Paul has practiced law for 27 years and has extensive experience in all aspects of family law. He represents clients in complex family law cases, with an emphasis on handling business ownership and valuation issues, executive and equity compensation, premarital and post-marital business interests, asset tracing, determination of income available for support, parental relocation and other complex family law issues. Paul is an experienced trial attorney and has successfully handled numerous trials, arbitrations, mediations and evidentiary hearings in divorce and other family law cases. He is licensed to practice in all state and federal courts in California and Hawaii and is admitted to practice in and has experience with several cases before the United States Supreme Court.
Paul has dedicated his law practice to helping clients succeed in difficult situations and turn adversity into success. He understands that family law is not always about winning or losing, and that it is essential to fully understand each client’s goals and needs in order to effectively represent them in court and in negotiations. Paul strongly believes in the core values of honesty, integrity and transparency, and he has a reputation of honesty and thorough preparation with judges where he practices. He recognizes that favorable settlements can be achieved at the early stages when the attorney and client are prepared for success in the courtroom. He has great depth of knowledge on settlement and negotiating strategies and works hard to settle cases early without the costs and burdens of litigation.
Practice areas
Languages spoken
English, Spanish, Gujarati, Hindi, Russian
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349 Main St.
Suite 205
Pleasanton, CA, 94566
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2100 Geng Rd.
Suite 210
Palo Alto, CA, 94303
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3 Park Plaza
Suite 1650
Irvine, CA, 92614
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
PA | Inactive | 2008 | 01/02/2021 |
HI | Inactive | 1998 | 12/12/2020 |
CA | Active | 1994 | 10/28/2020 |
AL | Special Member | 1993 | 11/10/2020 |
TX | Inactive | 1992 | 12/05/2020 |
Legal answers | 0 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date granted |
---|---|---|
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2020 |
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2019 |
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2018 |
Peer Review Rated | Martindale-Hubbell | 2017 |
Legal Writing | American Jurisprudence | 1989 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Bar Association of San Francisco, Family Law Section | Member | 2017 - Present |
Los Angeles County Bar Association, Family Law Section | Member | 2017 - Present |
State Bar of California | Member | 1994 - Present |
California Lawyers Association | Member | 1994 - Present |
American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section | Board Member, Officer | 1992 - Present |
American Bar Association, Arbitration and Mediation Committees | Member | 1992 - Present |
---|---|---|
American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Alternative Dispute Resolution | Member | 1992 - Present |
American Bar Association, Family Law Section, Alimony and Spousal Support and Marital Property Committees | Member | 1992 - Present |
American Bar Association, Litigation Section | Member | 1992 - Present |
State Bar of Texas, Family Law Section | Member | 1992 - Present |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Southern Methodist Univ SOL | JD - Juris Doctor | 1992 |
University of Texas System, Dallas | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1989 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
Marriage of Jolly | Judgment |
Marriage of Amster | Settlement |
Marriage of Kessler | Trial |
Windsor v. Amchem Products, Inc. | Victory in the United States Supreme Court |
Celotex Corporation v. Edwards | United States Supreme Court decision |
In re Exxon Valdez | Trial court judgment and appeal |
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Matthew Matejcek, Family Attorney on May 11, 2018
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
I endorse this lawyer.
William Cizmadia, Litigation Attorney on Feb 4, 2015
Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter
Mr. Donsbach was a tough adversary in a highly contentious dissolution case. Although tough, he was always professional and courteous. I look forward to working with him again in the future.