Monterey Divorce Lawyers

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.

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...

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...

For your out of court settlement, 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. 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 to conflicts emerging from a changing environment. Wildfires, coastal erosion, earthquakes, land degradation, flash floods, heat, and polluted and scarce water. DIVORCE &...

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...

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,...

A Bay Area native, Chelsea has always been committed to making a difference in the local community. Family law has provided her the avenue to help families in transition, while maintaining civility and focus on issues that truly matter. Chelsea graduated Cum Laude and received her Bachelor’s Degree from Saint Leo University in St. Leo, Florida, which she attended on a volleyball scholarship. She returned to the Bay Area for law school and graduated with her Juris Doctor Degree from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2015. While in law school, Chelsea used her classroom knowledge to help families while working...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...

Cecelia became a Certified Family Law Specialist in 2002 and has continued to maintain these credentials. She has been practicing law since 1991. At this time nearly 100% of her business is in Family Law matters, including Divorce, Custody, Support, Guardianship, Parentage, pre and post nuptial agreements, and other related matters. This includes not only negotiated settlements, but trials and appeals. She understands the pressure that is asserted by the system (and the opposing spouse) when going through a court proceeding and is committed to, as much as is possible, reducing the stress experienced...

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...

Matt A. Erickson was born and raised in the South Bay Area. He briefly left San Jose to attended Purdue University where he obtained a Bachelor of Science in Management with a minor in Economics from the Krannert School of Management. After graduating from Purdue University in 2008, he returned to the Bay Area to attend Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, where he was awarded an academic scholarship. During his time at Golden Gate University School of Law, he won multiple awards, was a member of the law review, and was inducted as a member of the...

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...

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,...

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.