I cannot recommend Catie highly enough. For the first two years of my case, I felt like I was losing at every turn. My case was extremely high-conflict, and my ex had a way of charming the judge into believing his lies. Despite having overwhelming evidence, witness statements, and even my children's own testimony in my favor, my concerns were routinely ignored. Everything changed the moment I hired Catie. She truly had my back--she made the judge listen, made sure the facts were properly presented, and stood up for me in ways my previous three lawyers never did. Within six months, she completely turned my case around. She exposed my ex's lies, won sanctions, and achieved tangible results. Most importantly, she gave me my voice back. Catie is a fierce, knowledgeable, and compassionate advocate--I finally felt truly represented. read more

I hired Griffith & Young to represent me against my ex-wife's accusations of domestic violence that she had made in pursuit of a restraining order. I have been divorced from her for 7 years and have only had contact with her through email. The core of her accusation of harassment and mental abuse was one email response to her that was very crude and insulting from over a year ago. I spoke with several attorneys, and they were all confident it was a weak case to get a permanent restraining order. I am sure that as inquiries come into G&Y, they are reviewed based on possible revenue and complexity. Since my case was most likely viewed as not driving many billable hours, it was assigned to what I surmise was the least experienced attorney in the office. Lea Trojanowski handled my case, and while she expressed confidence that it was a weak case, she showed up at the hearing and presented no defense to the accusations. She explained that the "burden" was on my ex-wife, so we ended up going to multiple hearings to listen to my ex-wife, unrepresented, drone on in front of the judge. When it came our turn, pretty much nothing. This drug out over several months, and ultimately, I was presented with a permanent restraining order. I would have fared the same if not better if I had proceeded to represent myself. It was glaringly obvious that while she had spent time working in the SD Court offices (Domestic Violence, Family Law Facilitators), she had no real experience representing a client in front of a judge. When I provided her feedback on the experience, she blamed me and essentially changed her story, saying that the case was not a good one, and I gave her nothing to work with (I had provided a significant amount of information that could have been used to refute my ex-wife's claims). If she is the one that Griffith & Young provide you, I would pass and go another direction. read more

I scheduled and paid for this consultation because I was looking for legal guidance, professionalism, and experienced representation during a stressful litigation process. Unfortunately, I left the meeting with serious concerns regarding both the professionalism of the consultation and the level of legal knowledge being presented. The most concerning statement made during the meeting was that much of the hearsay laws had been "forgotten." In any litigation matter involving evidentiary disputes, hearsay law is foundational. Hearing that from an attorney significantly undermined my confidence in the firm's knowledge and ability to effectively handle complex procedural and evidentiary issues. read more

Divorce is hard enough, but having a nasty opposing counsel makes it feel impossible. I came to Josh Yee mid-case, and he was the calming force I needed. He is incredibly kind and takes the time to make sure you feel heard and supported. While the other side was being aggressive, Josh stayed professional and collected, never letting their tactics rattle him. He turned a high-stress situation into a manageable one. If you need your hand held like I did, I recommend Josh and the team at GY. read more

I can't say enough great things about Lea. She helped me through a very difficult 2 year long divorce process even while I was deployed with the military. She and her team were very responsive, helpful, and answered any questions I had. Lea's arguments in court were great and it felt nice to have someone who truly cared and did whatever they could to assist. Would recommend to anyone! Very affordable too. Thank you again! read more

The firm was responsive, efficient and effective. I felt like they worked to accomplish the goal while being mindful of the expense to the client. Would highly recommend! Special thanks to Josh, Jennifer and the team! read more

