Rimforest Family Lawyers

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...

“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....

Samantha K. McBride, a distinguished family law attorney, is revered for her adept writing, meticulous attention to detail, and energetic representation. Specializing in family law, domestic violence restraining orders, support, and complex custody cases, she offers clients a custom case plan grounded in sound legal advice and a profound understanding of individual rights, goals, and interests. Clients value her for guiding them through challenging times with responsiveness and compassion, reflected in her superb 10 rating on Avvo.com. Recognized as a California Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) by the California Board of Legal Specialization, Samantha's expertise is highlighted in publications like West...

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...

Attorney John-Patrick Mullen-Lujan grew up in vibrant Miami, Florida, where he encountered people from all walks of life and learned to develop genuine connections in diverse communities. As the son of an Argentinian immigrant, Attorney Mullen-Lujan recognizes the struggles many Americans face in navigating our complex criminal justice system. Attorney Mullen-Lujan believes everyone deserves to have their rights protected by someone who cares about them. Attorney Mullen-Lujan attended Pennsylvania State University where he obtained a joint Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and American Studies. In 2017, he received a Master of Science degree in American studies. In search of...

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...

WE PROTECT PROFESSIONALS AND BUSINESS OWNERS FROM UNFAIR DIVORCE.
Our Law firm is focused exclusively on divorce, child custody, paternity actions, modifications of child support, spousal support, property division, domestic violence and all other issues that fall under the "umbrella" of Family Law. Our passion is our clients. We recognize that while people are going through situations dealing with the breakdown of a marriage or how best to share their children, it is an incredibly challenging and heartbreaking time. It is also very nerve-wracking to have the future of your children, and/or security (financial or otherwise) be unknown or be...

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...

The U.S. Law Center is a nationwide, full-service immigration law firm that provides large corporations, small businesses and individuals with a full range of immigration processing and placement services. Attorney Mike Sethi earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills in 1995. He received his law degree from the American College of Law, where he graduated in the top three percent of his class and was awarded seven AM-JUR Bancroft-Whitney Awards. These awards are presented to those students attaining the highest grades in particular subjects. Attorney Sethi is a member of the Bar for the State...

Orange County divorce attorney Gerald A. Maggio is an experienced family law and divorce attorney dedicated to providing a personalized approach to each client's legal representation based on their needs. Mr. Maggio is experienced in all aspects of family law and divorce matters, including child custody and support, spousal support, marital asset division, and stepparent adoptions. Mr. Maggio has a reputation of fighting for client rights with compassion, experience, and professionalism, with the goal of navigating his clients through the complicated legal process as quickly as possible so his clients can move on with their lives. ...

Bettina Yanez is a CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST, Certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization. The Orange County Divorce attorney firm represents and handles family law cases in both Orange County and Los Angeles. The Orange County family lawyer is located near the Orange County Family Law Court. She is a highly respected and knowledgeable OC attorney and Orange County domestic violence attorney. Attorney Yanez is a member of the California State Bar, Orange County Bar Association, Hispanic Bar Association; Orange County Women Lawyers Association. Yanez is also "un abogado de divorcio y abogada de...

I received my Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Law, and Society from the University of California, Irvine. I concurrently worked as a research assistant for both a prominent sociology of law professor and white-collar and corporate crime professor. After receiving my B.A., I worked as a law clerk for a Bankruptcy and Taxation law office in Northern California where I gained extensive experience. I entered Whittier Law School where I was the runner-up in the competitive Susan E. McGuigan Oral Advocacy Competition and became heavily involved in the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association. I received one of the highest...

Ms. Charbonneau is a highly regarded Orange County family law practitioner and was a founding partner in one of Orange County’s premier law firms. Ms. Charbonneau is well known for her uncanny ability to get to the heart of a case and get it resolved. While compassionate and understanding, she is tenacious in her resolve to get divorcing couples to focus on common ground to reach a fair and responsible resolution. She is very skilled in dealing with the range of emotions that go with a divorce and is able to relate to the parties like few...

Named top 10% of Lawyers in California - Lawyers of Distinction 2017 Client's Choice Award - Avvo.com 2014 SuperLawyers 2019, 2020 and 2021

I started my legal career in 2001 by providing consultation to lawyers handling medical malpractice cases. In an attempt to enhance the quality of the consulting business, I attended Quinnipiac law school in 2002. After my first class in tort law, I knew that this what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I transferred to Loyola Law L.A. as a full-time student. In 2005 I began practicing family law and I became Certified Family Law Sepcialist dedicating my entire practice to family law.

