Top Family Lawyers Near Me in Newport Beach Area

Zealous Advocate for You!   We are not a traffic mill, we are a defense firm.  We consult with our clients personnally and review every ticket for the best possible outcome.  Contact us directly at.. Voted Top 10 Traffic Attorney by AVVO since 2010.  My Peers consider me one of the Best Traffic Attorneys in So. Cal.   We offer a 15 min. free telephonic consultation.. Local Newport Beach attorney who knows the ins and outs of the Vehicle Code and knows how to use the Evidence Code to your best advantage!. It used to be if you got a ticket it wasn't a big deal, not so much any more.  Pleading guilty to a traffic infraction can have serious consequences on your license and insurance even if it isn't a point.    The penalty assessments attached to the fines are outrageous and one ticket for the wrong violation on your record can cause substantial financial damage, loss of license, jail time and in some cases cost you your job.   Don't let that happen to you.. Commercial drivers need zealous professional representation by a well versed, well respected traffic ticket attorney, so please call me for your free consultation.. I fight traffic tickets for a living, not because I want bad drivers on the road, but because I believe in the Constitution and hate to see people plead guilty to save a few bucks which allows our government to take advantage of the drivers of this state by operating the traffic court as a cash register.   I founded the California Traffic Defense Bar Association (CTDBA) a statewide traffic defense bar association for attorneys across the state who focus on traffic defense.  We fight for a united voice for all the drivers in the State not just those who get tickets.. If you get a ticket, give me a call,.  My staff and are here to defend you!   Check out my Reviews!

Shiry Tannenbaum is Principal at Tannenbaum Law, and provides contract and consulting legal services in the areas of family law and business litigation.  Shiry has practiced family law since 2015, and focused her first seven years of practice to business litigation for boutique law firms.. Shiry served as co-chair of the Women’s Educational Committee of the Center for Investment and Weath management at UCI’s Paul Merage School of Business.  Shiry served on the Dean's Executive Board at the University of California, Irvine, School of Law.  She was Chair of the Young Lawyers Division of the Association of Business Trial Lawyers and Chair of the Public Law Center's annual Volunteers for Justice Dinner Silent Auction Committee from 2013 to 2015. Shiry served as Vice President of the Orange County Jewish Bar Association from 2010 to 2012, and as an active member of the Dean's Campaign Cabinet at UCI Law and the Orange County Bar Association's Community Outreach Committee.. Shiry earned her J.D. degree from Santa Clara University School of Law, where she was named Pro Bono Graduate of the Year. Shiry served as an Articles Editor for the Santa Clara Law Review and was an Honors Moot Court participant. She served as a judicial extern at the United States District Court, Northern District of California, the California Court of Appeal, and the California Superior Court of Santa Barbara and Santa Clara Counties. Shiry earned her B.A. degree in Law and Society, with Honors, from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Sherrie A. Munson is a formidable force in the legal arena, seamlessly blending exceptional legal representation with healing, support, and empowerment. Since being admitted to the California State Bar in 2010, Sherrie has been unwaveringly devoted to meeting her clients' emotional needs while providing top-tier legal counsel in family law.. Prior to embarking on her journey in family law, Sherrie served as the Program Director in the field of domestic violence for over a decade at Fairview Hospitals in Minneapolis, Minnesota. This unique professional background, coupled with her education during graduate and law school, ignited her passion for advocating for individuals, rather than corporate entities. Sherrie's fervor lies in assisting individuals navigating the complexities of domestic violence and divorce, helping them through their struggles to attain a brighter future.. Sherrie wholeheartedly understands the emotional, physical, and financial challenges that accompany the divorce process. However, she is not one to focus on the negatives. Instead, she provides her clients with the legal guidance, advocacy, and unwavering support needed to foster positive healing during these trying times. Her commitment goes beyond securing fair settlements; she is an ardent advocate for new beginnings. Her experience as a director at an emergency youth shelter has given her invaluable insights into the DCSS/foster system and the struggles faced by children in the foster system.. With passion and determination, Sherrie fearlessly represents her clients in all aspects of family law, including complex, high asset/net worth dissolutions, domestic violence cases, and child custody matters. Her hallmark lies in her ability to form genuine connections with her clients, delving deep into each individual case to achieve the best outcomes for them and their families. Drawing from her vast experience with domestic violence issues, Sherrie listens to her clients' stories of strength and resilience, empowering them to not only receive excellent legal representation but also to find emotional solace as their judgments are entered.. Beyond her legal prowess, Sherrie cherishes her blended family of five adult children and eight grandchildren. When she's not practicing law, she finds joy in the love and companionship of her family and three beloved dogs.. Sherrie A. Munson: a compassionate legal warrior and a beacon of hope for those seeking a brighter future amidst challenging times.