I have been affiliated with Griffith and Young for about 5 years due to an unwanted and stressful divorce from a 32 year marriage. In the last month, the changes they have made at this firm (formerly GYL) have been outstanding! Do you want things explained in a caring and understandable (if you are not employed in the legal field) way? Do you want your billing and financial matters with this firm to be prompt, professional, concise, accurate and competitive with other law firms as far as charges made to you for services? Do you want to speak with people who really listen and take the time to understand your needs? Do you want people who take action to solve your issues/requests because they have all the information to do so, and then have the perfect solution? If this is you, you have arrived! I specifically worked with Amanda and highly recommend her. She networked with the other staff there to quickly offer the proper remedy for me. Additionally, in the cold world of law, finding a business with people who demonstrate caring and proficiency instead of just the bottom line is truly rare! Thank you, Amanda, for really going the distance with your staff to help resolve my requests and concerns in a very timely and professional way. It was during the holidays, and she just jumped right in doubled down and worked on this! It made my Good Friday and Easter GREAT! Thanks again Amanda and staff! read more

I retained Eric Cowdery as my attorney back in December 2018. My divorce was extremely high conflict. Eric was there to walk me through step by step of the entire process including a DVRO, 730 custody evaluation, a multi-day trial on custody, and a final judgement. Eric's knowledge of the law and his compassion for his clients makes him excel at what he does. Eric was there for me during some of the most stressful moments of my life. I am so grateful to Eric and the entire GYL team. Thank you! read more

I went to GYL for help renewing my DVRO and child support arrears and got connected with Lea Trojanowski. Lea and Grier King would always make sure to communicate with me to check in and make sure I knew what was happening at all times and if they needed any additional information to help them with either of my cases. There's no way I would have been able to do any of this on my own. There are no words that can express how great Lea and Grier were. If I could sum it up in one word it would be AWESOME. Services are not cheap but worth it and they offer payment plans. They're open about their fees upfront and also considerate about your budget along the way after your retainer has been used up. You get a feeling of a heart attack when you get your bill but after you get the end result of services you realize it's going to be ok. Her legal representation and Griers help with everything have helped me and my kids have peace of mind. If you're seeking legal help for Family Law, I highly recommend Lea Trojanowski at GYL. read more

I retained GYL in 2021 regarding a complicated situation and I was in desperate need of guidance. From the first phone call, the process was seamless, and the communication was consistent. When all was said and done, everything went well with my case, and my kiddos and I are so grateful to GYL for their hard work! Fast forward to now, I have just joined the GYL team, and can say that behind the scenes, they are an even better company than I realized! Sometimes people say you shouldn't meet your heroes because you'll be disappointed, but in this case, I am so happy to find that they truly believe in what they do day in, day out. read more

Amy Lass and her team were amazing to work with, I was going through a difficult divorce and couldn't have asked for a better team to guide me through the process to a final resolution. Special shout out to Grier King, she was fantastic - always keeping me informed and updated, I can't thank Amy, Grier and the team enough for what they did for me. Highly recommend! read more

I hired this firm to handle my divorce and we just wrapped things up. Attorney Josh Yee handled my case and was so kind and thorough through the process. He was able to settle all of the issues and prevent my case from going to trial. When it came time to settle my bill, I talked to partner, John Griffith. He was understanding of my circumstances and generous in agreeing to discount my bill and allow me to make payments. I would definitely recommend this firm to anyone needing compassionate, but also skillful representation. read more

I want to thank Amy Lass and Brittany Van Ryder at GYL for not only getting me through a very difficult and long divorce negotiation, but also helping me with the subsequent legal entanglements that ensued even after the final agreement was signed. I also want to thank her for always fighting for me and also for telling it like it is. She managed the case so as not to cost me an arm and a leg and was always honest about the outcomes and best course of action that was best for me and my children. I wish I would have listened to her more and I could have avoided even more conflicts along the way - but she never gave up and represented me 100%. I appreciate Amy and the team at GYL! Thank You read more

I hired John Griffith to help me with a very difficult and sensitive matter. John was kind and compassionate, but also stern and professional. He was able to get my matter settled and resolved entirely within two weeks of me hiring him. I highly recommend this law firm. read more

Not only did John Griffith when my case, he and his team are a group of highly intelligent, promptly responsive and compassionate Attorneys. If you are looking for the best family law attorney I highly recommend John Griffith and his team. read more

