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Paul Adam Swiller
About Paul
Biography
Paul A. Swiller, CWLS, has cared about children his entire life, and he decided early-on that he wished to spend his life seeking to ensure that youth have the opportunity and ability to maximize their potential and achieve their dreams. That goal led Mr. Swiller to U.C.L.A. where he was recognized as a National Merit Scholar, a Discover-A-Star Scholar, a Malcolm R. Stacey Scholar and a Shoninger Scholar, and spent a summer interning with the United States Department of Education. At U.C.L.A., Mr. Swiller received Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Policy Studies (he wanted to be the next great American president!), and, upon graduating, joined the national service organizationAmeriCorps to help fulfill unmet educational, socioeconomic, public safety, disaster relief, environmental needs in the western United States. After AmeriCorps, Mr. Swiller earned a teaching credential and served as a Special Education teacher and athletic coach at a school for students with special needs. At that school - where every student had educational issues and most were also involved with the juvenile dependency and delinquency systems - Mr. Swiller made the decision to become a lawyer to address these concerns.
Mr. Swiller attended the University of California, Hastings College of the Law where he served as the Dan Bradley Fellow, an editor for the Race and Poverty Law Journal, a teaching assistant for Moot Court and Legal Research and Writing, a Street Law teacher at Juvenile Hall, a tutor with the Hastings Tenderloin Tutoring Program, a participant in both the Civil Justice Individual Representation Clinic (wherein he successfully appealed a homeless client's denial of social security disability benefits) and in the Civil Justice Small Claims Mediation Clinic, a co-creator of the Hastings Core Concentration Colloquium, and the president of the Hastings Indoor Soccer Club.
Upon graduating from law school and passing the California Bar Exam, Mr. Swiller began his legal career at the San Diego County Office of the Public Defender and then at the Dependency Legal Group serving as a child advocacy attorney for children in foster-care. After thousands of clients, over one thousand trials, and seven years spent fighting for the best interest of foster youth, Mr. Swiller believed that there was a need for a legal office in Southern California, operated by lawyers knowledgeable in multiple fields, which would serve the interests of children and parents. Thus, Tot Law was born.
Currently, you will find Mr. Swiller at Tot Law fighting for his clients' rights, at the Court of Appeals for the 4th District of California where Mr. Swiller is appointed by the Court to represent children and parents in juvenile dependency appeals, and on the field coaching the Special Olympics San Carlos softball team. He is a member of the San Diego Bar Association, the SDCBA Children at Risk Committee and the California Appellate Defense Counsel, and is also a volunteer for the Professional Alliance for Children. In addition, Mr. Swiller has been designated a Child Welfare Law Specialist by the National Association of Counsel for Children - an organization accredited by the American Bar Association and the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. Mr. Swiller is married to his law school sweetheart and has two beautiful children who remind him every day that a child's bright future is worth fighting for. If he's not at the office then he's chasing his kids from one end of the yard to the other, and then back, and then back again, and then back again...
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Adoption
20%
19 years | 100 cases
Child Abuse
20%
19 years | 1,000 cases
Child Custody
20%
19 years | 100 cases
Child Support
20%
19 years | 100 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 19 years
State: California
Acquired: 2006
No misconduct found
Location
Tot Law
1901 1st Ave., Second Fl., San Diego, CA, 92101
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Paul Adam Swiller's Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 11 client reviews from Avvo
Posted by anonymous | July 9, 2024 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Custody through Juvenile Dependency Court
The biggest mistake was to hire Paul Swiller. Don't be fooled to think he cares about kids and families. It's all about $$$. He will charge you $400/hr and will charge every minute of a call with you. And even when you say he is not needed, he sends his associate and charges you. Juvenile Depe...
Posted by Frank | July 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Daughter’s adoption
Paul helped us with our daughter’s adoption case. We had a very unique case and Paul did a great job listening to us and meeting our demands. Paul explained everything out front and delivered just as he said. We didn’t feel confused about any details throughout our case. My wife and I felt very conf...
Posted by Donna | August 10, 2018 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Best Adoption/Family/Juvi Lawyer!!
I retained Paul in a juvenile dependency case. He knows the law. He is respected. He is no nonsense. He took care of business for my family. I had total peace of mind. I highly recommend him.
Posted by John Rossing | June 10, 2017 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
NO SHOWED TO COURT, LOST CUSTODY.
Mr Swiller was afraid of opposing counsel and stated that. Further, he no showed on a court date costing me full custody. And he had the nerve to ask me for $5,000 more after paying him $10,000 for a 5 minute court appearance. I have requested my money back with no returned messages. Keep an eye ...
Posted by Rebecca | January 10, 2016 | Hired Attorney
This review is from a person who hired this attorney.
Custody Case
I found Paul in my time of need. I had one month till my court date. He worked with me to get everything i need filled and in on time and in order. He was very respectful and generous with his time to fit with my crazy schedule. Once my court date arrived we both arrived early and he was able to help...
Paul Adam Swiller's Lawyer Endorsements
"Paul is exceptional. He is extremely knowledgeable (he's a certified specialist) and zealously advocates for his clients. I endorse this lawyer."
"I highly endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Swiller is a highly skilled attorney. Whenever my firm cannot handle a matter I do not hesitate to send someone to Mr. Swiller."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is an effective and determined advocate for kids. If you have a legal issues like child support, guardianship, or adoption call Paul first."
