Somis Family Lawyers

Gina Azzolino is a Partner at MTSA and a Certified Family Law Specialist with the State Bar of California. She has practiced family law exclusively since 2005.

Ms. Azzolino has significant experience in all areas of family law, including child custody and visitation, child support (including high-earner disputes), spousal support, domestic violence and restraining orders, date of separation disputes, breach of fiduciary duty claims, set-aside of premarital agreements, property division, reimbursement claims, business valuations and other complex financial issues. Ms. Azzolino works closely and regularly with forensic accountants on complicated financial issues as well as with mental health professionals...

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,...

Magdalena Chattopadhya practices all areas of family law, providing comprehensive legal representation for matters related to divorce, separation, child custody/support, paternity, retraining orders, and more. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, she is hands-on with her clients from the initial consultation all the way to negotiations, trials, and even appeals when necessary. Ms. Chattopadhya focuses on the big picture – the long-term impact of a case on her clients’ lives. As a certified mediator, she strives to help parties move forward from a conflict in an amicable and dignified manner. She is dedicated to pursuing the best possible result, no...

The mission of the attorneys at The Sullivan Law Firm, APC, is to counsel clients in finding common sense solutions to complex family and bankruptcy legal problems by providing a full spectrum of legal services. Attorney Michelle Sullivan, CLS-F, is a specialist in counseling clients regarding divorce, mediation, collaboration, adoptions, prenuptual agreements, and other legal issues. Located in Rancho Bernardo, a neighborhood of north San Diego, our family law and bankruptcy practice especially caters to residents of San Diego and North County.

Jennifer is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She earned a B.A. in Law and Society from the University of California at Santa Barbara and her law degree from Santa Clara University. Jennifer is a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, and member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association and is a member of the Family Law Executive Committee of the Santa Clara County Bar Association. Jennifer has lectured at multiple seminars for the Santa Clara County Bar Association, and Santa Clara University School of Law,...

Michael R. Young is a skilled divorce attorney from San Bernardino, CA.

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:...

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...

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.

Certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in Family Law, Ms. Bickford practices exclusively in the area of family law helping clients with divorce and separation in San Diego. Ms. Bickford is a graduate of California Western School of Law where she received honorable recognition for outstanding achievement in the areas of community property, taxation and civil procedure, as well as a West Publishing Award in recognition of her overall outstanding scholastic accomplishment. Ms. Bickford received her Bachelor of Science from Miami University, with a dual major in Systems Analysis and Mathematics. San Diego divorce attorney Nancy...

Ms. Hoefler is a University of Arizona alumnus, where she attended on a full-tuition academic scholarship and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Public Management and Policy with dual concentrations in Criminal Justice Administration and Environmental Policy as well as a minor in Business. She was a member of the Phi Alpha Delta Prelaw Fraternity, the Criminal Justice Association, and served as a teaching assistant for two courses titled “Women and Youth in the Justice System” and “Crime and Public Policy.” Her first experience with family law came while volunteering as an undergraduate intern for Southern Arizona...

Gillett Law has served clients throughout California for over a decade.  Mr. Gillett and his staff understand that any legal issue, whether it be a family issue, a problem at school, a brush with the law or a chance to grow your business, can be a difficult time in one’s life.  That is why the firm takes every effort to understand who you are, where you are coming from and what actions need to be taken to serve your interest.   Mr. Gillett has a broad caseload and resume to match.  Throughout his practice he has been committed to...

Traci is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. She graduated from Santa Clara University in 2000 and was admitted to the bar in December of that year. During her tenure at Santa Clara, she was the Sr. Technical Editor of the Computer Technology Law Journal and received a Certificate of Excellence in Legal Research and Writing. After graduation, Traci was recruited by a top corporate law firm. She worked at Gray Cary (now DLA Piper) from 2000 - 2002 as a securities and corporate transactional attorney. She was involved in...

Ms. Snider was one of eight women in a class of 423 when she graduated from California Western School of Law in 1973 with a Juris Doctorate.
The family law act of 1975, coupled with her desire to help clients in need, solidified her decision to specialize in Family Law. In 1980, Ms. Snider was one of twelve in the first class of attorneys to be board certified as a Certified Family Law Specialist in the State of California. Ms. Snider is a member of the State Bar of California, Association of Certified Family Law Specialists, San Diego Family Law Bar...

