In my mind, practicing family law is exhausting because one absorbs and filters all the drama from divorce considering retaliation and money top the list on people's minds when divorcing. Luckily, as a lawyer, Timothy Miranda is kind and generous in the sense that he leaves the client feeling like they are his main focus. I was referred to Tim by Miramar Base Legal after the lawyer and intern sitting in heard my story and responded with "Holy Guacamole" (yes that is the G rated version). I called and left a message for him and got a call back by the end of the day. To give an idea, my story involves swingers clubs, larceny, and bookies. Yeah, I know, believe me. I know. Fast forward to my consultation... he was very professional, polite, and dressed to kick some courtroom tooshie (that sounds like an odd fact to include, but part of being powerful is dressing the part I believe). He was very direct, gave me a lot of valuable information, and did not play games. He wasn't illusive but he also didn't give the milk away for free. I was a pregnant stay at home mother with a 3 year old having to suck her pride and move back to her parents' home. Needless to say, I got the short end of the financial stick. I explained such to him and he said when I was ready, get a hold of him. I expected after a couple of weeks to hear from him about my plans, but instead he left me alone and gave me space, no pressure was involved. Another point for him... especially since divorce is not pleasant. Feelings are usually hurt, each person has set expectations, and sometimes people just want to hurt each other through the process instead of trying to get it over with, and most of the arguments are money related. So when finding a lawyer and utilizing a lawyer, one is putting their life in that one persons hands and the outcome can be a game changer. Therefore, the better the lawyer, the better one is. And then the clouds parted, rainbows sprouted all over, pink and purple unicorns flew all around, and pots of gold were visible in the distance! Through the luck of having a gracious relative, I was able to continue with things as planned. He is easy to get a hold of, is very patient (those months were not my finest... I also had a death in my very small tight knit family), and has a sense of humor to cut the cantankerous moments (every good and bad divorce needs humor and the more ridiculous it is, the funnier things need to be). I have had consultations where their personality is comparable to a rock. How can a lawyer represent someone when their eyes are glazed over and can't let out a guffaw? One of the hardest parts is when the ex is telling you A (from their lawyer), your lawyer is telling you B, and you're wondering what the heck is going on with the other party. Like I said, he was very patient, probably more so than others would have been. It is not easy to be pregnant, up a creek, and feeling like the most vulnerable person in the world, especially when one is not accustomed to feeling weak. Here's the lesson learned: ignore everyone but you're lawyer and if that kind of talk wants to be brought up, have your ex go through your lawyer, it'll save some potential grey hair. There is no guess work on how he bills his time and where the time is spent. He and his assistant are very thorough and diligent on getting invoices out in a timely manner. When Tim finds something out from the other party, you find out about it as well. He doesn't sit on it and selectively decide what is important. His interest is in the protection of his client and making sure they come out on top. His office is in a convenient location to the downtown courthouse so that's a big plus. He has a lovely view and it is easy to get distracted by it. Very clean, modern, all staff are polite and helpful, and parking really isn't that challenging. The only cons that I can come up with is when my divorce switched to a legal separation for financial reasons and we both had to come to do some final paperwork, he had a large case load and paired me/us with an associate. The associate wasn't bad or incompetent, he was just different. Timothy Miranda is much more confident in his knowledge of the law (he is not afraid to say he does not know) and definitely not clumsy. Like I said, this particular associate is just different, but still very kind and thorough. The other con is that I had to play telephone between a screaming ex and him and missed the first 30 minutes of Anna Karenina. Not his fault... my ex's lawyer was feeding lies. Overall, he is very dedicated to his clients, can cut through the bs with a butter knife, personable, and not a used car salesman read more

