Sheridan Family Lawyers

Mr. Lederman is a Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Contra Costa County Bar Association's Family Law Section and served as Section President in 2008. He is also a past State Bar Family Law Section Legislation Chair and is the 2017 Family Law Section Chair. He frequently speaks and writes on family law issues.

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...

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 provide consultations and legal coaching (limited-scope services) to individuals throughout all counties of California in the areas of consumer law, family law, distressed mortgages and Chapter 7 bankruptcy. My legal fees are fixed so there are no surprises. My fees are simply based on the time needed by my clients--no more, no less. I also assist California-based clients with document-preparation primarily in the areas of family law and estate planning. The difference between my document preparation services and the services provided on the internet--is that the documents are personally reviewed and approved by me, a California licensed attorney. ...

In the past I have worked for the largest bankruptcy firm in the country and have handled hundreds of insolvency cases. Are you contemplating separating from your spouse? Have you been served with divorce papers already? I started my family law practice with the premise that I would always attempt to facilitate a collaborative divorce. Experience has allowed me to witness firsthand the potential of inadvertently creating acrimony between spouses (instead of reducing it) when the court system is used haphazardly. The courts should be a place of last resort - who wants a Judge who barely knows you to...

My work history has been focused in the area of family law and judgment enforcement for family law cases.

Prior to becoming an attorney in 2004, I obtained my paralegal certificate in 1979, established American Process & Courier Service in 1991. I have a broad range of experience including family law, civil litigation, probate, bankruptcy and estate planning.

I now focus on assisting self-represented litigants with document preparation services in family law and uncontested probate matters as well as enforcement of judgments.

Divorce, child custody, visitation, family law, alimony, and child support lawyer in Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. Our family law offices are in Santa Rosa, Ukiah, and Petaluma. Check out client testimonials on our website www.winecountryfamilylaw.com

Julie S. Levy and Zachary A. Carroll have practiced law since 2008 in solo practices. In 2009, they began sharing an office and collaborating on certain cases. This duo has turned their collaboration into Levy Carroll Law and as strong litigators, they provide a strong and determined focus for fair outcomes in their client's cases. Choose Levy Carroll Law for their strong, honest, caring representation for bankruptcy, divorce, custody, guardianship, or personal injury. Look no further as you have found a team that has your best interests at heart

Lulu was born in Taiwan and raised on California’s Central Coast. After finishing high school, she moved to Southern California to attend U.C. Riverside. She later relocated to the Bay Area for law school and has made it her home ever since. Driven by a lifelong passion for helping others, particularly those who are underrepresented, Lulu pursued a career in law. Since then, she has been a dedicated advocate for survivors of interpersonal violence and is also a certified domestic violence counselor. Lulu is committed to championing individuals and empowering them to overcome challenges. Family law involves some of the most...

Ms. Bateman Smith is a strong and compassionate family law attorney. She is a strong advocate for her clients' rights in divorce cases involving Custody and Visitation, Child and Spousal Support, and division of community property. She also makes the survivor of domestic violence cases heard by the court. Partition actions are another area of law on which she advocates.

Twenty-six years with the Sonoma County Superior Court gives her a unique perspective in helping clients through each step of their case.

Ms. Bateman Smith is an active member of both the California Lawyers Association (CLA), Sonoma County Bar...

Mahal is a family law attorney based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She began her practice in 2014, having spent the previous fourteen years as a law clerk, educator, and paralegal specialist for the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Her law practice integrates her passion for civil rights and her love for community. Mahal was born in Vallejo, and after a series of family tragedies enrolled herself in the tenth grade at Oakland Technical High School. She was legally emancipated as a minor the following spring. These childhood experiences inspired her to become an attorney and...

Divorce doesn’t have to be a costly and painful battle. Mediator and Collaborative Divorce attorney Emily M. De Falla guides couples toward a cooperative, respectful divorce. By honoring both parties’ priorities, she can help you get around roadblocks and craft sensible solutions. The results are lower costs, equitable results, and healthier, happier kids.

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...

Lorilee DeSantis is an attorney whose passion for helping families protect their loved ones and their assets shines through to all who work with her. Lorilee’s clients often comment that her ability to deeply listen and understand their concerns makes it very easy for them to talk to her about difficult subjects. Her clients also appreciate that Lorilee explains complex legal concepts in ways that are easy to digest so that clients fully understand their legal options. Lorilee’s dedication to helping people with family-oriented legal issues stems from personal experiences. When Lorilee was growing up, she saw...

I have been certified by the California State Bar as a specialist in family law. I excel in helping individuals navigate some of the most difficult and painful experiences of their lives. I handle all issues related to divorce, legal separation, and parentage actions, including matters related to child custody, child support, spousal support, and complex property division. I also help clients wanting assistance with pre-marital and post-marital agreements. Additionally, I serve as a consulting attorney for clients in mediation and those seeking a second opinion. I am also a divorce mediator who specializes in educating parties about the law while...

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.

My approach to each family law case is specifically tailored to the needs of each client. Some cases require aggressive litigation, while other times, settlement is the best (and cheapest) choice for all involved. As your attorney, you can expect me to give you guidance based on the law, and to be transparent with you about your options. My role is to advise you, but not to make decisions for you. I enjoy partnering with my clients to get them their desired outcome. I am also very responsive to client communication. I pride myself on keeping you...

