Anne Barbara Howard

My case was complex ... not only 33 years of high-visibility marriage but also seven businesses I successfully launched in six countries. My ex's attorney was not intellectually up to diving into a case involving complex international tax and business law - and he forced me to pay for it. Even with t...he upper hand pounding me by my ex, Anne knew whom to consult to walk me through this mess. Matters were not helped when my ex- deliberately lied about me and got me fired from one of my companies -- but Anne blocked her efforts to claim my "fired income" as current and open to levy by Family Court. I found her staff responsive to my queries and better than adequate on client communication. The divorce was very expensive ... low 6-figures by the time all of the international forensic accountants were paid and I forked up the share of my wife's costs ordered by Family Court. But I never felt gouged by Anne for her portion of the case. Most incidental costs (photo-copy, etc.) were forgiven, too ... no minor feat when close to 5,000 pages of financial discovery had to be produced. Bottom line: I came out OK, and so did my wife. The final MSA was fair all 'round, and Anne played the major role in dissipating the heat my ex's attorney tried to stir up. I admired her willingness to take on a challenging case with some unprecedented legal issues.to confront San Diego Family Court.

I faced a very complicated divorce (how many are simple?) which included six companies I ran (founded) in five countries and control over some 41 foreign bank accounts. To top that off, I faced tremendous political pressures at several companies, which my ex- diod not help lighten at all.I was bering... battered on several sides, and Anne was magnificent at knowing family law, knowing hos the local system works, how to keep me centered in the midst of my ex's rantings, and overall good case management from her friendly staff. I am a high-powered Type A personality, and she was with energy and intellect able to stand up to me and help me see broader pictures than I wanted. She reminded me to win the war, and not just a few of the battles along the way. She is a realist; a plaque in her office reads, "It is what it is". Grounding clients is one of her expertises. The toughest, and most expensive, part of my divorce was sorting through the bank accounts, advising which accounts were my (or community) money, and which accounts were corporate (i.e., not personal money). Topping that off, my wife was convinced I had $500,000 hidden in an offshore account. We ended up having the prove a negative, that I did NOT have any such financial arrangement. Anne's great in court but prefers mediation and related processes. We suggested that in the beginning, but my wife wanted to haul me to court and drag me in front of the public. We needed well oiver one year to get this issue settled. It was tough, it was expensive, it was tiresome. But also it was forced on us, and Anne kept me going when I was close to throwing in the towel, which is what my wife wanted me to do. And she is definitely not shy around other attorneys. She protected me well during my deposition from an attorney who was believing my wife's charges and trying to act tough.