This firm is terrible! $7500 retainer and $500 an hour to basically just get my disclosures to the other party...They dropped the ball multiple times, would not respond to my emails or the other party's emails so I went with someone else who got the ball rolling and is actuating fighting for me...If you want to throw your money away, go with this firm read more

Thousands of dollars spent, felt no support from my attorney. Just more and more bills being sent. Headed back to court due to her mistakes and misinformation. Do not waste your time or money with these scammers. read more

Such a sh**ty circumstance. The courts are so upside down. $$$ gobbled up so fast. Who won?! Is there a winner? This is where Amy and her team came in and dropped a dose of reality. Put a long term plan together so I can be a real dad. I'm so grateful for her realness where others wouldn't even care past their fees. Thank you team. I owe you. If anyone is in a tough family law position and need an advocate this is your only stop. read more

Amy Lass and her team took over my case from another firm after several months of spinning wheels and little movement and immediately shined a hope filled light into what felt like a pretty dismal situation. The opposing counsel was well known for bullying tactics and fee raising strategies and Amy knew exactly how to handle her and get us on a smart path forward. Amy has a highly effective team who jumped in and got the job done right and fast. They are amazing! Within a few short months we got to mediation and settled! Overall, the service I received from Griffith, Young and Lass was stellar! Yes, that means top 1% - better than outstanding! read more

I received excellent representation by Amy Lass, of Griffith, Young and Lass during my divorce. Most divorces are difficult, and there's usually some sort of surprise that comes up during the process. Amy Lass, and her team steered me through the process and helped to assure that I received the best most equitable settlement I could get, while simultaneously being respectful of my limited resources to pay for legal counsel. If you are considering a collaborative divorce, you should definitely schedule a consultation with Amy Lass at GYL. read more

I retained Amy Lass, of Griffith, Young and Lass after researching and interviewing several attorneys. I would recommend her services because she (along with her team) kept me informed about the process and progress of the case. My ex-husband's attorney was inexperienced and unreliable. Amy and her team followed up with her repeatedly to try and move the case along. Amy is organized and methodical, and has a great work ethic. She also very promptly replies to emails, which I appreciate. I felt well represented and ultimately I got what I wanted insofar as the settlement. I would recommend Amy and her team to others going through a divorce. read more

Going through a divorce is never easy but Amy and Sarah were so great! I couldn't have done it without them. Very knowledgeable, responsive and reassuring. The court system can be frustrating and they were there to answer questions, navigate and advocate to achieve the best outcome for both parties. read more

My friend recommended this firm to me and after also hearing many wonderful sentiments about the attorneys at GYL I consulted with Karissa and instantly knew she was the attorney for me. I had a terrible experience with my prior attorney and I was extremely nervous about hiring another attorney, but something was different about Karissa and I could feel it. Karissa cares deeply about each of her cases, but more than that, she cares about our children. She has served on the minors counsel, which for me was something I was specifically looking for in an attorney. Karissa will make you feel like you are the only client she has, as she is truly that attentive to your needs and concerns. She will fight for you. Karissa is proof that you do not need a slimy and aggressive attorney to get what you want in court; she is assertive, ethical, and adept throughout the entire process. Karissa is realistic and does not sugar coat the reality of your case, and she is exceptionally skilled at planning and executing your goals. I truly thought I would never trust another attorney but Karissa has proved to me time and time again that there are still good and moral lawyers out there. The only thing I would change is to have hired her two years earlier. The GYL firm as a whole is truly wonderful, they collaborate exceptionally well, they are highly respected in the San Diego legal community, and are dedicated to helping support parents during, in my opinion, the most intimate, delicate, and stressful time in our lives. I'm sure you would be happy with anyone at GYL, but I can say from personal experience I would choose Karissa ten times over. I can assure you that she will make your time in the family court system less taxing so you can focus more on your kids and not on your case. You are in good hands. read more