Known for her expert representation of California’s senior executives and their spouses, Kiana protects her clients in high asset divorces and contested custody cases. In her twenty years of legal practice, Kiana has negotiated and litigated the full spectrum of disputes that occur in financially sophisticated divorces and contested custody cases. Kiana graduated Cornell Law School with a concentration in business law. Prior to finding her passion in family law, she was a business litigator at Reed Smith LLP one of the nation’s 20 largest global law firms. She has a B.A in psychology from UC Berkeley and has taken countless negotiation trainings at...

Renee Ross is certified in Family Law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization and is a highly skilled and insightful attorney. She represents family law clients throughout Pleasanton and the surrounding areas. She has more than a decade of experience and handles a broad range of cases including divorce, child custody and support, high net worth divorce, and same-sex family law issues. Attorney Ross can also provide counsel for adoptions, domestic partnership issues, complex property divisions, and other family law cases. She is passionate about providing personalized legal solutions for her clients, guiding them with skill...

Business and International Experience
Wayne started in Auckland New Zealand, graduating after completing a challenging combined Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws in just 4 years, achieving top marks at his law school at Auckland University made up of 11,000 students where he was elected Student President in a landslide victory in his last year. Then recruited by a leading Merchant Bank, MARAC Corporation, Wayne moved to Citibank before becoming the founding Company Secretary for New Zealand's first publicly listed Investment Bank, founding Company Secretary for NZ’s first publicly listed Venture Capital company and a Director of a...

Michael D. Raysor was born and raised in rural Shasta County, California. He is the son of a forester and a horticulturalist. He maintains a large vegetable garden and a small orchard with the goal of becoming self sufficient.

Mr. Raysor is a graduate of West Valley High School and Shasta College. In 2000, he moved to the Bay Area to attend UC Berkeley, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with majors in Economics and History. In 2008, Mr. Raysor graduated from Golden Gate School of Law in San Francisco, where he earned a joint Juris...

Our practice covers all aspects of family and matrimonial law in all of the Bay Area counties, primarily focusing on Contra Costa, Alameda, Solano, and San Francisco counties. We will expertly navigate you through your family law matter, whether it involves termination of a domestic partnership, paternity, custody, visitation, domestic violence, adoption, guardianship, support, an annulment, legal separation, or post-judgment issues. Regardless which of these processes you are dealing with, we understand the strain and pressure that these matters inevitably put on clients and the necessity of providing strong representation. Therefore, we strive to make the entire process as easy...

Michèle Bissada is a Principal at Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, in Silicon Valley and serves as a neutral throughout California. She is a Certified Specialist in Family Law (CFLS), Fellow of both the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) and International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL), and member of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC). With over 30 years of experience, Ms. Bissada is a seasoned mediator with a prominent litigation background. She specializes in both complex financial and high-conflict custody matters. Highly committed to her practice, she has achieved notable success assisting parties in resolving the most...

As a mother of four children, Nikki Farris understands the pressure of being responsible and taking care of family. When you fall into debt, it's not only you but those who depend on your that are in danger of financial ruin. If you cannot handle the debt, Attorney Nikki Farris can help you file for bankruptcy and find debt relief through various means. Nikki is experienced in bankruptcy law, as well as estate planning and business law. As a member of the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys, Nikki is held accountable to high standards of legal service for her...

I am also a Certified Public Accountant and have been doing tax work in the Bay Area for 30 years. I specialize in helping people and businesses pay as few taxes as possible without getting audited. In the estate planning area I help people preserve their property for their families and pay as few estate taxes as possible. I also am the Probate Doctor who can help fix impossible situations when estates are stuck in the quagmire of California Probate.

Amy's approach to estate planning is to focus on each client's unique needs and objectives. She strives to design a comprehensive plan for her clients that provides the maximum protection without compromise. Her broad experience enables her to provide keen insight for her clients. She is deeply commitment to her clients and the ethical standards of her profession. Amy has lived in Brentwood since 2001 with her husband and two daughters. She is a Director for the Brentwood Chamber of Commerce and in her free time, enjoys yoga, reading and golf.

Attorney Gary D. Sparks is an accomplished lawyer who has successfully provided legal services and representation to families, husbands, wives, parents, military service members, and same sex partners for nearly two decades. Gary was a regular guest for several years on the former Ronn Owens Program on KGO-AM 810 in San Francisco, and has been interviewed by local and national publications in addition to publishing several of his own legal guides.

Gary graduated first in his class from John F. Kennedy University School of Law, where he was awarded magna cum laude honors for excellence in academic achievement and received...

For over 14 years, Mr. Baello has litigated high stakes family law actions in three of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States - the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and New York City. Through this diversity of experience, he has the expertise and adaptability to obtain favorable results through trial or settlement in varied situations and tribunals. Ernest is a Certified Family Law Specialist (“CFLS”) per the California Board of Legal Specialization. He is also a graduate of the renowned National Family Law Trial Institute. Mr. Baello provides comprehensive and strategic representation in complicated and high conflict cases. Prior to becoming...