$ 695-695 per hour
About Gordon
Biography
I am in my 40th year of practice. I work in Family Law, divorce matters, and electronic discovery matters. I serve as litigation counsel (traditional lawyers role), as a mediator of Family Law and divorce matters, and as a privately compensated temporary judge where I am the judicial officer making the decisions in the case. I am an expert in e-discovery and serve as a consultant in cases involving electronic discovery.
I am a Fellow in the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers and the International Academy of Family Lawyers. I am listed in Best Lawyers in America in both Family Law and Family Law Mediation. I am the 2015 Family Law Lawyer of the Year for San Diego County as named by Best Lawyers in America and the 2017 and 202 Family Law Mediator of the Year for San Diego County. I have a Super Lawyers designation. I am a Certified Legal Specialist in Family Law. My certification comes from the State Bar of California, Board of Legal Specialization. I am listed in the Register of Preeminent Lawyers and my Martindale Hubbell rating is AV, their highest rating. I was made a Diplomate in the American College of Family Trial Lawyers in 2017.
My office staff consists of one associate attorney, a paralegal and a file clerk.
Is a family law matter impacting your life? Gordon & his staff are here to help you.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Divorce and Separation
100%
41 years | 1,500 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
Licenses
Licensed in California for 42 years
State: California
Acquired: 1983
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Gordon online.
Gordon Dale Cruse's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 12 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by Paul | May 8, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Really Professional
I was really anxious going through my divorce. I did an in-person consult with Gordon, and felt a lot better about my case. My second interaction was a Zoom call, and he explained what would happen. He was correct, and did an excellent job. His command of my case put me at ease. Terri, his paralegal,...
Posted by Linda | September 27, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Peace of Mind
Separation and divorce can be ugly, draining, sad and exhausting. Gordon made me see light at the end of the tunnel! Trips to his office were the highlight of one of the worst stages of my life.. professional, yet empathetic; Gordon actually made me see some humor in what could have easily been consi...
Posted by anonymous | August 13, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
You will not find a better representative for your case.
I have hired Mr. Cruse for six months now and he has proven invaluable. He came highly recommended and I now understand why. He is at the point of the knowledge and experience ladder. His building, or the one acccross the street has plenty of parking. i am very satisfied with the personal attention...
Posted by Mark | August 10, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Top Notch Divorce Attorney
Gordon Cruse is an exceptional attorney that has skillfully represented me throughout an 18 month problematic divorce proceeding. His fair and compassionate approach, combined with an unmatched knowledge of the law, makes him without peer. He is, hands down, the best in the business.
Posted by cdpatten07 | February 5, 2015
Spousal support modification
I most strongly recommend Gordon Cruse. His counsel, support, and responsiveness were superb and very effective. Support from his office staff was excellent. I filed a change of circumstances when I found myself unemployed, and Mr. Cruse was able to negotiate a settlement thoroughly to my satisfacti...
Gordon Dale Cruse's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Gordon is a top-notch attorney, who can serve as a tough litigator, as well as a great mediator."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"This is the best family lawyer in San Diego. Superb litigator if needed. His focus is settlement and minimizing needless cost. Completely trustworthy in every aspect of his practice."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is one of the premier Family Law attorneys in San Diego County."
"I endorse this lawyer. Gordon is one the most highly respected lawyers in the San Diego legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Cruse provides thoughtful, educated and experienced answers to the questions provided herein. Attorney Cruse provides a needed service by providing voluntary and free legal assistance to the individuals herein who are in need of immediate legal answers."
"I endorse this lawyer. Gordon Cruse is one of San Diego's most respected lawyers in family law. I have observed his work in a number of situations and I find him to be among the best. He knows the law cold and he knows how to apply the law to a factual situation to the client's advantage. He is articulate and respected in the Courts. He makes a powerful presentation for his clients. I endorse him wholeheartedly."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have known Gordon for many years and have worked with him on cases. Not only is he an excellent attorney but he is always gracious and professional."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. I first met Gordon when I was in law school, while working for another family law attorney. I came to know Gordon, as an extremely passionate and well versed family law attorney. His clients were well protected under his representation."
