I had a sticky situation whereby the other party was living overseas. Through Yelp, I met Heather Allan. I had spent a week calling around various divorce lawyers. Many of them were only interested in receiving a retainer upfront, aggressive, for lack of a better word, sharks. When I spoke with Heather, she did not mention fees. Instead, Heather focused on my case. It was refreshing to find someone who genuinely cared and could think outside the box. Once I signed up, Heather and her team were able to close out my case within a month. Thank you Heather and Stella for working on my case and for your most efficient service. I would definitely recommend Allan & Martelle, LLP if you find yourself needing a divorce lawyer. read more

I had an excellent experience working with Eva on my case. The office promptly replied to all my questions, we worked on the details of the case, she was very clear on which portions to resolve. I had moving parts in the case where I extended the case. Even after the delays and the complexities, we were able to resolve the issues and reduce the complexities. I had a great working experience with Eva and the firm. read more

Public Service Announcement: If I could give zero stars, I would. I strongly recommend not hiring Eva Martelle. In my experience, much of the work is handled by "legal assistants," yet clients are still billed hundreds of dollars per hour. From what I have seen, the quality of the legal work has serious consequences for families, their finances, and their children. Because of this, I believe Eva Martelle is one of the worst family law attorneys in the area. Please take this review seriously and do yourself, your family, and your children a favor--look for an attorney who will truly prioritize your interests over their own. read more

Eva Martelle and her entire team handled my daughter's R.O. case with such professionalism and care. From the first meeting to the last, every little detail was covered and used towards a positive outcome. I can't say enough about how confident Eva made us feel knowing our daughter was in the best possible hands. I highly recommend Eva Martelle. read more

After working with Allan & Martelle I can honestly say these Ladies are rockstars! When it comes to responding to any concerns or questions and the way they handled my case I'm beyond impressed. I never once got a bad feeling as if I was being used. Thank you again for always taking care of me!!! read more

She was out litigated by my ex wife in court. My ex showed up with no attorney and manipulated the Judge , and Eva didn't fight back. She allowed the judge to ruin my family. I reached out to her years later about questions about my case and she told me that I needed to pay 5k just to talk to her. I HIGHLY RECOMEND A DIFFERENT ATTORNEY. read more

Absolutely wonderful representation. Was referred to Eva from a family member in regards to a custody dispute this past December. With her helpful guidance and understanding, the proceedings went as smoothly as things could go in a situation like that. Eva was prompt, knowledgeable and firm. We got the best possible outcome we could ask for and would pass along Eva's information to anyone seeking council. read more

I cannot tell you how much I love Eva Martell, she is an rockstar. I love this lawyer and trust me having a good solid woman in your corner who is also a lawyer is an amazing strategy. She has a good heart, she is great at what she does and she has the kindest most generous way to work with very high contentious divorces. She is calm, collected and very strategic alongside being kind. read more

I reached out to Allan and Mantell upon a friend's recommendation (that friend was an avid Yelper too, by the way), when my ex unexpectedly decided to divorce me and seek her freedom. No divorce is ever pleasant, but mine was over in 6 months at a very reasonable price, owing in no small part to Heather Allan and Jessica Colling's outstanding service. My case is an odd one by many measures but they quickly understood my core interest and helped me handle my ex's escalating demands. Never at any point did I feel strong armed into escalating the case or drag it longer than necessary. Getting it over with as quickly as we can has some secondary benefits - my two young children are happily living under my care and didn't seem at all disturbed by this. read more

Eva, Heather and their entire team were a pleasure to work with. Professional, efficient, effective, and empathetic. I'm proud of the way Eva handled my family matter. I feel good about the outcome-fair and equitable. These things are never easy, but you can minimize the difficulty and emotional drain by using the right team. These ladies are champs! read more