Sheila Stiles is a partner in the Newport Beach office of Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara LLP.  Ms. Stiles joined the firm in 2009 and limits her practice to family law matters.  Ms. Stiles is certified as a Family Law Specialist by the California Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California.  She has extensive experience in handling all aspects of family law matters, including divorce, complex custody and visitation matters, complex business valuation and income determination, modifications, child support, spousal support, parentage/paternity, property division, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, enforcement and family law mediation.. Ms. Stiles strives to achieve the goals of her clients by focusing on quality of our work, cost effectiveness, preparation, aggressive advocacy and the ability to meet the needs of her clients with a positive outlook and sympathetic ear when need be.  Ms. Stiles has a passion for family law and her clients.. Ms. Stiles obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts with a major in History from the University of San Diego in 1997. While attending USD, Ms. Stiles was a member of the Women’s Intercollegiate Basketball Team.  She attended the University of San Diego, School of Law and graduated with her Juris Doctorate in 2000.. Ms. Stiles was admitted to the State Bar of California in August of 2004. She is a member of the Family Law Section of the Orange County Bar Association. She is also an active member of the Sonenshine Pro Bono Opportunities Committee, which is an annual Orange County event that provides a forum for local pro bono organizations to introduce themselves to new members of the legal community.. Ms. Stiles is married with three children.

Sara Yunus began her career practicing family law in Orange County, at a boutique law firm in Newport Beach. Ms. Yunus relocated to San Diego and currently works for a large family law firm in downtown, focusing her practice on litigation, custody matters and dissolution.. Ms. Yunus earned her undergraduate degree in Political Science from California State University Fullerton where she was the communications intern for the National Women's Political Caucus in Washington, D.C. Through this internship, Ms. Yunus attended various political fundraisers, meetings with foreign ambassadors, and other important political events. Additionally, Ms. Yunus, who is bilingual in English-Farsi, interned for two years for a Middle Eastern television station as their English language international new anchor, on a weekly, worldwide broadcast.. Ms. Yunus was a recipient of the Dean's academic scholarship at Whittier Law School, and also interned at Whittier's Children's Rights Clinic, where she represented indigent, minor clients with special needs. She was also an active member of Whittier's Student Bar Association.

Samantha graduated with honors from Western State College of Law, having been involved in Law Review and serving as its Editor in Chief. In her final year at Western State, Samantha externed at the Court of Appeals in Santa Ana and assisted in many cases. She also participated in a study abroad program, where she studied international and European law in Madrid, Spain.. Prior to obtaining her law degree with Western State she graduated from Utah Valley University with a focus in Marketing and Business. Having worked in bankruptcy law as a paralegal, she was continuously motivated to provide support to others in very stressful and delicate cases.. Samantha has experience navigating through divorce including custody, support, domestic violence restraining orders, and property division, and is licensed in California, Texas, and Utah. She’s proud to be involved in the community she represents and is an active member of the Orange County Bar Association (OCBA), Riverside County Bar Association (RCBA), and the Leo Deegan Inns of Court.. Samantha is very proactive, staying in consistent communication with her clients. Clients have often said they feel completely supported in their time of need. She takes the time to discuss every option, weighing the pros and cons of the case, and providing supportive yet direct solutions to achieve their objectives.. In her spare time, Samantha is an avid reader of novels, loves to travel around the world, and volunteers for Guide Dogs of America.

Prior to becoming an attorney, I was a family law paralegal for 20 years.  I have a thorough understanding and skill in all aspects of family law.  I have strived to assist clients through their family law struggles while minimizing unnecessary fighting and costly fees.  I have extensive experience in collaborative divorce, mediations and uncontested dissolutions as well as litigated divorces and custody battles.

