Katie Padilla

Many people experiencing divorce are forced to accept it as the worst time of their lives and an expensive and toxic trip to court. They are not seen. They are not heard. They are not supported. They wind up overwhelmed as they try to go it alone, or they end up with attorneys who charge too much, listen too little, and advise their clients from a fear-based approach. Not just a fierce advocate with extensive knowledge, when clients work with me, they quickly discover they are also getting an empathetic, compassionate person who thinks about them as a whole person (as opposed to just an entity) and also considers all people involved. Formally trained as a coach and meditation teacher, I employ these modalities with my clients to help support personal empowerment. Not just an ending, divorce is a beginning. It's a powerful time when someone states what they want and takes action. It's a transformative process that follows the stages of grieving and can lead to increased self-awareness and intense healing. I liken the divorce process to Persephone's underworld descent and eventual return, allowing clients to emerge into the springtime of living their lives from their authentic values that they have uncovered in this process. This is your time to meet yourself deeply. Not just a lawyer, my clients find a collaboratively trained professional who fights for them without having to face off in family court, where judges are burnt out, opposing counsel is adversarial, and the justice they seek can become the unwitting catalyst of collateral damage. As a Certified Family Law Specialist designated by the State Bar of California (a designation requiring extensive training and proven experience litigating complex family law matters), my deep understanding of family court dynamics led to a powerful realization: the most meaningful legal support often happens outside traditional courtroom settings. Years of litigation have shown me the impact divorce has on future generations and how our children internalize the conflict that they see. I aim to make this the compass of my practice. Clients expect an expert when they hire me. They also get a professional who is continually improving through participation in my own therapeutic and personal development practices. This study includes small group women's work, individual therapy, regular meditation, coaching, and continued learning.