I retained Heather Allan upon the recommendation of a family member that had a great experience with her office. Heather Allan was my attorney for a very challenging child custody case that started as an out-of-state move away case and then changed to an in-state move away case, which eventually required a third party mediator due to the opposing party's initial unwillingness to work with me. She adjusted fire as needed to ensure that my needs were communicated to the court in a timely and concise manner. I credit Heather for preventing this case from going to what would have been a costly and time-consuming trial. Heather is a problem solver that strategizes with clients utilizing her knowledge of family law, as well as her extensive experience with the operational procedures of the courts while working with all parties to ensure a mutually beneficial agreement. That said, she is tough in the courtroom, will shut down attempts from the opposing counsel to drag cases on, and ensures that the opposing counsel is accountable for meeting deadlines and providing information. Now that I have told you what Heather is about, I will tell you what she is not about. Heather will not sugarcoat anything for you just to get you to retain her services. She will not overcharge you, and her office will work with you financially as long as you communicate with them. Staying organized and asking about any potential charges will save you money so you are only providing what is needed for her office at that time. Her office will not do anything unethical to appease anyone's feelings. They are straight shooters, confident in their work, and price their services fairly. Heather is matter of fact, blunt, and transparent with you regarding what you are expecting regarding your case, and about fees. I found her to be fair, diplomatic, and highly knowledgeable. There is no way that I could have ever gotten my child's father to work with me if it were not for Heather. Move away child custody cases are never easy, however, the decision was best for my family, and I am forever grateful that Heather advocated for us, and helped facilitate our efforts. Thank you, Heather, for helping me build a good life for myself and my children! read more

Allan & Martelle, LLP Ms. Heather Allan knows her stuff, direct to the point answers with the best advice. Organized, wonderful, and helpful office team. Jessica Jensen (FKA Jessica Colling) Senior Legal Assistant is doing a fantastic job. read more

I have used Eva and her team for legal services. I strongly recommend their law firm. They are very professional, responsive, considerate and always keep their clients informed and aware of the legal and family consequences of the legal actions. They really helped me get a positive outcome and were an amazing support when things got challenging.Whenever I need legal advice or documents, I know I can count on Eva and her team. read more

If you're looking for a family law attorney you can trust, you've found them! Eva Martelle and her team handled my dissolution beautifully. Super responsive, always willing to jump on a quick call when needed - despite her busy schedule. I have just enough legal knowledge to get myself into trouble, and having an experienced attorney (who is well respected amongst her peers and SCC judges) to guide me was a huge relief. Not once did I feel like my (billable) time was being wasted or spent unnecessarily. Eva wrapped my case up on time, to my satisfaction, and was actually very reasonably priced (and more pleasant to work with) compared to other attorneys I spoke to. Every single penny was money well spent. Major props to the Allen and Martelle support team as well - I always knew what was going on and got prompt answers to questions. Having y'all as a resource over the past 8 months has been a godsend. Thank you ,Thank you, Thank you!! A divorce attorney isn't something I plan to need again in my lifetime, but I regularly recommend Eva to anyone who asks me about my experience. read more

From the moment I called to schedule a consultation everything went seamlessly. I recently worked with Allan & Martelle's team for my divorce. Very professional staff and always communicative during the whole process. If I had any questions they were there. They got my case settled and processed quickly. Thank you all for your great work. read more

I'm very happy that I made the switch to Eva Martelle! She provides direct representation (versus getting pawned off to juniors) and is on top of my case every step of the way. I feel like she's on my side, receptive of feedback and advocates for me. She lets me know her honest feedback in a gentle way, even if it's not what I want to hear so as to not waste my time and money. With Eva's help, I was finally able to swiftly settle out of court after my last lawyer botched my case. She didn't allow us to get bullied by my ex and his aggressive lawyer. Eva came highly recommended by other single moms, and has a lot of great peer reviews on Martindale. In other words, she is well respected by her clients and the legal community. Her team is highly professional and on top of my case from the front to back office. Rate is also very reasonable although the retainer is on the higher end. But in a contentious case, that dries up quickly, or you get the balance back when the case closes. I highly recommend, and wish I had switched sooner. read more

This lawyer office is run and operated by a great group of professional individuals who are always do their best to help me with best outcome! I would strongly recommend for their services if you ever needs help when it comes to legal matters I am reviewing this office with 5 stars for their exceptional service. Best Regards BD read more

