Best Family Lawyer in Los Angeles
Daniel R. Sallus
Family Lawyer
Daniel Sallus is a partner of Stone & Sallus, LLP focusing on business litigation, business and real estate transactions, estate planning, entity formations, and real estate litigation. Born and raised in the Los Angeles area, Daniel obtained his B.S. in Management from the Eller School of Business and a minor in Spanish at the University of Arizona. Previously he worked at a large bank where he interacted with businesses and obtained a deeper understanding of their needs.
While in college, Daniel started investing in real estate and was able to pay his way through his undergraduate studies by managing and renting the investment property.
Daniel was accepted to Thomas Jefferson School of Law where he received a merit-based scholarship. Throughout law school, Daniel was awarded both Distinguished Honor Roll and Honor Roll and was selected to clerk for the San Diego Public Defender’s Office.
Daniel has represented several tech companies, VC’s, business owners, realtors, doctors, and a wide array of professionals in both business and real estate matters. He has participated in countless court and motion hearings obtaining favorable outcomes in numerous cases.
Daniel has served as a co-author and editor for the CEB’s estate planning section’s continuing legal education. This organization serves to educate lawyers regarding new laws in estate planning and administration and how they impact distribution of assets.
Outside of law, Daniel has a passion for investing in real estate and is an active member in the South Bay community contributing his time in various community service projects. Daniel is licensed to practice law in both Arizona and California and is a member of the South Bay Bar association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, American Bar Association, Culver Marina Bar association, and Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Zahra Rawjee Esq.
Family Lawyer
Zahra Rawjee is the principal attorney and founder of Progresso Legal Group. Since 2015, she has successfully provided legal services and defended numerous clients with great effectiveness.
Admitted to practice in California, Zahra has focused her career almost entirely on criminal and family law.
Areas of Expertise:
- Criminal law
- Family Law
Zahra earned her Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern Law School. During her education, she worked as a family law judicial intern for the Honorable Harvey Silberman at the Los Angeles Superior Court. She also volunteered time at the Santa Monica Domestic Violence Clinic.
She completed her BA in Sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles in 2010, graduating cum laude.
Zahra chose the legal field because of her reasonable, practical and caring nature, qualities she considers essential to providing effective representation. She strives to explain her clients’ cases clearly, providing advice, assistance and comprehensive and meaningful representation.
Originally from Los Angeles, Zahra attended the Lycée Français de Los Angeles (high school).
- English
- Spanish
- French
Hossein Berenji
Family Lawyer
Hossein Berenji, owner of Berenji & Associates Divorce Lawyers, is a seasoned divorce lawyer with a practice focused on complex, high net worth divorces.
His commitment to providing aggressive, high-quality representation has led to consistent multi-million-dollar property settlements and countless favorable alimony and child support judgments throughout Los Angeles County. Whether it’s fiercely litigating a case through trial when the opposition is unreasonable or obtaining the best settlement for a client who wants to avoid a lengthy, painful court battle, he is known for using his vast courtroom and negotiation experience to attain optimal resolutions tailored to meet the needs of each client.
In addition to divorce litigation, Hossein has extensive experience handling:
- Spousal support
- Child Custody and visitation matters
- Child support and paternity disputes
- Pre- and post-nuptial agreements.
Hossein has been recognized by numerous legal organizations for his outstanding work as a family law attorney, he is regularly consulted by media outlets about high-profile family law cases, and he regularly supports and volunteers his time to public service organizations in Southern California.
Kenneth Reyes, Esq
Family Lawyer
Mr. Reyes is the founder and Managing Partner of the Law Offices of Kenneth U. Reyes, APLC since 1999. Mr. Reyes is a Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. He has has extensive family law and civil litigation experience. Mr. Reyes handles mostly high net worth divorce cases involving complex financial issues including business valuation and characterization.
Prior to becoming an attorney, Mr. Reyes practiced as a CPA for 10 years for various firms and financial institutions including Arthur Andersen, LLP and Bank of America. In addition to handling family law cases, Mr. Reyes also handles immigration and estates and trust cases.
