Best Lawyers in California, United States for Family Law

Born in Fort Worth, Texas, Lauren received a B.A. in Spanish from Washington University in St. Louis in 2007 and a J.D. from Duke University School of Law in 2010. Experience Lauren started her legal career as an attorney with McGaughey & Spirito, and became a partner at the firm in 2019. She litigates diverse family law matters, including complex custody and financial issues. Lauren is also highly adept at settling intricate and difficult cases. She completed collaborative law training L...

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...

Brandon R. Blevans devotes his entire practice to the strategic and individually tailored representation of clients in family law matters, particularly those involving significant financial issues such as business ownership, complex compensation structures, family limited partnerships, equity compensation, and venture capital interests. Brandon’s experience has been both state and nationally recognized: He is a certified specialist in Family Law, certified by the California State Board ...

Robert E. Blevans received his Juris Doctor in 1977, and was admitted to the practice of law in California that year. He has been a Certified Specialist in Family Law for over 35 years, having been certified by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization in 1983. After practicing law for 18 years in Los Angeles, Robert moved to the heart of the wine country, Napa, California. Robert is a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is a past President of the Northern C...

Matthew S. Buttacavoli was born in Jersey City, New Jersey. Matthew graduated magna cum laude from the University of California, Irvine (B.A., 1995) and cum laude from the University of San Diego School of Law (J.D., 1999), where he served as Executive Editor of the San Diego Law Review and received the General George W. Hickman, Jr. Award for excellence in Constitutional Law. Matthew was admitted to the California Bar in 1999, and was admitted to the United States Supreme Court Bar in 2003. ...

Helen Cayton received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (summa cum laude), and her Juris Doctor from Chapman University, Fowler School of Law. While at Chapman, Helen was on the executive board of the Federalist Society, on the Nexus Law Journal, and was a staff writer for the campus newspaper, The Courier. Helen is currently on the Chapman Law Alumni Advisory Board. Before joining Minyard Morris, Helen practiced civil litigation primarily in the mortgage...

In her representation of Silicon Valley’s high earners or their spouses, Jennifer Crum draws upon nearly 20 years of experience untangling complex assets acquired in the unique tech economy.Jennifer combines her mastery of high-asset marital dissolutions with compassion for the emotional and personal transition her clients are experiencing. She is among an elite group of California attorneys recognized as a Certified Family Law Specialist. Jennifer is highly experienced in divorces invo...

This firm is devoted exclusively to the practice of family law. Mr. Cruse and his three support staff handle complex family law cases and child custody disputes. Mr. Cruse is in his 35th year of the practice of law. His clients are business professionals, business owners, military officers, those with professional practices and the financially independent. Mr. Cruse is a recognized expert in electronic discovery.

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 ...

Christine De Santis is a Partner at HFM and is certified as a legal specialist in family law by the State Bar of California. Ms. De Santis specializes in handling dissolution of marriage and paternity cases, child custody and visitation, child support and spousal support, and division of assets and debts, and mediations. She also handles step-parent adoptions and child support cases through the San Diego County Department of Child Support Services. Ms. De Santis has been named a San Diego Sup...

Leslie Evans is an associate attorney with Phillips, Whisnant, Gazin, Gorczyca & Curtin. Mrs. Evans’ practice focuses on all aspects of family law, including dissolution of marriage, child custody, spousal and child support, division of property, and other related issues involving family law matters. Mrs. Evans attended Vassar College and graduated summa cum laude from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1991, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Art History. Following grad...

Mr. Gazin graduated from San Jose State University with honors in 1971, earning a BA degree in Political Science. He attended the University of Santa Clara School of Law where he earned his Juris Doctorate degree in 1974. Mr. Gazin was admitted to the California State Bar in 1974, when he commenced his practice in Orange County. In Mr. Gazin’s early years of practice, he handled a broad spectrum of cases ranging from criminal defense, personal injury, business litigation and family law. Comme...

Saul Gelbart is a Diplomate in the American College of Family Trial Lawyers, a Certified Family Law Specialist and a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, having served its Southern California Chapter in many official capacities including President. Mr. Gelbart is also a Fellow in the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, a Founding Fellow in the Orange County Bar Association's Society of Fellows, and a member of the Orange County Bar Association. Among his distinctio...

Gary S. Gorczyca was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1951, and has been an Orange County resident since 1960. He and his wife, Patti, have two sons. Mr. Gorczyca graduated from the University of California, Irvine (B.A., 1973) and Loyola University School of Law (J.D., 1976). He was admitted to the California State Bar in 1976 and has practiced law in Orange County ever since. Mr. Gorczyca is rated “AV Preeminent” by Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating available for legal ability an...

Ms. Takesh Hallin has been practicing exclusively family law since being admitted to the bar in 1996. She was selected as a Southern California Rising Star for 2006 through 2009 by Los Angeles Magazine and a Super Lawyer for years 2010 through 2013, Super Lawyers edition, through peer nomination, and independent research and review process. Ms. Takesh Hallin has lectured on various family law related topics, including at Continuing Legal Education seminars, and has served as Mediator for the ...

Douglas Hatherley is a distinguished Certified Family Law Specialist and Irvine divorce attorney , focusing on family law litigation serving the Orange County area , including child custody and visitation , spousal support , child support , domestic violence , paternity, division of assets , and post-judgment modification . He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School. With a career dedicated exclusivel...

Mr. Herbert handles a wide variety of divorce cases, from the very simple to the very complex. He seeks to resolve matters in a cost effective and amicable manner to avoid incurring legal fees that diminish the value of the marital estate. However, he remains prepared to go to trial if necessary. His trial experience includes litigating the issues of support, property division, custody, visitation and virtually every other type of issue arising in family law. Mr. Herbert understands, and is s...

Jonathan T. Little is an attorney with Minyard Morris, a family law firm in Newport Beach, California. Board-certified as a specialist in family law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, Mr. Little has more than 17 years of legal experience, and he provides outstanding representation, advice and support to clients throughout Orange County who are going through a divorce or other family law issues. With both litigation and transactional experience in the first decade of...

Tracey N. Lundquist is an experienced family law attorney who has handled complex and conventional family law matters. Ms. Lundquist is committed to her clients, whether it is through settlement negotiations or litigation in the courtroom. Ms. Lundquist prides herself on her ability to communicate well with diverse clients and their intricate matters, whether it is a support need, custody or visitation issue, domestic violence, division of the marital estate, enforcement of orders, or any oth...

Monica Mazzei is a Shareholder in Buchalter’s San Francisco office and the chair of the Firm’s Family Law group. Monica is a Certified Family Law Specialist representing high net worth clients. She represents clients throughout California, with a concentration in San Francisco and Silicon Valley, as well as Los Angeles.

Born in Los Angeles, California, Erin graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara (B.A. in Psychology 1997) and Loyola Law School (J.D. 2003). Experience Erin joined McGaughey & Spirito’s team of Redondo Beach family lawyers in 2003. She handles primarily litigated cases, including cases involving complex custody issues, financial issues, or business interests. Erin is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the California Board of Legal Specialization, State Bar of Calif...

Business owners, celebrities and trust beneficiaries across California turn to Christopher C. Melcher for his assistance protecting their most valuable assets. With deep experience in complex family law litigation and premarital agreements, Mr. Melcher helps his clients achieve successful outcomes despite extremely challenging circumstances. He understands the need to keep sensitive family matters private for his noteworthy clients and is dedicated to handling family law matters in a discrete...

In 2023, Mark E. Minyard received the Orange County Bar Association's Franklin G. West Award, the OCBA's highest honor, presented to outstanding attorneys and judges whose lifetime achievements have advanced justice and the law. In 2023, Mark was selected by the Daily Journal as the only Orange County lawyer listed as a Top 20 Family Law attorney in the State of California. In 2024, Mark E. Minyard was appointed to the Orange County Collaborative Courts Foundation. The foundation provides sup...

Jan C. Morimoto-Gee received her undergraduate education from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she was a UCLA Merit Scholar, UC Regents Scholar, and UCLA Alumni Scholar. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English, magna cum laude, along with the honors of Phi Beta Kappa and College Honors. Jan graduated from the School of Law at the University of California, Berkeley (Boalt Hall). Jan limits her practice to Orange County Family Law matters.

Michael A. Morris was born in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Michael was named Best Family Law Lawyer of the Year - Orange County in 2013 and 2018 by Best Lawyers in America. He has been listed as one of the Best Lawyers in America by Best Lawyers in America Orange County - Family Law since 2007 and by Super Lawyers each year since 2004. Michael is also listed in Lawdragon 500 Leading Lawyers (USA) - 2020. He graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (B.A.) and Western State Un...

Vanessa Soto Nellis is a Certified Family Law Specialist, as designated by the California Board of Legal Specialization. Ms. Nellis represents clients in all aspects of divorce, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, cohabitation agreements, and family law mediation.

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...

James (Jim) Parke has practiced law in California for nearly 41 years. Jim graduated from California State University, Fullerton in 1975 and from Pepperdine University School of Law in 1978. An esteemed expert in all areas of family law, Jim has also served as an adjunct professor of Family Law at Trinity Law School. He has spoken on several family law-related topics throughout Southern California, and regularly contributes to divorce recovery workshops. He has also written several articles r...

Born and raised as the only Chinese-American on the French Caribbean island of Saint Martin where his family still calls home, Alex had brief stints throughout the Caribbean and South America where he attended schools taught only in French, Spanish, and Papiamento. Alex eventually migrated to the United States and earned his undergraduate degree from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and his Juris Doctorate in Virginia from George Mason University School of Law, a Tier...

John Benedict Phillips—known as Ben Phillips for all his life—received his bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis, and his Juris Doctor degree from Chapman University School of Law. Mr. Phillips is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization, and rated AV Preeminent® by Martindale Hubbell—the highest rating attainable for legal ability and professional ethics. Mr. Phillips practices exclusively fam...

Michelle Ralph received her undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine, majoring in Social Ecology, with a minor in Psychology. She then earned her Juris Doctor degree from Western State College of Law, graduating summa cum laude and Valedictorian of her graduating class. While at Western State College of Law, Michelle clerked for Justice Edward Wallin at the Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division Three. Before joining Minyard Morris, Michelle practiced civil litigatio...

Claudia Ribet is one of only four attorneys in California recognized by the State Bar as a certified specialist in both appellate law and family law. This dual qualification gives Claudia deep insight into effective presentation of complex arguments in high-stakes family law appeals. She wins most of the California family law appeals she litigates. Some of Claudia’s published family law appellate victories are listed below, and Claudia has served as counsel in many more unpublished fami...

Robert A. Roth is widely regarded as one of the leading family law appellate specialists in California. He has over 30 years’ experience as an appellate practitioner and more than 25 published (and scores of unpublished) appellate opinions to his name. Robert has won twice in the California Supreme Court, and notably represented the successful respondent in In re Marriage of Ostler and Smith (1990) 223 Cal.App.3d 33, a seminal case that established the method California courts use every...

Leslie Ryland is a seasoned attorney who has spent the last three decades representing clients in all types of family law matters, with a special focus on custody issues. She is a Certified Family Law Specialist, a special designation from the State Bar of California reserved for attorneys who have “demonstrated a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfilled ongoing education requirements and been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.&...

Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS is a family law attorney and mediator, holding the prestigious Certified Family Law Specialist designation from the State Bar of California. Schaffer Family Law Group, APC is a full-service Mediation, Divorce, and Family Law firm dedicated to delivering practical & effective results to high net-worth clients. Ms. Schaffer builds her practice on a thorough knowledge of the law, excellent research skills, superior presentation to the court, and most of all calm, comp...

Nicole Schmidt is a partner and Certified Family Law Specialist at Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara. Nicole Schmidt focuses on divorce and family law matters in Newport Beach and San Diego. Ms. Schmidt has experience in a plethora of issues arising in the general area of family law, including prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements, child custody and visitation, spousal support, child support, divorce, and complex asset and debt division. She specializes in cases involving non-traditiona...