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Patricia H. Combs
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Patricia H. Combs
Law Office of Patricia H. Combs
3480 Torrance Blvd.
Suite 212
Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: (310) 316-0200 | Fax: (310) 540-8665
http://www.patriciacombslawfirm.com/
Practical, Effective, Legal Representation
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to handle family law and collaborative law cases, which I am proficient in. I also enjoy litigated cases.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Elder Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- Paternity
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Domestic Partnerships
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
- Grandparent Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to handle family law and collaborative law cases, which I am proficient in. I also enjoy litigated cases.
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
- Child Support
- Custody/Visitation Rights
- Delinquent Support Payments
- Division of Property
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Uncontested Divorce
- Collaborative Law
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1997
Bar Number: 188598
Other Court Admissions
All California Courts.
Association Memberships
Los Angeles County and South Bay Bar Associations, Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association, International Academy of Family Law Practitioners, Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC).
Continuing Education
I always exceed the required amount of continuing education hours. I attend family and collaborative law classes primarily.
Papers and Publications
As a journalist, I published more articles than I could possibly list.
Example Cases
Custody cases are significant to me because I believe that children need to be protected in a divorce. I have had numerous cases involving changes of custody from one parent to the other. In one case, a mother was neglecting her son's education, which was provable by report cards, papers, absences and testimony. The judge changed the child's custody and, upon review, the son dramatically improved his scholastic performance.
In a collaborative case I handled, custody was resolved with virtually no fighting between the parents at all. The parents agreed to leave the teenage son with his father, although the mother also negotiated for considerable time to spend with the boy.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Loyola Law School
City:
Los Angeles
State:
CA
Year:
1997
Focus and Accomplishments:
Editor for International & Comparative Law Journal, 1994-1996
Edited an article on Chinese Trademark Law that won a major prize in the International Trademark Association competition 1996
Moot Court
Interned at the Western Disability Mediation Center, Western Disability Center, Department of Child Support Services and the U.S. Federal Trade Commission
Degree:
Bachelor of General Studies
School:
University of Michigan
City:
Ann Arbor
State:
MI
Year:
1974
Focus and Accomplishments:
General studies included Journalism, English, French, and Political Science.
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Our firm handles legal matters in the following practice areas: family law, divorce, child custody, child support, domestic violence, alimony, collaborative family law, marital agreements, restraining orders, child abduction, grandparents' rights, dissolution, paternity, prenuptial agreements, mediation, and guardianship.
I started my own firm in March, 2002. Before that, I worked as an associate or contractor for a number of firms, mostly in family law.
Previous Employment Summary
Before I became an attorney, I worked as a journalist for Automotive News in Detroit and Washington, and McGraw-Hill in Washington, D.C. I also worked for several newspapers as I followed my husband's career move west.
Activities and Awards
Member of the board of directors of Los Angeles Collaborative Family Law Association (LACFLA) and editor for its e-newsletter; Pro bono work for the South Bay Bar association.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I welcome clients who are interested in learning about their case and in helping to gather evidence. An informed client is one who doesn't need to be taught the basics. This means the case moves forward more quickly and easily than if the client needs spoon-feeding.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
Attorney fees can be so high that the lower-income and middle-class client can be squeezed out. I am willing to review documents for lower-income clients.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I wouldn't want to coach clients who want to represent themselves. Self-represented clients in family law—in all but the most simple cases—waste a lot of time in court and often make a mess of things without realizing what they are doing.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I love to write so I became a journalist. The drawback was as a reporter I always felt I was observing what was going on and not actually involved. However, as a lawyer I feel I am right in the middle of things, helping people. I still get to write and read challenging cases, but I also get to know my clients well.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
My parents' divorce certainly helped me to become a better family lawyer because through that experience I understand how wrenching divorce can be on all parties involved. I am especially concerned about sparing the children as much pain as possible, and advise parents on how to do that.
Being a mother, myself, is also a helpful tool as it allows me to empathize with my clients and their problems.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
When I told my brothers and sisters I was going into divorce law, they laughed. Our parents' divorce was not something anyone would like to re-live vicariously through a client experience. But I feel that I understand the emotions that divorce raises, and I feel qualified to help deal with them. I am not afraid of intense emotions, and believe that clients just have to feel their way through them before they can heal.
What do you like best about your career?
The people I meet are what I like best about my career. Although many issues are similar in family law, the people are always different, and their responses often differ from others.
Tell us about your law firm:
My assistant, Judy Kadri, is diligent and helpful. She is always pleasant to clients. Between her and me, we give our clients a lot of attention and care, especially when they are in the midst of a crisis.
What are your strengths and style?
Some of my strengths are that I am empathetic and give clients personalized attention.
Personal Interests:
I have a variety of things I take interest in in my personal life. I enjoy reading anything and everything. Music--listening, singing, playing, and reading it—is a big interest of mine. I like all kinds of music, from classical to rock to country. Watching movies, especially foreign ones, are a favorite pastime of mine, as well as walking and hiking. I love cooking a big meal and getting together with friends and family. In my free time I play with my smart little dog, Debbie, a collie mix.
Office Manager/Assistant
My office assistant is Judy Kadri.
Fax
(310) 540-8665
Office Hours
Monday through Thursday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday
9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Evenings and weekend appointments by request.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
Yes, Judy speaks Arabic.
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I don't have fixed-price services, but I try to charge reasonable fees.
Hourly Rates
$300 an hour.
Free Initial Consultation?
Consultations are $50 for one-half an hour.
Typical Retainer
A typical retainer is $3,500, but ranges depending on the issues involved with the case.
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.
