Carmel-by-the-Sea Divorce Lawyers

Rory S. Coetzee graduated from Trinity Law School in 2008 and was licensed to practice law in California in December of that same year. While at Trinity Law School, he participated in the school’s Moot Court program, was the recipient of the Dean’s Scholarship, and was awarded the prestigious Amjur Award for academic excellence in the area of Criminal Procedure. He was also elected to serve as a representative on the student body counsel.

A native of South Africa, Mr. Coetzee immigrated to the United States in 1998 and attended Texas Wesleyan University in Fort Worth, Texas where he graduated with...

Breanna Cornwall is the firm’s founder and managing attorney. Since going into private practice, she has focused on representing clients involved in family law matters including divorce, military divorce, child custody, and spousal support. She also represents clients in obtaining (and defending against) domestic violence restraining orders and civil restraining orders such as civil harassment restraining orders, workplace violence restraining orders, and private postsecondary school violence restraining orders.

Prior to starting her own firm, she had an extensive background as a business owner and entrepreneur. She started and managed a staffing agency and a real estate brokerage. Her business and...

Raised on the Monterey Peninsula, Geoffrey A. Norris started his practice in 1990. Mr. Norris has been helping people through the court system for years. The firm prides itself on personal service and client satisfaction. If you have a legal need do not hesitate to contact us to schedule a consultation.

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...

Mr. Stinson represents clients in divorce and family law matters. He has an undergraduate degree in Business Management Economics from University of California, Santa Cruz where he graduate with honors in the major and overall within the college. While there he also earned perfect scores in his economics calculus classes. Mr. Stinson then worked in corporate finance with a national publicly held company before attending law school. While in law school Mr. Stinson clerked with the Honorable Judge Brian C. Walsh in the Family Division of Santa Clara County Court, interned in a corporate legal department,...

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...

Benita Ventresca has been practicing family law in Santa Clara County, California, since 1978. She helps her clients throughout San Jose and the Bay Area deal with some of lifes most difficult issues while minimizing conflict and reaching the fastest possible resolution whenever possible. At Law Offices of Benita Ventresca, Attorney Ventresca provides representation in family law areas that include divorce, child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, restraining orders, and paternity actions. Attorney Ventresca emphasizes communication with her clients, persistent advocacy, and attention to all aspects of their case. Regardless of the size of the case, her...

I am a Family Law Specialist, certified with the California State Board of Legal Specialization. I enjoy assisting clients with all their family law needs including custody, support, division of property and paternity. I have acted as minor's counsel for several years, both private and appointed by the court, and have provided mediation services for 15 years.

Joshua Robinett Jachimowicz was admitted to the State Bar in 2011. Mr. Jachimowicz began working with his father's firm as a law clerk while attending law school. He graduated the University of California at Santa Barbara with a bachelor's degree in Physics. Like his father, he received his law degree from the Santa Clara University School of Law. While at Santa Clara, he received honors for his academic efforts in Wills and Trusts, Employment Discrimination and Trial Techniques classes. As a young attorney, he has handled numerous criminal matters, including petty thefts, drug offenses, and DUIs. Mr. Jachimowicz recently married...

Aaron J. Lodge received his BA degree and first graduate work in math. He taught math at both the high school and college level for nearly 10 years, before changing careers and going to law school. Mr. Lodge now has a general practice law firm, where he focuses on family law, mediation, civil rights, and is now affiliated with other larger firms for personal injury and other areas of law. Mr. Lodge is highly dedicated to his clients, is very personable, and excellent in both litigation (in court), and in mediation.

Philip Crawford graduated Magna Cum Laude from Santa Clara University School of law. Philip has practiced in Santa Clara and Santa Cruz counties for the past 33 years. His practice includes Family law, Juvenile law, Education Law, and Labor law.
Philip is a former Police Officer, Police Sergeant at San Jose Police Department. He is the founding attorney and former chief counsel for the Santa Clara County Correctional Officers Union. He has served as Chief Negotiator for public employee unions in negotiations and has handled hundreds of internal affairs investigations...

