Legal Solutions for You,
Your Family & Your Business
Find a Lawyer >
Family Law lawyers serving San Diego County, CA >
Michelle Sullivan
Back to Search Results
Michelle Sullivan
Law Firm of Sullivan & Guzman, APC
16516 Bernardo Center Drive
Suite 220
San Diego, CA 92128-2530
Phone: (858) 451-9390 | Fax: (858) 451-9399
http://www.fullspectrumlaw.com
Common Sense Legal Solutions to Family Law Disputes
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I prefer mediation where both parties come to the office for the first appointment. I do not represent either party and facilitate a negotiation so the parties can arrive at an out of court settlement.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Paternity
- Visitation
- Domestic Partnerships
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I prefer mediation where both parties come to the office for the first appointment. I do not represent either party and facilitate a negotiation so the parties can arrive at an out of court settlement.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1984
Bar Number: 113705
Specialty Certifications
California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization - Family Law.
Other Court Admissions
California Supreme Court 1984; Federal District Court for Northern California 1984; Federal District Court for Southern California 1986.
Association Memberships
California State Bar; San Diego County Bar; San Diego County Bar Certified Specialist in Family Law; North County Bar Association; Certified Specialist Family Law for North County Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I have taught to the local bar association on the topics of mediation and collaborative law. I regularly attend local continuing educations offered of family law. I attend the Pepperdine University Strauss Institute of Dispute Resolution for Mediation Skill trainings on a semi-yearly basis.
Example Cases
I mediated a case for a family with complex financial issues involving support and helped them to arrive at a financial system that worked for their family on a long-term basis, so that they would not need to continue going to court every time their financial situations changed.
In two other cases, I have successfully obtained sole legal and physical custody for parents -- in one case the mother and in the other the father.
In another case the parties, through the use of the collaborative process of an interdisciplinary team, arrived at a settlement of a large estate without ever seeing the inside of a court room. The settlement was an elegant and creative solution to a wide variety of issues that had plagued their long-term marriage.
Education
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
University of Santa Clara
City:
Santa Clara
State:
CA
Year:
1984
Honors:
Law Faculty Scholarship.
Degree:
Bachelor of Arts
School:
University of California, Berkeley
City:
Berkeley
State:
CA
Year:
1980
Honors:
Top Graduating Students and Attorney General for Student Association.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Political Science.
Number of Attorneys
2
State Licensed In
California.
Firm Focus and History
Our goal is to work with families to find common sense legal solutions to complex family law problems using mediation, collaborative, limited scope and litigation to resolve.
The firm was established in 1989 in Escondido, California. In 1995 we relocated to Rancho Bernardo, where we have been located ever since.
Previous Employment Summary
I was originally a District Attorney in San Benito County until I relocated to San Diego and went into private practice emphasizing in family law.
Activities and Awards
Board of Directors for North County Bar Association for three years. Former Chair of Family Law Section for the North County Bar Association. Former Chair of the Certified Family Law Specialist for North County Bar. Pro Tem Judge for San Diego County since 1992.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I will represent clients on a limited-scope basis, where they can use my services for a single issue or a single hearing, depending on the type of case.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
It is difficult for people to represent themselves, but sometimes this is all that they can afford. I will therefore allow clients to represent themselves and then use me for what they believe are the most important issues or the most important hearings, depending on the type and complexity of the case.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I will coach clients through a mediation process when appearing with a mediator other than myself. I believe that if the other party is not represented by counsel, in most circumstances it would be best to appear in court self-represented as well. However, if the other party has an attorney, it is best to have an attorney with you. You would not get into a ring with a prize fighter and you should not go into court without a lawyer if the other side is represented.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
My deposition was taken by an attorney when I was a child. Since then I have wanted to practice law, as that deposition was taken by an attorney who was not very nice.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
I love the courtroom, but it is not the right solution for everyone and not where everyone should be. I do believe that there can be no cookie-cutter divorce and that everyone should be able to tailor their divorce to the situation that suits his or her family.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I have never been bored a day in my legal career. Just when I think I have heard it all, I hear something new.
What do you like best about your career?
The variety of people that I have met throughout my career has been fascinating. I have met them during one of the low points of their lives. I particularly enjoy the part where their case is closed, and I can see them begin to move on to their new lives.
Tell us about your law firm:
I have a variety of people who work for me. Attorney Guzman is my right hand and will be able to assist you at every turn.
What are your strengths and style?
I believe that I am conflict competent and I enjoy conflict, whether it's in a litigated context or evolving through the use of one of the alternative dispute resolution systems such as mediation or collaborative. My strength is in finding the needs of opposing parties to arrive at a settlement that may handle the course of time.
Personal Interests:
Youth sports, horses, reading, snow skiing, scuba diving and our family dogs.
Fax
(858) 451-9399
Office Hours
Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday
9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Emergency After Hours
No
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
No.
Hourly Rates
Sullivan: $395.
Guzman: $225.
Paralegal: $125.
Secretarial time: $65.
All costs are actual.
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes, for 20 minutes. After that, the hourly fee will apply.
Typical Retainer
Mediation cases have no retainer. Litigation retainers vary, depending on the cases status in the court system.
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.
