Someone else wrote that Elena deserved 10 stars and I agree! When I found Elena, I had been through 8 months of intense stress as I tried to navigate a contentious divorce basically wearing a blindfold. I was in a bad place emotionally, had no idea what to look for in a divorce attorney, and didn't make a good choice initially. The lawyer I selected did next to nothing, seemed to be spread way too thin, didn't submit required documents to opposing counsel (OC) that I had provided in a timely manner (which could have proven disastrous later on), was a terrible and infrequent communicator, and had established a poor working relationship with my ex's attorney. Time and time again, I inquired about what was happening with the case, and he would reply with, oh, did you submit such and such document or, let me reach out to OC and see where we are. I was nothing more than billable hours for this guy and he seemed to care nothing about my plight or me as a person. When it came to OC submitting a settlement proposal, it became clear that I was getting screwed and it wasn't going to get any better if I didn't cut the dead weight. A friend said I should get a female lawyer because female divorce attorneys fight harder for their clients. I actually asked ChatGPT about it and AI concurred and offer to find me some female divorce attorneys in my area. That is how I found Elena. That afternoon, I had a phone conversation with her and it became immediately apparent that the Yelp reviews I had read about her at her previous firm were legit. She was willing to fight for me, provided me information the other lawyer had neglected to, and gave me hope. The blindfold was off and I fired the loser and hired a winner. She developed a congenial working relationship with OC which made a big difference, quickly completed necessary tasks, was consistent and professional in her communications, kept me up to date on all that was happening and what we could expect to happen. She hired an expert who helped with a tricky separate property claim which was well worth the little bit of money I spent. She was an adept negotiator and had the case wrapped up in 2 months! That's what happens when someone actually does their job. Because of Elena, we didn't have to go to mediation or court and I saved 10s of thousands of dollars as I ended up owing my ex ZERO dollars and ZERO cents!!! And now, we're just waiting for the judge to make it final. I will begin 2026 as a free divorcee thanks to Elena! On top of doing an amazing job, she is also a caring human. She offered to meet me in person to hand-deliver a check from OC. What I though would be a quick exchange turned out to be a surprising yet profound pep talk from someone who had struggled herself. She compassionately gave me suggestions on how to continue healing from the trauma I'd endured and I left feeling validated and bolstered by her kindness. That interaction with her was healing in itself and am just so grateful that she has chosen to help others (especially ME!) go through what is probably one of the most excruciating times in one's life. Now it's your turn - hire Elena and get your life back on track. It's the first day of the rest of your life - call her NOW! read more

I cannot recommend Elena Smolina, APC highly enough. Going through my divorce has been stressful experiences. I had no knowledge of the legal process and felt completely overwhelmed when everything began. From our very first meeting, Elena guided me through every step with patience, explained the legal process in a way I could easily understand, answered every question promptly and thoroughly, and always made sure I knew what to expect. What impressed me most was her ability to keep me focused on my long-term goals instead of the emotions or fears that naturally come with divorce. Whenever I felt frustrated or overwhelmed, she helped me step back, look at the bigger picture, and make decisions that would benefit my future rather than simply react to the moment. That perspective proved invaluable. She also demonstrated exceptional judgment in managing my case efficiently. Rather than encouraging unnecessary conflict or costly litigation, she focused on practical, well-reasoned solutions. She was always mindful of legal costs and helped me budget wisely throughout the process. With the support of the entire Elena Smolina APC team, including the excellent paralegal staff, I was able to keep my legal expenses under control while still feeling fully supported. Thanks to Elena's experience, strategic thinking, and outstanding negotiation skills, we reached an agreement without unnecessary litigation, saving me considerable time, stress, and expense. Throughout the entire process, I always felt that she genuinely had my best interests at heart. She truly cares about her clients. If you are looking for a family law attorney who is not only highly skilled but also compassionate, trustworthy, strategic, and genuinely committed to achieving the best possible outcome, I wholeheartedly recommend Elena Smolina and her firm. Thank you for everything you have done for me! I couldn't have asked for better representation. read more

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to speak with attorney Elena Smolina about my son's complicated child custody case. I went into the consultation with a lot of questions and uncertainty, and I came away feeling that I had finally spoken with someone who truly understood the complexity of the situation. What really stood out to me was how attentive and genuinely caring Ms Smolina was. She took the time to listen to all the details, asked questions, and never made me feel rushed, even it was a free consultation. I felt that my concerns were taken seriously, rather than being treated as just another case. I was especially impressed that Ms. Smolina was willing to go a step further and help identify additional legal references that could be relevant to my son's specific situation. That meant a lot to me because it showed genuine interest in finding the best possible legal guidance rather than simply giving me a quick answer during a free consultation. Family-law and custody issues can be incredibly emotional and complicated, and it is such a relief to find an attorney who combines legal knowledge with compassion and a willingness to really listen. I feel now much more informed, reassured, and hopeful about the path my son can go forward. I truly appreciate the time, attention, and kindness the whole team of Elena Smolina, APC showed me. I would highly recommend her to anyone facing a difficult family-law or child custody matter and looking for an attorney who will genuinely take the time to understand their situation. read more

Elena was referred to me by a friend, and I couldn't be more satisfied with her representation. Divorce is one of the most difficult experiences a person can go through, and I truly appreciated having an attorney who consistently supported and reassured me throughout the process. She was always prompt in responding to emails and phone calls, and her guidance was thoughtful and extremely helpful. My case was emotional and complex, involving a custody battle, multiple businesses, several properties, and complicated financial issues. Elena handled all of this with calm, clarity, and professionalism. I spoke with many attorneys before choosing her, and many lacked understanding of critical issues related to my situation. Without a doubt, Elena stood out for her knowledge, competence, and integrity. From our first conversation to the last, I worked directly with her, never passed off to someone else and the level of attention and care she provided was unmatched. She helped keep the process level-headed, assisted me through important decisions, and was fair and transparent financially. Although I hired her to represent me, she always looked at the bigger picture and genuinely considered the best interests of my entire family. She was never divisive and often served as the steady, cooler head when things were difficult. I highly recommend Elena to anyone seeking a knowledgeable, professional, and compassionate attorney. read more

I am incredibly grateful to my attorney, Elena Smolina, for the exceptional support she has provided during one of the most difficult periods of my life. Although my divorce process is still ongoing, I already feel immense relief and confidence knowing that Elena is by my side. Elena is not just a highly competent and responsible attorney, she is a kind, compassionate, and courageous human being. She truly listens and deeply cares. Elena consistently defends the best interests of both me and my children with skill, professionalism, and heart. She goes above and beyond doing everything possible (and sometimes what seems impossible) to help me. Her dedication and support mean the world to me, and I cannot thank her enough. If you are looking for someone who will fight for you with both legal expertise and genuine care, I wholeheartedly recommend Elena Smolina. read more

Elena Smolina is an absolute lifesaver. I came to her during a total nightmare scenario--a messy, high-conflict divorce where my husband left the state and left me completely on my own. Right away at her Carmel Valley family law office, she made me feel safe, protected, and completely heard. Elena is so much more than a standard attorney. She has a very kind, patient, and women-friendly approach to family law, and she actually looks for the truth to get you real justice. She never made money or the retainer feel like a barrier to helping me, and she truly treats you like a person who needs support. If you're looking for a dedicated San Diego divorce attorney who will stand up for you and fight for your rights, her practice here in the Carmel Valley / Del Mar area is the best choice you can make. read more

Elena was my second attorney. I wish I hired her sooner. I parted ways with my first attorney who I felt did not care about what was important to me. I was worried the situation will repeat but was pleasantly surprised. Elena took time to listen to me and understand the complexities of my case. She was able to help me achieve a compromise and resolve my very difficult divorce, to my satisfaction. Elena was attentive and thorough. I recommend her. She is truly a good attorney, and a genuine woman. She knows the law and has a strong presence. She will fight for you and advocate relentlessly. read more

It was truly a difficult period, but I am grateful for the service received. Elena's support provided immense comfort during a challenging time, especially when I was distant from my loved ones. The guidance in navigating the complexities of the divorce process was invaluable, and I appreciate the help. This support enabled me to start anew, and I am thankful for the opportunity to move forward. She achieved the impossible in only a year, with the best result I could have hoped for. I absolutely recommend her services; without a doubt, she will achieve the best results for a fair price. read more

I had a free consultation with Elena about my divorce case and I am very grateful for the time she spent with me. She was kind, attentive and incredibly knowledgeable. She listened carefully to my situation, answered all of my questions with patience and explained things in a clear, thoughtful way. I never felt rushed, even though it was a free consultation. I truly appreciated her generosity, professionalism and willingness to help. I would highly recommend Elena Smolina to anyone looking for a compassionate and experienced divorce attorney. read more

have known Elena for more than ten years and have consistently found her to be a person of exceptional integrity, honesty, and kindness. She has an incredible work ethic, is extraordinarily hardworking, and approaches everything she does with dedication and a strong sense of responsibility. Throughout the years, I have always found her to be fair, compassionate, and deeply principled. While I cannot speak to her legal services as a client, I can speak to her character, and she is someone I respect and hold in the highest regard. read more

Huge thanks to Elena, professional of the highest level, for her work. She is as a person with a strong-willed character and a professional with extensive experience in court, whom you can easily trust and this is very important, especially in such difficult situations. Each court hearing, and this is 4 times, was in my favor. I am immensely happy and grateful to myself for choosing this strong advocate, and I easily recommend her to anyone who needs to defend themselves and justice. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. read more

I had the opportunity to personally observe the work of attorney Elena Smolina in a family law case. She carefully analyzed each fact, had a very thoughtful and professional approach, and knew how to use all available information in the best interest of her client while fully following the law. The outcome was excellent -- both sides were satisfied and reached an agreement. Her ethics, strong legal knowledge and dedication really stood out. I highly recommend Elena Smolina. read more

Elena is an amazing Family Law attorney, dedicated to serving her clients and helping them obtain the best results possible in their case. She is an excellent listener, has great instincts, communicates legal advice in a clear and concise way, and runs a highly efficient office. These attributes enable her clients to determine the best way to proceed in their case, for the least amount of fees. I recommend Elena to anyone going through a divorce or other Family Law matter. read more

Elena was an amazing attorney! She provided excellent service across the board. She is meticulously and stern and will fight for you and your overall well-being! Educated, experienced, and empathetic to your overall needs and what is best for YOU! She provided a sense of calm throughout my entire case and was professional! If you are looking for an attorney that cares and will go above and beyond, choose Elena! Amazing! read more

Elena Smolina is a highly skilled and experienced attorney, a true professional in her field. She works strategically, pays great attention to detail, and consistently protects her client's interests. Thanks to her work, I achieved a very good result. At the same time, she is kind, calm, and genuinely supportive. I highly recommend her. read more

5 stars is not enough for Elena, she deserves 10 stars. Excellent service, quick response, knowledgeable, made my case done more quickly than I expected. I feel confident and never worried about my case with her and I didn't disappoint. Highly recommend Elena if you have a tough time with your case. read more

I have worked with Attorney Smolina and her firm in the past and I highly recommend! They are extremely professional, communicative, and always well prepared. They are knowledgable in family law and every member of the staff cares about their clients which is very important to me. read more