practicing family law for approximately 25 years. She handles complex family law matters, including dissolution of marriage actions with business valuations, income analysis and financial litigation, custody, move-away and psychological evaluations, as well as pre-marital agreements, post-marital agreements, post judgment matters and enforcement actions. Ms. Brown cares deeply about the law and her clients....

Mr. Bourne is a former San Diego criminal prosecutor who prosecuted various criminal offenses and also worked in the domestic violence unit (Family Justice Center) of the San Diego City Attorney's Office. After working for the San Diego City Attorney's office, Mr. Bourne joined a civil litigation firm where he gained extensive experience in various matters including corporate and partnership law and marital dissolution. This experience includes pre-trial discovery, valuation of community and corporate assets, and various legal motion and pleading work.

Mr. Bourne also devotes substantial time as conflict counsel. He represents indigent defendants who cannot afford an attorney...

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.

I have represented thousands of clients throughout the state of California. I am a member of the San Diego County Bar Association and a proud veteran of the United States Army, Reserves and the California Army National Guard.

In 1996 I graduated from the University of California with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy, and in 1999 I received my juris doctorate from the University of California Hastings College of Law.

Early in my legal career I worked for large multi-national companies, including PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, and North American Exchange Company, a division of Lennar Homes. I have been a solo-practitioner for...

James F. Sexton first worked as an attorney for the insurance companies he now opposes. Having worked this side of personal injury and worker’s compensation cases, James understands the goals, motivation, and tactics employed by the insurance companies and the lawyers who protect their interests. He uses that knowledge to better serve and protect his clients’ interests. As CEO of a company and owner of his own law firm, James Sexton’s success reflects the positive experiences his clients have had and continue to have at The Sexton Law Firm. His expertise is extensive and includes California bankruptcy law, California...

CERTIFIED AS A FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST BY THE STATE BAR OF CALIFORNIA, ATTORNEY ELYSE B. BUTLER, CFLS HAS ESTABLISHED HERSELF AS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH.

Ms. Butler is a distinguished lawyer based in San Diego, California. She is Certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law; an accomplishment only approximately 5% of attorneys earn. She is also Verified by the Lead Counsel Review Board. As the founder of Butler Law, her client-focused approach to everything from property division to child custody and visitation has earned her recognition from Super Lawyers Magazine, the American...

With a career of 44 years as a family law attorney, Ms. Morris has extensive experience in a broad range of family law issues both as a counselor and litigator, making it her goal to help each client through the process with dignity and ease. With extensive training and experience in mediation, collaborative law, arbitration and settlement negotiation, she serves as an advocate to family law clients who choose alternatives to traditional litigation in resolving their family law matters. Ms. Morris has long been recognized as one of the preeminent family law attorneys in the United States.

Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California

I have been assisting clients in matters of divorce, support (child and spousal), custody and visitation and domestic violence since 1996. My reputation is that of a strong advocate who involves her clients in all aspects of their legal matters. My goal is to make my client's legal process as easy as possibly, keeping focused on protecting what matters most to that client. My clients find it easy to reach me and appreciate working directly with me.

I am a San Diego Divorce lawyer, San Diego Divorce attorney, San Diego Divorce Attorney. I provide mediation and attorney services to help clients divorce in a healthy way.

Kelly Shaffer received her undergraduate degree from Arizona State University where she studied psychology and received a full tuition scholarship. She continued her education by earning her Juris Doctor at the University of Arizona, also with a scholarship. During her time in Arizona, Shaffer volunteered for the Domestic Violence Program and Southern Arizona Legal Aid. While in law school, Ms. Shaffer was selected as a judicial law clerk which allowed her to develop a love for family law and gain valuable experience from the judicial perspective. Kelly Shaffer has devoted her practice to family law and the issues surrounding...

Deanne Arthur graduated from Howard University School of Law in Washington, D.C. in 2009. While at Howard she received the CALI award for exceptional representation of indigent adult persons charged with crimes in the District of Columbia Superior Court. Arthur has worked for a high profile law firm where she has successfully handled top dollar settlements and several jury trials. She has a passion for defending the rights of others and being the voice of those that cannot speak up for themselves.
At the Law Offices of Deanne Arthur, Arthur is devoted to representing clients that have become faced with...

I began my legal career as a juvenile dependency attorney. I spent nearly five years working full-time for dependency parents and children. That experience taught me how to be a strong and compassionate advocate, both in the courtroom and out. When Child Protective Services are involved, it is crucial to have a skilled dependency attorney working for you. The same goes for a family law case where you finances and valuable time with your children are at risk. Whether it's a juvenile dependency case or a family law matter, you deserve the time and attention necessary to ease your fears about the...

I was born and raised in Southern Calif with my beautiful Latino family (6 brothers & 2 sisters & parents) that taught me to love, respect and make the best of it, even with beans and tortillas at times. My migrant parents came from Texas in 1953 who later became a Gardener and a Professional House Keeper for the rich and beautiful Jewish families. They taught me and my brothers to love and respect our country. After obtaining High Honors at Indio High School, I attended UCLA and then went to Law School at Univ of West Los Ángeles...

Carrie Block, the managing partner at Holstrom, Block & Parke's Orange County office, brings over 25 years of family law expertise from premier firms. Specializing in high-asset family divorces, collaborative divorce, and mediation in Orange County, she guides clients with compassion to achieve favorable legal outcomes. Carrie, a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO) expert, efficiently handles complexities related to 401(k)s, pensions, and benefits in divorce cases without external experts, streamlining negotiations early in the process. Her practice spans divorce, custody, child and spousal support, paternity, and premarital rights. Carrie prioritizes accessibility, aiding clients through the challenging transition of divorce for a...

