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Matthew Lewan
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Matthew Lewan
Matthew J. Lewan, Esq.
1021 First Street
Suite 2
Benicia, CA 94510
Phone: (707) 751-1494 | Fax: (707) 751-1496
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with family law clients.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Domestic Violence
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Custody
- Paternity
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Common Law Marriage
- Domestic Partnerships
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with family law clients.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 1989
Bar Number: 142975
Other Court Admissions
- California Supreme Court.
- U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
- U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of California.
Association Memberships
Solano County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I attend continuing education courses in family law and in general civil law, both in excess of the number of hours required by the State Bar.
Example Cases
The first case involved a child taken from her mother and transported to Texas by her father without the mother's permission. I was required to obtain a Writ in California and forward it to a Texas District Attorney for review; I did this in order to obtain assurances from him that the Writ would be affected. Finally, I coordinated with Texas law enforcement authorities to execute the Writ and the arrival of my client in Texas. This action assured the successful return of the child to the mother.
A second case involved a demand by my client's former spouse to substantially increase support. She had been receiving such support in excess of fourteen years. The former wife's obstructionist conduct resulted in almost two years of litigation requiring multiple discovery motions, multiple expert witnesses and finally a two day trial. My client prevailed when his former spouse not did receive an increase in support, but suffered a decrease instead.
Education
Degree:
B.A.
School:
New York University
City:
New York City
State:
NY
Year:
1966
Degree:
Juris Doctor
School:
Columbus School of Law, Catholic University of America
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Year:
1988
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
I am a solo practitioner focusing on family law matters: marital dissolutions, custody, support, paternity, and adoptions. I have been working in this area of law since 1991.
Previous Employment Summary
Following graduation from college, I served as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. After leaving the military, I was employed as a biologist at the University of Delaware College of Marine Sciences. After completing law school, I was employed by firms which represented plaintiffs in personal injury and medical malpractice matters as well as by firms representing defendants in those same matters.
Activities and Awards
I am a solo practitioner. When clients retain me, they do so with the assurance that I alone will be handling their case and that they will not be relegated to associate attorneys or a paralegal.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
It is helpful to have clients who educate themselves, because such education usually imparts some appreciation for the complexities and the challenges of litigation. I can build upon that base education to assist a client in dealing with the realities of their particular situation.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I have no objection to reviewing client-prepared documents.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I have no objection to coaching clients who want to represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I believed that law would be intellectually challenging. It offered an opportunity to assist individuals in obtaining some measure of justice in a world where it's often lacking and it provided a comfortable income with which to support my family.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
While in law school, I was employed as a clerk for a plaintiff's personal injury and medical malpractice firm. After graduation, I was employed by several other firms. As the cumulative result of those experiences, I gained a tremendous amount of knowledge regarding both the substance, as well as the practice, of law.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Family law permits a significant amount of client contact, which I simply enjoy. It also affords an opportunity to assist clients who often find themselves in litigation for the first time in their lives. This litigation involves very substantial parental rights, property rights, and financial matters.
What do you like best about your career?
What I like best is obtaining a good result for the client. It is always satisfying.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a solo practitioner and I provide one-on-one legal services to clients. I have done so for the past fourteen years.
What are your strengths and style?
I am always well prepared for court, I am always timely, and I always pay attention to detail.
I recognize that family law matters present very emotional and often frightening issues to clients. I attempt to be as sympathetic and as empathetic to the client as possible while simultaneously making them aware of the realities of the litigation before them. In regards to opposing counsel, I always initially attempt to be non-confrontational and reasonable. Doing so usually helps to move matters along. If the opposing counsel does not respond in a like manner, then I modify my approach accordingly.
Personal Interests:
I enjoy sailing and caring for and training my German Shepherd.
Office Manager/Assistant
Tiffany Jackson
Fax
(707) 751-1496
Office Hours
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday through Friday
I have emergency after hours for clients of record.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I have no fixed fees.
Hourly Rates
$240 per hour plus costs.
Free Initial Consultation?
$110 for up to a one hour consultation.
Typical Retainer
My typical retainer is $3,900 for marital dissolution. Retainers for other types of cases are determined by the facts.
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.
