Business Law

Information coming soon.

• Deceptive Trade Practices
• Unfair Competition

• Buying & Selling
• Closely Held Businesses
• Corporations
• Joint Ventures
• Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
• Partnerships
• Professional Corporations
• Shareholders' Rights

• Property Taxes (Ad Valorem Taxes)

• Breach of Contract
• Contract Disputes
• Contract Drafting & Review
• Non-Compete Contracts

• Frauds, Scams, Hoaxes

Family Law

I have no particular preference for new clients; I have extensive experience handling the full range of family law matters.

• Name Changes
• Restraining Orders

• Domestic Violence

• Adoptions
• Child Support
• Custody
• Paternity
• Visitation

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

• Powers of Attorney
• Advanced Health Care Directive
• Healthcare Power of Attorney

Divorce

I have no particular preference for new clients; I have extensive experience handling the full range of family law matters.

• Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
• Annulment
• Child Support
• Custody/Visitation Rights
• Division of Property
• Restraining Orders
• Uncontested Divorce
• Collaborative Law

CA, May 1979
Bar Number: 86799

State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS). Two of the firm's attorneys are CFLS - myself (for 20 years now) and one associate.

All California State Courts and all Federal Courts within the Central District of California

American Bar Association, California State Bar Association, Los Angeles County Bar Association, Beverly Hills Bar Association

I always exceed the required amount of CLE hours. I frequently lecture or present information at courses, seminars, and conferences, mostly regarding the rights and obligations of same-sex couples as they pertain to domestic relations and estate planning, for the California State Bar Association, L.A. County Bar Association, and Beverly Hills Bar Association.

I have published numerous papers, book and practice guide chapters, and articles. Recently, I co-authored a chapter entitled "Choice of Registered Domestic Partnership Over Informal Cohabitation" with Jeffrey Erdman, Esq., my partner at Bennett & Erdman, published in the Continuing Education of the Bar's practice guide on California Domestic Partnerships. I have also authored articles for the Witness Chair, a quarterly publication of the Litigation Section of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants. Most recently, I ended a series of articles entitled "Separate Is Not Equal: Dissolution and Domestic Partners."

I have dealt with the often uncertain law governing same-sex domestic relationships since the beginning of my practice, including handling the first same-sex adoption in Los Angeles. I am acutely familiar with local, state, and national law regarding same-sex relationships and transactions, including interpersonal business transactions and estate planning, and deal with new and innovative issues in these areas on a daily basis.

5

California

The firm has two main practice groups, family law and civil litigation. In family law, the firm practices the full range of available matters - both for individuals and for same, and opposite, sex couples - including, for example: pre- and post-marital and domestic partnership registration agreements; cohabitation agreements; separations and dissolutions (including for unmarried couples) and nullities; child custody and visitation, child support, and spousal or partner support disputes; "move away" contests; and adoptions. The firm's civil litigation practice encompasses both plaintiffs and defendants and includes business, contract, and real property transactions and disputes; business agreements, formations, and dissolutions; general liability; and more. The firm also engages in estate planning, including simple wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, including health care powers of attorney. Additionally, the firm also represents individuals with petitions for name changes and gender changes.

The firm was established in 1979 by Diane Abbitt and me. In 1995, the firm merged with Carol Anderson (Ret.) and in 2002, assumed its present form as Bennett & Erdman, all the while maintaining its attorneys' close ties to the LGBT community.

AV-Rated by Martindale-Hubbell; Southern California Super Lawyers, 2004-2006, in family law in the annual surveys conducted jointly by Law & Politics and Los Angeles Magazines; California State Assembly courageous leadership award; Southern California Women for Understanding Lesbian Rights Award; City of West Hollywood award for outstanding community service and dedication; Levitt & Quinn Award for Outstanding Community Service; Harriett Buhai Center for Family Law Pro Bono Volunteer Award for Distinguished Service to the Cause of Justice; California Alliance for Pride and Quality CAPE Crusader Award; Temple Kol Ami Shomer Tzedek Guardian of Justice Award.

Gwenn Albright

(323) 935-0071

Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Yes

Limited Spanish.

Yes, for certain matters (e.g., adoptions), but the amount of the fee depends on the situation.

Hourly rates for individual attorneys range from $225 to $500 per hour.

Initial consultations are charged at the individual attorney's hourly rate.

The firm typically requires a $5,000 retainer for family law matters and $1,000 retainer for civil matters, each of which may vary depending on the apparent complexity of the situation.