Let me start off by saying that meeting with John Griffith and ultimately retaining him and his team to represent me in my divorce case, was the best thing that I have done. To make a long story longer, I had previously been represented by two different attorneys. One which was overly aggressive and emotional, which is never a good thing, and the second attorney had no back bone, while also being a horrible litigator. John Griffith is the complete opposite, and handled my case with the greatest professionalism and knowledge that I have seen in any family law attorney. In my situation, my ex spouse and I had divorced in 2011. We did not complete the divorce agreement correctly, but we had a verbal agreement regarding the separation of community assets and debts. My ex ended up hiring an attorney, that recognized that we did not complete the divorce docs correctly, and tried to take advantage of that, by accusing me of breaching my fiduciary responsibility, intentionally and maliciously hiding my military TSP (401k) and requesting that the court award my ex 100% of my military TSP, while also awarding her attorney fees. When first meeting with John, I explained to him the situation, informing him that the case was complete BS and fabrication. He was upfront and honest with me, letting me know that we had a decent chance of winning the case (no guarantees), but it would be much less expensive if I simply settled. Even telling me "If you were my brother, I would recommend that you settle". I explained to him that settling wasn't an option...the principle of the matter was much more important, and I didn't want my ex or her attorney to receive one penny from me. At that point, John let me know that he was up for the challenge, and ready to destroy the opposing counsel and my ex. That's exactly what he did. Upon the initial hearing, John controlled the court room. He literally had the court in the palm of his hand, ultimately informing the court and basically advising opposing counsel that he needed to resubmit his motion, because his initial request was incorrect. Opposing counsel couldn't hold a candle to John's knowledge. During opening arguments, John destroyed opposing counsel's argument, while also severely damaging the credibility of my ex wife, before she even took the stand. John was an expert litigator, making his opponent look amateur. While opposing counsel (an attorney with 25 years experience) was flustered, argumentative, and seemingly uninformed, John was calm and professional, constantly out maneuvering opposing counsel, and attacking my ex wife's credibility. John made such a mess out of my ex wife's testimony, that her attorney would not put her back on the stand, to defend herself against the allegations and testimony that I gave. Just as great, was John's ability to rehabilitate my testimony, while also ask me questions that would not only strengthen my credibility, but hurt the credibility of my ex as well. This is extremely important, if you plan on winning your case. Opposing counsel requested that the judgment be given in writing, which also meant that closing arguments were given in writing, rather than at the end of the hearing. John's closing argument was the nuclear bomb that destroyed my ex wife's case, once and for all. Literally, 90% of the judge's written decision, which was in my favor, was taken word for word from John's closing argument. The decision and the wording of the decision could not have been more one sided. Again, 90% OF THE COURT'S WRITTEN DECISION WAS TAKEN DIRECTLY FROM JOHN'S CLOSING ARGUMENT. That is how much knowledge and professionalism John possesses. It also shows just how respected he is by the Family Law judges. If you are in need of a Family Law Attorney, and you don't at least meet with John Griffith, you are making a mistake. The only bigger mistake would be not hiring John and his team to represent you. John Griffith has my greatest respect, and highest recommendation. He is the best Family Law Attorney in San Diego. read more

We live in Maine but after interviewing a half a dozen East Coast attorneys to handle an SOR response... we were so discouraged that we we finally decided to contact Catie Young based in these Yelp Reviews, a bit of desperation and a glimmer of intuition. From the first phone call with Kyla, we felt some hope. Kyla reassured us and set us up for a conference call with Catie. Catie listened to our case and concerns. She made us no promises but told us exactly what we needed to do to have the best chance at reinstatement. She was kind, smart and supportive. Because we had taken so much time interviewing other attorneys, we had very limited time to pull it all together. Catie never made us feel stressed or worried about the timeframe. The price was 1/2 of what we would have needed just for a retainer for any of the other attorneys that we had interviewed. With her flat rate fee structure, we had so much peace of mind knowing exactly what were paying for and what to expect moving forward. She explained our options if we ended up with an unfavorable outcome, including cost. Her no nonsense yet kind guidance left us feeling hopeful, reassured and confident in her if we found ourselves having to appear at an appeal. We provided Catie with the documents she requested and she prepared our response. It was thorough, professional and very impressive. We submitted and just found out on Friday that our response came back favorable. Security Clearance reinstated! Thanks Catie and Kyla for you support, your kindness and your hard work. We highly recommend this team. Even if our results had been unfavorable, we know that Katie and her team did an excellent job. read more

