Sondra Sue Sutherland

PRO

Sondra Sue Sutherland

5.0
Rating: 8.4

Licensed for 29 years

Family Lawyer at San Diego, CA
Practice Areas: Family, Appeals, Litigation

11440 West Bernardo Court, Suite 300, San Diego, CA

Free Consultation

About Sondra

Biography

Trusted San Diego litigator with over 25 years of experience delivering strategic legal solutions in family law, civil litigation, and appellate advocacy—committed to protecting your rights and achieving results in and out of court.

Riverside County and San Diego appellate attorney with proven success in civil, family, and criminal appeals—protecting your rights and challenging trial court errors across California.

Experienced Riverside County and San Diego County family law attorney—handling divorce, custody, support, and domestic disputes with compassion and strategic advocacy.

Trusted Riverside County and San Diego litigation lawyer—resolving complex civil, family, and business disputes through aggressive courtroom representation and tailored legal strategies.

Practice Areas

3

Practice Areas

Family 80%

Experienced Riverside County and San Diego family law attorney—handling divorce, custody, support, and domestic disputes with compassion and strategic advocacy.

80%
Appeals 15%

Riverside County and San Diego appellate attorney with proven success in civil, family, and criminal appeals—protecting your rights and challenging trial court errors across California.

15%
Litigation 5%

Trusted Riverside County and San Diego litigation lawyer—resolving complex civil, family, and business disputes through aggressive courtroom representation and tailored legal strategies.

5%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes

Hourly Rates

$ 295-295 per hour

Contingency

20%-50%

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Licenses

Licensed in California for 29 years

State: California

Acquired: 1996

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Sondra S. Sutherland

11440 West Bernardo Court, Suite 300, San Diego, CA, 92127

ssslegal.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Sondra online.

Sondra Sue Sutherland's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

5.0 /5.0

11 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (11) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 6 - 10 of 11 reviews | 5 stars

Posted by Reine | January 19, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

My children's HERO

Attorney Sondra Sutherland is my kids' hero. She knows how to handle difficult cases, especially cases that involve military retirement division. Military retirement division is complex, and not many attorneys in San Diego, know about how to navigate the rules and regulations regarding military reti...rement division. If you are looking for someone who knows about military retirement division laws, please give Sondra a call. She will fight for you! I was facing an extremely difficult military divorce case. The order I had included a wrong division of military pension, it also directed me to vacate my home, and put my home up for sale all within a very short period of time. I was also facing losing my share of the military pension, and I was especially facing trying to find a new home for me and my children, at a time when housing cost has skyrocketed in San Diego. The minute I spoke with Sondra she gave me hope. I knew she was a game changer. Attorney Sondra Sutherland was able to save and keep my children in our home. Sondra did a fantastic job on appeal, and guided me through the whole process. Sondra gets results, no doubt about it. The minute Sondra accepted to appeal my case, the other party offered to settle. I am blessed and grateful to have met Attorney Sondra Sutherland after dealing with so many other attorneys, and spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on this case. Sondra fought for me and my children, she was understanding, and she especially went above and beyond with her research. One more thing that I loved about Sondra was her prompt communication. Sondra COMMUNICATES! So many attorneys do not return email or phone calls which leads to clients being frustrated. With Sondra, I always knew what was happening, and she always emailed me about what she was about to work on next, and what to expect. To add to all this, her ethics are top notch! I was surprise when she gave me her resume on our first meeting! She even sent me back a check from what was left from my escrow account at the end of the case. This, should tell you a lot about Sondra's ethics and her professionalism. Sondra simply works miracles! My kids spent a fantastic holiday in their childhood home, and they don't have to worry about changing schools, losing friends, and losing the place they call home, all thanks to Sondra S Sutherland. Sondra, I will always be forever grateful for the AMAZING work you did for me and my family. Reine G.

Posted by Allison | August 14, 2013 | Family

Excellent Attorney

Sondra is tenacious, assertive and highly knowledgeable. When I first spoke to her on the phone I knew she was the right attorney for my case. She spent her time explaining all of my options and advising me as to the best course of action with my best interest in mind. She was always responsive ...to my calls and emails, regardless of what time it was and was diligent in keeping me informed. Sondra treated me as a person, not just another case. I do believe that had I hired anyone other than Sondra, my situation would not have turned out as favorable as it did. I highly recommend Sondra for any type of family law issue.