I had the privilege of working with Eva Martelle during a divorce process. When I was served with the order to move out of my residence, I knew nothing about family law. I was in complete panic, and I chose a random family law attorney in a rush. I was slowly bleeding to death with unaffordable payments and was under fire with little to no chance for an out-of-court settlement. I requested Eva to take-up the case after 12 months, as I realized the need for an experienced family law attorney, who is well respected by peers and family law judges. It was indeed a significant effort to find a good family law attorney. With the expertise in family law and attention to detail, Eva knew exactly how to approach the case. Eva effectively communicated with opposing counsel and the judge with credibility and successfully negotiated out-of-court settlement. After the judgment was rendered, Eva worked relentlessly to enforce the order despite the opposing party's efforts to obstruct. Eva was compassionate, knowledgeable with the law, extremely professional, responsive and was fair with her billing. Jessica's legal support was top notch. I am grateful and highly recommend Eva Martelle, Jessica Rimmer and their legal team. Thank you, Eva! read more

I retained Heather Allan to help me deal with my divorce. At a low point in my life, both Heather and her assistant, Stella, showed grace, compassion, and empathy. Heather made sure to advocate on my behalf against the other parties' attorney. She made sure that I understood my rights and took time to explain any legal jargon I didn't understand. I am so relieved that I was referred to Heather, as it made the pain of going through a divorce a lot better. I highly recommend Heather for any and all family law needs. read more

I decided to retain Heather Allan to represent me during my divorce after reading some yelp reviews - I was the petitioner. Heather was knowledgeable and getting a hold of her wasn't difficult, which was amazing. Shout out to Jessica for the awesome communication and swiftly answering just about any question I had. I highly recommend this team. read more

You are nothing more than a slave to these people. They expect a certain percentage of what is declared on your I & E declaration. What you want will rarely be addressed or expressed to the judge. They turn simple issues into colossal ones and ignore game changing issues like child abuse. In the end, all the parties will suffer. read more

I have been going through a horrible 2 year divorce. I received a consultation from Heather Allan a few weeks ago and I sure wish I had known about her at the beginning of my divorce. I have a feeling it would have gone much smoother, faster and less expensive. Lesson learned. I highly recommend her to anyone going through a legal process in the Bay Area. read more

I would not recommend Heather Allanto take care of the matter with the children. Her approach is very disappointing and absolutely harmful for kids and parents who want to find common ground and finalize the divorce as delicately as possible. She only cares about money and looks like she can do anything to make you hate each other and fight for kids for as long as possible to get your money. read more

I highly recommend this firm they really know what to do,they are fast and effective. Thank you miss Martelle read more

~Professional Dedicated and Trustworthy~ Eva Martelle is very compassionate to her job. She was very patient and understanding with me especially to my current situation. Her and her staff were pleasant and well organized. Eva worked professionally and diligently resulted in a favorable outcome in my case. I could not have asked for a better attorney. I feel honored to recommend her to anyone looking for an excellent representation of a family law attorney. Eva, Thank you! read more

Eva and her team at Allan & Martelle LLP. are truly top notch! I needed an attorney to represent me in a restraining order case. I was the petitioner, and after a few days of requesting referrals and due diligence, I chose Eva Martelle to represent me. Eva was open, honest, personable and most important, consistent. Her level-headed approach and professional demeanor was key in dealing with the court and the judge. I was able to get the outcome I hoped for and we discussed at our very first meeting. As someone who was going through a restraining order case for the 1st time... it can be daunting. You don't know what to expect. Eva put me at ease and gave me solid counsel that I could depend on every step of the way! I recommend Eva Martelle if you need representation in family court or help with a restraining order. read more

Divorce is unpleasant in part because it's incredibly emotional and also because we think should happen, logically, is not necessarily how the law and court procedures are structured. Eva did a great job of separating the emotion and navigating my case through the divorce process. In trying times you need to have someone on your side, and Eva and the team were responsive, direct, and very effective. I'd hire her again, but I really, really hope that I don't have to do that. read more

