Elaine Ryzak Fraser

Hired Elaine & Allison at Harris Fraser for divorce representation. Excellent representation and strong professional defense. Both have strong reputation in family law arena providing high credibility with judges and attys as well as deep knowledge of process/players. Elaine and team care about their clients, and will help ensure your interests are protected to max extent possible

Elaine Fraser makes the divorce process much less painful for individuals and families. She was supportive and empathetic while imparting rational and logical legal advice, allowing me to make informed decisions. During a very emotional and painful time, she was able to help me see reason and communicate clearly with the collaborative team in a productive way so that I was able to reach an outcome that I would be at peace with. When I came across unfamiliar topics about my divorce (finance, real estate, etc.), Elaine put me in contact with fantastic experts who were able to guide, educate, and empower me to make sound and sensible choices. Elaine is very personable, friendly, down to earth, and has a great sense of humor (which was VERY appreciated!) but is also firm, authoritative, and commands respect from all members of the team. Divorce is never a fun process but I believe that I owe my sense of peace, calm and resiliency during what was a very difficult time to her! I highly recommend Elaine and her expertise.

Almost 20 years ago I was facing a divorce and fortunately I met Elaine. She was honest, tough and fair. More importantly she brought the human element to a very stressful and life changing time in my life. She handled business and made my children and I a priority! Jump ahead to now, my daughter was facing a custody issue with her son's father. Without hesitation I called Elaine and I'm so glad I did, after almost 20 years she was my go to. Elaine, Allison and Jo make up a great team that once again brought knowledge, experience and compassion. Compassion and the human element was just as important to me as was a competent attorney and with Elaine you have it all. A family law attorney, like insurance, is something you hope you will never need but when you do you need the best! In my experience Elaine and her team are the full package. I hope never again to need a family law attorney however if I do I'll call Elaine, that's a given!

Elaine and her team are professional, efficient, and helpful. There were some complications in my case but eventually everything came out smoothly. I don't know many family law attorneys but I guess you can at least compare your attorney with the other party's. And I think Elaine and her team are way better and more efficient than the other team. I am grateful I had appointed Elaine as my attorney.

I would highly recommend Harris & Fraser Law Firm. Elaine, Allison and Jo make sure to always keep your best interests in mind and are very mindful of the situation you are in. They operate efficiently and with the utmost professionalism. Thank You Harris & Fraser for closing one chapter in my life and helping me start a new chapter in my life.

I made a mistake when initially looking for a divorce lawyer. He made tons of mistakes and incredibly bad at communicating what was going on with me. I was referred to Elaine by a family friend. I called and talked to Jo and she was very friendly and easy to talk to. After meeting with Elaine there was no decision to be made. Elaine, Allison and Jo we're all very friendly and easy to talk to. They took my case, cleaned up all the previous mistakes and did an amazing job from start to finish. All 3 of them are very knowledgeable and on top of everything that's going on. They are the only office I'd recommend to anyone.

In the initial meeting with Elaine, I was so impressed. She was poised and professional. A divorce is not an easy process, but Elaine will get you through it. She is straightforward, treated me with respect and never wasted my time. I appreciated her insight in showing me other options to allow me to make my decisions.

Sometimes life takes an unexpected turn and you find yourself needing a family attorney. I was in such a situation and when I met with Elaine, I basically told her I didn't even know what questions to ask. I was lost. Not only was Elaine compassionate and understanding, she thoroughly explained the divorce process and let me know what were my rights. I walked out of that first meeting feeling better and empowered. Every step of the way, Elaine looked out for MY best interest. She would explain the ramifications of some of the verbiage in our Settlement Agreement and would make recommendations to ensure I was protected. She understands that YOU are the client and ultimately, everything is the client's decision, but she provides information so you can make a well-informed decision. I would HIGHLY recommend Elaine to anyone who is in need of an attorney.

After a car crash I was in need of an attorney to represent me and help to settle my case with the insurance company. I visited the office of Harris & Fraser & spoke with Jo at the front office who was very kind to listen to my story and referred me to Elaine. I got a phone call the very next day to come in for an appointment! What a positive experience it has been to deal & work with Jo, Allison who assists Elaine & Elaine herself who was always available for any questions. I totally felt supported by them in every way even though my case was a minor one. My case is settled now and I can't thank all of them enough and highly recommend them.

here is the email I sent Elaine after more than 6 years going through my divorce: Elaine and Allison, What a great team win! I can't thank you enough for your hard, well thought out approach. You know this process has been hard on me, you have seen my frustrations first hand. But you kept me on the tracks and after a long hard fight the good guys have another great win. I hope she has learned her lesson, though I don't think that to be the case. When we sat down years ago I told you two things were important to me. Standing way out at the top of the list was time with my kids, it took a while but the court finally got it right. Even before, as much as I didn't like it, I had more time with my kids than most divorced dads in CA. But this latest win with my youngest son "insert son's name" is a testament to your hard and meticulous work. I saw it especially when we arrived at court, in stark contrast to "insert ex-wife name" myriad of attorneys, you were always completely prepared and ready for any curveballs. The second thing I really desired was for "ex wife's name" not to share in my future upside. With this latest ruling moving to 3% of my upside that provides another win. Congrats to us all, what a team we all made. Elaine (and Allison) were head and shoulders above the 6 different attorneys my ex-wife hired over the years. Elaine was always honest with me, she never sugar coated my chances, she helped me understand that common sense and the rules for our family courts do not always go hand and hand, there are rules judges and courts have to play by even if they don't like them. I didn't always like the rulings along the way, though on balance, the results were always pretty good for me as a dad in California and a system that clearly favors the mom. Elaine was never outworked, never un-prepared, and her strategies were always on target. In the court room, Elaine shined, it was clear she was respected by the judges and the court room personnel. She always made the attorneys on the other side look like amateurs. In the end, through very hard work and great strategies, I was able to gain custody of my youngest son. I spent 4 and a half years flying from my home in Florida to CA (where my ex wife had taken the kids without my consent) every weekend to be with my kids. I have never heard of another father, even if common sense dictated that it was in the best interest of the child to do so, who was able to have the court rule that a child should move 3,000 miles across the country to be with his dad. In my case, this clearly was best for my son, but to have a court rule that way is not a normal occurrence. I don't wish divorce upon my worst enemy, but if you are in san mateo county CA and you need representation, you could not find a better attorney than Elaine Fraser (and her team)

Worked with Elaine over the dissolution of my marriage of 19 years in a collaborative divorce process in 2015. She was amazingly professional, warm, caring, nonjudgmental, and very helpful to me as I went through this process. I may have come in thinking that the collaborative process was a bit of a waste of time, but she and the team helped me understand that the process helped both sides feel that they had an equal voice and would be supported throughout the process. As "my" attorney in the process, she guided me through decisions and framing with the expertise of somebody who's been doing this for quite a long time and understands the possible scenarios and permutations very well. She worked very well with the other lawyer and the collaborative team, but I also felt that she "had my back" throughout the process as well. Couldn't recommend her more highly - I'm a professional / consultant myself, and I hope that my clients feel as strongly about my work as I did about hers...

I can't say enough positive things about her. She met me during a rough time (everyone says that - sorry if it's trite!). She helped me resolve some difficult settlement issues. She was sympathetic, reassuring, kind, and of course extremely knowledgable. She helped me even after it was done. I know there are many many good attorneys. But not that many who are great. She is. I can't recommend her enough!!!

I used Elaine last year for an alimony settlement. My ex-husband wanted to lower his alimony payments to me, or completely eliminate support. Elaine and her staff were so helpful and kept me up to date with everything. We ended up going to mediation, and I couldn't have been prouder to have Elaine as my attorney that day! She was so professional and informed. Her staff is a pleasure to work with as well.

I hired Elaine Fraser for my divorce and custody issues. Getting a divorce is never easy, but mine was further complicated due to domestic violence. Elaine and her team worked tirelessly to keep my children and I safe from further harm. She made me feel as if I were her only client, even though I knew she was busy, taking time time to return calls and emails. I never felt neglected, even during the weeks when I knew she was in court with other clients. Elaine was up to date in recent changes regarding domestic violence and restraining order laws and made sure the judge and opposing attorney were aware as well. Without her my children and I would not be living the wonderful life we do today. I would not hesitate to recommend Elaine to anyone in need of an attorney.

I have been a client for around 10 years with a very complicated child custody situation. Elaine and her staff helped me with through many difficult (and bizarre) situations and I always felt well represented. I would highlight Elaine's commanding presence in the court room and her ability to stress the important points to the judge. In my experience, Elaine is always incredibly prepared and organized for whatever twists and turns happen in the courtroom. I truly value Elaine's expertise and advice in family law and I appreciate her emphasis on what is best for the child .