Lisa Sterling Arnquist

Lisa Sterling Arnquist

4.2
Rating: 6.6

Licensed for 36 years

Family Lawyer at Santa Ana, CA
Practice Areas: Family, Criminal Defense

2700 N Main St Ste 335, Santa Ana, CA

About Lisa

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Family 90%

Family Law, Divorce, Child Custody, Adoption, Criminal Law

37 years

90%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

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Licenses

Licensed in California for 36 years

State: California

Acquired: 1989

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Lisa Sterling Arnquist

2700 N Main St Ste 335, Santa Ana, CA, 92705

Law Offices of Lisa Sterling Arnquist

1651 E 4th St Ste 232, Santa Ana, CA, 92701

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Lisa Sterling Arnquist's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.2 /5.0

10 Client Reviews

5 star (8)
4 star (0)
3 star (0)
2 star (0)
1 star (2)

Posted by Apryl | October 11, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Lisa is an excellent lawyer!

Lisa is an incredible lawyer! She cares about you on a deeper level than just lawyer to client. Her compassion to both parties makes you see things in a different light where you know she is guiding you fairly and in the right direction. Her level of integrity makes you feel calm and ease in your cas...es with her. Lisa has been my lawyer for almost 10years now on several of my projects and I can’t thank her enough. If it wasn’t for her help my family wouldn’t be where we are today. If you need a trusted lawyer Lisa is who you need! Thanks Lisa!

Posted by Taylor | September 25, 2019 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

The only Lawyer you'll ever need!

I do not usually go out of my way to write reviews but I felt specifically inclined to leave a few words because of how amazing Lisa is. She helped me over what was almost a 2 year custody case (because the court system is so slow) and kept me optimistic the whole time. Ultimately, the judgment was i...n our favor. Lisa is kind, caring, and always encouraging. Her demeanor helped me stay cool during what was a very stressful time in my life. I appreciate everything she did for me and my family and cannot thank her enough. I have and will continue to recommend her to anybody that asks me for an attorney recommendation.

Posted by anonymous | August 21, 2018 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Most dissatisfied...

I came to Lisa for assistance in organizing and possibly attending court to represent me in a simple request for order hearing. I consulted with her initially by telephone and I should have elected to retain another attorney after half of the consultation was spent hearing about her and her family v...s her learning more about me and my family and how she could best help the entire consultation. I did retain Lisa though because I was naiive and believed her when she said she has a heart for this work and would do all that she could to assist me. I paid $2500 for her to only help me with paperwork!!! She did not file a single thing on my behalf- I submitted everything. She did not write a single document on her own- she simply edited court documents that I had started and gave me advice. She billed me for every email and phone call even though many of them were only necessary because she did not take the time to read the timelines and summaries that I had prepared to save any attorney time in becoming familiar with my case. I had a LOT of paperwork even though my case is paternity case but it also involves two restraining orders, an innocent 4 year old, an assigned minor's counsel, and two highly educated parents - I sought legal help because I very much wanted to limit my time with court appearances and limit more daughter's exposure to more dysfunction. I spent hours working on my own paperwork, ultimately appeared in court alone pro per, and still paid her $2500!! I'm still confused at present what I paid for- I truly feel like my money was stolen. Worse thing? There was ZERO follow up after my court appearance to ask if my goals had been met or if I needed any further help. She did NOT go above and beyond and her representation/ consultation with me was not competent or ethical in my opinion. She even charged me for the telephone time I spent respectfully asserting my displeasure in how she was helping me and how much work I still had to do. Please consider your options carefully prior to hiring this attorney. I was sorely disappointed.

Lisa Arnquist

Replied last September 19, 2018

I'm very sorry that the service you received left you feeling dissatisfied. It looks like from your post that you were looking for someone to "assist you in organizing and possibly attending court," and also from your post, that you paid a $2500 retainer for this purpose. I keep my hourly rate very low for 30 years of practicing law, at $275 an hour. Most attorneys I know, at least the good ones, are way over that hourly amount if they've practiced as long as I have. Regardless of The low rate, it still adds up quickly, especially with a lot of phone calls and emails. I make sure to spell everything out clearly in my fee agreement, and go over it with clients to understand that the fee is based on the time spent on the case, which includes emails, telephone calls, and all time put towards one's case. I often, or almost always, ask clients to attempt to do the first draft of the documents to be filed. One, because nobody knows their story I'm better than they do, and two, because it keeps costs down, rather than me spending the entire amount of time with them on the phone hearing their story, and then writing it together. It cuts the amount of money charged, usually in half. I always offer this process to clients, and almost all of them take me up on it. It sounds like, from your post, that you were someone who took me up on that offer. Then I edit the documents, and try to shape the declaration to the particular judges' mind, so that the story will penetrate successfully with the judge. I'm very sorry that I did not follow up with you after I was no longer your attorney, I do regret that! If you would like to contact me now, about your case, I would be more than happy to hear how it is going. No charge! I really try to keep the door open for all of my clients and I hope that you take advantage of that!

Posted by Bill | June 26, 2016 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Lisa is a legal angel

I don't know where I would be without Lisa's help. She just cuts through the legal mumbo-jumbo and red-tape to help me get what I need: peace of mind, the end to a terrible divorce ordeal, and children that are given the best chance at success.

Posted by Margaret | November 25, 2014

Best Family Law Attorney in Orange County

I had been been through four attorneys prior to the dissolution of my marriage of almost 20 years. My last attorney who helped me with the final divorce agreement did a good job, however, my ex-husband stopped paying alimony and for our childrens' college as he agreed. Lisa is experienced, knowledga...ble, thorough, and she is always prepared. We won in Court . Lisa has a unique ability to avoid all the drama and dishonest maneuvers that many attorneys tend to participate in. The opposing council was especially difficult and contentious. As my attorney, Lisa was able to override the childish antics and inappropriate behavior the opposing council spewed our way. It seems family law can be a brutal undertaking and I am so grateful I had Lisa who presented in court with a smooth, balanced, composed disposition. I highly recommend Lisa for any family law issue

See All Client Reviews

Lisa Sterling Arnquist's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Lisa
Thurman Wesley Arnold III headshot
Thurman Arnold

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jan 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse Lisa! She is the rare attorney who is more passionate about assisting her clients through the divorce process than ripping the other side's throat out, although I wouldn't want to P her off!"

View All Endorsements
Thurman Wesley Arnold III headshot
Thurman Arnold

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  6.6 (Good)

Work Experience

2001 - Present

Owner, Law Office of Lisa Sterling Arnquist

Associations

1989 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

Education

1989

Santa Clara University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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