California Divorce Consulting Attorney

As a California divorce consulting attorney and legal strategist with over three decades of experience, I bring a distinctive approach to family law. My practice integrates extensive legal knowledge with mindfulness techniques, offering clients a path to navigate divorce and separation with compassion and resilience.

California Divorce Consulting Services

I specialize in California divorce consulting and legal strategy development, offering virtual hourly consultations to guide you through complex divorce proceedings. My services encompass:

Comprehensive divorce strategy planning for every phase of the process
Advice on property division and asset preservation
Analysis and planning for spousal support scenarios
Review and explanation of prenuptial and postnuptial agreements
Tailored strategies for legal separation and its implications
Preparation and coaching for mediation, settlement conferences, and trials
Second opinions for clients working with other lawyers or mediators
Guidance on child custody arrangements and parenting plans
Clear explanations of California family law and how it applies to your specific circumstances

My approach considers all aspects of the divorce process, ensuring you have a clear understanding of your rights, options, and potential outcomes under California law. Whether you’re in the early stages of considering divorce, navigating ongoing proceedings, or seeking a second opinion on your current legal strategy, I provide customized advice to help you make informed decisions aligned with your long-term goals and values.

Experience in California Divorce Law

Throughout my career spanning over three decades, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with distinguished attorneys and judges across California and beyond, including Marin, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Napa, and Hawaii. My experience extends internationally to Singapore and Mexico, giving me a broad perspective on complex family law matters.

My legal career includes notable positions such as:

Associate family law trial attorney to Max Gutierrez of Morgan Lewis, recognized by The Best Lawyers in America in both family law and trusts and estates.
Associate family law trial attorney to Super Lawyers Stephen Bruce Bley and Samantha Bley DeJean, specializing in high-asset, high-conflict divorces.
Co-counsel in the family law trial that led to the California Courts of Appeal landmark opinion on mediation privilege in In re Marriage of Kieturakis (2006)
Mediator for the Sonoma Superior Court No-Fee Mediation panel.
Family law mediation instructor for San Francisco Community Boards.

My approach is uniquely shaped by both my extensive legal background and my training in compassion and mindfulness. I’m certified in Applied Compassion Training from Stanford University Medical School’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education and have completed Mindfulness Mentor Training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach. This combination allows me to offer robust legal strategies while empowering clients with self-compassion and mindfulness tools to navigate the emotional aspects of divorce and foster long-term recovery.

I’m also a published author, contributing a chapter titled “Making a Case for Self-Compassion as Core Curriculum in Law School” to the anthology “Healing While Studying: Reflections and Strategies for Healing, Coping, and Liberation of Graduate Students of Minoritized Identities” (2024, Information Age Publishing).

This unique blend of legal expertise and compassion-focused training enables me to provide a holistic approach to divorce consulting, addressing both the legal complexities and emotional challenges my clients face.

California Divorce Attorney In the Media

My extensive experience in family law, innovative approach to divorce consulting, and pioneering work in online legal resources have been recognized by several prominent publications. As one of the first family law attorneys to establish an online presence, I created The Modern Woman’s Divorce Guide, which received honorable mentions from the Webby Awards. My insights have been featured in:

Entrepreneur.com highlighted my transition from traditional law practice to entrepreneurship in their article “Business Law: Have you heard the one about the lawyer becoming an entrepreneur? It’s no joke“
Time Magazine Online sought my insights on relationship dynamics in their piece “How to Tell If Your Relationship Will Survive the Holidays“
Main Street featured my advice on post-divorce finances in two articles: “Splitting Up Your Finances After You Split and Hell Hath No Fury Like an Expensive Divorce”
Expert Beacon published my guidance on blended families in “Considerations When Dating a Man Who Has a Different Parenting Style”

Legal Education + Training

My unique approach to divorce consulting is informed by a diverse educational background that combines legal expertise with compassion-focused training:

Applied Compassion Training (ACT) at Stanford University’s Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE): A year-long immersive program culminating in my capstone project, “Lawyer Love Thyself – Apply Self-Compassion in the Practice of Law.”
Mindfulness Mentor Training with Jack Kornfield and Tara Brach: Developed skills in deep listening and creating supportive environments for personal transformation during life transitions.
The Harvard Negotiation Project with Roger Fisher: Learned innovative approaches to conflict resolution and value creation in negotiations.
Understanding Conflict Mediation training with Gary Friedman at The Center for Understanding and Conflict: Gained insights into effective mediation techniques for divorce and family law cases.
Equanimity retreat with Neuroscientist Rick Hanson, PhD: Explored the intersection of neuroscience and mindfulness practices.
Juris Doctorate in Law and Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration

Additional training includes Integrative Way Tai Chi at Esalen Institute, studies in spiritual psychology at the University of Santa Monica, and meditation practices with the Self Realization Fellowship.

Compassionate Guidance for Your California Divorce Journey

Every divorce is distinct, and I’m committed to providing personalized, confidential guidance that respects your intelligence and autonomy. As your divorce consultant, I understand the emotional and legal complexities you face. I’m here to help you navigate this challenging transition, offering strategies that not only address your legal needs but also support your emotional well-being. Together, we’ll create a path forward that honors your values, protects your interests, and lays the groundwork for a positive post-divorce future.

Schedule Your California Divorce Consultation

Ready to navigate your divorce with compassion and resilience? Schedule a virtual California divorce consultation today to discuss your unique situation and explore your options.