We worked with Eva at Allan & Martelle to obtain a legal separation. For financial reasons and health care coverage and we have a 15 year old daughter which then involves all kinds of questions about child support, separation of assets, and numerous other decisions even though it's not a divorce it can be very complicated. Eva was truly fantastic and she educated both of us regarding our options of course in this role she remained neutral. The process involved filling out information about asset's income etc. However we we're very fortunate to have someone truly knowledgeable and educated. We we're very pleased with the outcome and support we received. Eva was always available to answer our questions and inform us about the next steps. Can't recommend this family law practice enough. read more

A family member of mine who is a retired divorce attorney researched lawyers in my area and found Eva Martelle-- I'm so grateful. From the beginning, Eva was efficient and a great listener. I felt like she never over-charged me for her time, and every interaction that we had was productive. For my divorce, I ended up with the best case scenario, and my ex signed our MSA without needing to go to court. Overall, I felt like she listened to my needs, and she knew exactly what we needed to do to handle my situation. She executed all the steps on-time and correctly. I refer people to her whenever they say they need a lawyer. Her compassion, efficacy, and productivity is why I give her five stars, and my highest recommendation. read more

Eva Martelle is intelligent, organized, responsive, consistent, and most importantly, she is compassionate. I retained Eva after a friend highly recommended her and it was the best decision that I have ever made. I had a very emotionally and verbally abusive ex and Eva saw first hand how drained I was and how I desperately I needed to fight for my daughter's well-being and safety. Eva herself, endured years of verbal abuse from my ex, unfortunately. Eva is sharp, attentive, and knowledgeable with every aspect of your case. She makes you feel as though you are her only client. She is quick with responses, researches if needed, and answers all your questions with confidence, consideration, and complete honesty. Eva was by my side through endless court dates, emergency screenings, an evaluation, court ordered minors council, and more. She had to communicate with a few different attorneys that represented my ex and had to deal with my very difficult ex on a regular basis when he represented himself. Therapists, emergency screeners, and our evaluator, all agreed that my ex was abusive and did not think that custody should have been shared as it was. He was ordered to enroll in DV classes, anger classes, therapy, and so on- all which did not help. At the time, the judge just seemed to ride the abusive off, but Eva never gave up and truly cared about me and my daughter's safety and well-being. After a very short break in family court, my ex decided to take his abuse to the next level. This time, with a new judge, Eva was heard...I was heard...my daughter was heard! With the help of an emergency screener, minors council, and Eva Martelle my daughter has been protected. Eva truly never stopped fighting as hard as she could for the protection of me and my daughter. Words can not express how appreciative I am of Eva. She has been a true blessing in my life. I believe she has been that blessing for many adults and most importantly for the children who have had to endure so much trauma and pain. I will forever be deeply grateful for Eva Martelle. read more

I hired Eva Martelle on a limited scoop to consult me on custody and child support. Eva was able to answer all my questions in a timely manner and was always very sharp, knowledgeable, and straight to the point. Our conversations were always productive and useful, and I found her advice to be valuable. If you are in need of a skilled and reliable family law attorney, I highly recommend Eva Martelle. read more

To describe the team for my brother's divorce case in keywords: understanding, flexible, responsive, honest, successful, caring, responsible, good at following up. Worked with Heather Allan and Jessica Colling with my brother's divorce (no children). His wife was the petitioner. Was a bit of a challenge to find a firm that would work with my brother due to his mental illness. The consultation with Heather Allan was thorough, fulfilling and not rushed. They had great bedside manners and were quick to followup on our phone calls and messages. After narrowing down the best divorce lawyer from our top 5 choices I chose Allan & Martelle based on reviews and experience. I wanted my brother to work with a reputable and honest law firm even though he falls very low on income and the divorce was rough on his finances. Ms. Allan's price was not within his budget, but we worked with Jessica Colling for the most part. I would definitely recommend them to others for divorce as we had a good experience. Thank you team! read more

Eva Martelle has represented me in more than one matter. She is super responsive and a tough negotiator. She will not waste your time nor money. I cannot recommend her highly enough. read more

