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Lance Russell
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Lance Russell
Law Office of Lance A. Russell
4040 Civic Center Drive
Suite 200
San Rafael, CA 94903
Phone: (415) 492-9052 | Fax: (415) 492-9053
http://www.lancerussell.com
Free Initial Consultation and Nolo Reduced Rate!
Legal Topic
Family Law
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with clients who are motivated toward solving differences based on realistic goals and expectations. I strive to provide compassionate guidance to clients to permit them to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
100% of my practice is related to family law and related matters (support, custody, visitation, division of assets, attorney's fees, restraining orders, pre and post marital agreements, etc.)
Sub-Categories
Family Law
- Mediation/Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)
- Name Changes
- Restraining Orders
- Child Abuse
- Domestic Violence
- Adoptions
- Child Support
- Children's Rights
- Custody
- State Child Protection
- Visitation
- Marriage
- Power of Attorney
- Prenuptial & Postnuptial Agreements
Legal Topic
Divorce
Preferred New Clients
I prefer to work with clients who are motivated toward solving differences based on realistic goals and expectations. I strive to provide compassionate guidance to clients to permit them to make informed decisions for themselves and their families.
100% of my practice is related to divorce and related matters (support, custody, visitation, division of assets, attorney's fees, restraining orders, pre and post marital agreements, etc.)
Sub-Categories
Divorce
- Alimony/Palimony/Spousal Support
- Annulment
Bar Admissions
CA, Jun 1984
Bar Number: 113205
Other Court Admissions
All California State and Federal Courts
Association Memberships
State Bar of California
Marin County Bar Association
Continuing Education
I attend continuing legal education seminars on the topics of Family Law, Appeals and Mediation. I also teach continuing legal education seminars in Family Law and Appeals. I also lecture on family law issues, and have presented programs to attorneys on family law trial court and appellate court practice. I always exceed the required number of continuing education hours.
Papers and Publications
I am co-author of the Child and Spousal Support chapter of the California Education of the Bar Family Law Financial Discovery Handbook. I am also co-author of the upcoming California Education of the Bar book on child and spousal support.
Example Cases
The types of cases that I handle on a regular basis involve issues of division of assets, spousal support, child support, child custody and visitation including interstate matters, annulments, domestic violence, restraining orders and premarital/post marital agreements. In my practice, I handle a wide variety of cases in many different capacities. As a litigator in both the trial and appellate courts, I represent and advocate the interests of my clients, their children and their loved ones. As a mediator, I do not represent anyone, but facilitate and empower the parties to achieve a resolution on their own.
I am attorney of record for two published leading California Court of Appeal family law cases: (a) Marriage of King and Eben-King (2000) 80 Cal. App. 4th 92 and (b) Marriage of Pearlstein (2006 ) 137 Cal. App. 4th 1361.
Education
Degree:
J.D.
School:
Georgetown University Law Center
City:
Washington
State:
DC
Year:
1974
Honors:
Graduated in top third of class
Focus and Accomplishments:
Family Law and Litigation
Degree:
B.A.
School:
Duke University
City:
Durham
State:
NC
Year:
1971
Honors:
Graduated Summa Cum Laude
Focus and Accomplishments:
Law and Legal History
Number of Attorneys
1
State Licensed In
California, New York (Inactive)
Firm Focus and History
I established my firm in 1997 after working for a family law firm in San Francisco for almost fifteen years. My firm handles family law matters exclusively. We provide legal representation in court litigation. We also represent clients in mediation and act as the neutral role of mediator based on the agreement of the parties. Our firm is somewhat unique in that we provide not only representation at the trial court level, but also in all of the appellate courts. Many prominent family law attorneys have hired our firm to consult with them about appellate matters and to represent their clients in the courts of appeal.
We strive to settle all of our cases fairly and with the least amount of stress on the client. In our practice, we represent clients from all walks of life and financial situations in many different capacities. As a litigator in both the trial and appellate courts, I represent and advocate the interests of my clients, their children and their loved ones. As a mediator, I do not represent anyone, but facilitate and empower the parties to achieve a resolution on their own.
Previous Employment Summary
Prior to coming to California in 1984, I worked as an Assistant Attorney General for the New York State Department of Law. I also worked for the New York State Bar Association to implement legal rights and responsibilities programs into the public school curriculum for high school students.
Activities and Awards
Judge Pro Tem for Marin County Superior Court
Court appointed Arbitrator in Family Law cases
Marin County Administrative Hearing Officer
Co-author of the Child Support and Spousal Support chapter of California Education of the Bar Family Law Financial Discovery Handbook
Lecturer at Family Law Litigation and Appellate Seminars
What is your opinion regarding clients educating themselves on legal issues?
I strongly encourage clients to educate themselves about the legal issues of their particular matter. The more knowledgeable the clients are, the more informed they will be about asking questions and making important decisions.
Are you willing to review documents prepared by clients?
I will always review documents prepared by clients and answer any questions that they may have. In many instances, clients can reduce their costs by preparing documents and gathering information on their own, so I encourage clients to be as proactive as they want to be.
Are you willing to coach clients who want to represent themselves?
I will gladly coach or consult with clients who want to represent themselves.
Why did you decide to be a lawyer?
I wanted to work, and still do, with people in my community to help them and their families through difficult times. To me, the law should be synonymous with justice and equal access to the legal system. I have always felt that open and honest communication is the key to resolving disputes. For that reason, I developed an interest in mediation and creative approaches to settling cases without the need to go to court.
What work experience and education helps you be a better lawyer?
In 1997, I was stricken with a life threatening case of lymphoma. I endured a year of grueling treatment including a bone marrow transplant. As a cancer survivor, I have learned a deep sense of gratitude and compassion for every day of life, which I strive to impart to each of my clients. There are many similarities between cancer patients and people going through a divorce. I have found that clients appreciate the insights I have gained and the focus that it brings to what is really important in their lives.
Why did you decide on your primary area of practice?
Family law affords me the opportunity to work directly with people to assist them in resolving their legal problems.
Appellate law provides me with the chance to further pursue my sense of justice, and to create new law through case decisions. The analysis of legal issues and the presentation of arguments to support them, which is the cornerstone of appellate practice, provides invaluable knowledge that I am able to use with all of my clients.
What do you like best about your career?
What I like most about my career is the interpersonal relationships that I am able to develop, as well as the feeling that I have made a positive difference in the lives of my clients and their families.
Tell us about your law firm:
I am a sole practitioner so that all of my clients deal directly with me. When a client hires me, he/she does so not only because of my experience and expertise, but also because of the trust that is crucial to any professional relationship. By dealing solely with me, rather than multiple individuals, clients know that at any particular time, I am fully knowledgeable about their matter and I can answer any questions that they may have. I also pride myself on responding to communications from clients as soon as I possibly can.
What are your strengths and style?
Legally, my strengths are my experience in mediation, trial court and appellate matters, my dedication to my clients, and my commitment to detail. I am able to analyze complex matters and explain the issues presented to clients and to the courts in plain language.
Personally, my strengths are my ability to communicate openly and honestly with my clients, and my determination to guide them compassionately and successfully through an extremely difficult period in their lives. Litigation cases require a balancing of many issues. As a family law attorney, I wear many hats including lawyer, counselor, therapist, and sometimes just someone who will listen. When children are involved, the emotional aspects of any family law case are heightened. Mediation, on the other hand, is a less stressful proceeding and affords the opportunity for the parties to communicate with one another. In litigation, most communication is done through the attorneys and the court.
Personal Interests:
First and foremost is my family. In addition, I am a composer, musician, producer and songwriter. I have recorded CDs of my own songs, as well as musical therapy programs for cancer patients and people going though traumatic experiences in their lives. I have taught music and song to children and performed at schools. The harmony that is the basis of all music is a guiding force in both my personal and my professional life.
Fax
(415) 492-9053
Office Hours
Monday through Friday
9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
After hours by appointment.
Emergency After Hours
Yes
Foreign Languages
None
Fixed-Price Services and Fees
I charge by the hour, but also offer clients the option of a fixed price for the preparation of Pre-Marital and Post Marital Agreements.
Hourly Rates
$300/hr for non-Nolo clients
$285/hr for Nolo clients
Free Initial Consultation?
Yes - twenty minute telephone or office consultation.
Typical Retainer
No - retainers are based on the nature of the case and the financial circumstances of the client.
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.
