Rancho Santa Fe Domestic Violence Lawyers

Michelle attended the University of California, San Diego and obtained her degree in Literature and Writing in 2010. In 2011 she began law school at the University of San Diego, School of Law. While there, she interned for varies offices of the San Diego County Public Defender and Alternative Public Defender Offices. She earned her JD in 2014, with a concentration in Criminal Law. Since graduating, Michelle has been practicing criminal law throughout California. She has experience handling misdemeanor and felony cases from inception through resolution.

Prior to opening his law practice, Edward J. Southcott worked for the San Diego Sheriff's Department for 21 years. During his career with the San Diego Sheriff's Department, Edward gained a broad range of experience in the criminal justice system. As a detective, Edward investigated all types of crimes ranging from minor infractions to murder. He was specially trained as a hate crime detective and as a vice crimes investigator. As a detective on the San Diego County Human Trafficking Taskforce, Edward gained extensive knowledge and experience in the investigation and prosecution...

Voted a Semi-Finalist for San Diego’s Top Family Law Attorneys according to the San Diego Daily Transcript. Kyle J. Siems received his Bachelor of Arts in History from Loyola University of New Orleans, where he graduated Cum Laude and was chosen to study at the John Felice Rome Center of Liberal Arts during his junior year. Mr. Siems received his Juris Doctor degree from the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. After graduating law school, Mr. Siems worked as a staff attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Hawaii. As Legal Aid, Mr. Siems primarily handled family...

I grew up in Sacramento, California and the path that has led me to my current position has been anything but normal. I was the product of a single parent home and anything but a model student as I progressed through school. Had it not been for my long and successful collegiate wrestling career, I probably would not have finished my education. While most lawyers built a foundation for their legal careers by excelling in high school and college, I spent most of my educational years finding new and amazing ways to get into and out of...

Scott H. Finkbeiner is a co-founder of Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, LLP and is an expert in Family Law as he is California State Bar Certified Family Law Specialist. Scott is also a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Scott has dual degrees in accounting and finance from the University of Arizona. Scott serves as a volunteer for the Superior Court as a judge pro tem, Family Law settlement judge and mediator. Scott specializes in all aspects of complex family law cases from mediations to trials. Scott has litigated all issues involved in divorce and paternity cases...

Andrew Limberg graduated cum laude from San Diego State University with a Bachelors of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration. While in college, he interned with the San Diego Police Department’s Crime Analysis Unit where he compiled and interpreted criminal information and statistics to assist the department and City Council in formulating law enforcement policy. After graduating from college, Andrew Limberg was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Among his many billets, he served as a legal officer, responsible for investigating all accidents and crimes related to his unit. After leaving active duty, Andrew...

Lance Claery has been successfully practicing family law for more than seven years. He has worked with a diverse client base ranging from multi-millionaires to low income, modest means clients. He started his career as an attorney working with one of Southern California's most experienced family law attorneys. Thereafter, Mr. Claery began working for one of Southern California's busiest and most prestigious law firms. He was made a partner of that firm very quickly and has since worked on hundreds of divorces and other family law matters. Mr. Claery has handled trials, depositions, arbitrations, mediations,...

Dedicated to defending the rights of the accused for over 25 years, defense attorney David Pflaum is known as "The Right Defender." Here is why. 1) EXPERIENCE: David provides the professional services of a skilled lawyer with over 25 years of experience. With so many years of experience comes a high degree of expertise and the ability to know how to help his clients, with whatever legal problem they might have, as quickly and successfully as possible. It also means knowing how to protect his clients, assert their rights, get them out of...

Member in good standing with the California State Bar since 1993.
Juris Doctor, Washington and Lee University School of Law, 1992.
Bachelor of Arts, State University of New York at Binghamton, 1989.

Ms. Eisenstein has practiced as a criminal defense attorney since joining the San Diego County Public Defender’s Office in 1993. In 2006, Ms. Eisenstein moved from public employment to start her own firm, concentrating entirely on criminal defense.

Ms. Eisenstein has 26 years of expertise working with Judges, prosecutors, the probation department and other defense lawyers in the San Diego County Court system. Ms. Eisenstein has also appeared frequently in Los Angeles,...

Aggressive and Honest Criminal defense

Scott Hullinger is a San Diego Criminal, Traffic & DMV lawyer that has handled thousands of cases, including: rape, murder, DUI, suspended licenses and DMV license suspensions. He is easy to contact and a knowledgable attorney.

COMPETENCE CONTROLS OUTCOMES. Dan Knowlton is the son of an attorney who practiced for 62 years, and Dan’s son has also become an attorney. Dan served honorably in the California Air Force National Guard and the California Army National Guard. His bachelor degrees, cum laude, were in Economics, which make business and real estate analysis second nature to him, and Philosophy. He served as president for two terms in a local Chamber of Commerce, and was active with Kiwanis and Optimists International, serving recently as president of a mid-size long-standing San Diego charity. His hobbies are...

Puja A. Sachdev is a family law attorney who graduated cum laude from Thomas Jefferson School of Law in San Diego, California with her Juris Doctorate and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Reno in Marketing and Management. She completed her Masters of Science in Business Administration in Financial & Tax Planning at San Diego State University and received the certificate for Personal Financial Planning. Ms. Sachdev is the only family law attorney in the greater San Diego area with the designation of Certified Divorce Financial Analyst™. Prior to her career in law...

Attorney Amelia Mattis is committed to helping clients effectively navigate the legal process, particularly in cases involving sensitive issues like domestic violence and child abuse. With a strong educational background, including graduating cum laude from law school and receiving scholastic honors, she brings both expertise and empathy to her practice. Amelia's focus is on ensuring clients understand their rights and options while working closely with them to advocate for their interests in court.