Posted by Patrick | August 09, 2013 | Divorce & Separation

Exceptional attorney!

Sondra represented me during a very contentious divorce, and her calm demeanor and strong legal acumen helped all involved parties to stay focused on the issues and fashion a solid agreement that has worked to safeguarded the interests of our two children. As a result, I would strongly recommend Sond...ra to anyone that desires to have exceptional representation when they enter into a legal dispute.

Posted by Greg | August 09, 2013 | Litigation

Best lawyer in the business

Sondra was the best lawyer I have ever had the pleasure to work with. My case was very intrigate, she was so prepared at trial even the other attorney who lost was so impressed he complimented her on a job well done. I still talk about that case to others and would highly recommend her to anyone who... wants the best in the business.

Posted by JB | August 08, 2013 | Divorce & Separation

Divorce

I was divorced nearly 15 years ago. Post judgement I had numerous run-ins with my ex. Sondra kept me on the straight and narrow, making sure that I didn't let reckless emotion get in the way of prudent decision making. She knows her stuff inside and out. I recommend her without reservation.

See All Client Reviews

Sondra Sue Sutherland's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Sondra
James Nelson Dicks headshot
James Dicks

Family lawyer | Nov 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"This attorney works very hard for the clients and keeps up with the law by attending legal seminars to assist them in this regard. I endorse this attorney."

Michael Shemtoub headshot
Michael Shemtoub

Appeals lawyer | Sep 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Your resume speaks for itself and I consider you a valuable member of the attorney community. I would recommend you to anyone and everyone who needs your services. I whole heartedly endorse this lawyer!"

Andrew Jack Botros headshot
Andrew Botros

Appeals lawyer | Aug 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

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Experience

Rating:  8.4 (Excellent)

Honors

2013

2013 Top Lawyers in California, American Lawyer Media

2013

Lead Counsel Rating, Lead Counsel

2012

CLAY Award (Attorney of the Year, Family Law), California Lawyer Magazine

2009

The Wiley W. Manuel Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, The State Bar of California

1996

Excellence for the Future Award - Arbitration, The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI)

1995

Excellence for the Future Award - Securities Regulation, The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction (CALI)

1994

American Jurisprudence Award - Professional Responsibility, Bancroft-Witney AmJur

1994

American Jurisprudence Award - Advanced Legal Writing, Bancroft-Witney AmJur

Work Experience

1999 - Present

Attorney/Owner, Law Offices of Sondra S. Sutherland

1998 - 1999

Attorney, Sacks & Zweig

1997 - 1998

Attorney, Trope and Trope

1997 - 1997

Research Attorney, L.A. County Superior Court

1996 - 1996

Judicial Extern to Hon. Alex Kozinski, U.S. Court Of Appeals, 9th Circuit

1995 - 1995

Judicial Extern to Hon. Norman L. Epstein, California Court Of Appeal

Associations

2006 - Present

United States Supreme Court Bar

Admitted to Practice

1999 - Present

San Diego County Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

San Diego North County Bar Association

Member

1999 - Present

United States District Court for the Southern District of California

Admitted to Practice

1997 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

1997 - Present

United States District Court for the Central District of California

Admitted to Practice

1997 - Present

United States Court of Appeals For the Ninth Circuit

Admitted to Practice

1996 - Present

Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Marriage of Gruen (2011) 191 Cal.App.4th 627

Reversed - prior orders revived (meaning app. $800K in additional support for the mother and 4 children)

In re Bankr. of Bush (Kipperman v. Sutherland), 356 B.R. 28 (Bankr. S.D. Cal. 2006)

Court validated my liens

Marriage of Lammers (2000) 83 Cal.App.4th 1309

Changed the culture to make reading & ruling on the evidence & law the standard; statewide rules now replace local practices of this type

Sutherland v. Barclays (1997) 53 Cal.App.4th 299

Summary judgment reversed-Judge Weil settled case

See More Legal Cases

Education

1996

Whittier Coll SOL

JD - Juris Doctor

Languages

English

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