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Mark N. Shebby
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Mark N. Shebby
Law Offices of Mark N. Shebby
111 W. St. John Street
Suite 1140
San Jose, CA 95113
Phone: (408) 995-5044 | Fax: (408) 995-0441
Real Life Experience - Big Picture Approach
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
Clients who appreciate the importance of trust and teamwork between attorney and client.
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Restraining Orders
- Domestic Violence
- Child Support
- Custody
- Paternity
- Visitation
- Civil Unions
- Domestic Partnerships
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender Rights
- Living Together/Cohabitation
- Marriage
- Grandparent Rights
- Termination of Parental Rights
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
Clients who appreciate the importance of trust and teamwork between attorney and client.
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
- Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual, Transgender (LGBT) Rights
Bar Admissions
CA, Dec 2007
Bar Number: 254628
Other Court Admissions
Admitted to practice in all California State Courts and Federal Court, Northern District of California.
Association Memberships
Santa Clara County Bar Association, Gilroy/Morgan Hill Bar Association (Secretary), and American Bar Association.
Continuing Education
I attend classes on a regular basis sponsored by the Santa Clara County Bar Association and the Gilroy/Morgan Hill Bar Association to maintain currency.
Example Cases
Generally, my cases involve parents seeking to either establish or modify a custody arrangement. Such cases can be highly emotional, volatile, and the outcomes can be unpredictable. As such, the best approach is to be realistic on goal setting, be patient, and be well-organized.
Education
Degree:
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration
School:
San Jose State University
City:
San Jose
State:
CA
Year:
1975
Focus and Accomplishments:
Concentration in Accounting and Finance.
Degree:
Masters of Business Administration (partially complete)
School:
University of Santa Clara
City:
Santa Clara
State:
CA
Year:
1978
Degree:
Juris Doctorate
School:
Lincoln Law School of San Jose
City:
San Jose
State:
CA
Year:
1999
Honors:
Moot Court Award - Best Oral Argument.
Focus and Accomplishments:
Member of Law Review for two years.
Degree:
Associate of Arts
School:
West Valley College
City:
Saratoga
State:
CA
Year:
1971
Focus and Accomplishments:
Liberal Studies
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California
Firm Focus and History
Our primary focus is family law: dissolutions of marriages and domestic partnerships, child custody, division of community property, and other issues related to dissolutions. Additionally, we handle matters in criminal court such as DUI, domestic violence, and some others, and bankruptcy.
Although I graduated from law school in 1999, I didn't become involved in the legal field until 2003 when I began working in civil litigation in both state and federal court. In mid-2006, I began working in family law on dissolution matters, primarily as a volunteer at Pro Bono Project in San Jose, then individually.
Previous Employment Summary
Prior to becoming an attorney, I owned and managed a small business - a manufacturing company in the electronics industry of Silicon Valley, California for a period of 25 years, employing as many as 95 people.
Activities and Awards
Officer (Secretary) of the Gilroy/Morgan Hill Bar Association; recipient of Pro Bono Project Volunteer of the Year Award, 2006.
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I welcome and encourage clients educating themselves on legal issues. This enhances and stimulates lively strategy discussion with the attorney. No one knows more about the facts of the matter than the client. Thus, a client with some legal knowledge will be helpful to the attorney in matching facts to pertinent legal issues.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I prefer to have my clients draft certain documents (income and property declarations) as this takes time and research, and is best performed by the client. Otherwise, I prefer to draft documents as it aids in my understanding of the facts therein.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I do this to a limited extent, and only in certain, non-ambiguous situations.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
While operating my manufacturing company, I chose to attend law school because I wanted to know what lawyers knew. Initially, I never expected to go into practice. However, the more that I learned, the more I realized that as a lawyer I would be in a better position to have a positive impact on people's lives, which heightened my interest in practicing.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
As a small business owner for over 25 years, I was on the receiving end of legal advice for a spectrum of issues. Additionally, I experienced firsthand the effects of a dissolution on a family with children. Thus, much of the advice that I offer clients is not only sourced in my education, but is seasoned with knowledge gained through life experience.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
I chose my primary areas of practice because the blend of my personal experience and education seem to best serve clients in these types of matters.
What do you like best about your career?
The challenges are incredible. As an attorney, I find myself dealing with, in most cases, the most important issues occurring in a person's life. An attorney is in that enviable (or unenviable) position of possibly making a difference in helping people solve the serious issues that they face. Every single case is wrapped with highly important personal issues. To be a part of a client's solution is highly rewarding.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am an independent solo practitioner handling the entirety of each case, but I share office space with a well-known and experienced local attorney. Phone calls to me are handled by a cheerful receptionist, and I utilize a legal assistant to help with various items. I prepare all filings and declarations personally and utilize a scheduling program to keep my calendar current and updated.
What are your strengths and style?
I believe that my analytical engineering background (from manufacturing) enhances my personal style of being firm yet compassionate. I like to foster a collaborative approach to solving difficult problems, but I have found that in many cases this is not possible and therefore toe-to-toe is necessary.
Personal Interests:
I am a private pilot, enjoy golf and fitness activities with my family, including children and grandchildren.
Fax
(408) 995-0441
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 pm.
Consultation and emergency after hours by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I bill by the hour and utilize a Retainer Deposit which is kept in a trust account in my bank. When work is performed and fees earned, I create an invoice and transfer the fees from the Retainer Deposit account into my working account. Occasionally I will do work for a fixed fee, established at the start of the representation, upon agreement with the client.
Hourly Rates
$220.
Free Initial Consultation?
I offer a free, 30 minute consultation either by phone or in person (by appointment).
Typical Retainer
Retainer amounts will vary depending on the type of case and expectation of work required to complete.
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.