Patricia (Patty) Cyr has focused most of her legal career on families’ and children’s needs. After practicing corporate litigation with Sullivan & Cromwell, a major national top-tier firm, Ms. Cyr represented children with special needs and their families as they sought appropriate education in the Washington, DC and Maryland school districts.. Ms. Cyr joined the Hittelman law firm as an Associate Attorney in 2017. She is also qualified by the Orange County Superior Court to serve as Minor’s Counsel. Her passion for assisting families and individuals through family law issues continues as she helps families successfully create new beginnings.. Since 2011, Ms. Cyr has taught as an Adjunct Professor in the Domestic Violence Clinic at the University of California Irvine School of Law. In this capacity, she teaches trial skills and supervises law students in their representation of domestic violence victims in and out of court. When necessary, the clinic also assists with dissolution, custody issues, and immigration. Ms. Cyr also serves on the board of Laura’s House, an organization that dedicates itself to providing emergency shelter, transitional housing, legal services, and counseling to domestic violence survivors and their families.. In 2000, Ms. Cyr graduated cum laude from Georgetown University Law Center and then clerked for The Honorable Stanley Birch on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Georgetown University and a Master’s Degree in International Comparative Education from Stanford University.. Ms. Cyr was admitted to the California State Bar in 2001. She is also admitted to the Ninth and Second Federal Circuits, the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California, and the District of Columbia. Ms. Cyr is a member of the California, Orange County, District of Columbia, and American Bar Associations.

One must love what they do to truly excel at it! Passion is key. As a divorce lawyer, I love what I do because I get the incredible opportunity to work alongside people to help them (and their families) through tough emotional times, while resolving their financial and/or custody issues. Seeing people get a fresh start at the end of a case is rewarding. This makes me passionate about my clients and their lives. The faster and more efficient I am, the faster my clients get that fresh start. I am even more dedicated and passionate in Court, (if that is what is necessary), because it means someone or something has blocked a resolution.  These are the motivations that make me tick, not to mention I am also an active dad who is passionate about his kids, and active in his community, plus a fan of outdoor sports.. My credentials and experience match my passion. Board-certified as a specialist in family law by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, I have more than 17 years of legal experience, and I provide outstanding representation, advice and support to my clients throughout Orange County who are going through a divorce or other family law issues.. I am uniquely situated to handle divorce litigation with both business litigation and transactional experience in the first decade of my legal career.  I have achieved considerable success helping my clients make the best-informed financial and custody decisions that will affect their families for years to come, while also aggressively representing them in Court (when the circumstances of their case warrant it).. My early practice was in the banking finance industry in matters of regulatory compliance and securities offerings. Subsequently, before joining Minyard Morris, I practiced state and federal litigation in matters of bad faith insurance, employment and contract disputes, real property litigation, and personal injury actions on both the plaintiff and the defense side. My high-stakes civil-litigation experience, combined with complex securities and financial transaction experience, add unique insight to my advice and recommendations.. I now limits my practice to family law matters in Orange County. My success in family law is measured not only in terms of the number of trials and contested hearings on nearly every focus area in Family Law, but also in the number of successful resolutions leading to stipulated Judgments or Orders. These earned me the designation of a certified specialist in the minimum time permitted by The State Bar (i.e. 5 years), and I has continued to build upon that foundation since.. I have also received several commendations for my pro bono and volunteer work for the poor and disadvantaged, including serving as a Board Member for Community Legal Aid SoCal, volunteering with pro bono legal clinics, and a perennial volunteer for the Constitutional Rights Foundation mock trial competition. On the weekends, I also find time to volunteer with my community in youth sports, including coaching and refereeing.. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree at Point Loma Nazarene University (summa cum laude) and my Juris Doctorate at American University, Washington College of Law in Washington, D.C. While in D.C., I interned for the U.S. Agency for International Development in the Litigation and Enforcement Division, and also participated in a fellowship in the Office of The Curator of the Supreme Court of the United States. During my undergraduate studies, I studied abroad at the Nizhni-Novgorod State University in Russia, after previously serving as a full-time English teacher for a public school in Moscow. I am admitted to practice before all Superior Courts in the State of California as well as the U.S. District Court for the Southern and Central Districts of California as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

