Elena Smolina

Elena Smolina

4.9
Rating: 7.5

Licensed for 7 years

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

San Diego Divorce and Family Law Attorney, 12520 High Bluff Drive Suite 240, San Diego, CA

About Elena

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Fees and Rates

Cost

Retainer

Always


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 7 years

State: California

Acquired: 2018

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Elena Smolina APC

San Diego Divorce and Family Law Attorney, 12520 High Bluff Drive Suite 240, San Diego, CA, 92130

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Elena Smolina's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

56 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 1 of 1 review | 1 star

Posted by Jonna | July 08, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Extreme Negligence, Ghosted by Attorney, Left Unresolved Liabilities

I hired Elena Smolina, APC for a family law case and expected basic professional competence. Instead, this firm lazy-delegated my file to assistants, completely failed to communicate, and left me exposed financially. Ghosted by Counsel & Lazy Delegation: Everything in my case was passed off to t...heir paralegal. The managing attorney would schedule calls and completely fail to contact me. Instead, my case was handled by a paralegal who was left to negotiate terms with opposing counsel while I was charged premium attorney rates. My actual court appearance was deeply embarrassing because the attorney was completely unprepared and failed to brief me beforehand. Ignored Court Order Violations: On May 21, 2026, Bank of America pulled money from my personal savings due to a joint account my ex-husband refused to close. Their paralegal even texted me a screenshot of our own court order explicitly highlighting "Paragraph C," which mandated all joint accounts be closed ASAP. Yet, instead of legally enforcing this order, the firm told me to do the bank investigation myself. Their operational neglect left my name attached to active joint liabilities long after escrow closed. Gross Incompetence with Client Funds: The firm itemized billing to "communicate" about a reimbursement check owed to me. They claimed they never received it and abandoned my file. However, official Chase bank records from opposing counsel later proved the check was successfully delivered directly to Elena Smolina’s office suite on June 4, 2026. They couldn't even keep the amount straight in internal emails (citing $150 and $160), while the actual check sitting in their office was for $165.00. I had to collect my own money after firing them. Intimidation Tactics: The moment I terminated them and requested a refund for lack of performance, Elena Smolina became intensely defensive. She hit me with an artificial "outstanding balance" of $1,005.40 and a Fee Arbitration notice to intimidate me, threatening to file a costly court motion if I didn't sign a substitution form within 24 hours. They treat matters as urgent only when they want a client's signature or a check. Save your money and hire a firm that provides actual diligence, baseline competency, and real client communication.

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Elena Smolina's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Elena
Case Yousef Kamshad headshot
Case Kamshad

Family lawyer | Feb 20

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. She is a diligent and hard worker. She is very knowledgeable in family law and discovery issues."

Scott L. Neinas headshot
Scott Neinas

Family lawyer | Feb 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Elena is an incredibly knowledgable and effective family law attorney. She is sharp, thorough and a great advocate."

Daniel James Martin headshot
Daniel Martin

Family lawyer | Feb 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Daniel James Martin headshot
Daniel Martin

Family lawyer

Scott L. Neinas headshot
Scott Neinas

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  7.5 (Very Good)

Honors

2019

Wiley W. Manuel Certificate for Pro Bono Legal Services, Wiley W. Manuel

Work Experience

2025 - Present

Partner, Neinas Smolina APC

Associations

2022 - Present

North County Bar Association

Member

2018 - Present

San Diego County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Defend against Domestic Violence Restraining Order

Favorable to client

Move away request

Favorable

Divorce

favorable to client

See More Legal Cases

Education

N/A

Univ of San Diego SOL

Languages

Russian

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
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