Mr. Krepelka specializes in all aspects of family law matters, such as property division, characterization, allocation, and valuation; reimbursement claims; spousal support; child support; breaches of fiduciary duty; business valuations; real property valuations and claims; post-judgment matters; enforcement of California orders, out-of-state orders, and international orders; contempt actions; all aspects of child custody and visitation; domestic violence issues; and pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. He is seasoned in working closely with experts such as forensic CPAs, real estate appraisers, and child custody evaluators. He is a skilled litigator, handling numerous contested Family Law Trials of varying lengths. Travis Isaiah Krepelka obtained a...

Experienced Principal with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice industry. Skilled in trial advocacy, representing clients with business disputes, labor and employment law and family Law. Samira received her undergraduate degree with honors from University of California at Berkeley and obtained a Doctor of Law (J.D.) from Santa Clara University School of Law, with a specialization in intellectual property. Samira practices in Federal Court, State Court and the Appellate Court.

Welcome to the Law Office of James Chau. You deserve the highest quality legal representation at affordable prices for your San Jose / Santa Clara County Divorce and Family Law needs. Please call the office today to speak with an attorney.

Mitchell T. Ehrlich is a partner with Lonich and Patton and along with David Patton, he leads the Family Law practice. His practice focuses on all areas of Family Law including Dissolutions, Child Custody, Support Matters, Property and Business Division, Pre and Post-Nuptial Agreements, Paternity, Registered Domestic Partnerships, Guardianship and Adoptions. In 2009, he became a California Certified Family law Specialist. Mitchell has over 10 years of experience as a civil litigator and trial attorney. Mitchell began focusing his practice exclusively on Family Law matters shortly after Lonich & Patton's Family Law practice was developed. Prior to that, he amassed significant...

With a progressive law practice since 2007, Mr. Ali Shahrestani is a bi-coastal litigation attorney representing international and domestic clients in state and federal legal matters in CA, NY, and MA. He has been featured in print and TV news for his legal expertise, is a recipient of multiple awards and a graduate of top rated universities with honors, and has donated much effort and time to public education, legal journalism, and social justice activism. 1) Education Law - K-12, College, Graduate, Students, Teachers, Schools 2) Divorce & Child Custody - High Conflict, LGBTQ, Father's Rights 3) Business, Contracts, & Real Estate Law...

Yanna Sukhodrev is a partner at Morgan Tidalgo Sukhodrev & Azzolino LLP and a Certified Family Law Specialist. She focuses her practice exclusively on family law and has successfully handled a variety of matters, both before private judges and in the public courthouse, including high-earner child support issues, date of separation disputes, restraining orders, breach of fiduciary duty claims, reimbursement claims, valuation of stock options, valuation of businesses and complex challenges to the validity of pre-nuptial agreements and marital settlement agreements. She regularly handles challenging custody disputes, and has experience litigating international move away cases. She works closely with...

Valerie Fenchel is the CEO and founder of Fenchel Family Law. Her legal services empower men and women to navigate marriage and divorce toward more vibrant futures. She advises clients, devises strategies, and works with therapists, actuaries, and forensic accountants to settle or litigate cases. As a witness to the damage caused by divorce over the course of her career as a family law attorney and educator, Valerie has gained extensive experience in helping families in crisis. Experience & Background Valerie is actively involved in the legal community. She is the lead attorney of Shalom Bayit’s Pro Bono Legal Panel, Secretary of...

For over 8 years Mrs. Bansmer has been practicing law and providing legal services in the areas of Divorce and Family Law. She has a degree in economics and psychology from the University of California-Davis. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. She founded Bansmer Law with the strong conviction that clients deserve practical advice with sound legal counsel. At Bansmer Law, compassionate and aggressive legal representation is implemented to produce winning results.

Because divorce is a problem to be solved, not a battle to be won, I focus on alternatives to the court system, through Collaborative Law and Mediation. I believe that most families and children are best served by being supported to work together in resolving their family matters. The fundamental goal in both Collaborative Divorce and Mediation is client empowerment.

With either mediation or the Collaborative process you will have control of the decisions that are made and will be firmly supported, legally and emotionally, in achieving a successful dissolution of your relationship. This not only allows but also encourages you...

DEBRA R. SCHOENBERG, ESQ., HAS A LONG AND DISTINGUISHED CAREER.
More than thirty years ago, she established her own firm, which has vast experience and expertise in the highly sensitive and complex practice of family law. Ms. Schoenberg has established a professional reputation for thoroughness, strategic thinking, keen attention to detail, loyalty, and dedication to client service.

