Attorneys

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 2007 and 2008 listing of Family Law Super Lawyers.

When not practicing law, Ms. Schoenberg sings with the San Francisco Bach Choir and is active in her temple, 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 practiced family and civil litigation, gaining 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.

Thomas L. Barnard
Thomas L. Barnard graduated Cum Laude from the University of Southern California in 1986 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Administration and began his post-collegiate career working in the Southern California business community. Thomas later attended Southwestern University School of Law, graduating in December 1992.
Admitted to practice law in the State of California in 1993, Thomas began his legal career on the Central Coast of California and has practiced in myriad areas, including Domestic Relations, Civil Litigation, Criminal Law, and Bankruptcy. Through the years Thomas handled all aspects of Domestic Relations and Civil litigation while developing a strong analytical approach to the law, always seeking to find a rational and practical solution to legal problems. Thomas seeks to maintain the highest level of integrity and professionalism.

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. Jennifer gained appellate experience through her work in the clinic and by being twice selected to represent Pitt Law at the national health law moot court competition. She recently received a favorable decision on a denial of Medicare coverage appeal she worked on while in the clinic. In a recent article, the New York Times highlighted this case and its potential positive impact on Medicare policies. Jennifer also co-developed and co-founded a new practicum at Pitt Law, known as Street Law: Health and Human Rights. Jennifer graduated in May 2009, whereupon she was awarded a Certificate of Advanced Study in Health Law (Health and Human Rights, Bioethics) 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 admitted to practice law in the State of California. Jennifer is a member of the San Francisco division of the National Lawyer's Guild and the San Francisco Bar Association.

Rachel K. Leff-Kich
Rachel Kimiko Leff-Kich graduated from the University of California, Davis in 2004 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and an emphasis in Law & Society. Rachel then worked for three years as a paralegal at immigration and intellectual property law firms in San Francisco before attending Santa Clara University School of Law. While in law school, Rachel clerked with several non-profit organizations including Bay Area Legal Aid in San Mateo, Health Legal Services in San Jose, and Equal Rights Advocates in San Francisco.

Rachel was admitted to the California Bar in December 2010 and joined the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C. as an Associate in May 2010. Rachel’s experience providing direct legal services has made her especially conscious of the emotional complexities clients face. Rachel enjoys family law because she is able to help clients achieve a positive outcome during what can be an extremely difficult time in their lives.

Rachel is a member of the Bar Association of San Francisco, the Family Law section of the State Bar of California, the San Francisco National Lawyers Guild and the American Constitution Society.

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 be being an attorney, Ms. Takarada is "mom" to her now three year old son.

Rebecca M. Thompson
Rebecca M. Thompson graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science. After working as a paralegal at Morrison & Foerster, Rebecca attended Hastings College of the Law and was admitted to the State Bar of California in 1994. While in law school, Rebecca was the Co-President of the Association of Students for Kids, a child advocacy organization. Rebecca started her legal career as a family law associate with the Law Offices of Ruth Miller (Rymer) where she handled a full array of family law matters. Subsequently, from 1998 through 2001, Rebecca worked as an Assistant Regional Counsel in the Office of the General Counsel and from 2001 through 2009, Rebecca practiced as a Deputy Attorney General in the Attorney General's Office, California Department of Justice, conducting civil prosecution trials involving disciplinary actions against professional licensees. After leaving the Attorney General's office, Rebecca returned to the practice of family law, working with the Law Offices of Joel H. Siegal. Rebecca is a member of Spark, a non-profit organization dedicated to changing patterns of inequity that impact women around the world through community building, education, advocacy, and grant making.

Heather Salazar
Heather Salazar brings her 15 years' experience as a family law paralegal to the Schoenberg Family Law Group, P.C.. She graduated in 1996 from the paralegal program at Northwestern California School of Law, whereupon she was awarded her Paralegal Certificate. Since that time, Heather has worked almost exclusively in the area of family law and has continued her paralegal education in this field. Heather is experienced in assisting with a myriad of family law matters and is well-versed in all stages of the litigation process. She is adept at acting as a liaison between client and attorney. Heather is a mother, step-mother and wife and is able to draw upon her life experience to caringly connect with clients in what can be an emotional time while helping clients remain focused on the progression of their cases through the legal system.

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.

Maria Uhl
With twenty-seven years' experience, Maria is thus a veteran legal assistant and paralegal. Her experience includes civil litigation and trials, but she considers family law her "home." A resident of the East Bay since birth, she attended Chabot College in Hayward, California where she studied English and Administration of Justice. She is passionate about family law and believes that this practice requires balancing knowledge of the law with a compassionate understanding of an individual's fears and concerns. Maria strives to provide concise information and assistance to clients, and endeavors to form a relationship with clients based on trust, dignity and respect. Maria, married 22 years and the mother of five children and four grandchildren, brings compassion and experience to her work as she knows the difficulties individuals face in these fragile and emotional circumstances.

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Family Law Attorneys in San Francisco, California

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