Lita Annette Pettusdotson

Lita Annette Pettusdotson

also known as Lita, Pettus-Dotson

4.6
Rating: 9.4

Licensed for 27 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at Alameda, CA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Child Support ... +5 more

1070 Marina Village Parkway suite 202 D, Alameda, CA

About Lita

Practice Areas

8

Practice Areas

Child Custody 20%

15 years

20%
Child Support 20%

15 years

20%
Alimony 10%

15 years

10%
Family 7%

15 years

7%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 27 years

State: California

Acquired: 1998

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Lita Annette Pettusdotson

1070 Marina Village Parkway suite 202 D, Alameda, CA, 94501

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Lita Annette Pettusdotson's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.6 /5.0

19 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (19) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 5 of 5 reviews | Compassion

Posted by Danielle | April 27, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

BEST Advice

In the middle of a Child Custody case, I hired Lita after our 1st phone consultation and have been using her services ever since. After receiving some poor legal advice, Lita accompanied me to a hearing and things quickly turned back around. Always available whenever I need her, Lita has given me adv...ice that is in the best interest of not only me, but my son, who is the most affected person in this situation. From prepping me for Mediation to giving me the tools and confidence to appear in court alone, Lita has been instrumental in every step of the way through this tough time. For anyone going through a Child Custody case, looking for representation, I would refer Lita without a doubt.

Posted by anonymous | April 28, 2017 | Child Custody

Child Custody/relocation

I gave her a two star beacause at least she took a few minutes on the phone and voiced her knowledge of the topic. However I eventually, followed up with my call before i actually spoke with her the call was about a quick 5-10 minutes and from reading her reviews i thought I'd give her a call they ...were so positive. Well, she was very short with me gave me the impression that she didn't want to be bothered with my case and was very discouraging, to me told me I had very little chance of winning even though i didnt get a chance to tell her my reason for relocating with my child. Then she listed a few silly reasons why parents relocate that are not in the best in the best interest of the child as though i have no knowledge of my case and as thought that those were my reason. I was very hurt and shocked at the type response I received from Lita. She was not patient with me nor did she give me free consultation like i read on her other reviews. She told me she charge $325 for a consultation..wow some attorneys will at least give a 30 minute free consulation and will ask you about your case but Lita didnt ask me hardly anything was basically busy all week but may have a slot or two available if i want to keep come to her office. Bottom line I didnt feel like she gave a damn but consultation money let alone cared about assisting me. i personally didnt have good experience like everyone else said they did....she basically brushed me off and in so many words told me its not worth it you wont win.

Lita Pettusdotson

Replied last April 28, 2017

My practice is to provide a 15 minute free consultation. Neither I nor most of my colleagues will provide 30 minutes gratis. I know of few citizens that work gratis for 30 min. Sometimes when calls are made to the office, potential clients want actual advice on their case. I tell them at the outset that is something that I cannot do. It is against State Bar of California Rules to do so. The callers are not clients. I do provide general procedural guidance on an issue. Move-away cases are the most difficult for a family law attorney to take on because the burden is so high for the moving parent. Most move-away cases are unsuccessful. Parents in this position often do not want to hear the actual percentages of their ability to persuade the court that they can move with their child. It seems that this caller wanted an investment by counsel to hear, give advice and agree with facts of their move-away on the 15 min call. That is not something I would do in any situation for a telephone consult. They further did not want to invest the time to sit down and flesh out the facts of their case with counsel at a reasonable rate over the course of an hour. There is no quick fix via phone for an attorney to provide a sound response. This caller decided not to come into the office and I respect their decision. I would not have changed my response as the State Bar of Ca. dictates the messaging that I can do by phone with non-clients. As a lawyer for 20 years, I follow the dictates of the rules of the state regardless of the requests that are made by callers to my office.

Posted by Samantha and Joel | October 02, 2012 | Child Custody

Honest, Caring, Knowledgeable, and Professional

My husband who is in the military was having issues with his ex not following their court order, moving out of state when she was not allowed, not answering the phones sometimes for weeks at a time, and not allowing him to see the kids. We hired Lita in September 2011 since then she has been nothing ...but a blessing to our family. She tried to worked things out of court with his ex to save some money knowing our financial situation but after failed efforts and numerous lies on his ex spouses part she prepared him for court. She filed Motion to modify custody and contempt motion based on multiple instances of violations of court order. She requested an emergency hearing which not long after that we were granted. During the court hearing she got him visitation time with his kids and prepared him for the next hearing. From our experiences with attorneys, Lita is very trustworthy, honest and will not take you for your money. She gets right to the point and does not beat around the bush. You can feel comfortable with her and you will see she possess a character that most attorneys we have experienced do not (Compassion). She is very good at what she does and will fight for your rights. Do not waste your money on someone who does not care about your case. She will put herself in your shoes and do what is right by the law. We highly recommend Lita to anyone!

