Niland Family Lawyers

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...

I am an experienced Family Law Attorney serving Indio, Palm Springs, Palm Desert and the entire Coachella Valley.

The preservation of the family unit can be achieved, even after a divorce. My parents divorced when I was young, but remained friends throughout my life to this day. I believe, when children are involved, the best interest of the children are paramount. I strive to be fair and foster an equitable settlement. However, when the other side is being less than forthcoming, a more aggressive approach is often needed.

Whether you need a lawyer to provide an...

An understanding lawyer with compassion. Listens to his clients concerns and develops a plan to best meet them. My practice focuses on typical family needs. Family law, child custody, landlord tenant law and estate planning (wills and trusts).

I successfully represented clients in cases ranging from divorce to fraud investigations, for the last 30 years. As an economist, Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE)*, and California State Attorney, I can analyze cases from various angles so that I can determine reasonable resolutions to disputes and provide successful representation for all my clients. In addition to that, I can also communicate with you in Greek, French, Italian, and Spanish, in order to suit your needs.

My practice focuses on Family Law, Fraud Law and Worker's Comp (rated #6 in Rancho Mirage; rated top 10% of 1.5 million lawyers in MartinDale-Hubbell). I...

Put over 50 years of Family Law experience to work for you. I am a Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California. I have extensive trial and divorce mediation experience which assists clients in getting their cases resolved with fewer court appearances, saving them money in legal fees. I have sat as a temporary judge in family law for over twenty years which has given me the experience of evaluating cases in my practice from a judge's point of view....

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...

Certified Family Law Specialist Civil Litigator

Mr. Storey first became acquainted with the criminal justice system as a deputy sheriff in 1970. He completed his education through Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego while working as a deputy and sergeant at the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office. He transferred from the Sheriff’s Office to the District Attorneys Office after receiving his Juris Doctor. Mr. Storey is a second generation resident of Imperial County. His law enforcement experience and time with the District Attorneys Office influenced him to run for political office which resulted in his election as Imperial County District Attorney where he served until 1987. Mr....

Attorney Heather Cullen is a Certified Family Law Specialist and practices exclusively Family Law. Attorney Cullen is a native Southern Californian who graduated Cum Laude with a dual bachelor's degree in Philosophy & Law and Society from the University of California, Riverside. Attorney Cullen then earned her Juris Doctor Degree from The University of California at Davis School of Law. Attorney Cullen is currently an active member of the State Bar of California. She is licensed to practice law in the State of California and the U.S. District Court Central District of California. Attorney Cullen is also an active member of the...

William Fitch, otherwise known as "Bill" is a senior attorney at Family Law Matters. Having a civil trial background for nearly two decades before joining the firm, Bill brings a unique knowledge of the law with him. He has tried hundreds, if not thousands, of cases over the years; and has conducted many jury trials. He also has extensive experience in discovery and law and motion issues. Bill's easy-going nature makes him easy to talk to, but do not underestimate his trial skills. Bill would always rather settle a case than try one one, because he recognizes the benefits to...

I’m Scott Levin, a dedicated family law attorney and mediator based in San Diego, California. As the only family law attorney in the greater San Diego area who is also a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst, I focus exclusively on mediation, helping clients achieve fair, amicable resolutions without the high costs of litigation. My approach is backed by extensive experience and education: I hold a Juris Doctorate from the University of Virginia School of Law and graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts from New York University. With a deep background in finance, law, and dispute resolution, I’m equipped...

Our tagline, "When you want your case done right the first time," evolved as a result of continued client feedback expressing frustrations with past dealings with the process. Divorce is a difficult process. We are mindful of the emotional aspect as well as the costs involved with each case. Andrew P. Johnson, APC makes every effort to apply the right resources to each task so that we can keep costs at a minimum while still accomplishing your goals.

I am a licensed California Attorney and Certified Family Law Specialist with an office located in Vista directly across from...

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...

“Integrity Matters”
As a young woman, Gina experienced the pain and uncertainty of a protracted custody battle over her first child. It was this experience that caused her to become a lawyer. Her daughter is now happily married and attending medical school. Gina married her second husband in 1992. They have a teenaged son together, who still lives at home.

Gina was licensed to practice law in the state of California in 1997. Since then, she has amassed vast legal knowledge and courtroom experience. Her practice has always been limited exclusively to family law. Over the years, she has learned to listen....

Beshoy F. Shehata is the managing partner. He goes by “B.” B graduated from California Western School of Law and was admitted to the California State Bar in 2017. B is passionate about his career choice and loves helping his clients.

B was born and raised in Cairo, Egypt. He migrated to the United States with his family in 2000. He has six siblings. He always wanted to become an attorney to help those going through tough times. He understands how difficult it is to go through a divorce or a custody battle. He understands the stress and uncertainty that accompanies...

Scottie Leming is one of our senior attorneys. She graduated from Western State University College of Law and was admitted to the California State Bar in 1995. Scottie is an extremely experienced family law attorney and represented victims of domestic violence for twelve years before joining our firm.

