Palos Verdes Estates Family Lawyers

Mr. Varga’s experience as an Attorney in Los Angeles spanning four decades gives him a unique legal perspective. He graduated from Stanford University in 1975 with a BA in Psychology. Then, he pursued his law degree at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, California. After passing the bar, Stephen A. Varga began his legal career in 1980, focusing primarily on personal injury and criminal law. In 1982, Mr. Varga began practicing solo and opened his own law office. In 1999, he moved his practice to the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. With a wide variety of criminal defense...

I have been a practicing attorney for over 20 years, and my practice for the last 15 years has been focused on Family Law in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas of California.

I have been practicing law for over 14 years and have had my own practice for the last 10 years.

My philosophy is to work towards settlement but simultaneously prepare for trial. Most family law matters never go to court. If your case is one of the few that does, we will be ready.

I help my clients understand their rights and their obligations in their case. I provide options based upon your particular goals.

Call me for a brief telephone consulation at no charge.

Practice Areas: Estates & Trusts, Trust and Estate Litigation, Elder Abuse, Conservatorships, Real Property, Business Litigation, Family, Divorce, Custody, Support Ms. Wickers handles clients legal needs including representing clients in trial, and appeals. In 2020, Christina Wickers obtained a Top Attorney Avvo Rating of 10/10 and was selected by Super Lawyers, Rising Stars List, for Southern California, in both 2020 and 2022 – a top rated Trusts and Estates Attorney in Southern California. No more than 2.5% of attorneys in the State of California are named to the Super Lawyers, Rising Star List. Similarly, she has...

Torrance divorce, family law, and child custody attorney Colleen Barberis is a senior litigator and managing partner of the law firm her mother founded in 1997. She joined the firm immediately after her admission to the California state bar. Prior to her admission Colleen worked as an appellate clerk for the Los Angeles County Counsel. Colleen is respected as a strong advocate with extensive court experience. Colleen and Patricia have practiced family exclusively and they are a recognized mother/daughter law firm that zealously and honestly represent their clients interests. Colleen and Patricia maintain close communication with their clients...

Patricia Barberis, A Law Corporation is a South Bay family law firm founded in 1977 by Attorney Patricia F. Barberis. Mrs. Barberis is a founding officer and member of the South Bay Women’s Association, and was one of the first female litigators to begin practicing in South Bay. She is known for strong advocacy and extensive court experience. Attorney Barberis was admitted to the California State Bar and the U.S. Federal Court. At Patricia Barberis, A Law Corporation, the team has over 50 years of combined legal experience, and is dedicated to providing those in need of a family law...

Admitted 1988, practice focused on Bankruptcy, Chapter 7, 11, 13, Immigration, Employment and Family based , Business Law, incorporation, Probate

After going through my own divorce in my early-20s at the Torrance courthouse, I went to law school, became an attorney, and established a family law office in Torrance in 2013 to assist other families in transition. After 10 years of grueling court battles, and after I became a parent to young children, I made a conscientious decision to step away from the courtroom and work with families using mediation and collaborative divorce principles of conflict resolution.

Mr. Carroll was born and raised in the South Bay. He attended law school at Arizona State University. Thereafter, Mr. Carroll obtained an advanced law degree in trial advocacy from Temple University. Temple University Beasley School of Law has been ranked by U.S. News and World Report among the top three trial advocacy programs in the country for more than twenty years. Before starting his own law firm in Hermosa Beach, California, Mr. Carroll served as an extern for a superior court family law judge and he also worked as an attorney for one of the premier boutique family...

Matthew Skarin holds a rare set of valuable credentials - he is a Certified Family Law Specialist, a CPA, and has his California Real Estate Broker License. Before attending law school, Matthew worked for Deloitte & Touche and Miller and Co., doing both tax and compliance work at the accounting firms. Using his wide-ranging financial and legal skills, Mr. Skarin artfully and effectively guides high net worth individuals, business owners, and investors through the process of dissolution. His extensive experience allows him to discern potential pitfalls early on in a case, communicating them to the client and taking steps to...