Jeremy N. Roark brings over a decade of exclusive expertise in family law within the Inland Empire. His practice covers diverse facets of divorce cases, including child custody and support, asset division, spousal support, custody jurisdiction, and matters involving domestic violence and restraining orders. Certified as a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Jeremy stands out for his demonstrated excellence in the field. He is also honored as the recipient of the Terry D. Bridges Outstanding Attorney Award from the Leo A. Deegan Inn of Court Board of Directors and Members. As a...

I am experienced trial attorney committed to serving your specific needs at affordable flat rates. I am known as a workaholic so I can be reached almost anytime on my cell at 909-354-9478. I look forward to hearing from you!

Christopher R. Abernathy provides advice and counsel to clients throughout the state of California. The focus of Mr. Abernathy’s practice is Family Law. Mr. Abernathy is a skilled litigator and negotiator with many years of experience Born and raised in California, Mr. Abernathy attended California State University, Chico, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in 1994. He then was awarded his Juris Doctor in 1998 from Western State College of Law in Irvine. Mr. Abernathy has been in private practice for his entire career, and he is admitted to practice before all California state courts.

With each individual case, Catherine A. Schwartz brings the knowledge of over twenty years of experience practicing family law and criminal defense in California. Ms. Schwartz's undergraduate studies were in sociology at Philadelphia Christian College. She graduated with a B.S degree in law and a JD at Western State University College of Law, San Diego, in 1991. After passing the California State Bar in 1991, Ms. Schwartz practiced family law, juvenile dependency, and juvenile delinquency law in both San Diego and Riverside, CA. She has been involved in the areas of family law and criminal defense for the past 20...

The Law Office of Patrick O’Kennedy provides legal representation for families and individuals in family law and debt relief cases in Irvine and Orange County. Are you facing a difficult personal decision in divorce or financial matters? Our divorce and bankruptcy lawyer can listen to your case and help you chart the way forward in resolving the issue.

Justine Marren received her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from San Diego State University. Ms. Marren graduated from San Diego State University, Magna Cum Laude and was on the University’s Dean’s List every semester in attendance. Ms. Marren received her Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law, where she graduated Cum Laude and in the top fifteen percent of her class. Ms. Marren also received an Academic Achievement Award in Family Law which recognized her achieving the highest grade possible in her Family Law Class. During law school, Ms. Marren interned at the Family Law Facilitator’s Office...

Albert Friske has practiced law since earning his J.D. degree from California Western School of Law in 1995.

Full time mediator with offices in New York City and Southern California.
Palm Springs Office concentrates primarily on divorce, custodial arrangements and disputes related to real estate and probate, as well as family-owned business and vacation homes. New York City Office concentrates on corporate, commercial and finance matters

Extensive training in alternative dispute resolution techniques, including at the Harvard Law School Program on Negotiation, the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution in London (CEDR), the American Arbitration Association.
(AAA),and the International Mediation Institute (IMI)., Among other panels, he mediates disputes as a member of the mediation panels of CPR,...

Linda L. McLarnan-Dugan, Esq. has over 29 years of experience in the legal field following her admission to the California State Bar. She handles all types of cases which deal with the family. Her practice include all areas of Family Law; Probate; Conservatorships; Guardianships; and Estate Planning. She regularly is appointed a Minor’s Counsel in Family Court and CAC Attorney in Probate Court. She is a member of the State Bar of California; Pasadena Bar Association, 2019 President of the Pasadena Bar Association, Chair 2011-2014 Pasadena Family Law Bar; Pasadena Tournament of Roses; and ...

Colleen Dillon Robinson has been licensed to practice law since 2009. Collen attended college at the University of Madison, Wisconsin. She graduated from California Western School of Law in 2009. Thereafter, she spent the first nine years of her legal career practicing in San Diego County before jointing Family Law Matters in 2018. Colleen is empathetic and a go-getter. She loves working at Family Law Matters because everyone is so positive and it allows her to help people through the most difficult times of their lives.

Colleen grew up as the third youngest of four children. Even so, her...

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...