Today Ms. Schoenberg handles cases that range from complex financial issues and extensive marital estates, to high-conflict custody matters. Adept at negotiating resolutions as well as aggressively pursuing litigated outcomes, she also handles straightforward family law cases, pre- and post-marital agreements, and marital settlements. Ms....

Ethan M. Weisinger is a California State Certified Family Law Specialist working in all of the Bay Area Counties. He represents clients in all aspects of conventional family law matters, (divorce/separation, child custody, spousal/child support, etc.) as well as dissolution of same-sex marriages, including Registered Domestic Partnerships. Ethan graduated with honors from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo with a degree in English and Political Science. Ethan then went on to study law at the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law, and graduated with honors, with an emphasis in Trial Litigation in 2010. From 2010...

I started my practice with the premise I would always attempt to facilitate a collaborative divorce. Before going to law school, I worked for several years at a family law firm, and saw firsthand the potential of increasing acrimony between spouses when the court system is used haphazardly. Growing up with separated parents, I think I understand the stress and frustration of a long drawn out family divorce. The courts should be a place of last resort - who wants a Judge who barely knows you to make decisions for you? That being...

Indy Colbath is a licensed California attorney who has focused the entirety of her legal career on family law issues, including: divorce, annulment, child custody, child support, spousal support, property division, and domestic violence restraining orders. Indy has a breadth of courtroom experience she relies upon when assessing her clients’ family law matters, as well as strong relationships with the local legal community and bench. Indy has effectively represented her clients in an array of complex family law litigation, many of which involving high net worth individuals. Even though Indy has a passion for courtroom advocacy, she understands that every...

As a Certified Family Law Specialist, Jim Hoover represents clients in all aspects of family law litigation, including but not limited to, domestic violence, child custody and visitation, property identification, characterization, valuation and division, spousal support, child support, breaches of fiduciary duties, reimbursement claims, dates of separation, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements and related matters. After many years of experience, Mr. Hoover skillfully settles and if necessary, litigates all of these issues. Mr. Hoover educates, advocates and acts in our clients' best interests on these issues. He pays particular attention to our clients' emotional and financial difficulties. Mr. Hoover attended Santa Clara University,...

Andrew Marcellino is a seasoned lawyer who has represented many clients throughout Santa Clara County in the trial and mediation process. He fights for his clients in the courtroom, but emphasizes negotiation and mediation as alternatives whenever possible. He does this to save his clients time, money and emotional stress, and to help them retain control over their legal results.

We assist family law clients in matters of domestic violence, divorce, custody and visitation, child support, restraining orders, property division, modifications of court orders, paternity matters, and other issues related to family law. We also provide experienced representation in criminal...

Mr. Cvietkovich is very well-connected in the Bay Area being a 6th generation resident of San Jose. He currently works in the same building where his great-uncle had a law practice from the 1960s to the 1980s. Mr. Cvietkovich has handled over 3000 cases in his career and he uses his vast experience to aggressively defend his clients. Mr. Cvietkovich is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the California Public Defender’s Association. To find out about our flexible and affordable payment options or to receive a free consultation, please contact us today at 408-625-1130.

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...

For your mediation, negotiation, or transactional needs, contact Kevin Boileau, PhD, at 415.830.0065 or 858.688.4871. Specializing in complex negotiation, mediation, transactional, and int'l problem-solving. INTL LAW, divorce, business, climate change and water, design - - We handle transactions in Asia, Europe and throughout North America. DIVORCE LAW - - we handle complex financials, estates, and discreet matters REAL ESTATE & DESIGN LAW - - We handle complex negotiations. ANIMAL RIGHTS MEDIATION - - We protect animals ranging from Animal Control issues, to vet malpractice, ownership, systemic abuse, and other. CLIMATE CHANGE, WATER & LAND MEDIATION - - We offer creative solutions. BUSINESS MEDIATION - - We...

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...

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.

Jessica joined Mello & Pickering LLP in January 2015. In 2011 Jessica received her undergraduate degree from Saint Mary’s College of California where she majored in political science. After graduating from Saint Mary’s, she received her law degree from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in 2014. She was then admitted to the California State Bar in December 2014, after passing the state bar exam on her first attempt. During her law school education, Jessica gained extensive experience in family law working for the Department of Child Support Services, the San Francisco Bar Association’s family law project and a solo family...