Author: michael

  • “Let’s not get lawyers involved”

    “Let’s not get lawyers involved”

    I hear this a lot from new clients. One or both of them was reluctant to get a lawyers involved in the case with the hope that they could resolve their divorce or custody problem in a peaceful, out of court way. In principle, I’m all for that! Even though there are rare cases when…

  • You don’t want what you think you do

    You don’t want what you think you do

    I don’t know if this is happening in your corner of the world too, but I’m noticing that more and more of the Starbucks are remodeling themselves to be just mobile order pick up stores. The tables are gone. The chance to really socialize is gone. Howard Schultz, the former CEO of Starbucks wanted the…

  • The “Dark Triad” – How to spot the most toxic people in your life

    Honestly, it was too nice a Saturday afternoon in Hermosa Beach today to be reading and writing about the following. Yet, since so many of my clients face this problem, I thought it was important to post it here. In The Sociopaths Among Us–And How to Avoid Them, Arthur Brooks writes in The Atlantic about…

  • Aloneness

    Yesterday I was reflecting on a few conversations I had, and the consistent theme was how lonely it is to decide whether to go through with a divorce or not. Come to think of it, I guess it’s really remarkable that so many people go through it given how painful and life altering the decision…

  • Supportive Family Law

    For about a year, I’ve been struggling to describe the kind of law I want to practice and the kinds of clients I most want to work with. Think I settled on the term “supportive family law.” It’s been a confusing journey for me to figure it out, however. For one, figuring it out requires…

  • Free Webinar: Stay or Go? (July 14)

    On Friday, July 14, I’ll host another webinar to help those of you who struggling in your current relationship but unsure if you’re ready to actually talk to a divorce lawyer or what your options are. When: Friday, July 14, 2023 at 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Pacific time. In July 14th’s webinar, you’ll hear…

  • That’s not a way to win a Super Bowl, or a family law case

    That’s not a way to win a Super Bowl, or a family law case

    In today’s post, I take issue with the way the Chiefs won the Super Bowl and draw an analogy to how some (not all!) lawyers win family law cases.

  • Why Personal Values in Divorce Matter – Feb. 17

    Why Personal Values in Divorce Matter – Feb. 17

    When: Feb 17, 2023. Time: Noon Pacific. Location: Zoom – registration form in the post. Learn why a Values Driven Divorce is a better way to go.

  • A new website, a new day

    A new website, a new day

    I’m finally setting up my new website. But for me, it’s more than just a website. Really the next stage of my whole legal practice–finally the way I want it to be will be here. This blog and site will be the anchor for all I’m doing. And what is it that I’m doing? As…

  • Starting the Case – Webinar Feb. 24

    Starting the Case – Webinar Feb. 24

    When: Feb 24, 2023. Time: Noon Pacific. Location: Zoom – registration link in the post. Learn how to start a divorce case, from the paperwork, to service of process. Most importantly, how to start consistently with your values.