Alex Grager, Megan Green, Nancy Burt, David Shebby

FMBK is proud to announce that 4 more of Feinberg Mindel Brandt & Klein's attorneys passed the Certified Family Law Specialist exam: Alex Grager, Megan Green, Nancy Burt and David Shebby. They will soon join FMBK's current Certified Family Law Specialists: Jeremy Kline, John Lazor, Robert Brandt, Steven Mindel and Wallace Fingerett.

Once they complete the rigorous State Bar application and screening process, FMBK will have 9 Certified Family Law Specialists, along with Howard Klein, our Certified Specialist in Estate Planning, Trust and Probate Law. FMBK continues to lead Los Angeles County with the most Certified Family Law Specialists.

According to the State Bar of California, "In order to be identified as a 'certified' specialist in California, an attorney must be certified either by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, or an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the State Bar. (Such an organization must have requirements for certification that are at least equal to those of the State Bar's program.) California attorneys certified as specialists must pass a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrate a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfill ongoing education requirements and be favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work…"

To be effective, a family lawyer must be knowledgeable about all areas of law. The CFLS is a great measure of this knowledge.

On December 16 and December 26, 2009 FMBK'S Managing Partner, Steven Mindel, gave expert commentary on Tiger Woods' and Charlie Sheen's respective legal situations on ABC 7 Eyewitness News.

Steven discussed the possibility of the Woods' divorce, including differences in California Family Law versus Florida Family Law, as well as the possibility of a prenuptial agreement. He also discussed Charlie Sheen's legal situation after being arrested on domestic violence allegations.

To view the 12/16 ABC 7 Eyewitness News clip on Tiger Woods, click here.
To view the 12/26 ABC 7 Eyewitness News clip on Charlie Sheen, click here.

Eleven FMBK Family Law attorneys attended the Beverly Hills Bar Association Family Law Section's "Meet the Judges Night" on January 27, 2010, at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

The event was an opportunity to informally meet many of the Los Angeles County Family Law Judicial Officers. The Judicial Officers came from throughout the Los Angeles Superior Court system.

The presiding Family Law Judge, Marjorie Steinberg, spoke about the state of the Family Law Departments and upcoming issues, such as possible further reductions of staffing and services. Judge Steinberg told the room of more than 200 Los Angeles County Family Law attorneys that due to extensive State budget cuts, Los Angeles County may be required to close Family Law courtrooms and lay off up to 12 Family Law Judges. This could result in delays of 2 to 4 months in obtaining dates for hearings.

On a more positive note, Judge Steinberg introduced the ten new judicial officers who have joined the Family Law bench over the past year:

1. Judge Teresa Beaudet – Central District (Downtown)
2. Judge David Cunningham – Central District
3. Commissioner Anthony Drewry – Central Civil West
4. Judge Brian Gasdia – Norwalk
5. Commissioner Lloyd Loomis – San Fernando
6. Commissioner Stephen Lowry – Compton
7. Commissioner Nancy Pogue – Los Angeles
8. Judge R. Carlton Seaver – Burbank
9. Judge Michael Terrell – Lancaster
10. Judge Elia Weinbach – Central District