Magdalena Chattopadhya

PRO

Magdalena Chattopadhya

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 13 years

Divorce and separation Lawyer at San Jose, CA
Practice Areas: Divorce & Separation, Child Custody, Domestic Violence ... +2 more

300 S. First Street, Suite 228, San Jose, CA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Magdalena

Biography

Board Cert. Fam. Law Trial Advocate-NBTA.Divorce, Custody, Support, Domestic Violence. Free Consult.

Practice Areas

5

Practice Areas

Child Custody 25%

25%
Divorce and Separation 25%

25%
Domestic Violence 20%

20%
Child Support 15%

15%
Family 15%

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 15 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2025 2023 2021
...
+ 6
Platinum Client Champion

Licenses

Licensed in California for 13 years

State: California

Acquired: 2012

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Magdalena Law Group

300 S. First Street, Suite 228, San Jose, CA, 95113

magdalena-law.com

Online Presence

Other places you can find Magdalena online.

Magdalena Chattopadhya's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

66 Client Reviews

Showing 1 - 5 of 13 reviews | Communication Style

Posted by Abhi | December 31, 2025 | Divorce & Separation

Professional, clear and to the point legal advice.

Professional, clear and to the point legal advice. I scheduled a second opinion consultation for my divorce case with attorney Magdalena Chattopadhya based on her credentials and high rankings. I was very impressed with the lawer's analytical skills and how she was able to help me understand the cour...t system.

Posted by Joe | September 06, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Family

Fiercely DEFENDED - Silenced the other side. Best Family Law attorney in my 15 years of hell post divorce!

I contacted Magdalena Chattopadhya of Magdalena Law Group three years ago as I went about interviewing (5) separate law firms in the San Jose area. My effort was to replace my attorneys at the time related to my family law case that had been in effect for over 10 years. My case was related to a div...orce in 2008 where my ex moved to CA and took our two boys with her. The divorce matter was resolved but the custody disputes were ongoing and intense. We never went more than a year without being in the courtroom, where my ex-wife attempted over and over again to reduce my parenting time. When my boys wanted to come and live with me, it hit the fan and an Emergency Screening was ordered. Then, a Parenting Coordinator was assigned. Apparently, a Parenting Coordinator should generally work to reduce issues, but our assigned coordinator did not work fairly. I didn't know what to do and my current attorneys didn't have much to offer. I wanted someone to fiercely represent me and pursue what I knew was right! Magdalena jumped in and had to review over a decade of material and circumstances. I was constantly surprised by how much information she digested and knew without being prompted. Not only did she keep us out of the courtroom for the remainder of time left until my youngest turned 18, but she silenced the efforts of my ex-wife and her attorney and also silenced the Parenting Coordinator who, in my opinion, poorly handled the case and should not serve as such in good faith. Magdalena herself helped me to do exactly what was needed in order to prevail. Even when I would be exasperated over the ridiculousness and contentiousness of the PC, OP, and my ex-wife, she assured me that if I followed her counsel, we would prevail - and we did! Had I remained with my former counsel or selected anyone else, I could not imagine having survived the legal attacks as I did. If you're looking for someone who won't "blow sunshine" and instead, give it to you straight and compel you to understand, Magdalena Law Group is THE choice. As an aside, everything with her office is smooth. Payments, documentation support, meetings, etc., - the team at Magdalena Law Group is smart, quick to act, and at your service, as they were at mine. I am beyond grateful for the services rendered and recommend Magdalena Law Group as they were the best family law representation I had - totaling 5 other firms!

Posted by Will Cerrato | July 13, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Family

Best Family Law Firm EVER!

