Family Law Attorneys in San Francisco, California
Debra Schoenberg's long and distinguished career has been exclusively dedicated to the practice of family law. More than 20 years ago, she established Schoenberg and Associates, a successful practice which evolved into the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C.. Her firm has gained vast experience and expertise in this highly sensitive and complex area of practice, and Ms. Schoenberg has established a professional reputation for thoroughness, strategic thinking, keen attention to detail, loyalty and dedication to client service.
Today Ms. Schoenberg handles cases for her family law clients in San Francisco and the Bay area that range from complex financial issues and extensive marital estates, to high conflict custody matters. Adept at negotiating resolutions as well as aggressively pursuing litigated outcomes, she also handles straightforward family law cases, pre- and post-marital agreements and marital settlements.
Long recognized as a leading family law attorney, Ms. Schoenberg is a frequent lecturer in family law. In recognition of her work she was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Attorneys and a Board Certified Family Law Trial Specialist by the National Board of Trial Advocacy. As the result of an extensive and confidential review by members of the Bar, she was selected for inclusion in the 2008 listing of Family Law Super Lawyers.
When not practicing law, Ms. Schoenberg enjoys exploring San Francisco and the East Bay with her partner and two children, in addition to participating in a wide range of professional and community organizations.
Sheila Bari
Sheila Bari graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 2002, where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science and Sociology, with Honors. Upon graduation from UCLA, Sheila worked as a paralegal at the law firm of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati and coached a girls' lacrosse league. Sheila attended law school at Santa Clara University and was admitted to the California Bar in December 2008. While at law school, she law clerked for three years at McManis Faulkner, a general civil litigation and family law firm, in San Jose, California. After law school, Sheila moved to New York City, passed the New York State Bar exam and worked at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), primarily on large class action cases.
Sheila moved back to California in 2009 and joined the firm, Law Office of Nicole Aeschleman, where she specialized in family law. Sheila then joined the law firm, Bradshaw & Associates, in San Francisco, practicing both family law and civil litigation, where she gained substantial courtroom experience in multiple counties in the Bay Area. Sheila is especially passionate about family law and joined Schoenberg Family Law Group in August 2010.
Jennifer L. Knops
Jennifer L. Knops began working for the Schoenberg Family Law Group (formerly Schoenberg & Associates) in May 2002. At that time Jennifer was completing her undergraduate education, graduating in May 2003 with a B.A. in Philosophy and a minor in Speech and Communications. While an undergraduate, Jennifer was a member of the Lawrence Debate Union and was named a national All-American Debate Team member.
Jennifer was a paralegal with the Schoenberg Family Law Group until August 2006, when she left to attend the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Jennifer returned to the practice after her first year in law school to work as a Summer Associate, and continued as a "remote" Associate during her second year. During her third year at Pitt Law, Jennifer was a Certified Legal Intern in the health law clinic, representing clients in guardianship and social security matters. She also co-developed and co-founded a new practicum, Street Law: Health and Human Rights. Jennifer graduated in May 2009, whereupon she was awarded a Certificate of Advanced Study in Health Law and was inducted into the Order of Barristers.
After completing law school, Jennifer re-joined the Schoenberg Family Law Group as an Associate. She is currently awaiting the results of her California Bar Examination. Jennifer is a member of the San Francisco division of the National Lawyer's Guild and the San Francisco Bar Association.
Diana Passadori
Ms. Passadori earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Santa Clara University, where she stayed on to graduate from Santa Clara University’s School of Law in December 2006. She joined the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. in June 2009 as an associate attorney and she practices exclusively in the area of family law. Prior to working for Ms. Schoenberg, Ms. Passadori worked as a family law associate at Beck Law in Santa Rosa, practicing in Sonoma, Mendocino, and Lake Counties. She later worked as a criminal defense attorney and successfully completed her first jury trial on a second-time offender’s DUI case. Most recently, she worked in Santa Clara County as a family law associate for the Law Offices of Martha J. Olson. Ms. Passadori’s expansive family law experience in nearly every bay area county, and the neighboring areas, promotes the firm’s diverse ability to represent clients with any legal problem related to family law, domestic violence, child custody, support, premarital agreements, and all related matters. She works well with clients and reaches favorable resolutions for clients prior to trial. When necessary, however, she is a vigorous advocate in adversarial proceedings and enjoys promoting her client’s interests through litigation.
Miho Takarada 
Ms. Takarada was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1999. She graduated from San Jose State University with an undergraduate degree in Economics and a master's degree in Administration of Justice. She attended McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento. Ms. Takarada has a strong background in family law, estate planning and civil litigation, including conducting trials with favorable judgments for her clients. She also has experience in corporate law in Tokyo, Japan. Ms. Takarada enjoys working with clients and prides herself on being very responsive to her clients' needs during this difficult state in their lives. In addition to being and attorney, Ms. Takarada is "mom" to her now three year old son.
Renee Soto-Johnson
Ms. Soto-Johnson joined Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. as a paralegal in January 2010. Prior to joining Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C., Soto-Johnson worked as a Family Law Legal Secretary/Paralegal since 2001. Ms. Soto-Johnson attended Las Positas College and majored in Administration to Justice/Criminal Law. She was also a part of the woman’s competitive soccer team for two years at Las Positas College. Ms. Soto-Johnson continues her education in Family Law and will be attending John F. Kennedy University in the Fall of 2010 where she will be obtaining her B.A. in Legal Studies and paralegal credentials.
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Focusing exclusively on family law in San Francisco and the Bay Area, the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. strives to build relationships with clients based on integrity, trust and open communication.
Contact Us Today
To speak with a knowledgeable family lawyer in the San Francisco Bay Area, please contact us online or by telephone at 415.834.1120. The Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. provides adept legal representation to people who are struggling with family law problems.