Let me start by saying I have been self employed for the past 30 years and unfortunately, as expected, I have dealt with many attorneys though the course of my life. No family law attorney's (Ilona was my first) but many attorney nonetheless. Let me tell you about my experience with Ilona and her staff so you can prepare accordingly. She is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. If you are a client who is not paying the bills and want to stick it to your spouse, hire Ilona on the spot, it will be a great way to make your spouse suffer with massive legal bills. I have a good rule of thumb with attorneys: If it takes an attorney longer to write the description of the service on the bill then it takes to actually perform the service (IE: under 1 min of work) it should not be charged. Expect a massive amount of charges for $25, $35, $50, etc. Things like: "Review email with stipulation request for 90 days:" that was $100 dollars. If you are the client who has to pay.... Be very prepared. It will be expensive, very expensive. I came to Ilona to prepare a simple settlement agreement. By the time we parted ways I had paid her 25k and she had only sent 1 email to the opposing counsel- asking for a 90 day stay.. that's it. Also, before we could finish Ilona dropped my case because she didn't like the way I spoke to her finance department. In my case I justified her ridiculous fees because my wife and I were amicable and I just kept telling myself it was almost over, however, in prolonged litigation you will undoubtedly end up sending more money to her trust account then to your spouse. The real reason I couldn't take it anymore is due to the harassing collection calls from Michelle in the finance department. Be prepared to receive a series of calls and emails on daily basis if you retainer gets anywhere below a positive balance of $1000. What I mean by "harassing" is at a minimum of 2 emails a day calling for you to replenish your retainer to $10,000 followed by phone calls to see if you received the email. Even my friend, who acted as a mediator between my wife and I, received phone calls asking how to get a hold of me. As I said previously, I have dealt with many attorneys though my business career, and never... NEVER have I been bombarded to replenish my retainer like I was my Antonyan Miranda. In a stressful situation like this the last thing you need is to be harassed by your lawyer to replenish a retainer on a daily basis. In normal litigation, you start with a retainer and when you run though it you receive monthly bills. Doesn't work like this with Antonyan Miranda. If you are ok with getting harassed when you still have money on retainer with the firm then no problem, but if you want to feel like your attorney has something other than money on her mind then choose else ware. Lastly, I find the slogans for Antonyan Miranda ironically amusing, for example, "when the ring comes off, the gloves come off," or "we are the best for the worst." They/Ilona puts out the image that they are tough, no nonsense, we'll break your spouse etc. etc. However, when it comes right down to it is VERY easy to offend there sensibility. Simply replying to an email from the finance department (after being bombarded for 3 straight days by them) and saying, "If you contact me one more time you will never hear from me again," will be grounds for her to drop your case immediately because she, "did not appreciate the tone of your email." Pretty sensitive stuff from a firm who likes to promote their bulldog approach. So in summary, this firm is all about money. Money Money Money. Extract if from you, and put it in their pocket. Most attorney are like this, but Antonyan Miranda takes it to a whole different level They have the whole team assembled and want to go to war and spend as much as they can with emails, phone calls, forensic accountants, little 20 year olds to greet you at the lobby, blah blah...... but remember, DO NOT, for any reason, get upset with them or have frustration with them because the next email you will get will be a "substitution of attorney" and they will drop you that quick.... Because as incentive as they are about your situation, they are a VERY sensitive firm. I wish I could comment on whether or not Ilona is a good attorney but in all honesty I don't know. I know it cost me 25k, but strangely I don't know if she is good or not because there was no interaction with opposing council, no court date, etc. I hope my two cents helps, if you are reading this review you are probably already in a stressful situation and I wish you the best in seeking our attorney. read more

Time is money. The Law Offices of Antonyan Miranda are, simply stated, the best. Highly professional, strategic and timely. I have had Tim Miranda successfully managing my very complicated case. (I have also referred him to someone else and they too, have been thrilled with his work). What I have noticed and appreciated: Tim very quickly grasped both the macro view of my case and the nuances. He developed a clear and aggressive strategy. Because he is smart and professional, his legal writing is solid. This was crucial for me. While most attorney's leave things out, write poorly, fail to grasp the law to support their position and worse yet, have to resort to lies (which is just embarrassing) Tim does not. As such, this has saved me a tremendous amount of money. Frankly, I appreciate the fact he does not engage in the 'noise' and minutia from opposing counsel. Tim very clearly, professionally (yet passionately), articulates my case before the Judge. He is also timely in his replies to me. I never felt ignored, or over-charged. This is the first time I have some peace, knowing someone can just handle whatever comes up. Prior to this firm, I was slogging it out with other incompetent firms that overpromised and delivered nothing but incomplete and incorrect work. I spent countless hours and time having to 'convince, handhold and re-write' their sloppy work. This was my time and emotional energy that I will never get back and for me, paying a little bit more has been worth it. Other lawyers may charge a little less, but their prized skill is inflating their billable hours. Antonyan Miranda take pride in their profession and their business. Their billable hours are reasonable and on-par; compared to the dishonesty and laziness I had previously experienced (to the tune of $100k - for nothing). If you need an attorney, I see no reason to not use this firm. Tim Miranda is good at winning. I am proud and thankful that he represents me. His professionalism stands out and I cannot thank him and this team (Catherine, Kathleen etc.) for all they do. When you are spending money on a legal firm, this is the level of professionalism and peace (freedom) you should come to expect. My suggestion to other firms, take notice or look out. read more

