CALIFORNIA FAMILY LAW AND LITIGATION
Start From A Position Of Strength
For 35 years, we’ve successfully represented Bay Area clients in complex family law disputes and civil litigation. We work extremely hard for our clients, providing personalized service far beyond what our clients expect
Divorce
Divorce
Deciding to divorce or dissolving a marriage can be a difficult and emotional process. Divorce often requires determining custody, visitation and support of children, division of financial assets like investment accounts, business interests and real estate, and spousal support, among other issues.
View More
Child Custody And Visitation
Child Custody And Visitation
When a divorce or separation involves children, issues of child custody and visitation are critical. In California, there is a presumption in family law that the “best interests of children” are served by frequent and continuing contact with both parents. However, the court takes into consideration all the facts of each case to determine the most appropriate child custody arrangement and timeshare schedule.
View More
Family Law
Family Law
Going through a divorce, custody dispute or other family law matter can be one of the most stressful times in a person’s life. At Viola Law Firm, we ensure that our clients are provided with all the information they need to make informed decisions in their case.
View More
Paternity And Parental Rights
Paternity And Parental Rights
Many children are born to couples who are not married. Parties wishing to establish parentage of their children have several avenues under California law. Determining parentage is necessary for parents to establish legal rights, custody rights and visitation rights and child support.
View More
Private Judging
Private Judging
Private judging is an alternative to public court. Rather than holding hearings at a public courthouse, you can hire a private judge to help make decisions related to your property division, custody and support issues. Both parties and their attorneys (if applicable) participate in the process. At Viola Law Firm, we have a retired commissioner/judicial officer who is knowledgeable about family law. She will preside over your divorce with fairness and neutrality.
View More
Litigation
Litigation
Our firm has a diverse litigation practice in addition to its full-service family law department. For many years, attorneys at Viola Law Firm have successfully handled personal injury cases arising from serious injury or wrongful death. In addition, we have built a solid reputation in real estate litigation, representing clients against brokers or contractors, as well as resolving landlord-tenant disputes. Our clients also include individuals involved in business litigation such as partner or shareholder disputes.
View More
Legal Solutions For Challenging Times
When families are broken apart and traumatized, Viola Law Firm digs in to reduce that trauma while guiding our clients through the maze of legal processes they face.
With more than 80 years of combined legal experience, our collaborative approach is founded on a deep and diverse base of expertise in family law. Divorce and family law issues are extremely personal. As your lawyers, we can provide much-needed perspective while working hard for your best interests.
Our Litigation Experience Can Help Your Case Succeed
Many family law issues can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Whether or not your case seems likely to go to trial, we prepare it as if it will. Preparing for trial helps us uncover the strengths and weaknesses of our case, as well as the other side’s, which allows us to negotiate from a position of strength.
In addition to our full-service family law practice, our attorneys have successfully litigated personal injury cases arising from serious injury or death, as well as real estate and business disputes.
Our Litigation Experience Can Help Your Case Succeed
Many family law issues can be resolved through negotiation or mediation. Whether or not your case seems likely to go to trial, we prepare it as if it will. Preparing for trial helps us uncover the strengths and weaknesses of our case, as well as the other side’s, which allows us to negotiate from a position of strength.
In addition to our full-service family law practice, our attorneys have successfully litigated personal injury cases arising from serious injury or death, as well as real estate and business disputes.
Lawrence S. Viola
AttorneyProfile
Mr. Viola is committed to representing clients in Northern California. He focuses his practice on complex family law and general litigation, including serious personal injury, corporate disputes and dissolutions, contract disputes, and wrongful death.
Robert J. Bruening
AttorneyProfile
Robert J. Bruening has been practicing law in Northern California since 2002 and joined Viola Law Firm as a Partner in August 2013. Robert has represented clients in matters of marital dissolutions, property disputes, custody, visitation, support, and domestic violence prevention.
Lauren D. Cirlin
AttorneyProfile
Lauren D. Cirlin joined Viola Law Firm as an Associate Attorney in 2008; she became Partner in 2015. Lauren has practiced Family Law exclusively throughout her legal career, working on highly contested cases including those involving complex marital property issues and related business litigation.
Peter W. Daniel
AttorneyProfile
Peter Daniel has been practicing law since 1995, and has a diverse practice that includes Civil Litigation, Family Law litigation, Probate Litigation, and Estate Planning. Peter has represented clients in complex Family Law matters including property division, support, child custody and visitation, paternity, and domestic violence.
Hon. Kathleen M. McKenna
Mediator And Private Judge, AttorneyProfile
Kathleen McKenna began private practice immediately after graduating from Santa Clara University Law School in 1993, specializing in Family Law. In 2000, she has appointed by the San Mateo Superior Court as coordinator of their newly-created Family Law Alternative Dispute Resolution program
Kayleigh R. Walsh
AttorneyProfile
Kayleigh Walsh joined Viola Law Firm as an Associate Attorney in August 2014. She has practiced family law exclusively for more than a decade, and she has been consistently recognized as a Northern California Rising Star by Super Lawyers Magazine from 2018-2022, a recognition only awarded to the top 2.5% of up-and-coming lawyers in California. Kayleigh is a Certified Family Law Specialist, certified by the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization.
Andrea J. Valim
AttorneyProfile
Andrea joined the Viola Law Firm in 2004 and exclusively practices Family Law. She has handled all aspects of Family Law, including prenuptial agreements, child custody issues, child and spousal support and division of property.
Farimah F. Erlandson
AttorneyProfile
Farimah F. Erlandson joined Viola Law Firm in March 2021. Since graduating from the University of San Francisco, School of Law in 2002 she has practiced Family Law exclusively.
Joanna M. Wald
AttorneyProfile
Ms. Wald handles all aspects of family law matters, including complex divorce settlement negotiations, spousal and child support, property characterization and division, child custody disputes, pre-martial and post-marital agreements, as well as domestic violence matters.
Dedicated To Getting You Results
When you work with our firm, you can expect clear communication, accessibility when you need our counsel and honest guidance grounded in decades of experience. We will fight hard for you while also giving you realistic expectations about the process and the challenges ahead.
“Lawrence is one of those rare lawyers with a sterling reputation for being trustworthy, credible, and brilliant. As a fellow lawyer, I’ve referred Larry often. Not once in all the years we’ve worked together have I regretted sending a client to him. He always follows through. He always solves the problem. He always delivers value.”
Marty Collins
fellow attorney & client"After working with several lawyers on my divorce, I knew I found the right one with Lauren. My situation was complicated, and I felt she always had my best interests at heart. Lauren worked hard, advising me when to push for what I wanted and when it wasn’t worth the time, money and effort. She came up with a brilliant plan that made a huge difference in my settlement."
David B.
"After battling the courts and working with other attorneys for several years on child custody and visitation issues, we knew we had the right attorney with Lauren. Our situation is an emotional one; Lauren is empathetic and calm, steering us in the right direction so we can get resolution about our grandchildren."
J & D Smith
South San Francisco"Choosing Viola Law was absolutely the best decision. My case was complex, requiring extensive knowledge in family law as well as litigation experience. Lawrence Viola brings that and more. I received support when I needed it, thorough counseling and clear preparation of what to expect throughout the whole trial process."