Best Lawyers Near You in Newport Beach, California for Family Law
John P. Murillo was raised in Valencia, California. Having experienced his parents’ divorce, he developed a strong appreciation for the importance of thoughtful guidance and clear communication in navigating family challenges—a perspective that continues to inform his work and dedication to clients today. John earned his Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, with an emphasis in Comparative Politics, from the University of California, San Diego, graduating magna cum laude and with...
Deborah Song is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Deborah, who practices law in Newport Beach, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Deborah is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jennifer Corona earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Berkeley, her Master of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University, and her Juris Doctor from Western State College of Law. Ms. Corona was born and raised in Orange County and the first lawyer in her family. Before law school, Ms. Corona was a bilingual educator in the state of Texas through Teach for America . During law school, Ms. Corona was President of her school’s Latino Student Bar Association...
Kendall Youngman is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Ms. Youngman, who practices law in Newport Beach, California, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kendall is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area. Kendall Youngman is an Associate in the Newport Beach office of Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLP. Ms. Young...
Scott M. Savage received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Arizona State University and his Juris Doctor from Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles. While at Southwestern Law School, Scott was a Dean's Fellow, he received the Witkin Award in Business Planning, and was a finalist in the Negotiations Honor's Program Competition. Prior to beginning his career in Family Law at Minyard Morris, Scott worked as a teacher and also has owned his own business. Scott now limits his practice...
Aditi Murillo earned her Bachelor of Science from the University of California, Berkeley and her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Los Angeles. During law school, Aditi interned at a boutique personal injury law firm in Westwood and at Verizon's San Francisco office. Aditi also participated in mock trial competitions, was a staff editor for the Women's Law Journal, and was a member of the Intellectual Property and South Asian law student's associations. Following law school, Adi...
Philip G. Seastrom is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Philip G., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2006. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Philip G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Courtney Shepard is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Courtney, who practices law in Newport, California, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Courtney is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jacqueline A. Whisnant, born in Burbank, California in 1960, has been an Orange County resident since 1985. She and her husband, Bruce Whisnant, have two children. Ms. Whisnant graduated from California State University, Northridge (B.A., 1984) and Loyola Law School of Los Angeles (J.D., 1987). While in law school, she was a member of the Philip C. Jessup International Moot Court Honors Program and held the position of judicial extern for the Honorable Allan E. Broussard of the California Sta...
Judi Curtin was born in New York City, New York in 1951, and has been an Orange County resident since 1979, following her graduation from law school and admission to the California Bar Association in 1978. She is married and has three children (Jessica is a lawyer, Jordan is a clinical social worker, Jillian is a second-year student at NYU and has her black belt in Shaolin Kempo). Judi is a Certified Family Law Specialist, admitted to the US Supreme Court, and has been rated AV by Martindale ...
Ryan P. Murphy is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Ryan P., who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ryan P. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Janet Dockstader is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Janet, who practices law in Irvine, California, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Janet is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Kathleen Carothers Paone, born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been an Orange County resident since 1980. She and her husband, Tim Paone, have 3 adult children. Ms. Paone graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles, (cum laude, 1977) and received her Juris Doctor degree from Loyola University (J.D., 1980). While in law school, she was a member of the St. Thomas More Law Honor Society. She was admitted to the California State Bar in 1980 (and the Northern, Central and Southern Fe...
Robert A. Benavente was raised in Orange County and graduated from John F. Kennedy High School in La Palma. Mr. Benavente received his Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Whittier Law School in 2000, where he was a member of Law Review, a Dean's List honoree, and the recipient of several merit scholarships. He is a Certified Family Law Specialist, which is a level of achievement reserved for those attorneys who have the requisite level of trial experience and have passed a special examinatio...
Born in Great Neck, NY, Jordon moved west to southern California in 1981. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 1994 and from the Whittier School of Law in 2000. Jordon is a Certified Specialist in Family Law, as per the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. During law school, Jordon was a member of the Moot Court Honors Board and also served as its Chief Justice in 2000. He was placed on the Dean's List for achievement in academics as well. Upon his graduation, Jordon rec...
Robert Burch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Robert, who practices law in Newport, California, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Robert is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.