Daniel has had substantial court experience in trying a variety of cases in civil and family law. Before bringing his expertise to the South Bay, he was an associate at a Century City civil law firm and handled high profile family law clients in Beverly Hills. His experience also includes exclusive work with Forensic Child Custody Evaluators (730 Evaluations) enabling him the unique opportunity to provide clients with the knowledge for a successful child custody evaluation. He received his Juris Doctorate from Western State University in 2006, graduating with a Witkins recognition for factual investigation, an award given to individuals...

A compassionate attorney with real life-experiences (I had successful careers before becoming an attorney) that prepared me to relate with most of my clients. We are not your typical lawyer who has great lawyering skills but unable to relate to average clients. We try to simplify the process so you won't feel left out. We vigorously fight for your right but excellent in negotiating a WIN-WIN result that won't escalate the case or the cost of prosecuting your case. We strive to be part of the solution to your problem:not become part of your problem. Call us and experience the...

Ms. Manley takes a holistic approach to resolving the problems arising from divorce. She not only helps her clients obtain divorce decrees, but also listens to each individual client to help determine the appropriate and most desirable post-divorce legal and financial relationships. Gathering insight from her work as Director of Human Resources at a New York national publishing company as well as her career in family law, Ms. Manley understands that divorcing spouses are likely to have some form of continuing relationship post-divorce, especially where issues of custody and support are involved, and that listening to...

Attorney Adam N. Schanz earned his Bachelor's Degree in Psychology, with Honors, from University of California, Santa Barbara. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Pepperdine School of Law in 2006. During law school, Mr. Schanz clerked for the Honorable Robert P. Applegate in the Los Angeles Superior Court, Family Law Division.

Since admission to the California bar in 2006, Mr. Schanz has worked solely in the private practice of Family Law where he has built an exemplary reputation for integrity, professionalism, and dedication to his work. He has represented hundreds of clients including many professionals, celebrities, and high...

My broad experience allows me to understand and empathize with the needs and concerns of parties going through the many different family law issues of Divorce, such as Child Custody, Child and Spousal Support, Domestic Violence, property valuation and division. I know that settlement of disputed issues is less stressful and less expensive, and should always be attempted, however when cooperation and civility is not possible, my years of litigation experience, can achieve results which in turn, can lead to the voluntary resolution of disputes.
Family Law disputes are often based on anger, fear, resentment and betrayal, but I...

I’ve practiced law 40 years. I’m old school. Law is not just a job, or even just a career, it’s about being of service to individuals snd to society. That said, I’m also an outlier, in that I see both sides of things, and use my “EQ” (people skill set snd knowledge of what makes people tick) also.

I received my J.D. cum laude from Southwestern Law School, having earned my Bachelor of Science in International Business cum laude from the University of Southern California. Prior to opening my practice in the South Bay areas, I externed with the United States District Court Judge Dean D. Pregerson, interned with the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office, Career Criminal Division, and practiced at Lawrence, Beach, Allen & Choi PC (Santa Ana, California) and Escandari & Michon APC (Beverly Hills, California). I am admitted to practice before the state bar of California, the United States District Court for the Central District of...

Tamara Shari Benefield is a top-notch family law litigator for over 20 years handling high asset divorces, contested custody proceedings, as well as providing aggressive and compassionate representation for all things family law from child support and spousal support hearings as well as international and interstate child abduction cases. Ms. Benefield is a highly skilled cross examiner and exceptionally gifted trial attorney. She knows the rules and laws regarding evidence and knows how to successfully raise objections and keep out certain evidence. She is a former professor at West Los Angeles College of Law and taught Civil Procedure to prepare students...

Fully Operational during covid-19 crisis: We are open. Telephone and video conferences available.

Marshall W. Waller is certified as a Family Law Specialist through the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California. He is a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists and the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts. A Certified Family Law Specialist must pass an extensive written examination in the subject area, be approved by a peer review process and show proficiency in this area by demonstrating experience handling a sufficient number of family law cases with varying degrees of complexity. Continuing education...

Elizabeth Yang has been practicing law since 2007 and specializes in Intellectual Property Law, including Patent, Copyright and Trademark Prosecution and Litigation; Business Law, including corporate entity formation, contract drafting, contract disputes, litigation; and Family Law, including divorce, child custody, child support, alimony, and asset division. She is fluent in Mandarin Chinese.

