Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Family Law lawyers serving Santa Clara County, CA >
Sally Cooperrider
Back to Search Results
Sally Cooperrider
Johnson & Nixon
142 George Street
San Jose, CA 95110
Phone: (408) 287-7717 | Fax: (408) 287-0108
http://www.johnsonandnixon.com
Mediation/collaborative divorce for a positive future
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I prefer mediation and collaborative law cases.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Custody
- Paternity
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Domestic Partnerships
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Guardianships & Conservatorships
- Powers of Attorney
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I prefer mediation and collaborative law cases.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1981
Bar Number: 98328
Other Court Admissions
California (1981) U.S. District Court (1998)
Association Memberships
State Bar of California, American Bar Association, Santa Clara County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I teach continuing education classes on family law for the Pro Bono Project as well as attending seminars on the topics of family law, mediation and collaborative law. I always exceed the required number of continuing education hours.
Papers and Publications
I have written articles on family law, mediation and collaborative law for employee newsletters.
Example Cases
I handle divorces, domestic partner dissolutions, paternity cases, guardianships and adoptions. I handle many of the cases as a mediator or Collaborative Attorney.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Santa Clara University
City:
Santa Clara
State:
CA
Year:
1980
Focus and Accomplishments:
I volunteered in the law clinic, and was a member of the National Lawyers Guild
Degree:
B.A.
School:
San Jose State University
City:
San Jose
State:
CA
Year:
1977
Honors:
Summa Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
I was a volunteer writer for the San Jose Community News during my years at San Jose State. I also joined the National Lawyers Guild to start learning about the law and lawyers.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I practice primarily family law, with an emphasis on mediation and collaborative law. I also do estate planning (wills and trusts). My partner, Karen Johnson, does estate planning, probate, and conservatorships.
I started working with Karen Johnson as an associate in 1986, and we became partners in 1988. I changed my name from Sally Nixon to Sally Cooperrider recently, but we haven't changed the name of the firm yet. We were generalists at first, doing personal injury, bankruptcy, landlord/tenant work and some consumer work in addition to our current fields, but over time we have narrowed our focus.
Previous Employment Summary
Prior to my current position I was a solo practitioner, emphasizing family law and personal injury.
Activities and Awards
I volunteer as a Settlement Officer; and I am a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association Rainbow Committee.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I like my clients to take an active part in their cases. I am pleased when they have educated themselves about the law and their own financial situation. I help the clients to be able to make informed decisions about their cases, and about what processes they want to use. I also have information about traditional family law, mediation and collaborative law on my website and I refer them to Nolo's relevant articles on Nolo's web site.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I sometimes review documents that clients have prepared in my consultations. I give them advice about changes needed to the documents, and about what steps they need to take next.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I have coached many people that have wanted to represent themselves. That has included advising them about their legal rights and about legal procedures, reviewing documents they have prepared, or preparing some of the more complex documents for them.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I wanted to have a profession that allowed me to make a difference in people's lives.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I have been handling divorces for 25 years, and doing mediation for 12 years. I have had extensive training in mediation and collaborative law, training to understand different personality types, and continuing education to keep current on the law itself. I have lectured about family law topics to law students. I have also had experience working with different kinds of people as president of the PTA at my daughters' school, and as a volunteer in other community groups.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
In divorces I like that I am helping people get through a difficult period in lives, and that I have something concrete that I can do for them. I particularly like using mediation and collaborative law, so that I am assisting the couple to build their own post-divorce future, rather than battling with each other.
What do you like best about your career?
Even though I have been helping people with divorces for many years, every person and relationship is different, so each new divorce is also a little different. I also like the variety of tasks in my job, such as counseling clients, mediating, preparing documents, researching, discussing the case with opposing attorneys and appearing in court.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am in a partnership with one other attorney. I handle all of my client interviews myself. I have a very experienced secretary who also assists clients that call or come in with their procedural questions.
What are your strengths and style?
I am an attentive listener and I try to handle my clients' cases in a way that suits their particular needs. My preferred style is to be a negotiator, but I fight for my clients' rights when that is needed. I am prompt with returning phone calls and with preparing paperwork, and I keep my clients informed about the status of their case.
Personal Interests:
I volunteer as a music teacher in a second grade class, sing in a chorus, play piano and flute, hike, garden, and spend time with my family and friends.
Office Manager/Assistant
K'Ailsa
Fax
(408) 287-0108
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Foreign Languages
K'Ailsa and I speak limited Spanish.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
None
Hourly Rates
$275
Free Initial Consultation?
I offer a reduced price consultation of $100 for one hour or $50 for 1/2 hour.
Typical Retainer
$2,000 - $5,000, depending on the complexity of the matter.
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.
