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Warren Robert Shiell

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  • Los Angeles, CA
  • Licensed for 28 years

Legal guides written by Warren Shiell

Warren Robert Shiell
Warren Robert Shiell
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About Warren

Dedicated to protecting you and your family.

We handle everything all aspects of divorce and family law from simple uncontested divorces to high conflict and high net worth divorces involving extensive assets and complex child custody issues such as relocations and custody evaluations. We work with forensic accountants in case involving business valuations and cash flow and marital standard of living analysis for child and spousal support cases. Other family law areas include domestic violence, paternity, post divorce modifications,  prenuptial agreements and international family law issues.

Warren R. Shiell is a Certified Family law Specialist - a distinction earned by less than 1 in 200 family attorneys and has been endorsed by other family lawyers and family court judges. Applying nearly 30 years of legal experience, Mr. Shiell focuses on resolving his clients’ family law issues with a minimum amount of conflict and litigation through the use of negotiation, mediation and settlement conferences. Graduating from Oxford University with an M.A. in Law in 1985, Mr. Shiell practiced commercial litigation in the City of London before moving to New York. In New York, Mr. Shiell handled numerous civil and family law trials and won several appeals at the New York Appellate Division. Mr. Shiell’s practice is focused exclusively on family law. He has lectured and published articles on behalf of various local Bar Associations, newspapers and magazines and has volunteered his time for a number of not-for-profit legal organizations. He has been named a "Super Lawyer" by Los Angeles Magazine and has served as a member of the Family Law Executive Committee of the Los Angeles County Bar Association.

Practice areas

OtherMediationInternational lawChild custodyDivorce and separation
  1. Divorce and separation: 44%

    Experienced Divorce and Family Law Attorney. Practice devoted entirely to divorce and family law in Southern California. Represents clients in the following areas: divorce, child and spousal support, custody and visitation, paternity, property distribution, abduction, prenuptial agreements, inter state disputes, domestic violence, move-aways.

    32 years

  2. Child custody: 33%

    Mr. Shiell handles all aspects of divorce and family law from simple uncontested divorces to high conflict and high net worth divorces involving extensive assets and complex child custody issues such as intra state and international relocations and abductions.

    32 years

  3. International law: 7%

    Mr. Shiell handles all aspects of divorce and family law in high net worth divorces involving extensive assets and complex child custody issues such as intra state and international relocations and abductions. He has a specialty in complex international divorces and has lectured on the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction and Uniform Child Custody Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act (UCCJEA) and aspects of matrimonial law in England and Wales.

    32 years

  4. Mediation: 6%

    32 years

  1. Marriage and prenuptials: 6%

    California prenuptial agreements. Mr. Shiell has drafted and reviewed many prenuptial agreements for individuals with multiple residences and cross border assets working with lawyers in several jurisdictions. He is a frequent lecturer in the Cultural Competency in Family Law lecture series.

    32 years, 30 cases

  2. Domestic violence: 4%

    In New York worked closely with a domestic violence shelter. In Los Angeles provided pro bono assistance with the domestic violence project in Central and now represent clients to obtain and defend domestic violence restraining orders and civil harrassment orders.

