Summerland Family Lawyers

“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...

MS. BASHAR obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Arizona in Management Information Systems in 1987 and her Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona College of Law in May 1990. She joined the firm after 7 years as a sole practitioner focusing on civil litigation, business and family law. Prior to opening her own office, Ms. Bashar was an associate attorney in a civil litigation firm where she represented financial institutions as well as individuals with personal injury, fraud and contract matters. She has also worked as a Volunteer Attorney with the Family Law...

Drew received his Bachelor of Arts from Queens University of Charlotte, where he majored in Psychology and served as captain of the university tennis team. After college, he attended graduate school at West Virginia University, where he earned master’s degrees in social work and public administration, and participated in many community outreach projects. He also demonstrated exceptional work ethic by completing two master’s programs while simultaneously working as a tennis coach to help pay for his education. He later received his Juris Doctor degree from California Western School of Law, where he was a Dean’s List student and member of...

Dahann Bowers was born in Panama and immigrated to Southern California at a young age. She is fluent in Spanish. She attended California State University San Marcos where she double majored in Political Science and Spanish. Dahann then attended Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego. During law school, Dahann interned with the Department of Child Support Services where she gained insight into child support issues and parental rights. She began working at different family law firms and was exposed to the complexities of family law. At the end of 2022, Dahann took the step to go out on...

The only San Diego State Bar Certified Family Law Specialist who was also a Former Federal and County of San Diego Prosecutor with Over 20 Years of Experience!

Like many people, I suffered through a difficult divorce. The hardest part for me was the constant feeling of being overwhelmed and no longer in control of my life. That experience truly transformed the way I practice family law. I have made sure that we do everything possible to help clients not feel the same way I did during my divorce by making customer service the hallmark of our firm. We will do whatever is necessary to reduce their anxiety and know that our firm will make their needs a priority. That’s why I make sure that we are available...

The Law Offices of Jennifer S. Morrison is a divorce law firm in Fresno, California that provides exceptional, aggressive representation to clients throughout the Central Valley, including Fresno, Tulare, Madera, and Kings Counties. At her Fresno divorce law firm, Jennifer Morrison represents clients in all aspects of family law matters, including but not limited to divorce, paternity, child custody and visitation rights, child and spousal support, and property and debt division.

Our motto is "Personal Attention—Aggressive Representation." We take this motto very seriously, and take great pride in the fact that among divorce law firms in Fresno we are especially attentive...

My practice is devoted to Family Law, Divorce, Custody and Visitation, Domestic Violence and Support. PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE

Experienced attorney with office located in Rancho Bernardo, San Diego. In practice in San Diego County for 15 years. Appeared in Los Angeles County, Riverside County and Orange County courts. My practice is limited to those counties.

Experience in Estate Planning arose from the connection that exists between the two areas of law practiced in my firm. Divorce causes change in estate plans, wills, asset allocation, beneficiary and Powers of Attorney designations. The two areas of law naturally go together. And even if they do not in your case, we have the skill and experience to assist you with your specific...

Edward Castro is a seasoned family law practitioner with an unwavering commitment to the field throughout his career. 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 issues like business valuation disputes, income analyses of large business owners, and asset protection trusts. He gained...

Melody Trujillo is a graduate of McGeorge School of Law who brings to her clients 28 years of legal practice. She and her partner have successfully litigated thousands of cases in Southern California. Ms. Trujillo practices primarily in Family Law representing clients in Hemet, Riverside, San Bernardino, Victorville and all of the San Diego Courts. She is dedicated to her clients. The attorneys and paralegals at Trujillo & Trujillo, APLC are all caring individuals who put their client's needs as paramount. Each paralegal has at minimum a paralegal certificate and an Associate Degree. The...

For over a decade, Charrisse N. Smith has been a trusted advocate, guiding individuals through the legal system with skill and compassion. Throughout her career, she has earned recognition for her professionalism, dedication to advocacy, and exceptional negotiation and mediation abilities. Committed to changing the narrative surrounding attorneys, Charrisse upholds the highest standards of integrity both in and out of the courtroom. She approaches each case with the same level of dedication and care she would expect for her own legal matters. Charrisse is passionate about family law, finding great fulfillment in helping individuals navigate one of the most challenging periods...

Matthew J. Knez graduated from the University of Redlands in California where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Creative Writing. He went on to pursue his Law Degree at the University of LaVerne, College of Law in Ontario, California. While pursuing his law degree he earned various awards, including CALI Award in Torts and he was on the Dean’s List. Mr. Knez was also a member of the Justice and Immigration Clinic where he worked with people seeking asylum into the United States from countries where they had experienced persecution or threat of persecution....

I understand the suffering families experience during divorce and have a passion for helping them through these difficult times. Divorce is one of the most difficult steps that anyone will ever have to take in life. The process has a profound emotional and financial impact upon everyone involved. Not only does divorce sever a couple's legal status as "married" and all of the benefits that flow from it, it necessitates significant real and personal changes in the lives of everyone involved whether anticipated or not. I am committed to helping clients through these difficult times and help them transition to...

Family Law is an area of law that requires more than just an understanding of the law, it requires an understanding of people. When dealing with something as personal as family, emotions can run high and often impact a person's decision making process. At Swanson and Ruegg, we address your needs by helping you to determine what your best options are so that you can decide on which course of action is right for your family. Our Riverside law firm brings over 30 years of combined experience to every family law case we handle. That experience allows us to...

