Humor is the key
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Practice Areas
33 years | 1,500 cases
33 years | 1,500 cases
33 years | 1,500 cases
33 years | 1,500 cases
Always
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 1993
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19244 Redwood Road, Suite B, Castro Valley, CA, 94546
1301 G Street, Suite A, Modesto, CA, 95354
I Sansome, Suite 3500, San Francisco, CA, 94104
23 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 15 reviews | Advocacy
Posted by Tara | January 10, 2017
Grateful mother
Bernie and his staff are A plus! They always answerd any questions I had if not that day then that week. I was so thankful when Bernie sat next to me at the mediation and helped me to reveal other important info that I was not thinking of at the time because I was so nerves from the situation. Bernie...
Glad we could help Tara!
Posted by anonymous | June 16, 2015
Lucky I found him.
I was lucky to find him during my emergency situation. My ex-spouse and I had, for the most part, gotten along fairly well over the few years we had been divorced. We drew up a MSA together that covered custody of our daughter, division of property, etc. when we divorced. That was all thrown away...
We take pride in the level of client service that we can provide on all our cases. Thank you for your review. I understand that you may think that the judge in your case had a gender bias. This is not my experience with the judge in question. The legal system does not prefer mothers over fathers. It's society that creates an imbalance that pay women less than men, and therefore women tend to end up being primary caretakers of the children. Voters and politicians need to create legislation that requires equal pay for equal work. If this is achieved, we'll see a lot more fathers being treated as equal partners in raising children.
Posted by Diana | February 26, 2015
Represented me in case over jurisdiction.
Very pleased and at felt at ease with Bernie Kempen representing my case in Stanislaus County. I reside almost 5 hours away and my ex tried to claim jurisdiction of our child in his county by false documents and lying about serving me. Bernie Kempen represented me two times in Stanislaus County cou...
Diana, it was a pleasure representing you and obtaining the appropriate remedy. One of the goals of my representation of my clients is to make sure that when they wake up in the morning with a knot in their stomach about some stressful litigation, it goes away quickly when they know that we are taking care of it for them and that they can continue to live productive lives with the least amount of distractions. Thank you and best wishes.
Posted by David | September 18, 2014
Exceptional Consultation and Knowledge of the Law
I went to Bernie with a dilema regarding my ex wife which could have cost me $5,000 or more. She was trying to extort money from me before she complied with the judges order to sign over the house deed to me. I was in closing in my refinance and the timing was very important to get this done. I...
Thank you David. I am pleased you were able to resolve your issue in a cost effective manner without hiring an attorney to litigate the issue for you. Family issues should be resolved around the kitchen table or over coffee at a coffee shop. Court intervention should always be the last resort. When family are able able to come together and make an agreement, they are generally more satisfied because they are invested in the outcome, rather than having a robed individual make choices for them instead.
Posted by Emmitt | May 23, 2014
Ace of Attorneys.
From the first phone conversation alone Bernie made me feel I have a shot at being with my children again. Now I will not say he made a promise that we will succeed but the initial concern for my situation from himself and his assistant gave me the courage to stand up for what I believe. When mee...
Thank you Emmitt. We're getting there! It's always easier when we have a solid professional working relationship.
"I endorse Mr. Kempen because I know he can do the job for you correctly and swiftly, with the utmost in professionalism."
"I endorse this lawyer. Bernie is an experienced, certified family law specialist. He is also a Rotarian that lives by the motto "service above self"."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Kempen provides thoughtful, educated and experienced answers to the questions provided herein. Attorney Kempen provides a needed service by providing voluntary and free legal assistance to the individuals herein who are in need of immediate legal answers."
"I endorse this lawyer. I have had many cases with Bernie. He is professional, well versed in family law and has an excellent common sense approach to resolution of pending cases."
"I endorse this lawyer's work. Bernie is a very knowledgeable Certified Family Law Specialist. He has appeared on matters on my behalf. He has a true ability to evaluate a case in light of the applicable law and proceed accordingly. His clients are very well informed and advised. He is knowledgeable of not only the law but also the practice and customs of our legal community."
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
Business lawyer
Family lawyer
Family lawyer
2015
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2015
Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California
2014
BV Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California
2006
Volunteer of the Year, CVUSD
1996 - Present
Sole Practitioner, Kempen&Company
1993 - 1996
Associate, Cunningham & Lansden
1990 - 1993
Clerk, Alameda County Public Defender's Office
1987 - 1990
Marketing Director, Biomed Canada
1984 - 1987
General Manager, Casterm Plastics Los Angeles
1981 - 1984
Partner, Linestar Productions
1978 - 1981
Account Director, J. Walter Thompson Ad Agency
1977 - 1978
Advertising Manager, FIAT SA
1974 - 1976
Articled Law Clerk, Balsillie Watermeyer and Bosman
2012 - Present
Friends of The Company (Young People's Teen Musical Theatre CompanyPresident
2007 - Present
Castro Valley Arts FoundationPresident
2004 - Present
Alameda County Bar Association
2003 - Present
Castro Valley Rotary ClubPast President
1993 - Present
Stanislaus County Bar Association
2014 - 2015
FoSOTA (Friends of the San Francisco School of the Arts)Trustee/Board member
2014 - 2015
Castro Valley MattersCaretaker Board Member
2010 - 2011
Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of The Arts Site CouncilChairperson
2008 - 2011
Ruth Asawa San Francisco School of The Arts PTSAVP
2006 - 2008
Creekside SchoolPTSA President
2006 - 2007
CVHSPTA President
2006 - 2007
CVHSBoosters Club
2002 - 2004
Association of Certified Family Law Specialists
2002 - 2003
Proctor SchoolSite Council Member
2001 - 2002
Proctor SchoolPresident PTA
Presumed Gay Parent Status
1993
JD - Juris Doctor
1978
B.A.
2007
South Africa
2006
South Africa
2010
English
Afrikaans
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
How can i "revoke" the "motion" i just submitted 2 days ago because i just found a form that better suits my needs?
01 Aug 2019
What role does a mediator play in mediation?
13 Jul 2019
Does the court have jurisdiction to award spousal support?
18 May 2019