Since 1995, Scottie has helped thousands of clients with great success. She understands the legal issues and uncertainties surrounding divorce, child custody and support are personal issues. She knows how to provide emotional support and clearly communicate with her clients. Scottie is well known and greatly respected within our legal community. She is...

Born in Bakersfield, California and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, Mr. Blado is a graduate of California Western School of Law. While at California Western, Mr. Blado studied Family Law and Community Property. During his third year of law school, Matthew was selected to serve as the judicial extern for the Honorable Nancy C. Oesterle.

While attending California Western, Mr. Blado was a founding member of the California Western School of Law Community Law Project which provided free legal assistance to poor and indigent members of the community. It was during this period that Mr. Blado was first exposed to the...

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...

Kristie Lee Bergamo has presided as a temporary judge in both Orange and Los Angeles Counties. She also has an extensive history serving as minor's counsel, and has taught classes to help other attorneys become certified as minor's counsel. Kristie joined Family Law Matters in August of 2018. She attended Willamette University Law School in Salem, Oregon, and was licensed to practice law in 2002. Since then, she has focused on the practice of family law. Prior to joining Family Law Matters, Kristie was a sole practitioner and earned a reputation as a fierce advocate of her clients. Kristie has...

Attorney Kevin A. Polis is a member of the State Bar of California, the San Diego Family Law Bar Association, North County Bar Association, and is Certified as a Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Kevin Polis has dedicated his career exclusively to the practice of divorce & family law. Because of this, he is certified by the State Bar of California as a Divorce & Family Law Specialist, a title that few attorneys in our area have, and one that shows a commitment to the practice of the law and delivering...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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....

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....

Dennis Temko provides exceptional representation in appellate matters in California State Courts in San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and elsewhere. His appellate practice is focused on family law matters including custody, property division, child and spousal support, stock options, high income earners, Ostler Smith (bonus support orders), domestic violence restraining orders, and imputation, among other issues. Most of his practice has been devoted to family law appeals and writs since his 2013 admission to the California State Bar. Super Lawyers Magazine recognized Mr. Temko as a rising star in 2017, and again in 2018.

Mr. Temko has...

Meet Kristen A. Holstrom, CFLS*, a dynamic Partner at Holstrom, Block & Parke and a renowned family law specialist. Kristen hosts the top legal talk radio show on Go Country 105FM, educating listeners on family law. With a decade of experience, she's respected for her sharp legal mind, tenacious representation, and creative strategies. Kristen's journey started early working with her father, Dayn Holstrom, a prominent family law attorney. Holding a business degree from Jacksonville University, she excelled in NCAA Division 1 Soccer. Kristen earned her Juris Doctorate from Trinity Law School, passing the California State Bar and Family Law Specialists Exam. As...

Alexandria Jaquay is an Attorney at Cullen Family Law Group. Attorney Jaquay is currently an active member of the State Bar of California and practices exclusively Family Law. Attorney Jaquay is a Southern California native. She attended and completed law school while being a full-time paralegal and mother of two. Attorney Jaquay graduated in the top 1% of her class while excelling at legal writing and research. Attorney Jaquay has been with Cullen Family Law Group since 2002, and she has worked on family law matters ranging from a simple separation resolution to a contested divorce, including high asset division...

For nearly 30 years, San Diego family law attorney Roy M. Doppelt, Esq. has been providing clients in Southern California with comprehensive legal services. He is currently an active member of the California and San Diego Bar Associations, and he is admitted to practice law in both California and Illinois state courts, as well as the Federal District Court for the Southern District of California.

Roy was raised in Chicago and attended the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He relocated to California to attend the California Western School of Law, where he obtained his J.D. in 1988, graduating with honors....

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.

Family Law Specialist Richard E. Bawden has been practicing law for over 30 years. He has had many personal accomplishments within the legal field, among which has been to serve as the San Bernardino County Bar Association President. Mr. Bawden's personal attention to clients, his knowledge of the law and trial expertise, along with his personal integrity, have all combined to make his practice well-known in the Inland Empire. He and Robert A. Kochis are dedicated to providing quality family and divorce law consultation services in the Redlands and Inland Empire area.

EDUCATION

Law School: University of Oregon, J.D., 1971
College:...

Burke & Domercq, LLP offers skilled divorce and family law representation to individuals, families and business owners in Carlsbad, Encinitas, Oceanside, Vista and throughout North County San Diego.

We have represented our clients before North County family law courts for decades. Whether you are facing life changes such as a divorce or child custody dispute, require modifications to existing child support or custody orders, face domestic violence allegations or wish to prepare a prenuptial agreement we are here to help accomplish your objectives.

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...

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...

Ms. Curran has been a licensed as an attorney for 32 years. Rated among the top 1% of Attorneys in the U.S. ~ National Association of Distinguished Counsel. 2016 - 2021 Rated Top 100 Lawyers in the U.S. ~ The National Trial Lawyers Association l. 2014-2021 - Top Lawyers in California. Ms. Curran is a very experienced lawyer who has successfully tried, mediated, and appealed many hundreds of complex cases, including constitutional, civil, family, and criminal law cases, in both the state and federal courts. At The Curran Law Firm, APC, she leads an extraordinary team of lawyers, law clerks, paralegals and administrative staff,...