Nicole Whyte has been identified by the well-recognized Daily Journal as one of California’s top 100 women attorneys. She has also been selected as one of America’s Top 100 attorneys (a lifetime achievement). Ms. Whyte is a founding principal and CEO of Bremer Whyte Brown & O’Meara, LLP, a 160+ attorney law firm with 8 office locations throughout the Western United States.  Admitted to the South African Supreme Court in 1990, the California State Bar in 1991, the Nevada State Bar in 2000, the Washington D.C. State Bar in 2011, and the Washington State Bar in 2012, Ms. Whyte has extensive experience in all aspects of litigation and trial. She focuses her practice in the areas of family law, complex civil and commercial litigation, trucking litigation, and insurance defense litigation. Ms. Whyte has been designated as a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization since 2010. She has successfully litigated and tried hundreds of complex, multi-million dollar lawsuits, and has tried in excess of 30 cases to verdict (jury and judge trials).  She has been awarded the highest accolade in Martindale-Hubbell: an AV rating. This was as a result of an extensive, confidential review conducted among the legal profession in her community. The AV rating signifies Ms. Whyte’s legal abilities are of the very highest standard and her professional ethics are unquestioned. Ms. Whyte also has been consistently named California “Super Lawyer” by Los Angeles Magazine, and she has been consistently ranked in Super Lawyer’s lists of top attorneys in Southern California and Orange County.. Even more pertinent than her awards and ratings, Ms. Whyte strives to keep her clients’ interests at heart, and reach timely resolutions of challenging situations. Within the family law field, she handles a multitude of issues such as divorce, custody, visitation, modifications, child support, parentage/paternity, property division, prenuptial agreements, postnuptial agreements, dependency actions, and spousal support. Ms. Whyte provides individualized counseling and representation in all areas of family law and listens carefully to her client’s problems to provide representation that is strategic and effective.. Ms. Whyte has written extensively in her fields of expertise, and she is also a regular speaker at legal conferences across the United States.   Ms. Whyte has authored chapters in two published Family Law books, “Strategies for Family Law in California” 2010 edition published by Aspatore, “Streamlining Strategies and Costs in today’s Family Law Cases”, and “Strategies for Family Law in California” 2012 edition published by Aspatore, “Staying up to date with New Developments and Strategies in California Family Law Litigation”.. Ms. Whyte is a member of the Family, Construction and Insurance sections of the Orange County Bar Association, the Clark County Bar Association (Nevada) and the American Bar Association. She is a member of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists. She is a past member of the Civil Procedure and Evidence panels of the Orange County Bar Association’s Resolutions Committee. She has graduated twice from the National Institute for Trial Advocacy (NITA) program in trial advocacy and is a Master Bencher and past officer of the Robert A. Banyard Inn of Court. Ms. Whyte also serves as a mediator, and has served as settlement officer for the Orange County Superior Court. She is also a Board Member of the Masters' Division of the Orange County Bar Association.. Ms. Whyte is also active in the international legal community.  She is a member of Consulegis, an international network of lawyers, and she has been a featured speaker at Consulegis'  bi-annual conferences. She also has close ties to her original mentor attorney in South Africa, Brian Kahn, where she began her legal career.  Ms. Whyte's law firm, Bremer Whyte also has a strategic alliance with Brian Kahn, Inc. in Johannesburg, South Africa.. Ms. Whyte is a board member of the Sonenshine Pro Bono Opportunities Committee, an Orange County organization comprised of attorneys and Judges who provide Pro Bono legal opportunities  to newer members of the Orange County bar, by matching attorneys with potential Pro Bono clients. Ms. Whyte is also a board member of the Public Law Center, a pro-bono law group that provides access for low income residents of Orange County.. A native of Johannesburg, South Africa, Ms. Whyte received her Bachelor of Arts and her LLB from the University of the Witwatersrand, located in Johannesburg, South Africa. After graduating from law school, she served as state prosecutor at the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court in the criminal division. During this time Ms. Whyte had the opportunity to try a variety of criminal cases. Following her tenure as state prosecutor, she gained general civil and commercial litigation experience at Brian Kahn Inc. Attorneys, a boutique litigation law firm in Johannesburg. Ms. Whyte immigrated to the United States in 1991.. Ms. Whyte and her husband, Steven Nataupsky, managing partner of the Intellectual Property law firm Knobbe Martens, live with their 4 children in Newport Beach, California. When not practicing law, Ms. Whyte enjoys spending time with her family, exercise, piano, travel, reading, and baking and cooking with her daughter Rachel.  Ms. Whyte is also an avid student of the martial arts, and she has competed and placed in karate tournaments (kata and sparring) in Southern California.

Ms. Uberin earned her Juris Doctor degree from Western State College of Law, where she graduated cum laude and with a Family Law Practice Certificate. Her outstanding advocacy skills, and her writing skills, gained her membership on the Honors Moot Court Team. Her undergraduate degree is from Chapman University, where she received a BA in Psychology.. Ms. Uberin is most fortunate to have clerked for the Honorable Glenn R. Salter, Judge of the Orange County Superior Court. There, she learned the importance of preparation to prevailing on a case, a lesson she keeps in the forefront of her mind for her current family law cases.. Ms. Uberin regularly handles complex divorce and family law cases, and she brings her intelligence and unique perspective to the case. Ms. Uberin dedicates herself to providing clients with compassionate representation and achieving the best possible result on their case.. When not working on her clients’ cases, Ms. Uberin enjoys spending time with her family and dog, exercising, and cooking.

Ms. Shepard graduated from UCLA, where she majored in political science with a business specialization. She earned her Juris Doctor degree, cum laude, from Whittier Law School, where she was a member of the Law Review, a Dean's List honoree and a fellow in the Center for Children's Rights where she received a scholarship.. Additionally, Ms. Shepard served as on the Whittier Law School Trial Advocacy Honors Board while competing in national competitions. She has prior legal experience as a certified litigation law clerk with the Orange County Office of the District Attorney. In her spare time, Ms. Shepard volunteers with the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation and enjoys exercising, reading, cooking, travel and spending time with her family and friends.. Courtney Shepard is an aggressive and passionate advocate for her clients. She exclusively practices family law and has been declared a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.. She has successfully litigated cases involving issues of child custody, child support, same sex marriages, spousal support, and attorney fees, and recently completed a nationally-recognized Trial Advocacy program which focused extensively on the litigation of child custody, support and complex business matters.

Ms. Loos is one of the founding partners of Strunk | Loos, APC. Ms. Loos was born and raised in Newport Beach, California. Ms. Loos graduated from University of the Pacific with a degree in entertainment management (B.A. 1988) and obtained her law degree from Whittier Law School summa cum laude (J.D. 2006). Before beginning law school in 2004, Ms. Loos worked in the entertainment industry for several years and then for Orange County Superior Court where she worked predominantly in the family law division as a courtroom clerk.. Ms. Loos was admitted to the California Bar in 2006. Ms. Loos has worked exclusively in family law taking every opportunity to hone her craft as a family law attorney and litigator. Ms. Loos pursued and earned her designation as a Certified Family Law Specialist from the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization in 2013. Also, in 2013, Ms. Loos attended the prestigious American Bar Association's Family Law Section, Trial Advocacy Institute in Houston, Texas.. Ms. Loos has experience litigating and settling various family law issues ranging from highly contentious custody matters and high net worth estates to the unique niche issues that arise in enforcement cases and jurisdiction cases. Ms. Loos is well-known in the family law community as a strong advocate when necessary and a reasonable and practical negotiator. Ms. Loos employs a cost-benefit approach to her cases to counterbalance the sometimes emotionally charged circumstances of family law matters.. In 2015, after serving several years as a Member At Large, Ms. Loos was elected by her peers to fill the role of the 2016 Secretary/Treasurer for the Family Law Section of the Orange County Bar Association. In 2017, Ms. Loos elevated to the role of Chair Elect. In 2018, Ms. Loos’ experience on the on the Board of the Family Law Section culminated with her lead role as the Section Chair. As the Section Chair, Ms. Loos was responsible for the educational programs, renovating and updating the attorney conference room at the Lamoreaux Justice Center, fund raising for the Section and acting as a liaison between the bench and the bar.. Ms. Loos currently sits on the Board of the Orange County Chapter of the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists.. Ms. Loos was designated as a “Super Lawyer” by her peers for 2020.

Mr. Ibrahim enjoys skiing, yoga, reading and is an avid traveler.

Michael H. Gazin was born in Los Angeles, California in 1949, and has been a resident of Orange County since 1974.  He and his wife have lived in Irvine since 1976 where they raised their two daughters.. 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.  Commencing in the mid 1980’s, Mr. Gazin began focusing his practice primarily in the area of family law, and now limits his practice to Family Law.. Mr. Gazin’s approach to the practice of Family Law comes from his perspective that, to the extent possible, an amicable, equitable and expeditious resolution of the issues best serves the parties’ interest in their time of personal and inter-family crisis.  To achieve that goal, Mr. Gazin’s first focus is to evaluate the case to determine if such a method is both an appropriate and viable option.. Mr. Gazin has been an active member of the Orange County Bar Association since 1976, serving as a member on its Board of Directors from 1980 through 1985.  Mr. Gazin was elected Secretary of the Orange County Bar Association in 1986, Treasurer in 1987, President-Elect in 1988 and President in 1989.  Mr. Gazin recently completed a 3 year term as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Orange County Bar Foundation.  He is a former Treasurer of the Orange County Bar Family Law Section.. Mr. Gazin chaired the Client Relations Committee of the Orange County Bar Association from 1983 to 1985 after serving as a Committee member from 1977 to 1983; he has served as a delegate to the State Bar Conference of Delegates every year from 1980 through 2003.  Mr. Gazin served as a member of the Orange County Bar Association Judiciary Committee in 2003, and he has served as a Judge Pro Tem for the Orange County Superior Court.. Mr. Gazin has an AV Rating with Martindale Hubbell.  Mr. Gazin has been named and is currently recognized by the Los Angeles Magazine as one of Orange County’s Super Lawyers; and he is currently listed in the U.S. News and World Report Best Lawyers guide.

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.

Melinda received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from the University of California at Davis.  While at UC Davis she was actively involved in local non-profits assisting survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault with various legal issues.. She later earned her Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School in 2009, where she received the 2007 Public Interest Scholarship from the California Bar Association for her continued volunteer work.  While at Whittier law school she served as the President of the Hispanic American Law Student Association while also competing and serving as the Vice President of the Trial Advocacy Honors Board.. While in law school she worked with Amnesty International in their Stop Violence Against Women Project as well as at the District Attorney’s offices in San Diego and Orange County.  Upon graduating from law school she was awarded the Center for Children’s Rights Certificate, Trial and Appellate Practice Certificate, and Criminal Law Certificate due to her courses and active participation in school programs.. Melinda is a member of the Orange County Bar Association, Orange County Hispanic Bar Association, and continues to assist in advocacy and policy development for survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault through her work with the California Partnership for Domestic Violence (CPEDV) and Human Options.. As an attorney, Melinda has been involved in many high asset and high conflict custody and dissolution matters during her career.  Her ability to advocate for her clients with up to date advice and compassion allows  her to obtain client centered results in the most efficient manner possible.

Matthew S. Buttacavoli was born in Jersey City, New Jersey in 1972.  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.  He was also admitted to the United States District Court for the Central and Southern Districts of California. Matthew is an alumnus of the Family Law Trial Institute, a nationally preeminent program which for more than twenty years has provided advanced education, training and instruction in trial practice. He is also an alumnus of the Advanced Business Valuation Institute.  He has been named a Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization.. In June 24, 2014 after being nominated by the Public Law Center's Board of Directros. Mathew S. Buttacavoli was awarded the Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for pro bono legal services by the State Bar of California Board of Trustees in recognition for his voulantary provision of legal services to the poor or disadvantaged, improving the law and the legal system and increasing access to justice.. Matthew’s publications include “Must Post-Termination Procedural Due Process Include a Full, Trial-Like Evidentiary Hearing? A Critique of Townsel v. San Diego Metropolitan Transit Development Board,” San Diego Law Review, Vol. 36, No. 4 (Fall 1999).  Matthew has also been a guest speaker for the Litigation Section of the Orange County Paralegal Association.. Matthew is a member of the Board of Directors of the Constitutional Rights Foundation - Orange County.  He is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Veterans Legal Institute. Matthew is a member of the Orange County Bar Association Family Law Section, and is a Past President and curernt Board Member of the Italian-American Lawyers of Orange County (Lex Romana).  He sits on the Resolutions Committee of the Orange County Bar Association and is a Founding Fellow of the Society of Fellows of the Orange County Bar Foundation.  Matthew has also served on the Orange County Public Law Center’s Volunteers for Justice Dinner Committee and its Silent Auction Committee and served as the Silent Auction Committee’s co-chair through 2013. Matthew is an Ambassador Member of the National Italian-American Foundation, a member of the Federalist Society, and previously served on the Board of Directors for the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO), Region 85.. Although, Matthew currently limits his practice to Family Law, his previous legal experience includes general civil litigation, business and contract disputes, complex products liability and construction defects, real estate, title and escrow, mortgage and finance, wrongful death, torts, and appeals.