    32 years, 50 cases

Languages spoken

English

Photos and videos

909198 1226176896

Contact

1875 Century Park East Suite 600
address map

Law Offices of Warren R. Shiell

1875 Century Park East Suite 600
Los Angeles, CA, 90067

Office (310) 284-3123
Office (310) 247-9913

Website

http://www.la-familylaw.com

Los Angeles Divorce and Family Law Blog

Resume

License
StateStatusAcquiredUpdated
CAActive200401/20/2020
NYSuspended199212/06/2019
We have not found any instances of professional misconduct for this lawyer.
Avvo Contributions
Legal answers34
Legal guides3
Awards
Award nameGrantorDate granted
Super LawyerCalifornia Super Lawyers2020
Super LawyerCalifornia Super Lawyers2019
Super LawyerCalifornia Super Lawyers2018
Super LawyerCalifornia Super Lawyers2017
Super LawyerCalifornia Super Lawyers2016
Super LawyerCalifornia Super Lawyers2015
Super LawyerCalifornia Super Lawyers2014
Super LawyerCalifornia Super Lawyers2013
Certified Specialist - Family LawState Bar of California2013
Super LawyerCalifornia Super Lawyers2008
Pro Bono AppreicationOneida Indian Nation1995
SolicitorEngland and Wales1988
Work Experience
TitleCompany nameDuration
Certified Family Law SpecialistLaw Office of Warren R Shiell2004 - Present
AttorneyLaw Office of Lynn Soodik2003 - 2004
Legal ConsultantCBS2001 - 2002
Adjunct professor of lawSyracuse University, paralegal program1994 - 1997
AttorneyLegal Aid Society of New York1992 - 1998
SolicitorSJ Berwin & Co1990 - 1992
SolicitorMalkin Janners1988 - 1990
Associations
Association namePosition nameDuration
Los Angeles County Bar AssociationMemberN/A
Harriet BuhaiPro BonoN/A
Oxford Alumni AssociationMemberN/A
St. Peter's AssociationMemberN/A
British American Bar Association of Southern CaliforniaMemberN/A
Beverly Hills Bar AssociationMemberN/A
Los Angeles Association of Family and Marital TherapistsCo-Chair, Mediation CommitteeN/A
New York Office of the AgingFormer Director, Madison CountyN/A
Association of Certified Family Law SpecialistsMemberN/A
California Association of Marriage and Family Law SpecialistsN/AN/A
Association of Family and Conciliation Courts, Southern California ChapterMemberN/A
Publications
Publication nameTitleDate
State Bar of California Family Law NewsRecurring Questions Under the Domestic Violence Prevention Act2018
Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS) CaliforniaSix Steps to Protect Your Client’s Digital Privacy in Divorce2017
Association of Certified Family Law Specialists (ACFLS) CaliforniaFacing the Music in Divorce2016
Entertainment Law ReviewViral Online Copyright Infringement in the United States and the United Kingdom: the End of Music or Secondary Copyright Liability? (Part 1)2014
Entertainment Law ReviewViral Online Copyright Infringement in the United States and the United Kingdom: the End of Music or Secondary Copyright Liability? (Part 2)2014
Los Angeles LawyerProfessional Practice and Business Evaluation in Divorce2013
Wikipedia"ENFORCEABILITY OF PRENUPTIAL AGREEMENTS"2012
DivorcenetCalifornia Prenuptial Agreements2009
Divorce360Don't overlook copyrights in divorce2009
Divorce 360What's a custody plan2009
Divorce360Breastfeeding and Child Custody2009
Law Offices of Warren Shiell official websiteEnforceabilty of Prenuptial Agreements2009
DIvorce 360DIvorce and the Internet2008
DivorcenetTax Treatment of Stock Options2007
DivorcenetDividing Debts in Divorce2006
DivorcenetOverview of the Divorce Process2006
DivorcenetSeven do's and don;t of divorce and children2006
DivorcenetShould we file separate returns in divorce2006
Education
School nameDegreeGraduated
College of Law, UKN/A1986
Oxford University, St. Peter'sMA-Masters1985
Speaking Engagements
Conference nameTitleDate
Cultural Competancy in Family Law PracticeInternational Family Law Practice in England and Wales2016
Legal cases
Case nameOutcome
Lisa C. v. Noel C.Lead counsel in successful custody appeal
Yatarol v. DowlingSuccessfully challenged New York's "lump sum rule"
Walter v. WingSuccessfully challenged New York's transportation

Reviews

(15)
5 Star
93%
4 Star
0%
3 Star
0%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
7%
Review Warren Shiell

succesful move-away case

Posted by

Warren is an excellent attorney. Last year he represented me in an international move away case. I moved back to South Korea with my children and Warren successfully won a trial in which the Los Angeles Court decided that the case and custody was better decided by a Korean Court. He was well prepared, highly organized, knowledgeable about the law and procedures. In Korea, I won custody of my children and I have sole custody. There can be no enough rating for his wonderful service and for this excellent lawyer. I strongly recommend Warren as an attorney.
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Reliable, excellent lawyer

Posted by

I was represented in a very complicated matter by Mr. Shiell this year that involved international law, custody and paternity issues. The father had hired a big name expensive lawyer who went to court and requested extremely unfair orders that would have devastated my life. I found Mr. Shiell's office to be very professional, courteous and attentive to my concerns. His hourly rates were less than the other side, and his bills were reasonable in light of the difficulty of the case and the results he achieved. He was referred to me by a leading international family lawyer in New York because of the international aspects of the case and I am very grateful to that lawyer for the referral. I was very much overwhelmed by the uncertainties of the case and was also dealing with some medical complications of the pregnancy itself. Mr. Shiell navigated these issues better than I could have ever imagined. Mr. Shiell worked hand in hand with me to develop a complex legal strategy to defeat the father's claims. It involved consulting with experts in another country and also consulting with reproductive technology experts. At every step of the process, Mr. Shiell consulted with me and explained what was going on. Whenever I had any questions, he always promptly responded. He really went above and beyond to help me figure out my best strategy. In the end, he put together such a strong case that only 2-3 days after the other party received our response, they dropped the case entirely, with prejudice. It's hard to believe that only two months before I hired Mr. Shiell, I was in a desperate predicament with very few options and now, thanks to Mr. Shiell, I am free from all of that and able to move on with my life. Mr. Shiell's office saved me from years of headache and heartache and I will forever be grateful for his outstanding representation.

