About Jordana

You could say I fell into family law by accident. Originally from the West Coast, I attended law school on the East Coast. One year, I realized that students on the two coasts applied for internships at different times—West Coast students applied before Christmas break, while East Coast students applied afterward. Wanting to spend my summer back home, I quickly realized I needed to get organized.

I took a numbers approach, sending out as many applications as possible. I eventually received a response from an attorney general in Los Angeles, whose husband was a family law judge. This opportunity led me to clerk for him, which introduced me to the field of family law.

Working in Los Angeles’s Stanley Mosk Courthouse exposed me to many high-profile cases and trials. I found myself surprisingly engaged in family law, which I found far more relatable than criminal or civil litigation. Family law deals with real-life issues that most people face, such as raising children or navigating divorce, whereas criminal and civil litigation affects a much smaller portion of the population.

After spending time in corporate litigation, starting my own family eventually drew me back to family law. Having children has made me more sympathetic and passionate about these cases, giving me a deeper understanding of the challenges my clients face. This personal experience has deepened my commitment to helping others navigate the complexities of family law.

One of the most important lessons I learned early in my career came from the judge I clerked for. He emphasized the importance of working smart, not hard. Rather than reviewing motions in advance, he would wait until the morning of the hearing to ensure the case had not already settled, which saved everyone’s time. This taught me the importance of efficiency—not wasting the court’s or the client’s time and money. To this day, I often find myself advising clients on what is worth their money and what isn’t, which I believe is just one thing that sets me apart from many other attorneys.

Another special moment in my career was during my time in corporate litigation, where a mentor told me not to lose sleep over business cases. “It’s all just money,” he’d say. This shaped my perspective when I returned to family law, where the stakes are much higher because clients are fighting for their families, homes, and financial stability. As such, I take them much more seriously and do lose sleep over cases. These aren’t just legal battles; they’re people’s lives.

I also recall my first solo court appearance, where I managed to get the opposing attorney’s evidence thrown out. It was a huge confidence boost and a reminder of why I love this work. In family law, especially in California, the legal process can be long and costly, but achieving a successful outcome after years of work is incredibly rewarding. Each case I handle reinforces my commitment to navigating a system that isn’t always proactive, but with patience and persistence, I get results.

Having a strong relationship with your family law attorney is essential because they will likely know some of your most personal and private details. Attorneys often joke about the importance of clients liking us – but this is more about trust than friendship. While you do not need to have a personal relationship with your attorney, you do need someone you can trust to guide you through one of the most challenging times of your life.

I’m not a therapist, but I am a big proponent of therapy for clients and their families. Immediate benefits aside, therapy offers a level of self-awareness that courts often appreciate, and I strongly encourage it. That being said, I’m here to provide straightforward, honest legal advice.

I don’t sugarcoat the realities of the system because it’s not a perfect one. You need to learn how to navigate the game or accept the outcomes. In family law, there’s no real winning. Even in the best cases, you are likely losing something—whether it’s time with your children, part of your estate, or financial stability. It’s about managing your losses and coming out the other side stronger.