I resorted to a lawyer only after my former wife refused to comply with the court-ordered MSA and threatened to sue me. I chose the best and built the case with Carlos Tavares over 3 months. We offered to mediate as well as settle out of court to avoid expenses to no avail. Here's why we won: 1. Honest - Carlos tells you if you've got a case or not. He's not going to baby you. His reputation before the judge is on the line too. 2. Professional - We worked as a team gathering relevant evidence and developed the elements based on the law. The complaint stood on its own with ample evidence. Carlos' arguments were icing on the cake. 3. Teamwork- I worked with Carlos and another junior lawyer who prepared the complaint itself. YOU have to supply evidence to build the case. YOU have to be prepared. If you can't handle being prepared, you aren't going to win and no firm can help you. You also won't get along with Carlos. I never said a word in court. Carlos presented the complaint and provided enough rebuttal for the defense to hang itself. He referenced relevant case law in lawyer jargon and chuckled when appropriate to diminish the defense's position. We went 3 for 3 in overtime and got lawyer's fees which is exceptional. Slam dunk. For consideration: 1. The case wasn't cheap. (Cheap was the side that lost). You choose after you explain your case to Carlos. 2. Be prepared. A&M LLP and Carlos ensure a good case wins. 3. Don't play games. It's a legal relationship. He'll see through your BS and push back. 4. Carlos isn't your therapist. You called him to win in court and that's his modus. More than once i wanted to cry. If that happens talk to the junior attorney or indicate you're struggling. He'll ease up. Finally, A&M LLP was a terminator in the courtroom and Carlos was human at the end of the day. Prepare to win and they'll get you there. read more

1-Star Review -- Updated in 2025: Still Suffering From Her Representation I hired Ilona Antonyan in 2018 expecting strong, protective legal counsel. Instead, her handling of my case was so careless and damaging that I'm still -- SIX plus YEARS LATER -- dealing with the fallout in 2025. Her failure to include a basic clause that would have safeguarded my rights has cost me years of litigation, endless stress, and a massive financial burden that should never have existed. Because of how severely her representation impacted me, I filed a complaint with the State Bar, and they opened an investigation into the issues I reported. That alone should tell you how serious the consequences have been for me. To this day, I am still trying to collect money that would have been protected had she drafted the agreement properly. Whether this was negligent, lazy, or done intentionally to generate "future work," I can't say -- but the end result is the same: my life was left unprotected by the person who was supposed to defend it. Meanwhile, her online profiles are filled with glowing 5-star reviews from accounts that have only ever reviewed one or two businesses. Anyone reading those should take them with a massive grain of salt, especially when former clients like me are still suffering from the long-term effects of her work. If anyone else has experienced similar incompetence or unethical behavior, I strongly encourage you to file your own report with the State Bar of California. One complaint can be ignored, but a pattern cannot. Attorneys who harm their clients through careless or irresponsible representation need to be held accountable, and the only way that happens is when people speak up. My experience with Ilona was devastating, and I would never recommend her to anyone who needs an attorney who actually protects their client's interests. read more

From the moment I spoke with Kathleen Leifer, Esq., Manager of Client Relations, I knew I had chosen the right firm to represent me in my divorce. Her professionalism and kindness was so appreciated and I am blessed she agreed the firm would take my case. For the past 18 months, I had attempted to represent myself. I lost custody of my children, custody of my home, was even fired from my job, and had hit rock bottom. I hired Carlos Tavares, Esq. one week before the start of my divorce trial. He worked tirelessly and professionally with me on a very complicated, hotly contentious child custody dispute and defended me at the child custody part of my trial. I won't lie - he is a hardass. But he is also a good man, husband, and father and I trusted him immediately to be honest and to work with integrity to help me do what is best for my children. With less that 4 days to prepare and a history of having lost pretty much every hearing I had attempted to handle on my own, Carlos took my case from the dumpster to the halls of justice where he masterfully defended me and WON the child custody order I had been fighting 18 months for. I will be forever grateful for Carlos and Kathleen and their incredibly professional team for their expertise, their willingness to take on an underdog, and the creativity it took in such a short amount of time to really do what is best for my three children and me. If you are looking for excellent representation and you have the resources, hire this firm. If he is available, hire Carlos. He is a superior family law specialist. And if ever a case tested his knowledge, agility, and creativity for doing what's best for a client, it was my case. It is my honor and pleasure to give Carlos, Kathleen, and the Antonyan Miranda firm five stars. And I thank them from the bottom of my heart. read more