I wish I could give them 100 stars! I am writing this review to express my outmost satisfaction with the exceptional legal services provided by Magdalena's Family Law Firm. I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have such an exceptional group of legal professionals by my side during this chal...lenging family matter. Magdalena's team is undoubtedly a consummate expert in their field and deserves every accolade for their outstanding services. From the initial consultation and through the different difficult hearings of my case, Magdalena's team consistently demonstrated an unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for me and my family. Their profound knowledge of family law, coupled with their astute strategic thinking, proved to be instrumental in successfully navigating complex legal proceedings. Throughout my legal process, they have exhibited a remarkable level of professionalism, always making themselves available to address any concerns or questions I constantly have. Their exceptional communication skills are awesome. I am always well-informed about the progress of my case, leaving me with a sense of confidence and reassurance. What truly sets Magdalena's team apart is their empathetic and compassionate approach. PLEASE, do yourself a favor and hire them. Family matters can be emotionally charged, and they have displayed an extraordinary ability to balance the legal aspects while being sensitive to the human dynamics involved. Their genuine care and understanding fostered a trusting relationship, providing immense comfort during a challenging time. Believe me when I say that you will have THE BEST team on your side to get a fair outcome on your favor. Moksha Smith and Rutika were assigned to my case. They have been a blessing and I cannot thank them enough for what we have accomplished so far. Furthermore, their attention to detail and meticulous preparation were on the dot. They left no stone unturned, meticulously helped me gather evidence, conducting thorough research, and devising effective strategies. Their courtroom presence was impressive showcasing their persuasive advocacy skills and deep expertise in family law!! I was so proud of having Moksha represent me during the a crucial hearing to set child/spousal support. I must also commend the entire team at Magdalena's for their professionalism and dedication. From the friendly receptionists to the knowledgeable paralegals, everyone I encountered was supportive and responsive, ensuring a seamless experience. In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend Magdalena's Family Law Firm to anyone seeking a family lawyer. Their unparalleled expertise, combined with their compassionate approach, is truly making a significant difference in my case. With them by your side, you can rest assured that you have an exceptional legal partner who will fight diligently for your best interests. They are the epitome of excellence in the legal profession, and I am forever grateful for their invaluable support. Thank you, Team, for your exceptional service and unwavering dedication!! Moksha and Rutika (and Jasmine for keeping me on target), you ladies are the best!! YOU ROCK!! I appreciate your support in the upcoming hearings!! We got this :)

Posted by Dhruv Sampat | August 06, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Lawsuits & Disputes

Simply the best

Persistent, dedicated, knowledgeable and client focused are the adjectives I would use to describe Magdalena and her team. My case was tricky and had many nuances but Magdalena and her team dealt with each challenge strategically. They were patient in addressing my concerns and came up with sound so...lutions to mitigate the risk for me at each stage. I was done with my proceedings in less than 5 months and I am highly thankful to Magdalena and her team for helping me through one of the toughest parts of my life. Thank you Magdalena!!!

Posted by anonymous | July 04, 2018 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

great help

I hired Magdalena for help with my son as there was problems with the other parent. she is a phenomenal lawyer with her words through the court room and her staff is amazingly responsive and helpful with all the stress that comes with court. they helped me through the beginning with filing and prep ...for mediation and helped me all through court. they do a amazing job and i feel they are a master of there craft.

See All Client Reviews

Magdalena Chattopadhya's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Magdalena
Jagbir Singh Terkiana headshot
Jagbir Terkiana

Family lawyer | Jun 28

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"I am an immigration attorney based in San Jose. I had the pleasure to work and coordinate on some cases with Magdalena, which had components of both Family and Immigration Law. I am very impressed by her knowledge and experience in the area of Family Law. It has been a pleasure collaborating with her. I endorse her 100%."

Eric Alan Isaacson headshot
Eric Isaacson

Litigation lawyer | Oct 07

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Ms. Chattopadhya is an extraordinarily capable and hard-working lawyer. She has my whole-hearted endorsement."

Katelyn G. Benage headshot
Katelyn Benage

Family lawyer | Oct 25

Relationship: Worked for lawyer

"I endorse this lawyer."

Craig William Duford headshot
Craig Duford

Unknown lawyer | May 09

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Somair Syed Alam headshot
Somair Alam

Family lawyer | Feb 12

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Magdalena is a top-notch family attorney. She is a zealous advocate for her clients and well respected in the legal community."

Elainie Honjas headshot
Elainie Honjas

Family lawyer | May 29

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. She is always courteous, and professional in representing her clients."

Ross Brenton Russell headshot
Ross Russell

Unknown lawyer | Apr 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Magdalena is an excellent attorney who genuinely cares about her clients and is highly respected in the legal community. She is smart, thoughtful, detail-oriented, and passionate about what she does."