B. Robert Farzad is the managing partner of Farzad & Ochoa Family Law Attorneys, LLP. Farzad & Ochoa is a premier divorce and family law firm with offices in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego. The firm represents husbands and wives in complex or high conflict cases, including those that include complex financial and/or child custody issues. Mr. Farzad is a respected divorce attorney. He has presented seminars for the Orange County Bar Association and Continuing Education for the Bar (CEB). His work is featured in Orange County Lawyer Magazine, The Huffington Post, Yahoo Parenting and more. B. Robert Farzad is a...

Andy Cook is here to help you! With a great courtroom presence (he used to be a professional announcer) and strong writing skills, Andy is able to get your message across to the many family law judges in San Diego County.

Andy Cook handles family law matters exclusively. He has one associate attorney and has run his own practice in the Bankers Hill area of San Diego, located about a mile from the main San Diego Family Law Court, for over 23 years. Andy has been Certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar...

Although our whole firm prides itself on being "warriors in court," I believe that I have a calling to spread the word to folks that there are alternatives to going to court. There are alternatives like mediation, collaborative law and cooperative law. People in our firm, and myself, had to take extra training, often at substantial expense and in other states, to be able to offer those alternative dispute methods for our clients. Now I have hobbies of "spreading the word" about those alternatives. I appear on TV, often with other members of our firm....

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...

Dayn Holstrom, leading a distinguished family law firm in Orange County, Riverside, and San Bernardino, boasts a team of highly skilled attorneys committed to guiding clients with expertise and determination. His academic prowess at Western State University College of Law includes receiving the American Jurisprudence Award 17 times, serving as Editor in Chief of the Law Review, and graduating as Valedictorian with summa cum laude honors. Admitted to the bar in 1990, Dayn founded the Law Office of Dayn Holstrom, evolving into the renowned Holstrom, Block & Parke firm in 2008. Widely respected in Orange County, Riverside County, and San Bernardino...

Xinia L. Williams, a dedicated attorney at Holstrom, Block, and Parke, brings a wealth of legal experience and a compassionate approach to her clients. Before joining the firm, Xinia delved into a diverse range of Family Law cases, fearlessly tackling challenges in divorce, child custody, guardianships, unlawful detainers, bankruptcy, criminal cases/DUIs, and more. This varied background has shaped her into the compassionate, professional, and selfless attorney she is today. In the realm of Family Law, Xinia stands out for her real-world understanding, stemming from her role as a mother of two young children. She believes in being not just a legal advocate...

Edward Castro is a seasoned family law practitioner with an unwavering commitment to the field throughout his career. In 2021, he joined Holstrom, Block & Parke as a Partner, overseeing the San Diego County office. Initially focusing on domestic violence prevention, he collaborated with SDVLP and later directed FLAP, a courthouse-based family law clinic. At the YWCA Legal Advocacy Program, he served for six years as a senior staff attorney, handling diverse family law matters, emphasizing cases involving domestic violence. In 2010, Mr. Castro joined BLSAPC, where he became a partner in 2014. Specializing in high net-worth cases, he addressed complex...

Mark is a licensed attorney with the State Bar of California. Headquartered in Riverside, California, Mark strives to provide effective, quality legal representation for men in the Inland Empire and Orange County with a focus on building strong personal relationships to help guide men through the most challenging chapters of their lives. Prior to founding Reel Fathers Rights, Mark spent nearly a decade as a sports and fitness industry executive, working for multiple Major League Baseball Franchises, and one of the biggest fitness brands in the country, as well as founding and operating multiple startups in the sports and fitness...

Mr. Happ is a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) and is licensed to practice in both the State of California and the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California. Upon being sworn in to practice law, Mr. Happ immediately opened Happ Law Group P.C. Since its founding, Happ Law Group P.C. has been a firm exclusively devoted to representing individuals involved in family law disputes. Mr. Happ has prepared pleadings and discovery, negotiated settlements and litigated contested hearings/trials involving all aspects of family law, including, but not limited to, custody/visitation, child and spousal support, property characterization and division, enforcement...

Dolores Contreras is a decorated San Diego business lawyer with multiple awards and nominations under her belt, including the National Business Woman Association Entrepreneur of the Year Award and finalist for San Diego Magaizine's Woman of the Year. Her accomplishments and dedication to every client has lead to a successful career representing clients in business litigation, real estate law and family law. Ms. Contreras is fluent in both English and Spanish and her expertise in cross-border litigation has made her a strong voice in the Spanish speaking community.

Divorce lawyer and child custody attorney located in San Diego CA providing services in all areas of family law for the entire county of San Diego. Conveniently located in Mission Valley with plenty of free parking. Weekend and evening appointments available. Reasonable prices and payment plans offered. A divorce and family law practice that has been in business over 18 years with a primary emphasis on child custody litigation. Other areas of family law that we can assist you with include child support, spousal support, property division, and retirement division. Call now for free consultation.

Admitted to the State Bar of California in 1993. Certified as a Family Law Specialist in 2002. Divorce, Property Division, Support, Custody and Visitation. Specializing in Move Away and Interstate Custody cases.
US Navy Veteran

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.

“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...

Michael Perez serves as an Associate Attorney at Envision Family Law. Previously, he worked as an Associate Attorney at a prestigious Beverly Hills family law firm, where he handled domestic violence restraining orders, support matters, and dissolution cases involving complex property distribution. Michael holds a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA and obtained his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School, Los Angeles. During law school, he was actively involved in the Public Interest Law Foundation, dedicated to supporting underrepresented individuals in the legal system. He also participated in the Street Law Teaching Practicum, collaborating with Judith Schwartz-Behar, esq. from the Harriett...