Mr. Reyes was Chairman, President, and former Board Member of the Philippine American Bar Association. He is a member of the Los Angeles County Bar Association family law section, estates and trusts section, and immigration law section. Mr. Reyes is also a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). Mr. Reyes is admitted to practice in the California Supreme Court and the United States District Court Central District of California.
Mr. Reyes obtained his Juris Doctor degree from Southwestern University School of Law. He obtained his Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Public Accounting from California State University at San Bernardino. He is a recipient of the CALI Excellence for the future award in International Income Taxation and Exceptional Achievement Award in Tax Administration and Litigation.
Stephen Chen
Family Lawyer
Stephen Chen is a Certified Family Law Specialist (“CFLS”), has been selected as a top rated Family Law attorney in Los Angeles, California and is a Super Lawyers Rising Star for 2018 through 2023. Furthermore, Stephen has been recognized as a top 100 Super Lawyers Rising Star across all areas of law for 2021 through 2023 and was recently featured on the cover of 2023 Super Lawyers Rising Stars magazine.
During his time practicing Family Law, Stephen’s primary goal has always been to achieve the best possible results for his clients while also being as cost efficient as possible in his approach.
Stephen graduated from Loyola Law School, where he found his passion for Family Law. Prior to law school, Stephen attended the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) where he graduated with a B.A. in Political Science.
Lynette Kim
Family Lawyer
Hi, I’m Lynette Kim, mediator and collaborative attorney.
Compassion for my clients is important to me, and that’s why I’ve remained a family law practitioner for over 20 years — and still love what I do.
I’m keenly aware of the emotional toll divorce can have on you and your family. As you navigate the rough waters of transition, my team and I will help you find your balance. We’re here to support you in making the best decisions for your future.
As a child, I didn’t realize what my parents’ unhappy relationship would mean for me in the long run. They divorced when I was 10 years old in South Korea, and if I didn’t know my father well at the time of the separation, it wasn’t long before the estrangement was completely solidified. After their divorce, my mom, older sister, and I immigrated to Southern California to join my aunts. My dad remained in South Korea, and I never saw him again.
Although I grew up without particularly missing my dad since we didn’t have a close relationship even before the divorce, the way my parents handled their divorce had a profound impact on how I viewed relationships as an adult and my ingrained perspective towards marriage.
Thomas Sands
Family Lawyer
Attorney Thomas D Sands is a prominent and respected transactional and litigation attorney licensed in the State of California and Hawaii. Thomas is the founder and CEO of The Sands Law Group, and has dedicated his entire legal career to high-quality but cost-conscious representation to individual consumers and businesses in a variety of complex and challenging cases. Thomas is committed to serving his clients with attentive, timely, and effective representation.
Throughout his career, Attorney Thomas D Sands has been a fierce advocate of those in need of legal representation. Thomas’ commitment has helped create a positive reputation in the legal and local community. This positive feedback coupled with years of experience has positioned Thomas to understand why consumers and businesses need a strong advocate to represent them while at the same time being cost-conscious. Prioritizing client needs first and litigating aggressively have helped to secure clients with the best possible outcome.
Thomas believes like all other industries; the highest quality of service leads to the highest quality result. Throughout his career, Thomas has successfully handled hundreds of cases in civil litigation, family law, contested bankruptcy cases, real property disputes, and a variety of other complex legal issues, and remains focused on achieving the best possible outcomes for the firm’s clients, which is highlighted by his previous cases.
Charles M. Green
Family Lawyer
Charles Green is a distinguished Family Law attorney and Certified Family Law Specialist with over 25 years of experience in skillfully representing clients in the complex arena of divorce and family law. Charles earned his B.B.A. from Hofstra University in 1985, followed by an MBA in Public Accountancy from City University of New York, Bernard Baruch College, in 1989. He later obtained his Juris Doctorate from Southwestern University School of Law in Los Angeles, California in 1998.
Before becoming an attorney, Charles gained valuable audit and tax experience working at several international, New York, and local accounting and business management firms. This background as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) provides Charles with a unique perspective on financial matters that frequently arise in divorce cases, ensuring his clients are well-informed about their financial rights and the true value of community property.
Charles is renowned for his empathy, legal acumen, and exceptional communication skills, which enable him to guide clients through the emotional and challenging process of divorce with understanding and support. His commitment to transparency and open dialogue ensures that clients remain actively involved in their cases, leading to more satisfactory outcomes.
As a firm believer in negotiation and mediation, Charles endeavors to resolve disputes amicably whenever possible, saving clients time, money, and emotional distress. However, when necessary, he is a fierce and tenacious litigator, unafraid to take cases to trial to protect his clients’ best interests.
With his unique blend of legal expertise, financial knowledge, and genuine care for his clients, Charles Green stands out among his legal and financial professional peers in the practice of California Law, making him the ideal choice for those seeking a dedicated and knowledgeable advocate in their divorce and family law matters.
Understanding Child Custody Considerations in Domestic Violence Situations
Child custody cases are complex, and when domestic violence is involved, the considerations become even more critical. Courts prioritize the safety and well-being of the child, and domestic violence can significantly impact custody decisions. This guide provides an overview of the factors involved in determining child custody in situations where domestic violence is a concern.
1. Best Interests of the Child
- Primary Consideration: The court’s primary concern in any custody case is the best interests of the child. This includes ensuring the child’s physical and emotional safety, stability, and overall well-being.
- Impact of Domestic Violence: Evidence of domestic violence is a significant factor in determining what is in the child’s best interests. A parent with a history of violence may be deemed unfit for custody if it poses a risk to the child.
2. Types of Custody
- Physical Custody: Refers to where the child lives and who is responsible for their daily care. In domestic violence situations, the abusive parent is less likely to receive physical custody.
- Legal Custody: Involves decision-making authority regarding the child’s upbringing, including education, healthcare, and religious practices. A court may limit the legal custody rights of an abusive parent to protect the child.
3. Evaluating Domestic Violence
- Evidence Consideration: Courts review all evidence of domestic violence, including police reports, protective orders, and witness testimonies. The severity, frequency, and recentness of the abuse are also considered.
- Impact on Child: The court will assess how the domestic violence has affected the child. Children who witness or are exposed to domestic violence can suffer emotional and psychological harm, which the court will weigh heavily.
4. Protective Measures
- Supervised Visitation: In cases where the court grants visitation to an abusive parent, it may require supervision during visits to ensure the child’s safety.
- Restraining Orders: A court may issue restraining orders to protect the child and the non-abusive parent from the violent parent. This can include provisions that limit contact or require the abusive parent to stay away from the child’s home and school.
5. Parental Rights
- Termination of Rights: In severe cases, where the domestic violence poses a significant threat to the child’s safety, the court may terminate the abusive parent’s rights entirely.
- Rehabilitation and Counseling: Some courts may require the abusive parent to undergo counseling or rehabilitation programs as a condition for maintaining any form of custody or visitation rights.
6. Legal Representation and Advocacy
- Importance of Legal Counsel: Navigating child custody in the context of domestic violence requires expert legal guidance. A skilled attorney can help present evidence, advocate for the child’s safety, and navigate the complexities of the legal system.
- Advocacy for the Child: In some cases, the court may appoint a Guardian ad Litem (GAL) or a child advocate to represent the child’s interests and ensure their voice is heard in the proceedings.
7. Long-Term Considerations
- Impact on Future Custody Arrangements: Domestic violence can have long-term implications for custody. Even if the abusive parent has shown signs of change, the court will continue to prioritize the child’s safety in any future custody modifications.
- Ongoing Monitoring: The court may order ongoing monitoring or periodic reviews of the custody arrangement to ensure the child remains safe and well cared for.
Conclusion
Child custody cases involving domestic violence require careful consideration of the child’s best interests, with a focus on ensuring their safety and emotional well-being. The courts take domestic violence allegations seriously and have a range of protective measures they can implement to safeguard the child. For parents facing such situations, seeking legal advice and support is crucial to navigating the complex legal landscape and securing the best possible outcome for their child.