Rozy Lahlouh Boulos headshot
Rozy Boulos

Divorce and separation lawyer | Mar 17

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Ms. Chattopadhya is professional, informed and logical in her approach to her cases. She is a pleasure to work with as a colleague in the family law arena."

Michael Hulshof headshot
Michael Hulshof

Unknown lawyer | Jun 01

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Lucy Zheng headshot
Lucy Zheng

Family lawyer | Mar 19

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Magdalena is a colleague who is passionate at what she does and genuinely cares for her clients!"

Amy Yiting Hsiao headshot
Amy Hsiao

Family lawyer | Mar 06

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Magdalena is a wonderful attorney who always has her clients' best interest at heart. She goes above and beyond to advocate for her clients. I highly recommend her!"

Benjamin Aguilar headshot
Benjamin Aguilar

Family lawyer | Nov 01

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Magdalena is a well-respected and a tenacious advocate for her client. Known by many for her superb communication and reasoning ability. I would have no hesitation referring cases to Magdalena. I endorse this lawyer."

Vanessa Betryna Gnekow headshot
Vanessa Gnekow

Family lawyer | Oct 19

Relationship: Other

"Magdalena is a fierce and zealous advocate. Magdalena fights vigorously for her clients."

Douglas MacMillan Borthwick headshot
Douglas Borthwick

Business lawyer | Oct 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Magdalena is a tough-minded and multi-talented lawyer."

Hollee Anna Haines headshot
Hollee Haines

Unknown lawyer | Jul 18

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Daniel Saban headshot
Daniel Saban

Divorce and separation lawyer | Jul 16

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer, she is very thorough and professional."

Narek Zohrabyan headshot
Narek Zohrabyan

Family lawyer | Mar 28

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Very driven individual who will provide sound legal advice and advocate for your rights."

Christopher Walter Dull headshot
Christopher Dull

Family lawyer | Feb 02

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer. Competent, hard working and displays a high level of integrity and ethics."

Debby Lin headshot
Debby Lin

Family lawyer | Sep 13

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"I endorse this lawyer."

Michael P. Gerace headshot
Michael Gerace

Family lawyer | Sep 08

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Top-notch attorney. Highly respected in the legal community."

View All Endorsements
Xian Zheng headshot
Xian Zheng

Family lawyer

Katelyn G. Benage headshot
Katelyn Benage

Family lawyer

Nathalie Lezama Ferro headshot
Nathalie Ferro

Family lawyer

Jagbir Singh Terkiana headshot
Jagbir Terkiana

Immigration lawyer

Moksha Smith headshot
Moksha Smith

Unknown lawyer

Stephen Choi Kim headshot
Stephen Kim

Family lawyer

Rozy Lahlouh Boulos headshot
Rozy Boulos

Unknown lawyer

Ritzi K Lam headshot
Ritzi Lam

Unknown lawyer

Brian Blakely Beckwith headshot
Brian Beckwith

Unknown lawyer

Michael Hulshof headshot
Michael Hulshof

Unknown lawyer

Lucy Zheng headshot
Lucy Zheng

Unknown lawyer

Amy Yiting Hsiao headshot
Amy Hsiao

Unknown lawyer

Elainie Honjas headshot
Elainie Honjas

Unknown lawyer

Hollee Anna Haines headshot
Hollee Haines

Unknown lawyer

Benjamin Aguilar headshot
Benjamin Aguilar

Family lawyer

Julie Sullivan Saffren headshot
Julie Saffren

Domestic violence lawyer

Kalsoom Fatima Tremazi headshot
Kalsoom Tremazi

Unknown lawyer

Vanessa Betryna Gnekow headshot
Vanessa Gnekow

Unknown lawyer

Dana Jill Lent headshot
Dana Lent

Family lawyer

Elaine Karen Salon headshot
Elaine Salon

Family lawyer

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2025

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2024

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2023

Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell

2023

Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers

2022

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2021

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2021

Top 3 Divorce Lawyers, Three Best Rated

2020

San Jose, California, Top 3 Divorce Lawyers, Three Best Rated

2020

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2020

Client Champion Award (Platinum), Martindale-Hubbell®

2020

Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel

2019

Top One Percent, National Association of Distinguished Counsel

2019

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2019

San Jose, California, Top 3 Divorce Lawyers, Three Best Rated

2018

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2018

Board Certified Family Law Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocacy

2018

Client's Choice, Avvo

2018

Board Certified Family Law Specialist, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

2018

Client Champion Award (Platinum), Martindale-Hubbell

2017

Distinguished Lawyer, Expert Network

2017

Client's Choice Award, Avvo

2017

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2017

Lawyers of Distinction, Lawyers of Distinction

2016

10 Best Under 40, American Institute of Family Law Attorneys

2016

Client's Choice, Avvo

2016

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2015

Clients' Choice Award, Avvo

2015

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2015

Nation's Top One Percent, The National Association of Distinguished Counsel

2014

Clients' Choice Award, Avvo

2014

Family Law Trial Advocacy Institute Diploma, National Institute for Trial Advocacy and American Bar Association Section of Family Law

2013

Certificate of Completion / Barristers Leadership Program, Santa Clara County Bar Association

2012

Award for Academic Excellence, California Western School of Law

2011

Public Service Honors Society Award, California Western School of Law

2011

Cert. of Adv. Mediation Training & Field Experience (50 hours), California Western School of Law

2011

Certificate of Appreciation, American Bar Association

2010

Mediation Certificate (42 hours of training), University of La Verne

2009

Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children Certificate, CASA for Riverside County, Inc.

Work Experience

2013 - Present

Attorney, Magdalena Law Group

2012 - 2013

Litigation Assistant, Fenwick & West

2012 - 2012

Judicial Extern, United States District Court for the Southern District of California

2011 - 2011

Legal Intern, Robbins Geller Rudman & Dowd LLP

2011 - 2011

Small Claims Court Mediator, North County Lifeline at the California Superior Court, County of San Diego

2009 - 2010

Volunteer, Neighborhood Legal Services at the California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles

2009 - 2010

Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children, CASA for Riverside County

Associations

2021 - Present

Santa Cruz County Bar Association

Member

2018 - Present

California Lawyers Association, Family Law Section

Member

2018 - Present

Association of Certified Family Law Specialists

Member

2018 - Present

California Lawyers Association, Litigation Section

Member

2017 - Present

Association of Family and Conciliation Courts

Member

2014 - Present

Santa Clara County Psychological Association

Associate Member

2013 - Present

American Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

2012 - Present

Santa Clara County Bar Association

Member

2012 - Present

California Western School of Law

Alumni Board Regional Director

2012 - Present

Santa Clara County Bar Association, Family Law Section

Member

2012 - Present

State Bar of California

Member

2010 - Present

Los Angeles County Bar Association

Member

2009 - Present

American Bar Association

Member

2016 - 2017

American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division

Co-Chair of the Law Student Outreach Team

2014 - 2017

American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division

Member

2014 - 2015

American Bar Association Family Law Section, Young Lawyers Committee

Member

2014 - 2015

American Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division, Family Law Committee

Vice-Chair of the Family Law Committee

2013 - 2014

Santa Clara County Bar Association, Domestic Violence Committee

Member

2013 - 2013

Women Lawyers of Alameda County

Member

2013 - 2017

State Bar of California, Family Law Section

Member

2012 - 2013

Marin County Bar Association

Member

2012 - 2013

The Association of Polish American Attorneys

Member

2012 - 2013

Lawyers Club of San Diego

Member

2012 - 2013

California Women Lawyers

Member

2012 - 2013

Alameda County Bar Association

Member

2012 - 2015

Bar Association of San Francisco

Member

2012 - 2014

San Mateo County Bar Association

Member

2011 - 2013

San Diego County Bar Association

Member

2011 - 2012

American Bar Association, Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section

Vice Chair, Product Liability and Consumer Law

2010 - 2012

San Bernardino County Bar Association

Student Member

2010 - 2011

American Bar Association, Law Student Division

9th Circuit Lieutenant Governor

2009 - 2012

American Bar Association, Law Student Division

Member

Education

2012

California Western School of Law

Juris Doctor

Languages

Polish

English

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution