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Brittany Birnie Greene joined her father and her sister at the Birnie Law Office in April 2010.  Brittany specializes in family law, handling cases involving all aspects of family law including divorce, domestic partnership dissolution, legal separation, spousal support, child support, custody and visitation, and property characterization and division.  In addition, Brittany can help clients prepare Premarital Agreements, Post-Marital and Transmutation Agreements, Cohabitation Agreements, and Marital Settlement Agreements.. Brittany is trained in mediation and collaborative practice, and she customizes her services to meet each client’s needs and desires.  She feels that mediation and collaborative practice provide alternative processes to litigation, will result in fair and mutually agreeable resolutions, and will allow the parties to move forward with their lives and to co-parent effectively after a divorce.  While Brittany understands that not every case is suited to mediation and collaborative practice, Brittany believes in attempting to resolve the parties’ dissolution through settlement discussions and negotiation before resorting to court proceedings.  This method is often more effective and cost beneficial to clients.  In each matter, Brittany’s goal is to achieve the best result for the client through mediation, collaboration, negotiation, or, if necessary, in court.. Prior to joining the Birnie Law Office, Brittany was a family law practitioner at Flicker, Kerin, Kruger & Bissada, LLP, in Menlo Park from 2006-2010.  Brittany handled matters involving all types of dissolution matters, including real estate disputes, stock option analyses, move-away and paternity issues.  Brittany was active in the San Mateo County Bar Association, serving as the President of the Board of the Women Lawyers’ Section in 2009 and on the Executive Committee of the Barristers from 2007-2009.. Brittany earned her J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of the Law in May 2005.  During law school, she had the opportunity to study law in Norway, France, Australia and New Zealand.  She also competed in the International Competition for On-Line Dispute Resolution, finishing in the top ten against competitors from around the world.. Brittany received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of California, Berkeley.  After graduation, Brittany worked for the California Shakespeare Theater before going to law school.

Ms. Coen is a highly experienced litigator, who advocates fiercely for her clients while fostering a supportive environment that prioritizes each client’s unique needs and goals. Ms. Coen partners with each client while cultivating support, trust, and effective problem-solving.

Erik Hawkins was born on California’s Central Coast and still maintains family roots there. Erik came to Fresno in high school where he attended Clovis West High School. There he excelled academically and was a multi-sport athlete. Upon completing high school, Erik left the country to serve a church mission. Since then, his passion has been serving others in their greatest time of need.. Erik attended college and law school in the Valley. Prior to law school Erik worked as an EMT and Paramedic for nearly 8 years in Fresno County. Erik gets a thrill out of high pressure situations. While some attorneys will do whatever it takes to avoid taking a case to trial, the courtroom is where Erik excels. His years of training have taught him how to stay calm in pressure situations and how to think quickly on his feet.. Erik’s extensive knowledge of the law and cool nerves give his clients the ultimate satisfaction and peace of mind that they need while going through this difficult time. On top of that, it’s Erik’s can-do attitude and insatiable work ethic that propel him past the competition. Erik has had a number of wonderful role models in his life, all of which have contributed to his appreciation of the word “integrity.” Erik is a firm believer in the handshake and going above and beyond what is expected of him. When Erik says that he will do something, you know it will get done and get done well.. Outside of work, Erik is a husband, son, proud father, and pittie owner. Erik tries to maintain healthy balance by spending time with his family each day, attending church on Sunday, and keeping physically fit. Erik enjoys participating in triathlons and does several long distance bike rides and races each year.

Mr. Rusca is admitted to practice law before all California State Courts, and the U.S. Disctirct Court for the Eastern District of California.

The Bains Law Offices was created with the vision of providing exemplary Legal Services to the Fresno area, and the greater Central Valley. We understand that law is not a cookie cutter business and make a custom plan that best suits our clients.. The Bains Law Offices was established with the vision of providing exemplary legal services to the Fresno area and the greater Central Valley. We focus primarily on matters of family law, immigration law, and estate planning. We find innovative and personalized solutions for clients facing legal issues in any of these areas. We take great pride in providing exceptional services and creating meaningful attorney-client relationships based on a foundation of trust and integrity.. The Bains Law Offices516 West Shaw Avenue, Suite 200Fresno, California 93704

Attorney Stegall is a member of the California State Bar Association and a Certified Family Law Specialist.  She also belngs to the Family Law Section of the Fresno County Bar Association and is a founding member of the Central Valley Collaborative Law Affiliates. She is active in the local community, volunteering with Central California Legal Services, where she was named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year in 2006. Ms. Stegall is also a participating attorney with the Attorney Referral Network of the Fresno Bar Association.. Certified Legal Specialties   • Family, State of California Board of Legal Specialization, 2004Bar Admissions   • California, 1996   • U.S. District Court Eastern District of California, 1996Education   • San Joaquin College of Law, Fresno, California      o J.D. - 1996      o Law Review: San Joaquin Agricultural Law Review, 1994 - 1996Honors and Awards   • State Bar of California, 1996 - 2008   • Family Law Section of Bar, 1997 - 2008Professional Associations and Memberships   • Executive Association of Fresno, 1998 - 2008   • Fresno County Bar Association, 1996 - 2008

Mary Castro-Ayala is one of the founding partners of the law firm of Miller & Ayala. She is a native resident of Fresno and has strong ties with the local community. Ms. Castro-Ayala is a renowned family law attorney, who has participated in several high profile divorce matters and provides sound legal advice and expertise.. Ms. Castro- Ayala is sought after by family law experts as a contributing force in the area of family law. Her knowledge in the area of divorce, child custody and support issues is unmatched. If you are looking for a family law attorney in Fresno, California or any other area of the central valley, call Mary Castro-Ayala today.. Ms. Castro-Ayala graduated near the top of her law school class and has litigated several complex family law and civil matters in the Central Valley. Until recently, she was an associate with the law firm of Pascuzzi, Moore & Stoker in Fresno, California. At her previous law firm, Mary Castro-Ayala handled all of her firm’s family law matters. She was considered the go-to person for divorce, child custody and support issues.. Her experience in aggressive litigation and her compassionate demeanor make Mary Castro-Ayala an exceptional family law attorney. Ms. Castro-Ayala has successfully represented individuals and corporations from the beginning of litigation through trial and entry of the judgment. Ms. Castro-Ayala’s aggressive and compassionate approach to dissolution actions and child custody and visitation matters allows the client to feel protected and secure.. Ms. Castro-Ayala is a member of the State Bar of California, Fresno County Bar Association, and the VIP Mentoring Program. She is a graduate of San Joaquin College of Law and has a bachelor’s of science in criminology from Fresno State University.

Matthew Fletcher has been practicing law with McCormick Barstow since 1998. He is a Partner in the firm and a member of the Family Law Practice Group.  Mr. Fletcher has extensive experience in litigating family law matters, focusing his practice in this area on representing high net worth individuals in complex property division and valuation cases.

Clifton Lurkis has devoted his entire career to family law and is a Certified Family Law Specialist, having been certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization in 2009. He handles all areas of family law including child custody and visitation, child and spousal support, domestic violence restraining orders, complex property disputes including valuations of various businesses, and prenuptial agreements & postnuptial agreements.

Eileen M. Coughlan Avila’s practice of law began in 1982, when she did general litigation and managed case litigation for the federal government.  After the birth of her son in 1993, Eileen decided to devote her practice solely to family law.  She became a certified family law practitioner through the California Board of Legal Specialization in 2001.  Her practice is 100% devoted to family law and mediation.. Although her family law practice was first devoted to litigation and uncontested cases, over time Eileen has devoted more of her practice to mediation and negotiation.  She is a certified mediator through the University of California Extension Program.  In recent years, she has also been extensively trained in collaborative law and makes use of this training whenever possible in her cases.. Eileen strives to fully understand her client’s perspective and although she provides rational advice based on the law, she prides herself on being accessible to her clients.  When a client is in crisis, she will be there for that client.  She works well helping clients to form support networks, including interacting with other family members when appropriate and needed, helping to retain psychotherapists, CPAs, financial experts, vocational and custody evaluators, and other professionals as needed.. As a first generation American and having married into a Hispanic family, Eileen embraces cultural diversity and always works to be sensitive to a family’s culture.  She is also sensitive to clients' psychological issues and disabilities when these are concerns in their family law case.