"I have known Mr. Swiller for several years now. Paul is a dedicated and extraordinarily competent advocate. What has always impressed me the most about Paul is the personal concern and interest he exhibits for each and every client he represents. This is an especially important quality to have when you are working with minors. This area of practice requires a special “kind” of attorney. One that truly cares about the well being of those he represents. Paul Swiller is certainly that kind of attorney. I would highly recommend Paul."
"As a former public defender with 9 years of law practice under his belt it is safe to say that Paul is highly experienced. A devotion to the young accused of crime has led to his devotion to juvenile law practice. Clients admire and respect him for his stellar results. Read his client reviews. Many attorneys seek his advice on juvenile matters as well. Do yourself a favor and schedule a consultation with him!"
"Paul is a very caring and devoted attorney. Read through his bio on his website and to get a better insight as to why he practices law. I wholeheartedly endorse this attorney."
"I endorse this lawyer. Paul is diligent and dedicated to providing excellent service to his clients."
"Paul is a friend and colleague. I trust his ability to do right by his clients and to exceed expectations."
"I highly endorse Paul Swiller. He is passionate about children, focused on his work, and consistently prepared. I always enjoy working with him."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is extremely knowledgeable and passionate regarding juvenile law and his clients."
"I worked in the courtroom with Mr. Swiller at the Office of the Public Defender and Dependency Legal Group and I highly recommend and endorse him. He is well liked and respected by both the attorneys in the community and the bench. Mr. Swiller is an excellent trial attorney but also does great work behind the scenes to get favorable results for his clients when going to trial is not necessary. He easily builds rapport with his clients, truly cares about them, and is always accessible. Mr. Swiller is an extremely hard working attorney, and truly cares about children's needs and rights."
"There is no better choice for a juvenile lawyer than Paul Swiller. His dedication and passion for this area of law is unmatched. He is a zealous advocate who really cares for his clients. He is always prepared and leaves no stone unturned when striving for the best results for his clients. Paul Swiller is the lawyer I go to when I have questions about cases involving children. Simply said, there is no one better."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Swiller is a hardworking, honest attorney who has extensive knowledge of the law. He is respectful toward his clients and other counsel while maintaining a fun, upbeat personality in and out of court. It is an absolute pleasure to work with Mr. Swiller!"
"I have known Attorney Paul Swiller for several years. He is a confident and experienced attorney who advocates for his clients with compassion and zeal. A winning combination!"
"Paul and I worked in the same legal community for four years. His excellent reputation precedes him. His peers hold him in high regard for many reasons, but, most importantly, for providing exceptional representation for his clients."
"I had the privilege of working with Paul for two years. He was respected among our work group as one of the best child advocates in the field of juvenile dependency. He is fiercely dedicated to doing a superb job for his clients in a reasoned, professional, and caring way. I would highly recommend him to any child, parent or family facing a difficult legal issue."
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Experience
Honors
2014
Child Welfare Law Specialization, National Association of Counsel for Children
N/A
National Merit Scholar, National Society of Collegiate Scholars
N/A
Shoninger Scholar, UCLA
N/A
Malcolm R. Stacey Fellow, UCLA
N/A
Discover-A-Star Scholar, UCLA
N/A
Dan Bradley Fellow, UC Hastings COL
Work Experience
2013 - Present
Panel Attorney, Appellate Defenders, Inc.
2013 - Present
Owner / Attorney, Tot Law
2013 - 2013
Contract Attorney, Office of County Counsel, San Diego County
2010 - 2012
Senior Associate, Dependency Legal Group
2006 - 2010
Minors' Counsel, San Diego County Public Defender's Office
2001 - 2002
Special Education Teacher, The Ofman Learning Center
2001 - 2001
Corps Member, AmeriCorps
Associations
2014 - Present
National Association of Counsel for ChildrenMember, CWLS
2013 - Present
San Diego County Bar Association, Family Law SectionAttorney Member
2013 - Present
San Diego County Bar FoundationAttorney Member
2013 - Present
San Diego County Bar Association, Appellate Court CommitteeAttorney Member
2013 - Present
San Diego County Bar Association, Social Security Disability SectionAttorney Member
2013 - Present
San Diego County Bar Association, Children at Risk CommitteeAttorney Member
2013 - Present
Law GuruAttorney Member
2013 - Present
Super LawyersAttorney Member
2013 - Present
California Association of Defense CounselMember
2001 - Present
Special Olympics Southern CaliforniaHead Coach
Sample of Legal Cases
Guardianship of XXXXXX
Win
Guardianship of XXXXXXX et al.
Win
In re the Marriage of XXXXX
Win
Adoption of XXXXXXXX
Win
In re XXXXXXX
Win
In re the Marriage of XXXXXX
Win
XXXXXXXXXX v. XXXXXXX
Win
Child Welfare Services v. XXXXXXX
Win
Education
2005
University of California, Hastings College of the Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2001
Univ of California at Los Angeles
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2016
Child Welfare Services in Family Law Matters
CPS and Family Law
Publications
2014
Self-Published
Legal Issues Affecting Children
Languages
English
Spanish
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
II received a letter from cps saying I will be place on a list for mental emotional abuse of child, which is totally false
10 Oct 2017
Q&A
I want to adopt my step daughter but my wife and her live in Mexico, what is the process ?
02 Aug 2017
Q&A
How do I obtain guardianship of my nephew?
03 Jun 2017