John Griffith was referred to me by an opposing party. I was told he is aggressive, sharp, and most importantly not desensitized which was the most valuable quality to me given what I went through. I wanted someone that fought all criminality and injustice while possessing indubitable expertise and professionalism. His presence alone wins respect and trust and I consulted with 5 attorney's prior to retaining. Not only did Mr. Griffith and paralegal, Kristen present incredibly well and prove due diligence but also went to extraordinary lengths to fight for my restitution against my ex husband who is the epitome of the devil. It couldn't have been more complex with fraud, domestic violence, and a corrupt CPA. It didn't phase this attorney one bit, he never lost confidence or questioned the outcome. This attorney is my hero, and I would proudly recommend him to anyone seeking a family law attorney. read more

I can't say enough about how amazing Amy Lass has been through my divorce process. She made me feel like I really had a good friend on my side. Extremely professional and always had fair and good advice. You always here people say that the lawyers are the only ones that win in a divorce but this wasn't the case with Amy. She was always quick to respond, straight to the point and was continually respectful and aware of the time we were spending on things so we weren't running the clock when we didn't need to. If you're looking for a Family Law Attorney, I highly recommend Amy and her team. I can't imagine anyone better. Caring, respectful and professional are the words that come to mind as it relates to her. read more

We chose John last year because of the reviews on Yelp for a revisited divorce/custody case. We provided everything they asked for plus more and the details were still overlooked. John promised things that were not delivered and offered no real insight or help to the case in any way. He seemed nervous and unprepared in court as well. Ultimately, the judge ruled on everything the mediator recommended, which luckily was in our favor. But in the end, John's services were completely useless to us except for the piles of paperwork filed with the court (which his assistants do). read more

My professional experience with Catie Young as a Security Clearance attorney could not have been better. Catie's expertise and wisdom as it relates to procedures and requirements for success have been outstanding. Throughout the entire process, which lasted several months Catie provided me with the necessary legal guidance and direction to find ways to respond and adhere to the courts needs. If I ever had a desire to SUPPORT and RECOMMEND a PROFESSIONAL it would be CATIE YOUNG. A true Expert in the field of Security Clearance adjudication law. Sincerely, REJones read more

I have to say, there should be six stars available to rate Catie Young as a professional lawyer! I would fully recommend her services to anyone who has problems getting a government security clearance. She understands the inter-workings of the clearance process and can get you a favorable decision. Prior to retaining Catie, I worked with another law office (don't want to mention any names) to draft a Statement of Reasons (SOR). From the get go, I felt that they did not have my interests at heart. I was just another notch in their belt. On the other hand, her team does. They guided me every step of the way and the outcome was better than I could have hoped for. If you have any issues, Mrs. Young should be your first call. read more

Hiring Amy Lass is the best thing I ever did regarding custody of my kids!!! She is a mother herself so she completely understood my needs and wants. She's hard nosed and doesn't let other lawyers push her around. If you tell her what you want she fights for it as if they are her kids!! Also Melissa has been great too. If I need to get a hold of them they always pick up the phone. During a very stressful and sad time, Amy gave me something to look forward to!! read more

I retained Amy Lass for representation during divorce proceedings that were somewhat complicated and high-stakes (to me). I believe Amy has a sound mind for law and understands Family Law subtleties well. Unfortunately, I also found that there was a very specific lack of support from Amy on the negotiating front both during mediation and any interactions with opposing council. I felt 100% of the time that I was actually having to advocate for myself with Amy and at no time did I sense that she was on my team or otherwise was interested in representing my interest. Of note - I believe her team of supporting players are extremely strong. Due to this lack of support I found myself doing much of the strategizing, prioritizing and computing of support, payments, an appropriate cost of the house from which I was attempting to buy my ex-husband and other elements of community property. When I informed Amy that I made the decision to change attorneys, she told me 'it was a good idea'. I think it's clear that if your attorney does not believe they can adequately represent you, it is their responsibility to inform as such given the gravity and life-long implications of the work they are doing on your behalf. Steer clear of this attorney is my advice. read more

