Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
With over 17 years of experience practicing family law throughout California, Marc H. Garelick is a preeminent highly rated Orange County family law litigation attorney recognized for representing high-asset and high-income clients in complex and high-conflict family law matters. He has extensive expertise in divorce, child custody, move-away cases, child and spousal support, visitation, paternity, and domestic violence cases, as well as sophisticated cash flow and compensation structures in determining income available for support, complex asset division, and property characterization.
Marc is particularly skilled in handling cases involving business valuations, investment portfolios, real estate, and other high-net-worth assets, providing strategic guidance to clients navigating the financial and emotional complexities of contested family law disputes including negotiating and strategizing against aggressive counsel or opposing sides with personality disorders.
As the Founder and Managing Partner of Garelick Family Law, PC, Marc is committed to delivering exceptional legal representation and tailored solutions to help clients resolve family matters efficiently and strategically, through final resolution, whether by settlement or trial. His thoughtful advocacy and results-driven approach have earned him recognition as one of Orange County’s leading family law attorneys.
Overview
- Southwestern University School of Law, J.D., graduated 2008
- California, The State Bar of California, 2008
- Orange County Bar Association, Family Law Section - Executive Committee Member
- American Bar Association - Member
- Orange County Jewish Bar Association - Member
- Anti-Defamation League – Glass Leadership Institute - Member
- Provisors - Newport Beach - Member
- California, The State Bar of California, 2008
- Orange County Bar Association, Family Law Section - Executive Committee Member
- American Bar Association - Member
- Orange County Jewish Bar Association - Member
- Anti-Defamation League – Glass Leadership Institute - Member
- Provisors - Newport Beach - Member
- Southwestern University School of Law, J.D., graduated 2008
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
- Family Law
Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers – Recognized by Lawdragon
Southern California Super Lawyers – Selected by Super Lawyers Magazine
Lawyer of the Year – Honored by Best Lawyers
Orange County Visionary – Honored by LA Times B2B Publishing
Silver Key Award – American Bar Association
American Bar Association Silver Key
Blossom Siegel Young Leadership Award – Jewish Federation & Family Services (JFFS)
Southern California Super Lawyers “Rising Star” (2014–2019) – Selected by Super Lawyers Magazine
Dorothy Balisok Elder Advocacy Scholarship – Southwestern Law School
Membership Start-up Award – IRS VITA Grant Program
News & Media
Additional Information
Q&A
We focus on family law litigation, which means representing clients in family law court matters such as divorce, custody, support, paternity, and domestic violence. While these cases often involve litigation, that does not mean they cannot, or should not, be resolved.
What sets our firm apart is our ability to thoroughly prepare each case for court while positioning our clients for the strongest possible settlement. By building cases strategically and in accordance with California law and procedural rules, we place our clients in the best position to achieve favorable outcomes, whether through settlement or trial.
We primarily handle complex family law matters that go beyond straightforward asset division or routine custody arrangements. Complexity may arise from issues such as business valuations, intricate income or cash flow analyses for support, relocation or move-away custody disputes, or domestic violence matters requiring court intervention to protect one party or defend against allegations. In these situations, experienced litigation and strategic advocacy are essential.
I enjoy spending quality time with my family, traveling, and am actively involved in supporting and managing my son’s travel hockey team. I am also passionate about giving back to my community and regularly volunteer with a variety of local non-profit organizations.
I often say that knowledge is power, and I believe it’s essential for my clients to be fully informed every step of the way. That means educating them about the legal process, the rules, and what to realistically expect, both the best-case and worst-case scenarios in court. With that understanding, clients are better equipped to make informed decisions about settlement versus litigation and to pursue outcomes that align with their goals and what they deserve.
My path into family law began in law school, where I took a family law course taught by two highly respected judges of the Los Angeles Superior Court. I was immediately drawn to the subject matter and the impact the work could have. I went on to work in their chambers and ultimately knew family law was the right career path for me. I began working at a family law firm while still in law school in 2007 and continued with that firm for many years, handling large, complex cases, including matters involving public figures that demanded significant preparation, strategy, and dedication.
Since that time, my practice has been exclusively focused on family law. I have not ventured into any other area, and I truly enjoy the work. Family law stands apart because it allows us to help people during one of the most challenging periods of their lives, guiding them through a major transition with clarity, support, and advocacy.
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