Karen Shore Fenchel

Karen S. Fenchel is a sole practitioner in Walnut Creek, CA.  She is a Certified Family Law Specialist, focusing on all areas of family law.  Ms. Fenchel has a strong commitment to helping clients resolve issues without going to court.  Her practice is settlement oriented and includes both family law mediation and collaborative law.  

 Ms. Fenchel was admitted to the bar in 1983 and has practiced exclusively in the area of family law.  She received her bachelor’s degree from the University of California at Berkeley, master’s degree from San FranciscoStateUniversity in special education and JD from HastingsCollege of the Law. Her background includes teaching in the areas of elementary school and special education in addition to teacher training.

 Ms. Fenchel has previously served as a member of the steering committee of Collaborative Practice East Bay. She is also a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and Collaborative Practice California. 

  Ms. Fenchel is also a member of the Contra Costa County Bar Association, including both the Family Law and Women’s Section.  She served on the Family Law Board for six years and chaired the Custody Issues Committee for seven years. 

 Ms. Fenchel is very involved in pro bono work in ContraCostaCounty.  She has participated helping judges resolve cases with two self represented parties.  Ms. Fenchel provides free consultations to parties contemplating dissolution through the Contra Costa County Lawyer Referral Panel and a reduced fee mediation consultation through the Contra Costa Bar Association FLARE program.  Currently, she acts as a docent for the court, taking school children through the superior court and instructing them as to the workings of the legal system.  She has also completed Leadership 2017 in Contra Costa County.

 Ms. Fenchel is motivated by the desire to assist parties in creating outcomes that support their family’s goals and values.   Through mediation, collaborative process and negotiated settlements, she works toward equitable solutions that consider the best interests of all parties and their children.  In litigation cases, she is a strong and effective advocate for her clients.