I came to Eva Martelle based upon a recommendation from my previous attorney, who was moving out of state. She and her office staff were very responsive, helpful, caring, and attentive. Eva gave excellent advice on my custody and child support case, and I have always arrived at the best outcome. I highly recommend Eva Martelle to anyone seeking a through and professional lawyer to handle their case. I appreciate this woman run business and I will always call on them and trust them in my corner. Thank You! read more

I was referred to Eva from my previous attorney in the middle of a long and protracted divorce just before COVID hit making this last even longer than it should. I cannot express to you how much of a blessing this referral turned out to be. Eva is an unbelievably talented attorney; she's strong, intelligent, communicative, honest and most importantly human. She and her team handled my case with the utmost care, were absolutely brilliant, and brought my messy and scary divorce to a successful close with an outcome that was better than I could have expected. I cannot state it enough, your choice in an attorney is extremely important and I can wholeheartedly and at the top of my lungs refer Eva and her firm to anyone and everyone I come across. Cory Polk read more

I hired Eva Martelle at the beginning of 2022 to help with a child custody case, my fears of what the outcome would be were at a all time high. Mrs. Eva Martelle is truly a lifesaver, I discussed what I wanted the outcome to be and she provided me with realistic expectations, I never went into court nervous or scared as she was always right by my side. I can't express my gratitude for Mrs. Martelle, I am truly forever thankful for her and her team for getting me through this child custody case. Mrs. Martelle and her team are very communicative, very understanding and Mrs. Martelle shocked me in the court room as she really fought for me and my daughter. read more

Eva helped me during my tough divorce for a few years and she had done a great job. The other party was not cooperating but she was able to persuade them to make an agreement with us, and finally get things moving forward. I am very happy with her service, and recommend her if you have a tough situation to resolve. read more

I have worked with Eva twice in the span of 11 years. She helped me with my divorce back in 2010, and if it wasn't for her, I know I would have had a pretty tough time with my ex. She helped me see my rights and what I deserved, and not give in to manipulations. The second time I worked with her, was regarding my son. As always she did an amazing job, and I am 100% sure I would go back to her if I need any legal advise or counsel. Thanks Eva for all that you did for us! read more

Eva Martelle and her team were professional, knowledgeable, and very helpful in stewarding us through a legal separation. I highly recommend Allan & Martell, LLP for any Family Law services you might need. read more

This is a late, but much needed, review for Allan & Martelle, of whom I hired for the custody portion of my divorce. I was going through a very difficult divorce and custody process with my now ex-husband. Being on an extremely tight budget, I had attempted to represent myself, but when it came to negotiating custody of my 2 boys, I found myself on the losing side of the most important "battle" of my life. I had read about Eva Martelle's recognized pro bono work while doing my initial research and, being that I had been an in an extremely abusive relationship and had been bullied into a corner thus far in my divorce proceedings, it was EXTREMELY important for me to be able to be represented by someone who not only has a sensitive and compassionate approach to their work, but who is also an advocate for women/men who find themselves in dubious and sometimes emotionally unbearable situations, who deserved and desired equal rights and solid representation too. I had my initial consultation with Eva by phone and was able to speak with her on the same day that I had called to inquire about services. After giving her the details of my case, Eva was able to offer very good advice and helped to set my mind at ease moving forward. In person, Eva was a pleasure to work with. I loved that she is closer to my age, and therefore had a more progressive approach to handling her cases. She was able to answer all of my questions objectively and did not sugar coat anything at all, and I greatly appreciated that. I walked out of her office with a more positive outlook than I did going in, and I felt comfortable being represented by her. Because I had been going through divorce proceedings for some time, I was in a financial hole. Eva was more than willing to help me by lowering my initial retainer and being mindful of my out of pocket costs from start to finish. Once my retainer was exhausted, Eva was agreeable to let me make minimal monthly payments towards my balance. I have been making small but consistent payments for quite a few years, and Eva and her team have never once pressured me into paying off my balance or paying more money monthly. Sabrina, the accountant for the firm, has also been such a huge resource for me. She is very much on top of my account, and like clockwork, I get my monthly emails inquiring as to when I can pay my bill which I appreciate. She's also been very I understanding when I have had to ask to skip a month. Thank you to the entire team for all you have done for me. I am very grateful. read more