I highly recommend Warren Shiell

Posted by

Mr Shiell recently represented me for almost one year in a prolonged, complicated, legal action to reduce and or eliminate my alimony obligation. Warren is extremely knowledgeable, fair, responsive, wise, and very experienced with a chaotic legal system. He knew which additional experts were critical to the successful resolution of my case. Although Warren gives the appearance of being very calm and "laid back" he is a tough negotiator and always represented my best interests against a team of lawyers who were aggressive and extremely confrontational. I value Warren's advice and in retrospect, he was 100% accurate in all the information he conveyed to me in a timely fashion. Warren's billing was honest and fair. Thankfully, my alimony "battle" is now behind me with a successful resolution thanks to the expertise of Mr Shiell. Based on my personal experience, I highly recommend Warren Shiell!
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Hired attorney

Highly intelligent, skilled with sound judgment

Posted by

I have been a family law forensic CPA for over a dozen years and I have been privileged to have worked with many of the best family law attorneys in the Los Angeles area. I count Warren Shiell among these best lawyers. He is a highly intelligent and skilled attorney. From my point of view, working both on his team and against his team, Warren Shiell does an excellent job zealously and reasonably representing his clients' interests. On cases in which I have been involved with Warren Shiell, he is professional, attentive to detail, responds in a timely fashion, and always carefully supervises his expert’s work. Also based on my knowledge of quality family lawyers, his legal rates are exceptionally reasonable given his expertise and experience. Warren Shiell seeks to resolve his cases with the appropriate level of work. Warren Shiell uses his sound judgment in advising his clients which issues are worth fighting for (or defending against) and which issues are not. Bottom line: I do not hesitate to recommend Warren Shiell.

Terrific Lawyer!

Posted by

Warren represented me in a divorce and several post-divorce matters. He was attentive to detail and his legal and strategic advice was very sound, timely and cost effective. I worked closely with Warren and a forensic accountant that he recommended along with a network of professionals that specialized in divorce matters. My wife was represented by a much larger, more expensive, and viscious law firm but that had no effect on the outcome. Ultimately, Warren saved me tens of thousands of dollars when my wife’s lawyers tried to wildly exaggerate my actual income and paint me in a bad light. Under the settlement we reached, I shall soon be done paying support while my ex continues to burn through her trust fund money. In court and at a voluntary settlement conference, Warren was well prepared and was well respected by the Judges. Since the divorce, my ex-wife still tries to make trouble and when she does I immediately turn to Warren who can be relied on to cut through her BS. Most importantly, Warren gave me sound advice regarding the custody of my children and now we are spending more time together, which I am extremely grateful for.

Family law review

Posted by

Warren shiel represented me in one of the toughest family law cases. I came to him at a point when I was in desperate need and he saw the case through from beginning to end. He is a trusted ally and attorney and I would recommend him to anyone.

Excellent attorney

Posted by

Thank you for your excellent services in litigating my divorce. The case was somewhat contentious and I have appreciated your steady hand as we went through the process. In particular, your accessibility and quick response were very reassuring. I have had friends in similar circumstances that had difficulties reaching their attorneys or felt the responses they got were inadequate or untimely. You have always been right on top of the situation. Considering that I was out of state, we only had one face-to-face meeting during the mediation, and you managed this case otherwise with solely electronic and telephonic interactions between us, you did a great job. There were a couple of specific occasions when you displayed admirable legal savvy against my wife’s attorney preposterous claims. You managed to beat my wife’s claim that one of our properties was her separate property and your special interrogatories were concise and discriminating. You always kept us well prepared, made clear to me what the “game plan” was, and led me through the process step by step. I am relieved that you avoided a costly trial and reached a settlement agreement. Thank you for your fine service, your professional yet friendly demeanor, and your dry sense of humor when the going got tough.

Great attorney

Posted by

Thank you for your excellent services in litigating my divorce. The case was somewhat contentious and I have appreciated your steady hand as we went through the process. In particular, your accessibility and quick response were very reassuring. I have had friends in similar circumstances that had difficulties reaching their attorneys or felt the responses they got were inadequate or untimely. You have always been right on top of the situation. Considering that I was out of state, we only had one face-to-face meeting during the mediation, and you managed this case otherwise with solely electronic and telephonic interactions between us, you did a great job. There were a couple of specific occasions when you displayed admirable legal savvy against my wife’s attorney preposterous claims. You managed to beat my wife’s claim that one of our properties was her separate property and your special interrogatories were concise and discriminating. You always kept us well prepared, made clear to me what the “game plan” was, and led me through the process step by step. I am relieved that you avoided a costly trial and reached a settlement agreement. Thank you for your fine service, your professional yet friendly demeanor, and your dry sense of humor when the going got tough.

