Just a little over four years ago, Penny and I indulged the wild idea that we could create a “boutique” family law firm toward providing my valued clients “concierge service” and otherwise practicing in a uniquely elevated manner. I made the leap from being a long-time partner at the biggest firm in Ventura County, and […]
Santa Barbara’s Casa Serena just elevated HLG’s Executive Director, Erin Schaden, as its incoming new Chair. Casa Serena’s mission is to (1) provide effective treatment services and a safe, sober living environment to women seeking recovery from the disease of alcoholism or from substance abuse, (2) introduce them to the philosophy of Alcoholics Anonymous and […]
While attending our annual AAML national meetings in Chicago in early November, we watched as my hometown of Paradise, California burned to the ground in mere hours. My 80-something parents lost everything. My sister’s, Christine, family saw their home singed but spared. They were all blessed to have been invited to evacuate to the home […]
Domestic violence (“DV”) is a potential game-changer in child custody contests. In 2014’s Assembly Bill (“AB”) 2089, the Legislature expressly declared, among other findings, “[t]here is a positive correlation between [DV] and child abuse, and children, even when they are not physically assaulted, suffer deep and lasting emotional, health, and behavioral effects from exposure to […]