$ 250-450 per hour
Michele Marie Charbonneau
About Michele
Biography
Ms. Charbonneau is a highly regarded Orange County family law practitioner and was a founding partner in one of Orange County’s premier law firms. Ms. Charbonneau is well known for her uncanny ability to get to the heart of a case and get it resolved. While compassionate and understanding, she is tenacious in her resolve to get divorcing couples to focus on common ground to reach a fair and responsible resolution. She is very skilled in dealing with the range of emotions that go with a divorce and is able to relate to the parties like few others! Ms. Charbonneau has worked in Southern California for over 28 years and has handled countless family law matters. She has tried and settled various notable family law cases throughout her career, some of which have resulted in published law-making cases. Ms. Charbonneau has been involved in many highly contentious divorces, giving her a unique perspective into the problems, motivations and potential solutions in marital disputes. She has no problem thinking out of the box if that will get a case resolved. Ms. Charbonneau is experienced in all aspects of Family Law including: Divorce, Mediation, Child Custody & Custody Investigations, Child Support, Spousal Support Custody & Support Modifications, Breach of Fiduciary Duty, Property Characterization Transmutations. Ms. Charbonneau has been an accomplished and award winning lawyer since her days in law school. She graduated Magna Cum Laude and Salutatorian of Western State University College of Law. She was selected to the prestigious Law Review, serving as the editor of law review for two terms. Ms. Charbonneau was also one of the very few individuals selected to work as a judicial extern for Justice Wallin at the Court of Appeal. Ms. Charbonneau was a law school adjunct professor at Western State University for several years.
Practice Areas
1
Practice Area
Divorce and Separation
100%
35 years | 400 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 34 years
State: California
Acquired: 1991
No misconduct found
Location
Brown & Charbonneau, LLP
420 Exchange Suite 270, Irvine, CA, 92602
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Michele Marie Charbonneau's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
9 Client Reviews
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Showing 1 - 5 of 6 reviews | Divorce & Separation
Posted by anonymous | December 16, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Best choice I’ve ever made…
Going through my divorce was very hard on me emotionally and financially. I am so thankful to have dealt with such professional, kind people during the process. I was always kept up to date on all progress and I ALWAYS felt like Gina and Michelle were looking out for my best interests. Not to mentio...
Posted by Darryl | February 05, 2015 | Divorce & Separation
Divorce from heck!
I am so grateful for Michele, Eileen and Gina for everything that they did for me. I had non stop issues and felt like I was underwater most of the time. They were the calming point and let me know what to do and when to do it. In the middle of the divorce I had a civil case pop up due to the divo...
Posted by Jill | February 05, 2015 | Divorce & Separation
Attorney review
Michele Charbonneau and her Paralegal (Gina) were wonderful to work with and did a fabulous job with my complicated divorce. I would highly recommend them.
Posted by Danny Peykoff | January 30, 2015 | Divorce & Separation
Attorney Review
Michelle and her staff were excellent! They were completely professional whilst making me feel comfortable and NOT like I was dealing with attorneys. Divorce is very tough, but Michele certainly helped to soften the blow.
Posted by Laurie | January 01, 2012 | Divorce & Separation
Well respected attorney
Michele Charbonneau was recommended by a friend who knew I was not getting anywhere with my first lawyer. After Michelle took on my case, I felt much more in control of my situation. She understood my priorities, helped me understand where I stood legally and what I needed to do in order to move forw...
Michele Marie Charbonneau's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. I've known Ms. Charbonneau for many years and consider her to be at the very top of the profession. I would recommend her to anyone."
"I endorse this lawyer. She is well known for her competence, patience with difficult clients and cases, and that she can be counted on to follow up on all issues in any case. She is my recommended "go to" attorney in family law matters. She won't let you down."
"Michele has demonstrated a unique ability to "think outside the box" to reach great results for her clients and maintain a professional and amicable working relationship with opposing counsel. Michele is always well prepared to advocate for her client's needs. In highly contested litigated cases or in a mediation setting, Michele has achieved great results for her family law clients."
"I strongly endorse Michele as a hardworking and highly-skilled family law litigator and mediator who is widely respected in the legal and mediation communities. Michele always has her client’s best interest in mind when advocating for them, and she has demonstrated the ability to obtain extraordinary results for her clients, whether in the courtroom or through settlement. Michele is always professional, focused, and thoroughly prepared to handle her client’s needs."
"I highly endorse this lawyer. Michelle is very competent and dedicated attorney who cares about her clients and is a well-respected lawyer in the family law legal community known for being able to be both reasonable with opposing counsel while also being a strong advocate for her clients."
"I am pleased to endorse Michele M. Charbonneau. I have worked with her for many years. She is one of the most intelligent and hard working lawyers that I know. She is uniquely able to get cases resolved early in the case, while still focused on her client's needs."
Geoffrey Michel
Family lawyer
David Crockett
Estate planning lawyer
Eileen Solis
Family lawyer
Gerald Maggio
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2015
AV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Top Rated Lawyer in Family Law, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
A+ Rating, Better Business Bureau
2014
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2013
Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2010
Divorce Mediation Certified, Davis Mediation
2003
Board Member Contribution, Orangewood Children's Foundation/PALS
1991
Salutatorian/ Todd Brower Award, Western State University, College of Law
Work Experience
2002 - Present
Partner, Brown & Charbonneau, LLP
1993 - 1995
Adjunct Professor, Western State University College of Law
1992 - 2002
Partner, Kring & Brown
Associations
2015 - Present
National Association of Professional WomenMember
2015 - Present
Lead CounselMember
2014 - Present
Orange County Women Lawyers AssociationMember
2012 - Present
Southern California Mediation AssociationMediator
2008 - Present
Orange County Trial Lawyers AssociationMember
1999 - Present
Orange County Bar Association, Family Law SectionMember
2007 - 2009
Orangewood PALSBoard Member
Sample of Legal Cases
Wife Wins Share of Home
Wife Wins Share of Home
Church Molestation Case Settled
Confidential 7 Figure Settlement
Divorce Trial in Favor of Client
Favorable to Client
Child Abuse & Molestation
7 Figures - Confidential
Trial Over Oral Prenuptial Agreement
Settlement during trial
Husband Keeps Assets - Trial/Appeal Victory
Husband keeps 6 figures in assets
Education
1991
Western State College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1987
University of San Diego
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
1997
Claims Seminar
Vehicle Code Section 11580.9(b)
Publications
2015
Internet publication
What is a Move-Away Order?
2015
Internet publication
How to Start Divorce in Irvine
2014
Internet Syndication
Character of Marital Property - Community or Separate
2014
Internet Syndication
How is Spousal Support Determined in Short Term Marriages
2014
Internet Publication
Can You Make a Spouse Move Out During Divorce?
2014
Internet Publication
How Long Will the California Divorce Process Take
2014
Internet publication
Legal Separation vs. Divorce in California
2014
Internet publication
Can You Make a Spouse Move Out During Divorce?
2002
Inland Empire Business Journal
Wage Garnishment
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Guides
Legal Guides
Video Legal Guide
How To Get A Restraining Order
18 Nov 2014
Video Legal Guide
Characterization of Marital Property
18 Nov 2014
Video Legal Guide
Legal Terms Used in Child Custody Divorce Cases
18 Nov 2014