Family Law

My preference is to handle family law matters for clients who place the welfare of their children first, who have enough self knowledge to be able to help me plan their cases efficiently in order to achieve their primary goals, and who participate actively by good faith efforts at honest communication at every stage of the legal proceedings.

• Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
• Restraining Orders

• Domestic Violence

• Child Support
• Children's Rights
• Custody
• Paternity
• Visitation

• Civil Unions
• Domestic Partnerships
• Living Together/Cohabitation
• Marriage
• Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements

Divorce

My preference is to handle family law matters for clients who place the welfare of their children first, who have enough self knowledge to be able to help me plan their cases efficiently in order to achieve their primary goals, and who participate actively by good faith efforts at honest communication at every stage of the legal proceedings.

• Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
• Annulment

CA, Dec 1992
Bar Number: 161300

Supreme Court of California, Federal District Court, 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

California State Bar, American Bar Association, San Mateo County Bar Association, Santa Clara County Bar Association (member of Family Law Sections for all four associations; member of the Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section for the ABA)

Ongoing continuing education in all areas of family law, including child custody & child development, psychology, ethics, ADR, pro tem training, complex property litigation, discovery, county-specific rules, etc.. Most recently, I have completed a 40 hour Mediation Training with the Northern California Mediation Center.

"Making Your Way Through Small Claims Court," Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington, D.C., Area reprint series, "The Essentials of Arts Management."

From 1982 to 1984, I wrote feature articles and Art Reviews for the Palo Alto Weekly and my reviews have been published in Artweek and Present Tense.

My favorite cases over the years have been the cases where at the outset, when I am retained, my client has been put at a severe disadvantage and perhaps deprived of visitation for one reason or another, and by the end of the case, with my help, she/he has achieved an appropriate timeshare, a restored and balanced relationship with her/his kids, an equal balance of power with the other spouse, a fair division of property, and confidence in better parenting skills and/or relationship skills. These are my "big cases," although no one outside of my office will ever know about them.

1

California

In 1996, I decided to open up my own solo practice, and have enjoyed having an office of my own. I have focused on family law, with a small, select group of art law clients.

Law Office of Valerie L. Patten established in present location in 1996.
Hoover and Associates, San Jose, California (family law firm) 1993-1996.
Legal Advocates for Children and Youth, Staff Attorney (1992-1993).
Law Clerk for Garfinkle and Associates, Washington, D.C. (family and art law) 1990 - 1992.
Legal Intern for Washington Area Lawyers for the Arts, Washington, D.C.

Volunteer Work for the Courts:

Santa Clara County Superior Court: Family Law: In 1999, I volunteered to mediate personal property division ("pots and pans"); then later as I gained experience I have been honored to be chosen to assist the Court with settlement conferences as well as settlement officer conferences, and have handled the default calendar.

San Mateo County Superior Court: For the last three years, I have participated in Community Law Night, and I have recently begun to volunteer on Fridays at the Facilitator's Office (Family Law).

I have been appointed by the Court to represent children in high conflict cases in Santa Clara County.

Seminars: NBI "Child Custody and Visitation in California," January 2003, April 2006, and June 2007 in San Jose, CA.

Volunteer Attorney: Pro Bono Panel Member, San Jose, CA, 2002-2004.

Guardianship Panel, Legal Advocates for Children and Youth, 1993 - 2000.

Collaborated in original draft of Guardianship Manual for Legal Advocates for Children and Youth, 1993.

Board Memberships include Young Audiences of San Jose/Silicon Valley (secretary in 2000), DanceVisions (Palo Alto), and currently I am the President of the Friends of San Pedro Valley Park (Pacifica) which is my first experience with San Mateo County supported volunteer groups with environmental/educational concerns.

In 1994 and 1995, I presented lectures on contracts and copyright at San Francisco State, San Jose State, and for California Lawyers for the Arts (at the Fort Mason Center and in Oakland).

In 1993, I taught a continuing education course at San Jose State in the Art Department called "Legal Aspects of Career Development for Artists".

Also in 1993, I was a Guest Lecturer for the Tuesday Evening Lecture Series at the Art Department, San Jose State, on the topic, "Artistic Appropriation of Images."

I taught Painting & Drawing at San Francisco State University in 1994 and 1995 as an Assistant Professor in the Art Department, and at the University of Montana in 1984.

I have exhibited my art in several one person shows, including the DeSaisset Museum at Santa Clara University and the Henry Gallery at the University of Washington in Seattle. I was selected for the Hassam and Speicher Exhibition at the American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters in New York City, and have exhibited in over 30 group shows and in Los Angeles at the Orlando Gallery.

Other community volunteer work: Center for Talented Youth, John Hopkins University, annual award ceremony: I currently serve as a local head registrar for this wonderful event.

1977-1985 volunteer, weekly art class in the North Santa Clara County Jail.

Nefris Mena

Monday through Friday
11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Generally by appointment

Yes

Nefris speaks Spanish

None

$350.

$175 for a one hour consultation

$3,500 - $6,000