Shannon is an absolutely exceptional family law attorney. Going through a custody litigation case…read morecan be one of the most stressful and traumatic experiences a parent can go through. Child custody issues are intensely personal and can be heart wrenching. Shannon is powerful, articulate and knows family law over and above some of the most supposedly sought out attorneys in Orange County. Trust me, when I say the previous attorneys I had multiple interviews with, before meeting Shannon and her team, were just small fish in the sea. Shannon Payne's Group is undeniably the best in family law! I know first-hand. My 4 day trial just ended this week and I have never felt so protected, heard and my rights represented. And yes, my move-away was granted with my children and all the false allegations against me from opposing counsel were not even a concern as they were proven to be without merit from the very beginning. Shannon is meticulous, strategic, and incredibly prepared for whatever may come her way. Her recall of events, details, and specifics in the courtroom was superior. She simplifies complex situations to what really matters, keeps emotions in check, and will not back down. Shannon will not waste your money or time by stringing you along. From what I have experienced, if you're authentic and want what is in the best interest for your children and family, there is no other choice but Ms. Payne. Emotions and hostility for your ex aside, handling those emotions and putting your energy and the direction of your case in the hands of Shannon's team to achieve the best outcome possible is priority. Focus, get Shannon and her team the information they ask for and the relevant information you have for your case. You are not alone when you have them on your side. Although, my case initially started with my ex-husband and his attorney filing frivolous allegations without merit against me, the case took a strong and most favorable turn once I found Shannon Payne and her authentic and meticulous team. I especially want to mention Grace who is an absolute amazing Paralegal. She is quick, thoroughly on top of things and most exceptionally kind and empathetic. I had hired an attorney before I sought out Shannon and let me just say that that firm was encouraging me to give up my rights without any intention of defending me. My ex-husband's attorney literally bullied that firm to the point of exhausting my retainer and the amount of lies opposing counsel said about me became a circus of fabrications and blatant lies. That attorney quickly caved in to the hostility of opposing counsel's empty threats. That firm basically took my money, increased the magnitude of my case, and had me feeling hopeless that the legal system had failed me. After that ordeal, I fired that firm and relentlessly searched under a strained time frame for another attorney, interviewed several until I found Payne Law Group. Shannon calmed the chaos I was experiencing and kept things focused and fought steadily and fiercely for my children and my sanity, our rights and we prevailed. Unmistakably, I came out of this situation with the utmost respect for the law and Ms. Payne. Having a moral compass, integrity and backbone is an absolute must and this team has all of that above and beyond. I was able to achieve a very positive resolution and could not be happier. If you want an attorney who is sharp, composed, respected, and truly on top of every detail, Shannon is the one. She's a genuinely kind person but do not mistake it for weakness. She is the toughest out there and brilliant in her strategy and has a rare competitive fire in her. Thank you Shannon for everything. I will be forever grateful for your expertise and believing in me.

One thing I wanted to add but couldn't because of the character limit for my first review…read more.. This is not me trying to diss Google reviews or act like Yelp is perfect. Yelp has its own issues too. But in my experience -- especially with law firms, mechanic shops, rental-related services, healthcare specialties, and other service-based businesses -- Google reviews can be very misleading. Some businesses have nearly perfect Google ratings, but when you look closer, some of the reviews feel like bots, fake reviews, or paid reviews. Then you check Yelp and the picture looks completely different. For example, I came across a law firm with nearly perfect Google reviews, but on Yelp, that same firm averaged around 3 stars. Other locations for the same firm were closer to 1-2 stars, with detailed complaints that sounded much more like real customer experiences. Another tip for fellow Yelpers searching for lawyers: if a law firm has no negative reviews anywhere -- not on Google, Yelp, Avvo, Facebook, or any other platform -- that's a red flag to me. You really think they met every client's expectations? Every single time? Yo..let's not be naive lol. That doesn't mean every negative review is fair, and it doesn't mean every positive review is fake. But I've learned to actually study the content of both. What are people complaining about? What are they praising? Would those issues matter to you? And honestly, this applies to a lot of services -- not just law firms.but mechanics, doctors, therapists, contractors... oh yes, contractors are a big one. I'll have to write a whole separate review for the contractors I've used while remodeling and flipping houses. Different day. So no, I don't blindly trust Google reviews. I'm not saying Yelp is perfect, but Yelp gave me a better sense of the full picture. I hope this helps a mom, a dad, or a family, because some of these services and reviews we rely on are not as simple as finding who has the best tacos.

Sullivan-Law & Associates exceeded my expectations during one of the most difficult times in my…read morelife. Thank you so much for your outstanding work! I highly recommend Richard and his staff if you ever need a Family law attorney.

When divorce is inevitable or necessary, finding the right person to guide you through this…read moredifficult process can be one of the most stressful steps. The divorce process is extremely painful, regardless of which side you are on. Finding someone to trust with your past, present, and future is a daunting experience. When attorney Marie Braun decided to take my case after our initial interview and consultation, I was relieved. I did not know what to expect, as this was my first and hopefully only time navigating a divorce process. Attorney Braun's exceptional knowledge, compassion, and patience helped me find a sense of direction and hope, even in the most difficult moments. Through this experience, I learned that trust and positive change are possible, and that a supportive and skilled law firm like hers can make all the difference. Attorney Braun was our light at the end of the tunnel, never giving up on me even though I think I was so much to handle at once. Attorney Richard Sullivan's extraordinary expertise and compassionate passion to uplift many of us to navigate the complex journey of the divorce process has brought together the most exceptional team to make you feel inspired, safe and valued in every single aspect, from the moment you arrive at the law firm, Jaden at the front desk/reception is warm and attentive, Stacey Rozell consistently excels in the financial aspect of this process, is a phenomenal, brilliant and patient professional, always available to guide you and answering any questions you may have through the process from his area of expertise. Karen, attorney Braun's paralegal was always on top of every single detail. I am in the final stages of this difficult divorce and all that I can say is my mental and physical health are thriving because faith was the cornerstone and TRUST that I had the most outstanding representation. Richard, Marie, Jaden, Stacey and Karen from the bottom of my heart thank you so much for everything. Words are and will never be enough to thank each one of you and show appreciation for everything you have done for us. Thank you, God bless you all!

I can't say enough good things about this law firm. Going into my case, I felt completely…read moreoverwhelmed and honestly pretty hopeless. My divorce was especially complicated since my ex left the country and was extremely difficult to reach, which made everything feel even more stressful and uncertain. Tami was incredible throughout the entire process. She was always responsive, easy to talk to, and took the time to clearly explain everything so I actually understood what was going on. That alone made a huge difference for me. She made a complicated situation feel manageable and never made me feel like just another case. If you're dealing with a difficult situation and need someone who is not only knowledgeable but also genuinely cares, I highly recommend this firm. They helped me get through one of the toughest times in my life.

I have referred Cooper Hughes Law a handful of times and have always gotten good feedback. Copper…read moreHughes is thorough, accessible and very good at their discipline. When someone asks for a family law firm, I confidently refer Cooper Hughes.

Nobody really knows what to look for in a law firm that's going to help them get through what is,…read morefor most people, a once in a lifetime occurrence. This is the only Yelp review I've felt obligated to write because integrity is a quality that I would not have thought to be high on the list, but Janet Dockstader proved otherwise--and I'm extremely grateful for that. If this review helps even one person out, it was probably worth the time it took to write. In your quest to close the previous chapter of your life and move on to the next one, you will undoubtedly be forced to make decisions about who gets what and how hard you want to fight for what's right. Needless to say, certain battles may not warrant the associated cost. In order to make a sensible decision, however, you need an attorney that gives it to you straight and prevents you from going down rabbit holes that will only cost all sides time and money. Over the course of 18 months that felt like an eternity, I can honestly say that Janet and her team never led me astray. The two key reasons I would recommend anyone at least go in for an initial consultation are 1.) they are not all about the dollar and 2.) your case will get more than their fair share of attention (I'm talking all hands on deck) as important dates near. Complaining about inefficiencies and inequalities in the legal system would take days, but trust me, they exist--especially as it relates to family law. There are a number of occasions where the law firm could have profited by leading me down a different path, but they were more interested in behaving ethically and avoiding unnecessary expenditures on my behalf. Also, as submission deadlines and trial dates neared, Janet and her team of professionals worked overtime for me. The latter is more important than you currently know, because legal dissolution or separation is a process where months can go by without movement from the other side. You will, at times, feel isolated and extremely removed from the process. Rest assured, with Dockstader Orliczky in your corner, things are getting done. Due to the extensive amount of preparation, Janet was able to uncover hidden facts about the opposition and force a settlement in the 11th hour that cost me significantly less than going to trial would have. Almost all of the terms were what we wanted to begin with. Considering that the opposition did not, at any point, want to accept a settlement, this was an undeniable win. With the past now officially behind me, I look ahead to brighter days. Thanks Janet and team!

First, I want to say thank you. nadine orliczky was my attorney in my divorce. she was amazing. She…read moreprotected me and my interest in this divorce. she was easily accessible to me, even when she was in court with another client. she would make time for me. i highly recommend Nadine for your attorney.

I worked with Ron in 2015-2017. Ron and his amazing team helped me go through a divorce as amicably…read moreas possible. He was very conscious about my finances and always responded to my calls or emails right away. Ron helped me draft our divorce paperwork and we were able to meet in office with my ex husbands lawyer to resolve issues rather than going through a lengthy court process. He was very honest with me and made sure I was not being selfish but at the same time making sure I was not giving everything away. After our divorce was finalized Ron helped me again with some custody concerns. He always responds and is reliable! I recommend everyone to him. It stinks to need him but if you do I wouldn't pick anyone else. I interviewed 8 other lawyers prior to choosing Ron. I picked Ron because he was so honest and straight forward with me.

Rios and Rios is by far the most ethical and compassionate Family / Divorce law firms I could find…read more Ron Rios did an excellent job representing me in one of the most stressful times of my life. He was strategic yet conservative. He did not take advantage of the situation by over-billing and dragging my case on as most attorneys do. Ron consistently tried to work toward a quick resolution. Also, Sarah (the secretary) was patient and calm while directing me in gathering proper documents throughout the process. I would recommend anyone needing a Divorce / Family law attorney to consult with Ron as he is a Top Notch attorney in his field.

I do not recommend Jennifer as a divorce mediator. In my experience, she did not hold both parties…read moreto the same standards--I was required to provide full documentation while my ex-wife was not. I also felt she did not maintain a neutral stance and demonstrated bias throughout the process. Additionally, our case was delayed for several months because a professional she preferred to use for retirement assessment was unavailable, rather than seeking an alternative. After we ended our work with her, I was unable to obtain an itemized bill despite requesting one. Based on my experience, I would recommend considering a different mediator.

The Best and Fair. I've been a client since 2016. Great…read moreadvice. Thanks Jennifer. Joe T.

Maxine, Has been an…read moreincredible family law attorney to me throughout my case. From the very beginning, she took the time to explain every step of the process. She is very knowledgeable, professional, honest, and genuinely cares about her clients. Family law can be stressful and emotional, but she remained calm, prepared, and focused on achieving the best possible outcome. She was always responsive to my questions and made sure I understood my options before making important decisions. She fought for my interests while treating everyone with respect and integrity. Having her by my side gave me confidence during one of the most challenging times in my life. If you're looking for a family law attorney who is experienced, trustworthy, and truly committed to her clients, I highly recommend Maxine Ho. I am incredibly grateful for her guidance, support, and hard work. Thank you Maxine.

Maxine was great and saved me a LOT of money. My ex made some pretty ridiculous demands and Maxine…read moremade short work of her. She also provided me with a very good appraiser for my business that paid for itself 10x over.

Literally the best attorney ever. Second review because she deserves it. Are there awards for…read moreattorneys - how can I nominate her? Barbara will know your case inside and out, and she will do her job. Sadly, many attorneys do not. Feel free to reach out to me for details - I wish I found her ten years ago. If you need an amazing attorney, HIRE HER! You will not find better.

After getting a same day response from Barbara, we set up a call the same day. Immediately, she…read moreassessed the possibilities of my situation and quickly analyzed info she was able to obtain while on the phone. She answered my questions with the competence and confidence of a very experienced attorney who knows well the ins and outs of Family Law. I was very impressed with how much she covered in such a short amount of time. Highly recommend her if you need expert guidance in Family Law.