Family Law

I mediate all aspects of divorces and other partnerships dissolutions, including asset division, child custody and support issues. I also assist clients with pre-marital, marital and partnership agreements. I prefer to mediate because it allows me to help clients reach balanced and fair solutions, not only for themselves but also for their children, in a respectful, cost effective and timely way. I also offer consultations for clients who are in mediation with someone else or who seek an understanding of their legal rights and obligations.

• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

• Child Support
• Custody
• Visitation

• Domestic Partnerships
• Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
• Living Together/Cohabitation
• Marriage
• Power of Attorney
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Divorce

I mediate all aspects of divorces and other partnerships dissolutions, including asset division, child custody and support issues. I also assist clients with pre-marital, marital and partnership agreements. I prefer to mediate because it allows me to help clients reach balanced and fair solutions, not only for themselves but also for their children, in a respectful, cost effective and timely way. I also offer consultations for clients who are in mediation with someone else or who seek an understanding of their legal rights and obligations.

• Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support

CA, May 1981
Bar Number: 98109

Not applicable

California State and Federal Courts

State Bar of California, Alameda County Bar Association, Contra Costa Bar Association

I focus my continuing education on family law, mediation and child development and usually exceed the hours required by the State Bar Association..

I have authored over 25 articles/reports/books and given well over 50 public presentations in the USA, Europe and Asia. My publications mostly focus on international human rights and in particular the right to self-determination of the Tibetan people.

Most of my cases are divorces in which I mediate all child related and financial issues. Some of my clients come with a high degree of anger and much conflict, others have a more amiable and cooperative relationship and seek legal clarification and help resolving a few remaining difficult issue. At the end of the process I prepare a written settlement agreement and, if clients wish, all the legal forms required by the court. While for some people it only takes 1-2 sessions to reach full agreement, many of my clients take 3-5 sessions to resolve all issues.

1

California, Louisiana, and Federated States of Micronesia

I focus on family law. I established my Mediation and Law Office in Kensington in 1993 and moved my practice to Albany in 2006.

From 1981-1985, I worked as a legal aid attorney in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and served as directing attorney for the Micronesian Legal Services Corporation in Truk, Federated States of Micronesia in the Pacific. I then worked for Lyon & Beverly, a small firm in Kensington, focusing on family law litigation, until I started my own office in 1993.

I have a passion for human rights and have volunteered thousands of hours over the years for the cause of Tibet. As president of the International Committee of Lawyers for Tibet, I advised and assisted the Tibetan Government in Exile, headed by the Dalai Lama, on issues ranging from autonomy, democracy building in exile to political advocacy at the United Nations and many other international fora.

No

None

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

No

No

Not applicable.

$300 per hour.

I am glad to speak with people on the phone, free of charge, about how I can best assist them, whether mediation may be a good option for them and about any concerns and questions they may have about the process. For mediation sessions and legal consultations I charge at my hourly rate.

None, clients pay at the end of each session.