Welcome to the Law Offices of William R. Burgener, a criminal defense practice with over 30 years experience in protecting the rights and freedoms of each of its clients. Attorney Burgener practices a broad spectrum of criminal litigation in all San Diego county courts: State and Federal, Downtown, South Bay, Vista and El Cajon. All clients receive an initial free consultation and advice.If you have been accused of a major felony, such as: drugs, theft, sex crimes, “three strikes”, smuggling, violent crimes, and probation violations OR a misdemeanor such as: a DUI, domestic violence, assault, battery, drugs, or driving on a...

Julia Schneider received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kansas, with a double major in Spanish and Latin American Studies. After graduation, Ms. Schneider moved to Barranquilla, Columbia where she taught fifth grade science and language arts at a bilingual school. After teaching in Columbia, Ms. Schneider entered California Western School of Law as a Trustee’s Scholar. Ms. Schneider joined Wilkinson & Finkbeiner, LLP in January, 2014 as a certified legal intern through California Western School of Law’s clinical internship program. She later became a law clerk, and now is an associate attorney in the firm. She...

I began my legal career as a juvenile dependency attorney. I spent nearly five years working full-time for dependency parents and children. That experience taught me how to be a strong and compassionate advocate, both in the courtroom and out. When Child Protective Services are involved, it is crucial to have a skilled dependency attorney working for you. The same goes for a family law case where you finances and valuable time with your children are at risk. Whether it's a juvenile dependency case or a family law matter, you deserve the time and attention necessary to ease your fears about the...

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....

Award winning San Diego Criminal Defense & DUI Attorney Patrick Griffin was raised in a large family in a rural Montana community where he learned the value of hard work and perseverance. A true trial attorney who is dedicated to getting results in the courtroom, Mr. Griffin has done just that. He has won jury trials in every courthouse in San Diego County and has achieved hundreds of pre-trial victories for his clients.

Mr. Griffin has represented over 900 clients and successfully defended nearly every type of criminal case, from first degree murder to driving under the influence. His success is...

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...

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...

Mr. Simons has been a criminal defense lawyer in Southern California for over 40 years. Mr. Simons has presented his cases and lectured at seminars all over the country including the highly specialized intensive program presented by the National College for DUI Defense on subjects including scientific evidence, legal motions, DMV practice and procedure, and the interstate implications of DUI convictions from across the country. Mr. Simons was selected as the only Orange County "Super Lawyer" for DUI Defense from 2014 thru 2018, This is the (10th) time Mr. Simons has received this peer-reviewed honor and recognition. Mr. Simons...

Attorney Vikas Bajaj is a San Diego-based criminal defense attorney fighting for the rights of individuals and corporations who have been charged with a crime. Attorney Vikas Bajaj started his own defense firm, The Law Office of Vikas Bajaj, APC in 2002. Vikas prides himself in providing aggressive and effective representation to obtain favorable outcome for his clients.

Attorney Anna Yum is a former prosecutor and preeminent award-winning criminal defense attorney. Ms. Yum is a nationally recognized trial attorney who is regularly called upon and trusted by national television networks such as Fox News, HLN/CNN, Investigation Discovery,and many more, to provide legal commentary on the nation's top headlines. For the past decade, Attorney Yum has successfully handled a wide gamut of cases ranging from murder, rape, child molestation, gang enhancements, domestic violence, drug sales and possession, DUI/DWI, and many more. Due to her highly respected reputation, Ms. Yum has garnered a number of...

Matthew Spiegel, San Diego's Experienced and Proven Criminal Attorney Spiegel, founder of Spiegel Law Group, is one of San Diego's best and most respected criminal lawyers. With over 750 criminal cases handled, Matthew has turned himself into an aggressive and skilled criminal attorney. Mr. Spiegel has defended clients in all types of criminal cases. He has defended over 750 clients, including defendants facing charges of murder, assault with a deadly weapon, drug possession, robbery, burglary, sex crimes, and much more. Matthew has also defended more than 400 DUI clients. His experience in the courtroom has helped him to become a...

Arrested for a crime he, admittedly, did commit in 2004, David P. Shapiro experienced firsthand the same fear, uncertainty, and concern for his future and freedom so many of his clients undergo when arrested or under investigation for allegedly committing a crime. That experience motivates him each and every day to provide the best representation possible to any and all who entrust his Firm to handle their criminal defense matter in their time of need.

David has dedicated his career to helping good people get through bad situations and regain control of their future when charged with a crime....

Although our whole firm prides itself on being "warriors in court," I believe that I have a calling to spread the word to folks that there are alternatives to going to court. There are alternatives like mediation, collaborative law and cooperative law. People in our firm, and myself, had to take extra training, often at substantial expense and in other states, to be able to offer those alternative dispute methods for our clients. Now I have hobbies of "spreading the word" about those alternatives. I appear on TV, often with other members of our firm....

Stefano is proud to be a San Diego criminal defense lawyer. He is a partner at the Law Offices of David P. Shapiro, where he brings experience representing diverse clients facing a variety of charges. Stefano has helped waiters, lawyers, construction workers, doctors, CEOs, teachers, and others who have been accused of crimes ranging from theft, fraud, DUIs and drug possession, all the way to vehicular manslaughter, robbery, aggravated mayhem, sex crimes and murder. Regardless of the client or charge, each case is handled with the same thoroughness and passion. Stefano enjoys every aspect of being a criminal defense lawyer...