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Sarah T. Schaffer, CFLS is a family law attorney and mediator, holding the prestigious Certified Family Law Specialist designation from the State Bar of California.
Schaffer Family Law Group, APC is a full-service Mediation, Divorce, and Family Law firm dedicated to delivering practical & effective results to high net-worth clients.
Ms. Schaffer builds her practice on a thorough knowledge of the law, excellent research skills, superior presentation to the court, and most of all calm, compassionate relations with her clients in times of trouble or crisis.
She possesses a wealth of experience in family law including representing clients with challenging child custody issues as well as high asset clients in complex division of community property matters.
Upon University graduation, Ms. Schaffer was commissioned in as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and spent five years on active duty serving as a logistics officer in Okinawa, Japan, and Quantico, Virginia.
In addition to her San Diego divorce and family law practice, Ms. Schaffer currently serves as Deputy Director, Reserve Legal Support, Headquarters Marine Corps, Judge Advocate Division, Washington, D.C. She also serves as Judge Pro Tem, Superior Court of California.
In 2001, Ms. Schaffer received her law degree from the University of San Diego School of Law. After passing the California Bar Exam, Ms. Schaffer joined Ernst & Young in San Francisco where she worked as a tax consultant.
In December 2011, Ms. Schaffer received her LL.M. in taxation at the University of San Diego School of Law.
Also, in 2011, Ms. Schaffer earned the coveted title of Certified Family Law Specialist by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization. California attorneys who are certified as Certified Specialists have taken and passed a written examination in their specialty field, demonstrated a high level of experience in the specialty field, fulfilled ongoing education requirements and been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with their work.
Only these attorneys can identify themselves as “certified” specialists in California because they are the only attorneys who are certified either by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization or an organization whose certification program has been accredited by the State Bar.
Raised in the Boston area, Ms. Schaffer graduated from Stanford University with Departmental honors and a dual major in Spanish and International Relations. During this time, she spent a year studying at the University of Salamanca in Spain. She is fluent in Spanish.
Schaffer Family Law Group, APC provides experienced, personalized representation and quality advice. Family law areas of expertise include:
Divorce
Divorce Mediation
Collaborative Divorce
Military Divorce and Support
Child Support
Property Division
Child Custody
Child Visitation
High Net Worth Divorce
Professionals and Business Owners
Spousal Support (Alimony)
Child/Spousal Modifications
Father's Rights (Paternity Testing)
Taking Child Out of State
Domestic Violence
Ms. Schaffer is active in Kids' Turn San Diego and Casa Cornelia Law Center. Kids' Turn is a caring non-profit organization for children and parents experiencing family separations or military transitions. They help children discover their voice to communicate their thoughts and feelings about their family situation and give parents the daily tools they need to be able to communicate and understand HOW to put their child first in their relationship, without conflict.
Casa Cornelia Law Center is a public interest law firm providing quality pro bono legal services to victims of human and civil rights violations.
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 2002
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12520 High Bluff Dr, Suite 380, San Diego, CA, 92130
4 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Posted by anonymous | October 12, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Bankruptcy & Debt
Dishonest, hidden fees, don't care about your best intrest
Overpromises, overcharges, doesn't care about you, but billable hours. Stay away from this office unless you want to go bankrupt. They don't have your back. Found another attorney who said that's the reputation Schaffer's office has.
Posted by Colleen | April 04, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Amazing Attorney!
I wanted to take a moment and thank Ms. Schaffer for all that she did for me. She made a very difficult time so much easier. I was in a highly contentious, high income divorce. While Sarah was very level headed and down to business, she took great care of me. We ended up using mediation. Sarah was so...
Posted by John | April 04, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes
Client
Hired this attorney and was exceedingly pleased with her patience and ability to communicate both with the opposition and myself. Her staff was both friendly and efficient.
Posted by Nina | July 06, 2015 | Divorce & Separation
Supportive and a Warrior
Extremely knowledgeable about financial support when it comes to militay retirement and bonus money. Secure in standing up to former military men who are used to running the show and getting their way. Thick skinned.
"Sarah is an outstanding family law attorney. She is diligent, hard working, and very straight forward. I give her my highest recommendation."
"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!"
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2022
Best Lawyers in America, Family Law, Best Lawyers in America
2021
Women of Influence in Law, San Diego Business Journal
2017
Top 50 Influential Leaders, The Daily Transcript
2011
Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California
2011
LL.M, Taxation, University of San Diego School of Law
2011 - Present
Owner, Law Offices of Sarah T. Schaffer, A.P.C.
1999 - Present
Lieutenant Colonel, United States Marine Corps Reserve
2006 - 2011
Associate, Higgs Fletcher & Mack
2001 - 2004
Tax Consultant, Ernst & Young
1994 - 1999
Second Lieutenant, United States Marine Corps
Member
Member
2001
JD - Juris Doctor
1999
M.P.A
1994
BA - Bachelor of Arts
2019
Understanding Military and Veteran’s Issues in AB1058 Cases
Spanish