A Great Attorney with a Personal Touch

Posted by

I was mired in a very nasty custody dispute and had already been through a couple of lawyers before a friend recommended Warren. Custody disputes are never nice and my case was particularly difficult. I was beginning to feel like no one was on my side and worried that my situation was becoming hopeless. My situation and eventually my outlook changed completely when Warren arrived. He made me feel like he genuinely cared about my case and he worked tirelessly to make sure that my needs were represented. My case was not easy: minor's counsel was appointed, we had home evaluations and we had many court appearances spread out over many months. With Warren I always felt prepared and well informed. With Warren's help we were finally able to come to an agreement in my case last month, something that I wasn't even sure would ever be possible before I began this process. Incredibly we managed to come up with an arrangement that everyone was happy with and that, most importantly, put the interest of the children first. Warren is a true professional, but he is also compassionate and understanding and when the stakes are so high and the case is so personal that counts for a lot. My situation is much better now than it was, or than I could have even ever hoped it would be, before committing to this process and seeing it through. I could not have done it without Warren's guidance and his personal touch. For that I will be forever grateful.

Great Divorce Lawyer

Posted by

Warren helped me through the toughest time in my life. He provided me with sound advice during a very highly emotional period. He had a network of professionals that helped me evaluate the worth of my assets in order for me to make key decisions. He was able to provide various options and presented the pros and cons for each decision. He was very responsive in returning calls and keeping me informed throughout the process. Warren truly cares about his clients and has their best interests in mind. If I decide to get married again I will be using him to draft my prenup! Thanks Warren
See all reviews

Attorney endorsements

(16)
Are you an attorney? Endorse this lawyer

Jonathan Balfus, Litigation Attorney on Sep 28, 2015
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I've known Warren for over 10 years and have nothing but compliments. Everyone I've referred to him has been satisfied with his work ethic, congeniality and results.

Matthew Rich, Divorce and separation Attorney on Feb 20, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Mr Shiell was admirably professional and did an excellent and thorough job as opposing counsel in a very challenging matter.

David Schwarz, Child custody Attorney on Dec 17, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

Fernando Luna, Family Attorney on May 25, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer.

George Seide, Family Attorney on Feb 14, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Warren is knowledgable and was a pleasure to oppose. He was dedicated to settlement and we did settle, saving our client's a significant amount of money. George N. Seide, Esq., CFLS

Anthony Salerno, Criminal defense Attorney on Feb 3, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Warren is extremely intelligent, has a great demeanor, and is very committed to his clients.

Paul Giannini, Mediation Attorney on Feb 1, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Shiell is meticulous and quite responsive to his clients' needs.

Lauren Meinhardt, Family Attorney on Feb 1, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I have worked as opposing counsel against Warren on multiple cases over the past few years. He is diligent, intelligent and an excellent family law attorney.

Eli Kantor, Employment and labor Attorney on Jan 31, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer. I consulted with Warren regarding some sensitive custody issues for a difficult divorce that a relative was going through. He was very helpful.

Deanna Straugh, Family Attorney on Jan 30, 2012
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer. Warren is an excellent attorney.

Alex Grager, Family Attorney on Jan 30, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

Warren is a professional and compassionate advocate for his clients.

Jeremy Morley, International law Attorney on Jan 30, 2012
Relationship: Worked together on matter

I endorse this lawyer. We have worked well together on interstate and international family law issues.

Angela Proffitt, Estate planning Attorney on Apr 28, 2009
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work. I have worked with Warren on matters for clients that we have in common and find him to be ethical, efficient, helpful, dedicated to serving his clients, and responsive to client's concerns. Warren is an excellent choice for clients seeking a lawyer who not only understands the intricacies of family law, but cares about delivering the optimum service to his clients.

Donald Conviser, Marriage and prenuptials Attorney on Apr 8, 2009
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

I endorse this lawyer's work. I strongly recommend Warren Shiell, a bright, professional, dedicated, hard-working, insightful, well-respected family law attorney committed to providing his clients the best representation.

Richard Gould-Saltman, Family Attorney on Dec 11, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work. Warren's a savvy lawyer with the ability to address complicated issues.

Dianna Gould-Saltman, Family Attorney on Dec 10, 2008
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

I endorse this lawyer's work. He has practiced in various jurisdiction and has both the intellect and compassion to handle family law matters with aplomb.

Cost

RATES
  • Hourly Rates$425-$500/hour
    PAYMENT METHODS

    Cash, Check, Credit Card

    Recent Posts

    Los Angeles Divorce and Family Law Blog

    Legal guides written by Warren Shiell