$ 495-600 per hour
Amy E. West
also known as Amy West Maldonado
About Amy
Biography
Amy West has 22 years’ experience in both Family and Criminal Law and is certified by the California Board of Legal Specialization as a Specialist in Family Law. Amy joined GENESIS FAMILY LAW, APC, in April 2023. For the six years prior to joining GENESIS, Amy worked as a senior litigation attorney in local firms. Amy also owned WEST MALDONADO LAW GROUP and was an owner-partner at RHOADS & WEST for 11 years. She has been the lead attorney on 40-plus trials, including countless family law trials, rape and criminal domestic violence jury trials, fraudulent conveyance and partition actions, and multiple contempt trials. Amy has also been the lead attorney on over 50 domestic violence restraining order and/or civil restraining order evidentiary hearings. She has written four and argued two appeals in front of the 4th DCA.
Amy resided in Frankfurt, Germany for ten years, graduating from Frankfurt American High School. Outside the office, Amy enjoys spending time with her family, reading, singing, and working out. She has been married for 12 years to her Husband, Jose, who retired from the Marine Corps after 20 years of service and now works for the Department of the Navy. Between her and her husband, they have 6 children, ages 21 to 33. Amy is on the Board of Kathy's Legacy, a non-profit serving families of domestic violence victims. She enjoys volunteering for The Rock Church and has over 200 Pro Bono Hours in domestic violence litigation.
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Child Custody
25%
23 years | 100 cases
Domestic Violence
25%
23 years | 100 cases
Family
25%
23 years | 200 cases
Criminal Defense
15%
23 years | 100 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 22 years
State: California
Acquired: 2004
No misconduct found
Location
Genesis Family Law
2655 Camino del Rio North, Suite 400, San Diego, CA, 92108
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Amy E. West's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
2 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (2)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews | Family
Posted by Farrah | February 05, 2026 | Hired Attorney | Family
Experienced, strategic, and knowledgeable
Amy West is an awesome attorney and I highly recommend her. She worked on my family law child custody case for year. During that year she defended me against false allegations of contempt of court order. She was able to get those charges dropped against me dropped and negotiated and new stipulated co...
Posted by Aaron | October 16, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Family
Excellent Lawyer
Amy took my case at the last minute for a move away order that was being contested. She went above and beyond, working after hours to make sure that she knew my case in and out and could represent me as best as possible. My move away was granted, and even after the trial, Amy ensured that I got every...
Amy E. West's Lawyer Endorsements
"Amy is an excellent lawyer to have on your side. She's resolution oriented, passionate and professional. The perfect trifecta for family law."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. West is a very professional attorney who is passionate about her clients. She is extremely knowledgeable about family law and Domestic Violence Restraining Orders."
"Amy is incredibly knowledgeable about the law and uses that knowledge to fight for her all her clients. Amy is a great trial attorney. She cares about her clients which you can easily see by her zealous advocacy."
"Amy is just outstanding. She was my opposing counsel, now she's my friend and colleague. I have learned so much from Amy. She brings a deep knowledge of Family Law and the Evidence Code to the table. She's a strong litigator, but is also extremely kind. She's well respected among judges and the legal community. Amy gives her 100% to her clients in a tireless way that I deeply admire. It's hard to over-state how much I respect her. She really gets results."
"Amy West and I attended law school together and I can tell you she is shrewd, yet compassionate. She understands the value of diplomacy, but knows when it's time to battle. Amy West is a top-notch advocate upon whom clients can depend."
"I endorse this lawyer. Amy is a brilliant and effective attorney."
"I worked with Ms. West on a couple of matters involving family law both of our areas of expertise. Ms. West is an effective advocate in and out of the courtroom. I highly recommend Ms. West as an attorney."
"Amy West is THE person I go to whenever I need an aggressive attorney to handle a restraining order for a client. Every single client I have sent to her has been satisfied. She is also a dedicated and successful family law attorney who lets no stone go unturned in the representation of her clients. I strongly endorse her."