Posted by anonymous | August 21, 2012 | Alimony

Positive and Empathetic

Lita was amazing in my case. After she heard my unfair situation in paying spousal support with a judgment with no ending date (basically for life) and because of her compassion she took my case and literally "ran" with it! She researched and took time to educate herself specifically for my rare c...ase and won. Her best quality is that she really listens and truly empathizes with you. She feels your pain and is determined to win for you. During my search for an attorney, everyone I had a consultation with said I didn't have much of a case and didn't want to take it because I would most likely not win, but Lita was willing and confident that I had a case that needed a positive, life-changing result. And that is exactly what I got! I also found her rates the most reasonable than other attorneys I had consulted with. I will always recommend Lita to anyone who needs an attorney with the ability to take a tough situation and give you the results you deserve.

Posted by Eric | July 11, 2012 | Lawsuits & Disputes

Competent, Professsional and Focused Attorney

Lita is turning around my case after some gross mis management by my former lawyer. Lita exhibits experience, knowledge, analytical ability and communication. I feel that she is interested in my case and listens to me an my families needs. She has a good understanding of technolgy which assists ...in succinct and timely communication. I have spoken highly of Lita to my friends and colleagues

See All Client Reviews

Lita Annette Pettusdotson's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Lita
Jennifer Lynn King headshot
Jennifer King

Family lawyer | Sep 14

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I endorse this lawyer."

Spojmie Ahmady Nasiri headshot
Spojmie Nasiri

Family lawyer | Jul 22

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. I have had the pleasure of working with Ms. Pettusdotson through the local bar association. She is very experienced and compassionate about serving her clients. I wholeheartedly recommend this attorney."

Katy M. Gronowski headshot
Katy Gronowski

Family lawyer | Oct 14

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Lita is a strong, highly effective advocate who fights hard for her clients and also cares deeply about them. She is an excellent litigator."

Oliver Alexander Greenwood headshot
Oliver Greenwood

Child custody lawyer | May 06

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"A joy to work with. Lita understands that civility and litigation can go hand in hand. I endorse this lawyer."

Tina Tran headshot
Tina Tran

Unknown lawyer | Apr 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Erin Ann Levine headshot
Erin Levine

Family lawyer | Aug 03

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Lita is a breath of fresh air for family law attorneys, clients and judges. What I've been most impressed with -- is watching her maintain a truly empathetic connection to her clients, advocating with heart AND experienced litigation skills. She is a class act!"

Joanne Marie Biernacki headshot
Joanne Biernacki

Family lawyer | Jun 06

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

View All Endorsements
Spojmie Ahmady Nasiri headshot
Spojmie Nasiri

Immigration lawyer

Thomas Glen Borst headshot
Thomas Borst

Family lawyer

Katy M. Gronowski headshot
Katy Gronowski

Family lawyer

Erin Ann Levine headshot
Erin Levine

Family lawyer

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Joanne Biernacki

Criminal defense lawyer

Experience

Rating:  9.4 (Superb)

Honors

1997

Remedies, American Jurisprudence Award

Work Experience

2008 - Present

Arbitrator, The Better Business Bureau

2008 - 2010

Contract Attorney, The Shepherd Law Group

2006 - 2007

Associate, Trembath Law Offices

2003 - 2006

Senior Associate, Collins, Toschi & Doyle

1999 - 2003

Senior Associate, Haskell & Goodman

Associations

2011 - Present

Contra Costa County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Board Member

2010 - Present

SEEDS Alternative Dispute Resolution Center

Board Member

2010 - 2011

Alameda County - Human Relations Commission

Commissioner

2007 - 2011

St. Lawrence O'Toole Catholic School

School Board Member

Education

1997

John F. Kennedy University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

N/A

San Diego State Univ

undergraduate

Speaking Engagements

2011

Contra Costa Superior Court Family Law Department

Representing Yourself in Divorce

Languages

English

Activity

Avvo Rating

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