Family Law Section of the California Bar

The Family Law Section was organized as part of the State Bar of California in 1978, Effective on January 1, 2018, the former Sections of the State Bar of California, including the Family Law Section, were transferred into a new independent organization called the California Lawyers Association (CLA).

The section on family law provides support to attorneys practicing family law in California including, but not limited to, "marriage, dissolution, custody and support, community property, adoptions, matrimonial mediation and other matters affecting the rights, privileges, duties, and responsibilities to the members of the family."

Upcoming events include the 2020 Annual ACFLS Spring Seminar on March 27 - March 29, 2020. BATTLE OF THE EXPERTS: PREPARING YOUR END GAME is presented by the Association of Certified Family Law Specialists. The seminar registration Includes three half days with 11 hours of MCLE and Family Law Specialization credits.

Contact Information

Membership in CYA's Family Law Section

The benefits of joining the Family Law Section include:

• access to publications such as the "Family Law News," the official publication of the State Bar of California Family Law Section, Family Law Section eNews, Case Alerts, Judge Burke's monthly case studies;
• invitations to MCLE Major Events and Programs;
• invitations to special events at major bar events including the State Bar of California Annual Meeting;
• access to Online and Self-Study Education;
• discounts on programs and quality continuing education seminars;
• current coverage on new legislation impacting family law cases in California;
• networking opportunities with many of the top divorce and matrimonial law attorneys in the state.

Members of the Family Law Section are also invited to take on leadership roles within the organization by joining a statewide or regional standing committee.

Past Chairs of the Family Law Section

The past chairs of the family law section include:

• 2017-2018    Avi Levy     Santa Monica
• 2016-2017     David L. Lederman     Antioch
• 2015-2016     Vanessa Kirker-Wrigh     Santa Barbara
• 2014-2015     Raymond R. Goldstein     Culver City
• 2012-2013     Mark Ressa    San Ramon
• 2011-2012     Chris C. Melcher    Woodland Hills
• 2010-2011     Sherry J. Peterson     Dublin
• 2009-2010     John D. Hodson     Vacaville
• 2008-2009     Jill Barr     Sacramento
• 2007-2008     George N. Seide     Encino
• 2006-2007     Mary C. Molinaro     Sacramento
• 2005-2006     Peter M. Walzer      Woodland Hills
• 2004-2005     Gregory W. Herring     Ventura
• 2003-2004     Nancy Perkovich    Sacramento
• 2002-2003     Diana L. Dorame     Napa
• 2001-2002     Katherine T. Jensen     San Juan Capistrano
• 2000-2001     Suzanne Harris     Los Angeles
• 1999-2000     David A. Fink     San Francisco
• 1998-1999     Robert C. Wood     San Diego
• 1997-1998     Andrea L. Palash     San Francisco
• 1996-1997     Camille H. Hemmer     Sacramento
• 1995-1996     Susan S. Coats     San Francisco
• 1994-1995     James A. Hennenhoefer     Vista
• 1993-1994     Melissa R. Toben     Deceased
• 1992-1993     Stephen J. Wagner     Sacramento
• 1991-1992     John D. Rothschild     Resigned
• 1990-1991     Adryenn Marie Cantor     San Diego
• 1989-1990     Lowell H. Sucherman      San Francisco
• 1988-1989     Lynne Yates-Carter      San Jose
• 1987-1988     Margaret Anderson      Santa Rosa
• 1986-1987     Ira H. Lurvey      Deceased
• 1985-1986     Pamela E. Pierson     San Francisco
• 1984-1985     Diana Richmond      San Francisco
• 1983-1984     Connolly Oyler     Santa Monica
• 1982-1983     Sandra Musser      Inactive
• 1981-1982     Spencer Brandeis      Deceased
• 1980-1981     Suzie S. Thorn     San Francisco
• 1979-1980     Robin Fairbairn     Deceased
• 1978-1979     Ruth Miller Rymer     Inactive 

Additional Resources

Family Law Attorneys in California - At Lawyer Legion, we recognize the important role that legal organizations, like the Family Law Section of the California Lawyers Association, play in supporting, educating and training attorneys. Use our directory to find a family law attorney by name or narrow your search to a particular city. For example, see how our directory works for finding family law attorneys in San Francisco, CA.

This article was last updated on Friday, January 31, 2020.