Law Office of Matthew J. Long

Professional, Confident, Realistic Advice

This lawyer is licensed to practice in California and has no record of discipline from the California bar association.*

Firm Overview

My firm is focused on providing the full range of mediation, collaborative practice, and litigation alternatives to resolving difficult property, custody, and support disputes in a reasonable and cost effective manner.

Example cases

I represented the mother in re Marriage of Williams (2001) 88 Cal. App. 4th 808, which stands for the proposition that a family law court may enter an order which has the effect of separating siblings only when compelling circumstances dictate that such a separation is in the children's best interest, and that it must articulate those circumstances in a manner that permits meaningful appellate review. The trial court's order, providing that the oldest and youngest of four children would live in Utah with the mother, and that the remaining two children would live in Santa Barbara with the father, was overturned .

Main Office

Main
100 E De La Guerra Street
Santa Barbara CA 93101

Phone

(805) 963-1994

Fax

(805) 963-1997

Websites

http://www.santabarbaradivorcelaw.com

Fees

Free Initial Consultation?

I waive the fee for the first half our of our initial consultation in both the mediation and attorney context. Initial consultations in the mediation context are generally performed with both clients present, they last no more than a half hour, and are generally devoted to defining the mediation process and my roll as a mediator. Initial consultations in the attorney context usually last an hour and a half (and therefore cost $325 at my current hourly rate) and are designed to help you identify your highest needs and goals, as well as to identify the process options most likely to achieve those goals.

Services Offered For Fixed Fees?

When serving as a mediator, I charge a flat fee of $325 (or $350 if children are involved), for the preparation of the Judicial Counsel forms necessary to file and complete the court proceeding. All other services are performed on an hourly basis.

Hourly Rates

$325.

Office Information

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Office Manager

Wistosis "Willie" Parker

Emergency After Hours

Languages Spoken

How did your firm decide on the primary area of practice(s)?

I believe my even temperament gives me an advantage in the emotionally charged field of family law.

What is your firm's point of view regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?

I encourage my clients to educate themselves on the legal issues, and in fact I believe that to be one of my primary services as an attorney. I rarely attempt to tell clients what to do, but instead I try to make the client's choices clear from a legal and practical standpoint.

Is your firm willing to review documents prepared by clients?

I am willing to review documents prepared by clients. However, I also advise clients that there are times when it may be more cost effective to have me draft documents rather than incurring what can sometimes be significant attorney time in reviewing and editing client prepared documents. Again, these are choices I ask clients to make after careful consideration of the pros and cons of those choices.

Is your firm willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?

I am happy to coach clients who wish to represent themselves.

Matthew J. Long

I have been providing family law and estate planning services since 1992. I taught community property at the Southern California Institute of Law for ten years. In 2000, I obtained extensive training in mediation and in 2003 I expanded my practice to include collaboraative family law.

I spent several years as a "blue collar" worker before going to college. I learned to honor and appreciate simple hard labor and those who engage in it. In college I learned the basics of business, accounting, and finance. I married during law school, joining a family with two young girls. My wife and I had two sons of our own. My family has struggled with various mental health issues and we divorced after 15 years of marriage. These experiences have given me a greater understanding of my clients' day to day business and family struggles.

My strength lies in avoiding engaging in the emotional rollercoaster often characteristic of family law litigation. Instead I work at providing steady, calming, forward movement which is focused on my client's long term interests rather than on short term "positions." This steady process may take time, as does any reasonable problem solving method, but it has a much greater probability of achieving the "good divorce" that most clients really want.

Personal interests:

Politics, philosophy, personal growth, and my children's growth.

License

Bar Number: 150097
California , 1990

Education

McGeorge School of Law, University of the Pacific
Juris Doctor , 1990
Sacramento, CA
Order of the Coif, Class Rank: top 10%, American Jurisprudence Award in Contracts, Traynor Honor Society, Community Legal Services Family Law Clinic Supervisory Board
California State University
Bachelor of Science in Business Administration , 1987
Long Beach, CA

* Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the state agency that licenses lawyers. Any past disbarments and suspensions (with possible exceptions for minor violations or nonpayment of dues, in our discretion) will be indicated accordingly in the badge. Member attorneys are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any state licensing agency.