Lonnie K. Seide was born in Huntington, New York. He was recognized as the Best Family Law Lawyer - Orange County 2020 by Best Lawyers in America. Lonnie graduated from Northeastern University (B.S., with honors) and St. John's University School of Law (J.D.). He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar, the New York Bar, the U.S. Tax Court, the U.S. District Court, Eastern and Southern Districts of New York, the U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit, the U.S. Supreme Court and the California Bar. Lonnie is listed as one of the best lawyers in America by Best Lawyers in America and listed by Super Lawyers.

Judi Curtin was born in New York City, New York and has been an Orange County resident since 1979, following her graduation from law school and admission to the California Bar Association in 1978.. Judi is a Certified Family Law Specialist, admitted to the US Supreme Court, and has been rated A-V by Martindale-Hubble since 1985. Judi has been rated as a Super Lawyer and recognized as one of the top 50 lawyers in California by California Lawyer Magazine since 2004 and has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America since 2006.. Judi has been a member of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers for the past 10 years and a member of the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, an organization comprised of the best family law lawyers in the world, since 2004. She has been previously honored as a Family Law trial lawyer of the year by Orange County Trial Lawyers. In Orange County, Judi is a past President of Family Law Section of the Orange County Bar Association and past President of the Orange County Women Lawyers Association, as well as a past member of the Board of Directors of the Orange County Bar Association.. Judi has been a featured speaker in numerous seminars sponsored by the Family Law Section of the Orange County Bar Association, as well as CEB Family Law Seminars sponsored by the California Bar Association. She has been likewise the featured presenter at numerous Rutter Group Family Law Seminars.. In addition to having served as a Judge Pro Tem in the Orange County Superior Court over 20 years, has mediated a number of cases and completed a mediation program through Pepperdine University.

John P. Murillo earned his Bachelor of Arts and graduated magna cum laude and with high honors from the University of California, San Diego.. John earned his Juris Doctorate from the University of California, Los Angeles. During law school, John participated in mock trial competitions and completed internships with a boutique civil litigation firm and the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.. After law school, John briefly practiced in Los Angeles before moving to Orange County where he now exclusively practices Family Law. Since moving to Orange County, John has graduated from two programs offered by the National Family Law Trial Institute, where he trained with some of the country's foremost experts in Family Law, and the Orange County Bar Association College of Trial Advocacy, where he refined his trial skills with prominent members of the local legal community.. In addition to his practice, John is actively involved in the local legal community. He is a member of the California Lawyers Association Family Law Section, the Hispanic Bar Association of Orange County, the Orange County Bar Association Family Law Section, and Project Youth OC (where John is an Officer of the Associate Board).

James (Jim) Parke was born in Los Angeles and has practiced law in California for more than 35 years.. An esteemed expert in all areas of family law, Jim has served as an adjunct professor of family law at Trinity Law School and a lecturer, panelist and speaker throughout California. He regularly contributes to divorce recovery workshops and speaks at the Public Law Center of Orange County on family law issues.. Jim is AV Peer Review Rated (the highest rating) by and has been listed as a Super Lawyer since 2004. He is a member of State Bar of California, Orange County Bar Association, Celtic Bar Association, World Affairs Council, and Orange County Jewish Bar Association. Additionally, he is a Founding Fellow of the Society of Fellows of the Orange County Bar Foundation, fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyer and co-dean of the 2013 Annual Institute of Trial Advocacy.. Jim graduated from California State University at Fullerton in 1975 and Pepperdine University in 1978.