"It is my privilege to unequivocally endorse Gordon Cruse as one of the premier family law attorneys in Southern California. I have known Mr. Cruse for more than twenty years, and in that time, he has been opposing counsel, as well as settlement conference judge and privately retained judicial officer in a variety of complex family law cases. Mr. Cruse demonstrates the highest qualities (professionally, personally and ethically) possessed by a lawyer, and far exceeds the standards imposed by the State Bar as well as the lions share of colleagues in our community. Fair, effective and exceedingly bright, Mr. Cruse is a capable and formidable adversary who typically finds a way to bridge the majority of what appear to be insurmountable obstacles with class and style. He has been unfailing kind and generous with his time whenever I have asked for advice, opinion or direction on any case that did not concern his firm. Mr. Cruse's excellent reputation with bench and bar is well deserved."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Gordon mentored me as a new attorney 17 years ago. I remain grateful for his generosity and expertise. I consider Gordon to be an expert, and one whom I would still consult on extraordinarily complex issues. I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
"If you are looking for a family law attorney who is bright, efficient, fair, respected by all of our judges here in San Diego, and who will work tirelessly to settle your case out of court, while at the same time be capable of litigating your case aggressively if necessary, then attorney Gordon Cruse is an attorney you should definitely consider to represent you."
"I endorse this lawyer's work."
Wayne Rice
Family lawyer
Jane Wesley Brooks
Family lawyer
James Dooley
Family lawyer
Janis Stocks
Family lawyer
Marlene Keen
Family lawyer
Shannon Miles
Family lawyer
Marilyn Bierer
Family lawyer
Nancy Bickford
Family lawyer
Frederick Hale
Family lawyer
Edward Thomas
Family lawyer
Adryenn Cantor
Family lawyer
James Hennenhoefer
Family lawyer
Richard Freed
Family lawyer
Irina Goldberg
Tax lawyer
Anne Howard
Family lawyer
John Knoll
Family lawyer
Georgia Williams
Family lawyer
Claudia Garcia
Family lawyer
Richard Renkin
Divorce and separation lawyer
Marnie Skeen
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2009
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2008
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2007
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
1998
Norby Award, San Diego Family Court Judges
Work Experience
1984 - Present
Attorney, Gordon D. Cruse, APLC
Associations
2006 - Present
International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
2002 - Present
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Sample of Legal Cases
Marriage of Burtzloff
Estate divided child custody to my client.
Marriage of Zlotnick
Child Custody order for my client
Education
1982
Western State Univ
Juris Doctor
1978
University of California, San Diego
undergraduate
Speaking Engagements
2016
ASU Arkfeld E-discovery Conference
E-discovery on a Budget
2016
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Cyber Privacy
2015
CLE Firm Update
E-discovery, The Basics
2015
Baltimore Chapter of the AAML
E-Discovery & Ethics
2015
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
Technology Tips for Lawyers
2014
UCSD Extension Program
Technology & Ethics in the Law Office
2014
Oregon Family Law Conference
E-Discovery in Family Law
2014
For Your Eyes Only
Technology and Ethics
2014
ASU/Arkfeld Advanced E-Discovery Institute
E-Discovery In the Small Law Firm
2013
Kansas Annual Family Law Institute
ESI & E-Discovery In Family Law
2013
ASU/Arkfeld E-Discovery Institute
E-Discovery in Family Law
2013
American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers
E-Discovery & Ethics
2013
Advanced Family Law Institute
E-Discovery In Family Law
2012
Family Law College of Trial Advocacy
ESI at Trial
2012
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
Electronic Discovery in Family Law
2010
AICPA 2010 Educational Institute
Electronic Discovery
2009
2009 Family Law Conference
Getting the Goods, Feldman Motions, E-Discovery, Disclosure Requirements
2007
AICPA 2007 Educational Institute
Family Law Workshop for Accountants
Publications
2014
California State Bar Family Law News
Technology in the Law Office, the Battleground of Efficiency vs Ethics
2008
San Diego Magazine
The Landscape of Family Law
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Does the court have jurisdiction to award spousal support?
18 May 2019
Q&A
Divorce filed in two different states one of which is in California and there is dispute over forum?
18 Jan 2019
Q&A
Missing Items In a Divorce - Who is responsible
16 Mar 2014