MS. SICKLER joined Beatrice L. Snider, APC in 1985 and is the managing partner of the firm. Ms. Sickler obtained her Juris Doctorate from Hastings College of the Law in 1976 and her Bachelor of Science from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1973. Prior to joining the firm, Ms. Sickler was engaged in the general practice of law, including obtaining substantial civil and criminal trial experience. Ms. Sickler was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1976 and became a Certified Specialist in Family Law in 1991. She is a member of the State Bar of...

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.

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...

Stephen W. Penn is a Certified Family Law Specialist who has been in private practice since 1991. He received a Bachelor of Science from California State University, Los Angeles and his law degree from Glendale College of Law. He also holds a Master of Business Administration from Pepperdine University, Master of Science in Taxation from Golden Gate University and Master of Arts from John F. Kennedy University in Counseling Psychology.

Prior to commencing his legal career, Mr. Penn served as Vice Chancellor of the West Valley-Mission Community College District and Director of Finance and Chief Business Officer of California State University...

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,...

Kara represents individuals in all aspects of family law, including divorce, property division, child and spousal support issues, child custody and visitation, attorney fees and costs, as well as domestic violence restraining orders, prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements. Kara’s clientele incorporates a broad range between C-level executives, business owners, engineers, start-up employees, other attorneys, medical professionals, and stay at home parents.

Charlie has extensive litigation and trial experience, having litigated countless contested hearings and various jury trials. Although Charlie practices all areas of family law, his practice now focuses on complex and high-asset dissolutions, many of which require collaboration with business counsel, estate planning counsel, and/or criminal counsel. Charlie practices in all Bay Area Counties, including but not limited to San Francisco County, San Mateo County, Santa Clara County, and Alameda County. Charlie believes that no two family law cases are alike and that each case requires a clear understanding of his client’s needs and ultimate goals in order to achieve...

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...

I am also a Certified Public Accountant and have been doing tax work in the Bay Area for 30 years. I specialize in helping people and businesses pay as few taxes as possible without getting audited. In the estate planning area I help people preserve their property for their families and pay as few estate taxes as possible. I also am the Probate Doctor who can help fix impossible situations when estates are stuck in the quagmire of California Probate.

I was born and raised in San Francisco and have been a San Mateo County resident for the past 34 years. I have been practicing law for over 20 years and understand the difficult time one goes through in a break up. No one can do better than I in achieving your goals and wishes.

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...

Susan Dent is a recently admitted member of the California Bar, joining Lonich and Patton from a C.F.L.S. litigation firm in Newport Beach, CA. Ms. Dent was an active member of the law school community at Santa Clara University, serving as both an associate and editor for the Santa Clara Law Review, an Executive Board member for Honors Moot Court Internal, and as the president of Santa Clara Law's Criminal Law Society. Ms. Dent also served as a research assistant for SCU's Center for Global Law and Policy. Thoughout law school, Ms. Dent clerked for Hon. Jerome...

Amy's approach to estate planning is to focus on each client's unique needs and objectives. She strives to design a comprehensive plan for her clients that provides the maximum protection without compromise. Her broad experience enables her to provide keen insight for her clients. She is deeply commitment to her clients and the ethical standards of her profession. Amy has lived in Brentwood since 2001 with her husband and two daughters. She is a Director for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce and in her free time, enjoys yoga, reading and golf.

Our practice covers all aspects of family and matrimonial law in all of the Bay Area counties, primarily focusing on Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano, and San Francisco counties. We will expertly navigate you through your family law matter, whether it involves termination of a domestic partnership, paternity, custody, visitation, domestic violence, adoption, guardianship, support, an annulment, legal separation, or post-judgment issues. Regardless which of these processes you are dealing with, we understand the strain and pressure that these matters inevitably put on clients and the necessity of providing strong representation. Therefore, we strive to make the entire process as easy...

