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Emily Doskow
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Emily Doskow
Emily Doskow, Attorney at Law
1010 Grayson Street
Suite 2
Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: (510) 540-8311 | Fax: (510) 540-6305
http://www.emilydoskow.com
Serving LGBT families with pride for 17 years
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I welcome new clients in all areas of my practice, including adoption, parentage, and relationship formation and dissolution.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Name Changes
- Adoptions
- Paternity
- Civil Unions
- Domestic Partnerships
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I welcome new clients in all areas of my practice, including adoption, parentage, and relationship formation and dissolution.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1989
Bar Number: 145463
Other Court Admissions
I am admitted to practice in all California Courts and the Northern and Eastern District Federal Courts.
Association Memberships
Alameda County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I comply with my State Bar requirement of at least 25 hours of continuing legal education every three years by attending courses in my legal specialty, including topics like domestic partnership laws, dissolution and finances, and parentage issues. In addition to the state bar requirements, I participate in the National Center for Lesbian Rights family law committee, which meets regularly to discuss changes in the law and in local practice and procedures; I also use numerous list-serves to stay in touch with my colleagues, which helps keep me up to date on what's happening in this volatile area.
Papers and Publications
Author, Nolo's Essential Guide to Divorce (Nolo)
Coauthor, Do Your Own California Adoption: A Guide for Stepparents and Domestic Partners (Nolo)
Coauthor, A Legal Guide for Lesbian & Gay Couples (Nolo)
Coauthor, The Guardianship Book for California (Nolo)
Coauthor, How to Change your Name in California (Nolo)
Coauthor, Becoming a Mediator (Nolo)
Author, "The Second-Parent Trap: Parenting for Same-Sex Couples in a Brave New World," Journal of Juvenile Law, 1999
Example Cases
In the area of family law, I've completed over 200 same-sex adoptions and was among the first attorneys to use an innovative legal procedure to establish parentage under the Uniform Parentage Act.
I have litigated important insurance and discrimination cases, including a case that resulted in a federal court opinion establishing significant rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and a case that forced the Berkeley Unified School District to provide appropriate training for all employees on issues of abuse and discrimination.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
University of California at Santa Cruz
City:
Santa Cruz
State:
CA
Year:
1984
Honors:
Honors in Literature
Focus and Accomplishments:
Major: Literature
Degree:
J.D.
School:
University of California at Berkeley, Boalt Hall School of Law
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1989
Focus and Accomplishments:
Member of Berkeley Law Foundation, Boalt Hall Women's Association, and Boalt Hall Lesbian & Gay Caucus
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
My practice is focused on helping people through life transitions--bringing children into their lives, solidifying their legal relationships through domestic partnership or written legal agreements, or dissolving legal relationships with a minimum of cost and stress. I have been in private practice for most of my 17 years as an attorney, having opened my own law office with a partner immediately out of law school. I have been a solo practitioner since 1994.
Previous Employment Summary
I have always worked in the area of LGBT family law. Before focusing exclusively on family law, I litigated insurance cases on behalf of people with HIV and cancer, and abuse cases on behalf of women and girls exploited by teachers, doctors, and landlords. In 2002 I spent a year working at the Court of Appeals as a staff attorney. I have mediated cases in the area of divorce and also served as a panel mediator for the Northern District of California federal court and the First District Court of Appeal.
Activities and Awards
I'm a member of the Board of Directors of the National Center for Lesbian Rights and the Advisory Board of Our Families Coalition. I attend semi-monthly meetings of the NCLR Family Law Committee. I regularly speak about legal issues for same-sex families. I serve as a volunteer mediator for East Bay Community Mediation. I edit and author books for Nolo, the nation's premiere publisher of legal and business do-it-yourself books and software. My focus there is on lesbian and gay issues, family law, and mediation.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I'm impressed with any client who takes the time to gather information, and I fully support clients learning as much as they can about the legal issues that affect their lives. As a Nolo author, I'm committed to making legal information accessible to everyone.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
My commitment to helping make the legal system more accessible includes a willingness to review documents that clients have drafted on their own, and to offer support and advice during the drafting process. In adoption cases, I offer various options for representation, ranging from full representation to "supported self-help," which includes review of documents prepared by the clients using my instructions.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
The broad range of services I offer includes coaching for clients who want to represent themselves. I provide consulting services for clients who are in mediation and coach clients who are trying to negotiate a settlement on their own.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
It seemed like a good way to work for social justice and help individuals live free from discrimination. On a daily basis that means helping LGBT people form and protect their families, and participating in my community with all the resources that my training provides.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I've worked with the LGBT community my entire career, and understand the ways in which our legal needs are often different from those of mainstream families. My many years of involvement with the National Center for Lesbian Rights have supported this understanding and helped me merge my work for individual clients with a larger commitment to moving the entire community toward greater equality.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
My interest in LGBT family law developed over time, and I settled into it for two reasons. First, family law allows me to be part of creating families--a more positive type of work than a legal career usually offers! I meet really great people and work with them on things that are really important in their lives. Second, the legal issues in LGBT family law are constantly evolving--and can change quickly. This means I'm always working with the cutting edge of the law, which keeps things interesting.
What do you like best about your career?
My favorite aspect of my job is my wonderful clients, and having the opportunity to work with families to make sure their legal relationships are protected. I like working with my clients to find creative ways of dealing with family situations that the established legal structure doesn't necessarily recognize or support. I also enjoy working in an area where the law changes and evolves all the time.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner, and am backed by a network of local attorneys with whom I consult and brainstorm on cases. I have cooperative relationships with other attorneys, providing mutual support and coverage for vacations, etc.
What are your strengths and style?
My unique strength is the ability to put the law into plain English for clients and to support their goals and their families with flexible, affordable services. A thorough understanding of my legal specialty as well as the ins and outs of local courts and social services departments.
I'd say I am practical, compassionate, and efficient. I spend the time to make sure that the legal process is accessible and understandable to my clients. I'm a good listener and problem-solver, and stay attuned to what clients' needs and goals are. In nice notes that they send me after their cases are complete, clients have described me as warm, patient, and knowledgeable.
Personal Interests:
My interests include the SF Giants; reading; traveling; relaxing with my partner, friends, and family; and the protection of the apostrophe in the wasteland of modern punctuation.
Office Manager/Assistant
None
Fax
(510) 540-6305
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturdays by appointment
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I offer a sliding scale flat fee for adoptions. The scale goes from $500 to $4,000, with the fee chosen by the client depending on the type of services the client requests.
Hourly Rates
My regular hourly rate is $250.
Free Initial Consultation?
The initial consultation for adoption cases is included in the flat fee. For other types of cases, the initial phone call will probably give you all the information you need about whether I can handle your case and whether you want to use my services; I don't offer free consultations other than that screening call.
Typical Retainer
I don't typically ask for a retainer--fees are worked out on an individual basis.
Nolo's Licensing Check
Attorneys have passed a licensing check. Nolo has confirmed that every member attorney has a valid license and is in good standing with the applicable bar associations upon joining the directory.
Directory lawyers are required to notify Nolo immediately if they become the subject of any disciplinary action by any bar association.