I am a determined Criminal Defense and Family Law attorney. I represent clients in Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Los Angeles counties with legal matters including divorce, domestic violence, guardianships and criminal defense.

During a time of intense stress and uncertainty, you need an experienced and compassionate attorney to advocate for your rights and interests. I am committed to the highest level of integrity while aggressively pursuing the best possible outcomes for my clients.

My interest in law began over 25 years ago, when following high school, I began work as a legal assistant. Since opening my own firm in 2002, my...

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.

Kimberly Madigan is a founding partner of Madigan & Lewis, LLP, family law firm representing clients throughout the Bay Area. She is admitted to practice law before all courts in the State of California. Ms. Madigan was named a "Rising Star" in family law by Super Lawyers on the basis of peer recognition and professional achievement for years 2012-2014. In 2014, Ms. Madigan was named as one of the Top 10 Family Law Attorneys Under 40 in Northern California by the National Academy of Family Law Attorneys (NAFLA). She is serving as the 2015 chair 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,...

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...

CERTIFIED FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST At the Law Office of Dianne Drew Butler C.F.L.S., we have worked closely with men and women across the Central Valley in California since 1986. We know that the legal process can be complicated and take great care to carefully explain the law and process to you so that you have a realistic idea of what to expect. We will help you understand your rights and options so that you can make good decisions that are in your best interests. Our Credentials We offer clients extensive experience and knowledge in family law matters, having focused our practice exclusively...

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.

Before merging her law office with Tammy J. Mercado’s, Mary Whipple opened her own law practice in the summer of 2008. Prior to that Mary was an associate attorney at the Law Office of Cummins & Holmes, a full-service civil litigation law firm in San Ramon. The majority of her experience is in family law, which includes divorce, custody, support, prenuptial agreements, and domestic-violence restraining orders. Mary has also represented clients in a variety of non-family-law cases, including juvenile dependency, probate, breach of contract, and employment disputes, to name a few. Previously, Mary worked as a contract attorney for O’Melveny...

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...

Kent P. Tierney has been practicing law for over 20 years. He specializes in the areas of Family Law, Real Estate, Civil Litigation, and Business Law. Mr. Tierney formed what is now Tierney Law Group in 2012 following more than 15 years of practice with several Bay Area law firms specializing in Civil Litigation. Mr. Tierney brings his unique personal experiences to the representation of his clients and is known for his no nonsense approach to cases. Mr. Tierney’s clients often compliment him for his straightforward demeanor and candid review of cases. His strengths are his knowledge of the law,...

Danella Rugile is a skilled family law attorney in San Jose and one of the founding partners at F & R Law Group. She dedicates her career to ensure that families in the community receive the representation they need during a divorce. Prior to starting work as a lawyer, she served as a Parent Facilitator at the Redwood City Child Development Centers. This experience gave her insight and a connection to the people she would serve as an attorney and pushed her to pursue her law degree in divorce law. She obtained her Juris Doctor from Santa Clara University School...

CERTIFICATIONS:
Certified Family Law Specialist
State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

BAR ADMISSIONS:
California, 1989
U.S. District Court Central District of California, 1989
U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1989
U.S. District Court Northern District of California, 1989
U.S. District Court Southern District of California, 1989
EDUCATION:
University of California, Hastings College of the Law, San Francisco, California, J.D.

Daniel Jensen has truly established himself as a top lawyer in Santa Clara County. In fact, Jensen has been selected five times by the San Jose Magazine as one of Silicon Valley's Best Lawyers in Criminal Law and Family Law. As a former police officer and sergeant, Jensen has great knowledge when it comes to effectively defending his clients in state and federal courts. If you or a loved one are in need of legal guidance, Daniel Jensen may be able help. Learn more by calling the The Law Office of Daniel Jensen, P.C. at (408) 296-4100.

-- Over 16 years experience in Family Law -- Certified Family Law Specialist -- Good Listener & Idea Generator -- Can Think Outside the Box to Help You Get Great Results -- Friendly Style Facilitates Settlements

Ahluwalia Law Professional Corporation is a general practice law firm located in San Jose, in the San Francisco Bay Area. Striving to achieve meaningful, long-lasting relationships with our clients, we offer affordable, efficient and personalized service. Attorney Madan Ahluwalia, Managing Attorney, has been providing his clients with legal representation since 1995.

I am one of a handful of Certified Family Law Specialists, as certified by the California State Bar, Board of Legal Specialization, in the Stanislaus and San Joaquin area. Family law is my favorite area of the law as I greatly enjoy the ability to help people navigate through the court process. I know that I go to court every day but that my clients don't. I understand that this process can be overwhelming and often, emotionally driven. My job is to be certain that my clients understand best case scenarios and worst case scenarios so...

Michele Elizabeth Hales has been assisting clients with Family Law matters since her admittance to the California Bar in 1992. In addition to a successful litigation practice, she also offers Alternative Dispute Resolution services, such as Mediation, Collaboration and Unbundled Family Law Assistance. She is dedicated to providing experienced, skilled and knowledgeable representation, and pursuing the best possible outcomes for your family law needs. Michele received her B.A. from the University of California Davis in 1989. She earned her J.D. from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1992. Michele is a member of the State Bar of California, Santa Clara...

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),...