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 State Supreme Court (January – May 1987).  She was admitted to the California State Bar in 1987 (and the U.S. Central District of California in 1988) and has practiced law in Orange County thereafter.. Ms. Whisnant started her legal career as a civil attorney handling various business litigation matters.  She has been practicing family law exclusively since 1991 and has been a Certified Family Law Specialist with the State Bar of California since 1996.  She has been appointed Judge Pro Tem with the Orange County Superior Court and has authored family law articles including “Division of Community Property: How Many Bites of the Apple do the Parties Really Get?” (Orange County Lawyer, August 1996.  See attached); Ms. Whisnant has also lectured on various family law issues, including: “Recent Developments in Family Law” (CEB, 1996); “Analyzing Separate Property and Transmutation Contributions” (CEB, January 2007).. Ms. Whisnant has an AV Rating with Martindale Hubbell.  She has been named by the Los Angeles Magazine as one of the 50 top female attorneys in Southern California and has been recognized by this magazine since 2002 as one of Orange County’s Super Lawyers.. She is a member of the Orange County Bar Association and has served on its Board of Directors (1998-1999; 2001-2003).  She is also a member of the Family Law Section of the Orange County Bar and has served on its Executive Committee (1999-2003).  She is a past and current member of the Judiciary Committee of the Orange County Bar Association, a special section of the Bar formed to evaluate candidates seeking judicial appointments through the Governor’s office and/or through the election process (1998-2003; 2007-2010).. While Ms. Whisnant handles all facets of the marital dissolution process including child and spousal support, custody and visitation, characterization and division of property, she focuses primarily on dissolutions with complex business and real estate issues involving self-employed parties, issues of cash flow, valuation and characterization, tracing of community and separate property interests and assets and creative division and resolution of such issues.  The “dream team” she establishes for her clients usually includes a seasoned forensic accountant as well as estate planning, real estate, corporate and/or other experts when needed.  Regardless of the size or complexity of the case, effective and efficient resolution of the problem is always the first priority.

It is my goal is to provide my clients with outstanding legal representation. To accomplish that, I seek to: (1) take the time necessary to understand your personal circumstances, needs, goals, and concerns; (2) be well-informed of new developments in the law and how those developments affect you; (3) utilize the most suitable, efficient, and cost-effective strategies to accomplish your objectives; and (4) provide you the peace of mind that you have hired an attentive, responsive and caring attorney to help you through difficult times.

I have exclusively practiced family law in Southern California since the time I was licensed as an attorney nearly a decade ago. I graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a double major in political science and international relations and recieved my Juris Doctorate from Chapman University School of Law. I have advocated for clients ranging from high-net-worth individuals, business owners, blue collar workers, stay-at-home parents and pro per litigants (self-represented parties). In each scenario, no matter the client, I have always prided myself in providing the same level of expertise, respect, and attention to each case I work on.. Litigation is not always the only option, although it may be in some scenarios. Whether it be limited finances or resources, poor health, preservation of your family unit or lack of time that prohibit litigation in court, I have been able to work with clients in resolving disputes and negotiating while outside of court as well. When appropriate, I have been able to guide clients through a collaborative approach that addresses all aspects of divorce by minimizing conflict, reducing unnecessary costs, and promoting a more positive outcome for you and your family.. I founded my firm out of a desire to meet my client’s legal needs. I pay attention to detail and know how to properly move your case to resolution so that you are not stuck in limbo or frustration. I deliver “big firm” advocacy and proficiency but more efficiently and affordably.. I have successfully represented clients in all aspects of their family law matter including but not limited to: dissolutions, paternity actions, breach of fiduciary duty, litigation of premarital agreements, fraudulent transfers, modifications of child and spousal support, termination of support, establishing and modifying custody and visitation orders, request for and defending move aways, child custody and Evidence Code Section 730 Evaluations etc. I am also fluent in Farsi.. When I am not working, I enjoy spending quality time and traveling with my husband and children.