"Amy has enormous commitment to her cases and her clients, it really shows. She's a true 'bulldog' and not a 'dump truck.' She has my full endorsement both as a criminal attorney and also as a family law attorney."
Kelli Avallone
Family lawyer
Nadine Sayegh
Child custody lawyer
Kathlynn Cadiente
Family lawyer
Hiba Benny
Family lawyer
Raul Maravilla
Family lawyer
Elizabeth Lefiti
Family lawyer
Daniel Greene
Criminal defense lawyer
Traci Hoppes
Family lawyer
William Hannosh
Litigation lawyer
Brigid Campo
Child custody lawyer
Milena Celentano
Family lawyer
Koryn Sheppard
Family lawyer
Jane Wesley Brooks
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2025
Super Lawyer Family Law, SuperLawyers
2024
Super Lawyer Family Law, SuperLawyers
2023
Super Lawyer Family Law, SuperLawyers
2022
Super Lawyer Family Law, SuperLawyers
2021
Super Lawyer Family Law, SuperLawyers
2016
Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California
2002
Cum Laude, California Western School of Law
2002
Criminal Procedure II -- AmJur, California Western School of Law
2002
California Trial Evidence -- AmJur, California Western School of Law
2001
Legal Skills II -- AmJur, California Western School of Law
2001
Negotiation -- AmJur, California Western School of Law
2000
Legal Skills I - AmJur, California Western School of Law
Work Experience
2023 - Present
Of Counsel, Genesis Family Law, APC
2017 - Present
Senior Litigation Attorney, LAW & MEDIATION FIRM OF KLUECK & HOPPES, APC
2019 - 2023
Senior Litigation Attorney, Primus Family Law Group
2015 - 2017
Owner, WEST MALDONADO LAW GROUP
2004 - 2015
Partner, RHOADS & WEST
Associations
2025 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationFamily Law Section Chair
2025 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationLeadership Academy Subcommittee and Recruitment Co-Chair
2025 - Present
Kathy's Legacy FoundationBoard Member
2016 - Present
Foothills Bar AssociationMember
2016 - Present
Association of Certified Family Law SpecialistsMember
2013 - Present
San Diego Family Law Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
San Diego County Bar AssociationMember
2021 - 2023
San Diego Family Law Bar AssociationBoard Member; Education Co-Chair
2004 - 2008
Consumer Attorneys of San DiegoBoard Member
Education
2002
California Western School of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
2000
University of Arizona
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2025
“California Competence, Elimination of Bias, Technology, and Civility”
“California Competence"
2024
“Working with Dissolution Clients, the Court, and Opposing Counsel”
“Working with Dissolution Clients, the Court, and Opposing Counsel”
2024
“Minor’s Counsel Training”
"Working with High Conflict Cases: Competence and Malpractice Avoidance"
2024
Strategies for Supporting Deaf Clients and Colleagues: What Attorneys Need to Know
"Getting Acquainted With Deaf Culture and Identity"
2023
“Minor’s Counsel Training”
"Discovery without Discovery: Where to Find Evidence"
2022
Winter CFLS Seminar
“Domestic Violence: Unintended Consequences in Family Law”
2021
SDFBLA Brown Bag CLE
"Coercive Control Comes to California (Domestic Violence – SB 1141)”
2021
SDFBLA Brown Bag CLE
"Visitation & High Conflict Custody Cases”
2021
Justice Costs Money and Your Client Doesn’t Have Much
"Cross-Examining the Expert on a Budget"
2017
SDCBA CLE
Evidence in Domestic Violence Hearings
2017
Languages
English
German
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Answers
Q&A
I have 3 years restraining order does it mean im on probation?
12 Oct 2017
Q&A
Can I appoint a legal guardian for my child if her biological father has no legal or physical custody?
06 Oct 2017