Michèle Bissada is a Principal at Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, in Silicon Valley and serves as a neutral throughout California. She is a Certified Specialist in Family Law (CFLS), Fellow of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), and member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). With over 30 years of experience, Ms. Bissada is a seasoned mediator with a prominent litigation background. She specializes in both complex financial and high-conflict custody matters. Highly committed to her practice, she has achieved notable success assisting parties in resolving the most...

Julia Lemon became an associate at Lonich and Patton, LLP in November 2007. Julia is well versed in Estate Planning and Business Law, however she has a a special interest in Family Law matters. Julia began her relationship with the firm as a second year law clerk in 2005. Julia was raised in San Jose and attended Presentation High School. Thereafter, she attended the University of California at Davis where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. In 2004, Julia graduated with honors and as a member of Phi Beta Kappa, earning a Bachelor's Degree with a major in...

Robert (“Bobby”) Cashen is a partner at Morgan Tidalgo Sukhodrev & Azzolino LLP. Mr. Cashen has been named a Super Lawyer’s Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine in both 2018 and 2019, an award conferred upon the top 2.5% up and rising attorneys in California. He currently serves as the co-chair of the Family Law Section of the San Mateo County Bar Association and will serve as its chair in 2020.

Mr. Cashen assists clients with all aspects of family law matters. He is experienced with complex financial issues, such as business valuation and characterization, private equity,...

Michelle Trigger is the owner/attorney of Trigger Law Office, located in Sacramento, CA. Ms. Trigger's practice focuses on criminal defense and family law matters, including representation on all misdemeanor and felony offenses, divorce, child custody and visitation, and restraining orders. Ms. Trigger primarily serves Placer and Sacramento counties, but will accept matters in El Dorado, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, Butte, Lake, and most bay area counties on a case-by-case basis. Ms. Trigger's primary talent is in the court room, as she is a zealous advocate in all motions and hearings, and never afraid to take a matter to trial.

Sarah Arnott is an Attorney at Van Voorhis & Sosna LLP. Ms. Arnott was certified as a specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in 2015, and served as the chairperson of the family law section of the San Francisco Bar Association's Barristers Club in 2013.

A native of New York and North Carolina, Ms. Arnott moved to California to attend Santa Clara University School of Law, from which she received her J.D. Ms. Arnott has exclusively practiced family law since 2008. She is well-versed in all areas of family law, including dissolutions, custody,...

Christopher W. Dietrich is the principal attorney of Dietrich Family Law practicing in the areas of Family Law (including Divorce, Legal Separation, Annulments, Child Custody and Domestic Violence Proceedings), Estate Planning, Probate, and Estate Administration. Prior to establishing Dietrich Family Law Mr. Dietrich directed the Sacramento operations of the Modesto based firm the Law Office of Thomas P. Hogan practicing in the same areas of law. He is an active member of the Sacramento County Bar Association where he has served on several committees. He also volunteers his time for Empower Yolo in Woodland to assist low...

Attorney Gary D. Sparks is an accomplished lawyer who has successfully provided legal services and representation to families, husbands, wives, parents, military service members, and same sex partners for nearly two decades. Gary was a regular guest for several years on the former Ronn Owens Program on KGO-AM 810 in San Francisco, and has been interviewed by local and national publications in addition to publishing several of his own legal guides.

Gary graduated first in his class from John F. Kennedy University School of Law, where he was awarded magna cum laude honors for excellence in academic achievement and received...

Business and International Experience
Wayne started in Auckland New Zealand, graduating after completing a challenging combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws in just 4 years, achieving top marks at his law school at Auckland University made up of 11,000 students where he was elected Student President in a landslide victory in his last year. Then recruited by a leading Merchant Bank, MARAC Corporation, Wayne moved to Citibank before becoming the founding Company Secretary for New Zealand's first publicly listed Investment Bank, founding Company Secretary for NZ’s first publicly listed Venture Capital company and a Director of a...

Kim Ma graduated with High Honors from UC Davis with a degree in Managerial Economics. She went on to attend the Santa Clara University School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctorate. After graduating from Law School and passing the bar exam, Kim was hired by the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office. Kim worked as a Deputy District Attorney where she developed impressive trial skills. Kim went on the work for one of best criminal defense firms in California before eventually joining making the shift to family law. Kim is now a practicing family law attorney who can be...