Elizabeth was admitted to the United States Patent & Trademark office in 2007. At the age of 19, she earned her Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science from UC Berkeley in two and a half years. In 2011, Elizabeth founded Yang & Wang, P.C., a boutique...

I only practice family law because I love it. I am blessed because I have the distinct privilege of helping people where it matters most - at home. Loving my job gives me purpose, and God gifted me with abilities to achieve my purpose. There is no greater gift! When you hire us, know that we will try to obtain the best results for you and your family. This is our purpose as your lawyers. We are proud of our work, and we strive to never take your trust for granted.

Welcome to the Law Offices of Cathleen Norton, where compassion meets expertise in family law representation. Ms. Norton is a Certified Family Law Specialist and proud graduate of UCLA School of Law, and she brings nearly two decades of exclusive experience in family law matters to clients across Southern California. We are committed to making cost-effective decisions to ensure the most favorable outcome for our clients. We deliver personalized and strategic legal solutions tailored to each client’s specific needs and objectives. As a Certified Family Law Specialist, Ms. Norton has demonstrated proficiency and expertise in handling various family law issues,...

About Jonathan
Mr. Levin is the senior attorney at the firm “Law Offices of Jonathan D. Levin,” located in Beverly Hills, California. Mr. Levin has been exclusively practicing family law and entertainment law for over 23 years. He possesses extensive experience in litigating and the negotiation of complex matters in all areas of family law, including divorce, child custody and visitation, relocation of a child's residence, child support, spousal support, pre-nuptial agreements, the enforcement of visitation and support Orders, business valuation and distribution, support modification proceedings, and the collection of attorney fees and expert fees. His experience includes the representation of...

The U.S. Law Center is a nationwide, full-service immigration law firm that provides large corporations, small businesses and individuals with a full range of immigration processing and placement services. Attorney Mike Sethi earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from California State University Dominguez Hills in 1995. He received his law degree from the American College of Law, where he graduated in the top three percent of his class and was awarded seven AM-JUR Bancroft-Whitney Awards. These awards are presented to those students attaining the highest grades in particular subjects. Attorney Sethi is a member of the Bar for the State...

Zitser Family Law Group is a highly respected and well-known firm in the family law arena. Diana, the founder, is a Certified Family Law Specialist with over 20 years of experience. She has successfully represented clients with matters ranging from high-net-worth divorces to later-in-life divorces, legal separations, pre-postnuptial agreements, determination of spousal support, paternity actions, move-away cases and domestic partnerships. Prior to practicing law, Diana earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance and was a Certified General Real Estate Appraiser, handling complex multimillion-dollar realty valuation projects. Diana credits her unique finance and real estate background with helping...

B. Robert Farzad is the managing partner of Farzad & Ochoa Family Law Attorneys, LLP. Farzad & Ochoa is a premier divorce and family law firm with offices in Orange County, Los Angeles and San Diego. The firm represents husbands and wives in complex or high conflict cases, including those that include complex financial and/or child custody issues. Mr. Farzad is a respected divorce attorney. He has presented seminars for the Orange County Bar Association and Continuing Education for the Bar (CEB). His work is featured in Orange County Lawyer Magazine, The Huffington Post, Yahoo Parenting and more. B. Robert Farzad is a...

Dena A. Kleeman has practiced family law since her 1983 graduation from Stanford Law School, becoming a California Certified Family Law Specialist in 1994 and receiving specialized training as a divorce mediator in 1998. During the course of her career, Ms. Kleeman has handled complex divorce matters involving business valuation, divorce taxation, real property, and complex compensation, benefits, and intellectual property issues. Ms. Kleeman currently serves as a judge pro tempore for the Los Angeles County Superior Court. She is a member of the ABA, the State Bar of California, the Los Angeles County Bar Association and the Beverly Hills Bar...

Mary Ellen Waller is a director, shareholder, and general counsel of Feinberg & Waller, APC. Ms. Waller is not available for individual client retention, her focus is on the management of Feinberg & Waller, a law firm practicing exclusively in divorce and family law with offices located in Calabasas and Beverly Hills, California. Ms. Waller has helped lead the firm to become one of Southern California's premier family law firms, serving clients in all aspects of family law, including highly complex family law litigation. Clients receive increased value and benefit from her role, they are not charged for the expertise...