A Steadfast Advocate I cannot recommend Andrew Rosenberry of Antonyan Miranda highly enough. Three years ago, I faced a complex and emotionally draining legal battle. After other top firms declined my case, I knew Andrew was the right attorney when he took on my unique and challenging situation. Andrew's Expertise Made the Difference His exceptional legal mind and experience as a litigator were invaluable. He navigated intricate legal issues with confidence, using his deep understanding of case law to my advantage. In court, Andrew's calm and composed demeanor, coupled with his fierce advocacy, inspired confidence. A Turning Point in the Courtroom During a particularly tense hearing, the judge initially seemed inclined to deny a seemingly routine request. Andrew, however, immediately challenged the decision, persuasively presenting facts and law that ultimately convinced the judge to rule in my favor. His unwavering dedication and two-hour defense were truly impressive. The outcome left me in tears! Years of Experience, Invaluable Results Having previously worked with eight different attorneys across three states, I can confidently say that Andrew possesses a rare skillset. He doesn't just handle cases; he fights for the best outcome possible, bringing the full force of the law to your defense. Andrew: My California Courtroom Ally The experience left a lasting impact, but Andrew's guidance and support made a world of difference. If you need a skilled and dedicated lawyer in California, look no further than Andrew Rosenberry. He will be by your side, advocating fiercely for your rights! read more

I had a very disappointing experience with Antonyan Miranda. Over a relatively short period of time, I was billed over $29,000 and still only ended up with temporary custody-related orders before having to switch attorneys because I felt like the case was being overstaffed and overbilled. Throughout the case, I was repeatedly billed for multiple attorneys being involved in the same phone calls, meetings, strategy discussions, and internal conferences. I was also charged for repeated reviews of the same documents, text messages, emails, support calculations, and revisions to the same pleadings. Many of the invoices included vague block billing, repeated "case status" meetings, internal conferences between attorneys and staff, and administrative tasks such as uploading documents, converting files to PDFs, organizing exhibits, calendaring deadlines, and sending Zoom links. I understand legal matters are expensive, but the total amount billed did not feel proportional to the stage of the case or the results achieved. I also raised concerns about billing accuracy during the representation and at least some charges were later corrected. By the end of the case, I felt financially drained and no longer felt comfortable continuing with the firm, so I switched attorneys. Since the firm was not willing to work anything out directly, I am now pursuing fee arbitration in an attempt to recover some of the charges that I believe were unfair and excessive. I would strongly encourage anyone considering this firm to carefully review every invoice line by line and ask questions early and often. read more

Attorney Brenda Lopez was an unexpected hire because my former lawyer retired on short-notice. I am glad that she ended up representing me through a very lengthy process of division of property incident to my divorce which happened OVER 10 YEARS AGO! She was very patient , even when I questioned the military pension "expert's" opinion of how my retirement should be divided. We both learned a lot from this partnership. I can say without a doubt that Brenda is now THE expert at matters pertaining to the military "Frozen Benefit Rule" and the NDAA-17/18 amendment that brought it about. I am pleased with her thoroughness and her attention to detail. Even when I forgot details about my case that could have materially damaged me, she did not let me slip and was quick to remind me of what's what. She kept me updated on where we were with the process without me having to ask for it. She set my expectations accordingly and I was never suprised by anything. My case could have ended sooner if I had just given into my ex-wife's demands and I had a weaker lawyer that wanted an open/shut case so they can move on to the next client. But Brenda had my best interest in mind the whole time and guided me on my decisions. The outcome of my case was what I expected. This was all thanks to Brenda for being flexible to my wants, but firm to my needs. HIRE THIS EXPERT! You won't regret it. You will get what you pay for. I consider her services the cheapest expenditure I've spent on my [ex]-wife. Wouldn't you want to be able to say the same thing? read more

After a nasty divorce that led to never-ending custody disputes, working with Nick Moore took an enormous weight off my shoulders. Service and care are clearly his priority, and he is deeply invested not just in his clients, but in the best interests of the entire family. I truly cannot say enough good things about Mr. Moore and his team. He represents my children and my voice so well and he DOES NOT MISS. He is incredibly thorough when reviewing documents, extremely observant, and has a rare ability to understand family dynamics. His insights go far beyond the surface and reflect a deep investment in truly knowing my case. What I appreciate most is that he amplifies my voice and advocates fiercely for me, while also guiding me on how to carry myself throughout the litigation process. Mr. Moore offers clear direction on how to communicate with the other party, keeps me grounded, and consistently encourages a focus on my children's best interests. His legal advice is thoughtful, strategic, and well-calculated. He keeps me informed about strategy every step of the way and makes excellent use of every resource available to him. The care he takes with language alone speaks volumes. His choice of words shows just how much time and effort he invests into understanding my family and my case. It honestly feels like he earned a PhD on my situation. The retainer is worth every penny. If you're looking for an attorney who is detailed, strategic, compassionate, and truly committed, Nicholas Moore IS THE ONE! read more