Amy Lass is the person to hire when you want a complicated divorce to find its best ending. She is realistic, professional, efficient, and creative -- especially when faced with the other party in the case delaying every stage of the process. Highly respected by local judges, her briefs clearly led the way to closure so my family can move on. So grateful for her help! read more

I can't say enough about John Griffith and would highly recommend him. He represented my daughter in her divorce. He was recommended by a family friend who recently went through a divorce. John Griffith represented his ex-wife. If you think about it, that's a pretty high compliment to recommend "the other guy." John's aggressive but also truly cares. I honestly didn't think they made attornies like him. He's not only one of the best attornies I've ever seen (and sadly, I've seen my share) but he's also just a great person! read more

"I am so thankful to have had Shirin on my side. She represented me in a child custody and support matter and thanks to her hard work, the court's ruling was very favorable to me and reflected exactly what I requested. I would recommend Griffith, Young & Lass to anyone looking for kind, honest, hard-working and skillful lawyers. Thank you Shirin, Sarah, and the rest of the GYL team!" read more

no one wants to be in the difficult position of getting a divorce but Amy and her team made the process so much easier! after calling her office for help, she quickly went to work & got all of my paperwork filed with the courts extremely quickly. From start to finish, she made this complicated process simple and as painless as possible. Amy is professional, efficient and empathetic. i would highly recommend her and her team to anyone in a similar position; in fact, i already told my friend to contact her team about his divorce. Life is hard enough as it is -- make it a little bit easier and less complicated by hiring and having Amy and her team on your side. read more

I have been working with Amy Lass for over a year now, and let me say it is the best recommendation I have ever gotten. Amy is not only a powerful lawyer in the court room, she is also a very caring person. She is always going to bat for you. My divorce was just settled and I couldn't be more pleased with the outcome. Amy was not only there for me now, she will also be there in the future. If you are looking for a stupendous person and lawyer then look no further. I will be forever grateful. One more thing I wanted to mention is the team of people she has behind her. All of them are very professional, and a pleasure to work with. They are very good at what they do, and that makes things easier for me. read more

Dealing with a Divorce is never easy and causes a lot of anxiety. Dan Mc Candless and his support team at GYL is the best 'medicine' I could have wished for! It was supposed to be an amicable divorce but it never works out that way. You are introduced to an entire new encyclopedia of legal terms that cause only further confusion. Dan broke it down for me step by step, acted fast, is a great listener, and keeps you balanced and grounded during emotionally tough times. Dan has a background in Accounting and was extremely helpful in clarifying and planning the financial impact and solution regarding Spousal Support. What impressed me most, was the fact that he even was available on a very time sensitive issue while he was on vacation with his family. Highly recommend Dan and his team! read more

Yesterday, was the beginning of a new life and chapter for me and my family. I am so grateful for the staff at Griffith, Young, and Lass. They are truly a dream team. Ms. Lass represented me in 2013 for my divorce, in October 2015, Mr. Griffith represented me for a restraining order and he represented me again last month, in January, for my move-away. All three times, the decisions were in my favor!!! I am forever indebted for their dedication and fight for me and my family. I hope nobody has to go through legal battles, especially when kids are involved, but if you do, THEY ARE THE BEST!!!! Thank you Jackie, Amy and John!!! read more

The response posted by this office a week ago was untruthful; they did not "follow-up with me privately" after their post, as stated; Confirming that the response was solely to benefit the appearance after a negative review. Any further correspondence is unnecessary at this point but I am adding this update for the sole purpose that it may help anyone seeking legal assistance. read more