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

60 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 59 reviews | 5 stars

Posted by Lidia | September 05, 2026

Knowledgeable, Caring, and Truly Helpful

I am so grateful I had the opportunity to speak with attorney Elena Smolina about my son’s complicated child custody case. I went into the consultation with a lot of questions and uncertainty, and I came away feeling that I had finally spoken with someone who truly understood the complexity of the si...tuation. What really stood out to me was how attentive and genuinely caring Ms Smolina was. She took the time to listen to all the details, asked questions, and never made me feel rushed, even it was a free consultation. I felt that my concerns were taken seriously, rather than being treated as just another case. I was especially impressed that Ms. Smolina was willing to go a step further and help identify additional legal references that could be relevant to my son’s specific situation. That meant a lot to me because it showed genuine interest in finding the best possible legal guidance rather than simply giving me a quick answer during a free consultation. Family-law and custody issues can be incredibly emotional and complicated, and it is such a relief to find an attorney who combines legal knowledge with compassion and a willingness to really listen. I feel now much more informed, reassured, and hopeful about the path my son can go forward. I truly appreciate the time, attention, and kindness the whole team of Elena Smolina, APC showed me. I would highly recommend her to anyone facing a difficult family-law or child custody matter, needs guidance and looking for an attorney who will genuinely take the time to understand their situation.

Posted by Victoria | August 24, 2026

Professional, Knowledgeable, and Compassionate

I had a very positive experience with Elena Smolina. She is professional, responsive and easy to reach. I truly appreciated her patience and the confidence she gave me during our consultation. Her strong knowledge of family law is evident from the clear and strategic advice she gave me. I felt heard... and understood, and the practical guidance she provided was invaluable. I highly recommend Elena Smolina to anyone looking for knowledgeable and reliable family law attorney.

Posted by Inna | July 22, 2026 | Hired Attorney

Compassionate and Strategic

I cannot recommend Elena Smolina, APC highly enough. Going through my divorce has been stressful experiences. I had no knowledge of the legal process and felt completely overwhelmed. From our very first meeting, Elena guided me through every step , explained the legal process in a way I could easily ...understand, answered my question promptly and thoroughly, and always made sure I knew what to expect. What impressed me most was her ability to keep me focused on my long-term goals instead of the emotions or fears. Whenever I felt frustrated or overwhelmed, she helped me step back, look at the bigger picture, and make decisions that would benefit my future rather than simply react to the moment. That perspective proved invaluable! She also demonstrated exceptional judgment in managing my case efficiently. Rather than encouraging unnecessary conflict or costly litigation, she focused on practical, well-reasoned solutions. She was always mindful of legal costs and helped me budget wisely throughout the process. With the support of the entire Elena Smolina APC team, including the excellent paralegal staff, I was able to keep my legal expenses under control while still feeling fully supported. Thanks to Elena’s experience and outstanding negotiation skills, we reached an agreement without unnecessary litigation, saving me considerable time, stress, and expense. I always felt that she genuinely had my best interests at heart. She truly cares about her clients. I couldn’t have asked for better representation and wholeheartedly recommend Elena Smolina and her firm

Posted by anonymous | July 14, 2026 | Hired Attorney

HIGHLY RECOMMEND

I had the opportunity to observe Elena handle a divorce case, and I was extremely impressed by her professionalism, knowledge, and dedication. Throughout a very difficult and emotional process, she remained calm, responsive, and focused on achieving the best possible outcome for her client. What stoo...d out most was her ability to explain complex legal matters clearly and treat everyone involved with respect. Elena's attention to detail and strong advocacy were evident at every stage during the divorce process. Based on what I witnessed, I would highly recommend Elena Smolina to anyone seeking a skilled and compassionate divorce attorney.

Posted by Gina | May 05, 2026

Elena is one of the best!

Elena Smolina deeply cares for her clients and their wellbeing. She is highly attentive and a trusted advocate.

See All Client Reviews

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
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution