Top best Divorce Lawyers in ZIP 92651 | 2 available

Melissa is a divorce and family law mediator, licensed attorney, as well as a Co-Parenting Specialist (CoPS). Melissa provides virtual mediation services throughout California on a flat-fee basis.. While Melissa is a California-licensed attorney, she has elected to focus on providing neutral mediation services and one-on-one mediation and negotiation coaching. Holistic mediation allows Melissa to intertwine her passions for family law, spirituality, and finding collaborative solutions in challenging circumstances. While Melissa enjoyed being a family law litigator for about a decade, she truly believes in the transformative power of mediation, and knows most people and families will find benefits in mediation that litigation just cannot provide. In mediation, Melissa is best able to serve parties seeking amicable resolution in their divorce and custody cases who are not looking to create unnecessary conflict or expense.. For people who value equity, collaboration, and respect, they will prefer mediation with Melissa over traditional litigation. These parties are willing to make some compromise to preserve peace; they understand that family law conflict can be highly traumatic for children, and will prioritize keeping trauma and conflict to a minimum. Melissa’s extensive family law experience makes her well-suited for cases with parties who take accountability for their role in the divorce and are seeking clear solutions and well-defined obligations in any written agreement produced through the mediation process.. Melissa is a distinguished divorce attorney based in California who was captivated by family law due to the intricate psychological, emotional, and financial dynamics it encompasses. Her dedication to her clients is evident in her unwavering commitment to their cases, particularly those involving divorce and high-conflict custody disputes. Throughout her legal career, Melissa has demonstrated an exceptional ability to guide clients through every phase of the marital dissolution process including mediation, pre-trial litigation, settlement discussions, mediation, evidentiary hearings, and long-cause trials.. Melissa is trained in Insight Mediation, has completed the 40-hour Family Law Mediation training with Mosten Mediation Training, and is a certified Co-Parenting Specialist (CoPS). Melissa regularly volunteers her time as a Mediator for the State of California Superior Court in Orange County, helping to settle Small Claims cases with the Groundswell non-profit organization. She is also a vetted member of the Amicable Divorce Network and the Academy of Professional Family Mediators. Melissa also hosts the High Vibe Divorce podcast.

CURRENTLY NOT ACCEPTING NEW CLIENTS. EXISTING AND FORMER CLIENTS ONLY MAY CONTACT ME BY EMAIL.. Ms. Cannon commenced her legal career 34 years ago.  She is a graduate of the University of Maryland with distinction and Southwestern School of Law, where she earned an academic scholarship each year she attended, received the Bancroft Whitney Book Award in Uniform Commercial Code transactions, and was listed in Who’s Who Among American Law Students.. Following law school Ms. Cannon learned the practice of civil litigation in a prestigious law firm where she handled cases and trials in both state and federal courts, including jury trials.  Ms. Cannon is therefore admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and each of the four United States District Courts in Californi. Ms. Cannon took her federal and state court practice experience to the family arena, certifying as a specialist in family law.  This certification has been reserved to approximately two (2) percent of the active licensed attorneys in California.  Ms. Cannon has defended the rights of parents to reunify with their children in the juvenile dependency system and has additionally litigated children’s rights when they conflict with those of their parents.. In 2013 Ms. Cannon worked with a local legislator to propose an amendment to the Family Code requiring judges to consider prescription drug abuse as they do illegal drug abuse and alcoholism in family law cases.  She testified before both the state assembly and state senate regarding the growing epidemic of prescription drug abuse among parents and its impact on families in California.  In September of 2013, after the proposed amendment to Family Code section 3011(d) garnered bi-partisan support, Governor Brown signed it into law.  The amendment became law in California on January 1st, 2014.. Ms. Cannon has frequently volunteered her time at local domestic violence clinics and always maintains at least one pro bono matter in her ongoing caseload.. In addition to her various bar admissions, Ms. Cannon is a member of the Orange County Bar Association’s Masters Division and Family Law Sections.  Contact our office today for a no-obligation consultation with Cindy and learn about the process and your options going forward from a specialist.