I don't even know where to begin, because no words will ever fully capture the gratitude I feel for Antonyan Miranda and what they've done for me and my children. When I was in the darkest chapter of my life, trapped in a situation marked by domestic violence, fear, and uncertainty they became the guiding light I desperately needed. I was scared, alone, and unsure of what to do. I was worried about our safety, our future, and whether I had the strength to fight for a better life for myself and my kids. But from the very first moment I began working with this firm, I felt supported, protected, and seen. They not only gave me representation, they gave me hope, clarity, and strength. My attorney's compassion was matched only by his fierce expertise. He and his team moved quickly, decisively, and with unwavering dedication to ensure my children and I were safe. Every question I had, they answered. Every fear I had, they addressed. Every step of the process, they walked with me. I truly felt like I wasn't alone anymore...and that is something I can never thank them enough for. Were they expensive? Yes. But when it comes to the safety of your children and your future, there is no price too high. I can honestly say that every dollar spent was worth it a thousand times over. They didn't just win a case, they helped me rebuild a life. A life free of fear, filled with possibility, and grounded in peace. To everyone at Antonyan Miranda, thank you. You were heaven-sent, and you've forever changed our lives. read more

From the moment I called Antonyan Miranda I knew I was in good hands. I was facing a child custody issue and was on the verge of going to court with my ex-wife. When I first called I spoke with Kathleen Raya who is super informative and caring! Kathleen is a lawyer and works as the client coordinator. Kathleen answered tons of questions I had and made me feel like I was going to be ok. Kathleen evaluated my needs and paired me with Sara Yunus. Let me just say that Sara is as sharp as a razor! I met with her and she reviewed my case and all of the documents I gave her. Sara gave me her undivided attention during my initial consultation and provided me with a game plan on how to protect myself and family. I was so impressed that I retained Sara and the Antonyan Miranda law firm!!! They are great people who truly care about their clients. They coached me on ways I could keep my attorney costs down (example: when writing an e-mail to my lawyer make sure to include multiple pieces of information and be organized...that way they can get through it quickly and efficiently). Their billing is more than fair and they do not nickel and dime you. You will be getting a top rated law firm for a very reasonable price. Ultimately with the services of Sara and Antonyan Miranda I was able to come to an agreement with my ex-wife and avoid court/costly litigation. I am very pleased with my results. Give them a call!!!! John read more

Calling Antonyan Miranda LLP was the answer to our prayers. From the moment we walked in the door we received impeccable customer service. Char and the women at the front desk made us comfortable. They are professional and polished and made an excellent first impression upon our introduction to this firm. We were then introduced to Kathleen Leifer, Esq. Kathleen is a jewel. She spoke to us at length about the litigation we were facing, listened to our concerns and paired us with the attorney she thought would best handle our case. We are beyond grateful for her assistance. We met with Attorney Carlos Tavares days before a hearing was scheduled in my fathers' case. Carlos takes no prisoners. He will tell you what he needs from you no more no less. His attention to detail and ability to prioritize have moved our case closer to closing in five months than in the entire 6 years we have been in litigation. His presentation of the facts, especially given the limited amount of time he had before the first hearing, was the best I have seen and I can find no fault. He knows the law and wields that knowledge with a finesse that inspires confidence and respect for his talent and confidence that we have the right attorney for the job. He demands respect and earns it. I wish my father were well enough to meet this amazing group of people who are fighting for him. read more

I had nothing but an incredible experience working with Antonyan Miranda LLP. My case was reviewed by Kathleen Raya who was able to answer many of my preliminary questions via email. Then I was able to meet in person with her and the attorney to discuss our plan of action going forward. Even though I would say my case was simpler than what a firm of this stature normally works with, I was still treated with the utmost professionalism. A great example of the firm's communication was shown when the attorney above let the firm, and my case was taken over by Christina Batsakis. They informed me of the change and Christina was able to provide a phone consultation to bring herself up to speed on the case free of charge. Christina flawlessly executed on her side and handled the case exactly as we wanted to from the start. Thank you so much Christina! You were able to provide much needed piece of mind to the point that my divorce became little more than me electronically signing a slew of documents and knowing you would take care of the rest! Now that my case is closed, the financial department rapidly returned my retainer and provided a one stop email on the many ways to pick up my case file. Specific thanks to Thao Tran for the above, to include clear communication of my retainer balance. read more