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David Patton is a certified family law specialist, limiting his practice to family law exclusively. He heads the firm’s family law practice.
Mr. Patton has over 30 years experience as a trial lawyer, spending his early years as a trial lawyer focusing on insurance defense and plaintiff’s personal injury cases. After co-founding Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri in 1994, Mr. Patton developed the firm's family law practice. Since then, he has become one of Silicon Valley’s top family law attorneys.
Mr. Patton is a certified family law specialist. Only attorneys certified by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization may represent themselves as such.
To be certified by the Board of Legal Specialization of the State Bar of California, an attorney must:
A certified Family Law Specialist maintains and improves his or her knowledge and competence in the family law field regularly.
Mr. Patton delivers valuable trial experience and cost management to the firm's family law clients. He seeks settlement whenever possible. However, when a reasonable settlement cannot be reached, he draws upon his strong litigation and trial skills to obtain excellent results for his clients in court.
Mr. Patton was born in Oakland, California in 1960. He is a fifth generation resident of the State of California. Mr. Patton attended Skyline High School, where he was captain of the Skyline ski racing team. After graduating from high school, Mr. Patton attended the University of California at Berkeley. While at Berkeley, he spent a year in France where he attended the Political Science Institute branch of the Sorbonne in Paris. He was also president of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. Mr. Patton graduated from Berkeley with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in 1983, and then attended Santa Clara University School of Law. While at Santa Clara University, he served as an editor of the Santa Clara Law Review. He also spent a summer working for a law firm in Singapore, and attending the University of Singapore Law School. Mr. Patton graduated from Santa Clara University School of Law in 1987.
When not at work, Mr. Patton enjoys participating in sporting activities, including ski racing, scuba diving, golf and volleyball, as well as attending Cal Bears football games. He also enjoys travel, and has traveled extensively throughout the United States and abroad.
Mr. Patton is a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association, where he is a member of the family law section, and the State Bar of California. He is admitted to practice in all California Courts, including the Federal District Court and U.S. Court of Appeals. Mr. Patton has been appointed by the Santa Clara Superior Court to act as a judge pro-tem (volunteer judge) and arbitrator. He has acted as a private judge and mediator as well.
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$ 600-600 per hour
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Chat withState: California
Acquired: 1988
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1871 The Alameda, Suite 400, San Jose, CA, 95126
16 Client Reviews
Showing 1 - 5 of 16 reviews
Posted by anonymous | May 31, 2023 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
One of the best divorce attorneys!
I would like to express my sincere appreciation for the exceptional professionalism and unwavering support I received from Dave Patton and his remarkable A+ team during the entirety of my divorce case. Their unwavering dedication and unparalleled expertise were pivotal in achieving an outcome that ex...
Posted by Jonathan | June 05, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
David Patton - Divorce
David Patton and his staff completely earned my trust over the course of the year or so I worked with him. I have worked with many attorney's professionally and this was a difficult and very complex personal divorce case - I was extremely impressed with David and his staff. They were honest, smart...
Posted by Ann | February 27, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Child Support
Excellent attorney
David Patton and his team represented me in a child support matter. I had a prior support agreement created by another attorney that was not being honored. Mr. Patton did an excellent job not only in representing me but in his communication with me regarding my case. It was a very complicated agre...
Posted by Sheri | May 27, 2015 | Alimony
Caring and Professional Family Law Expert
David Patton represented me in a particularly long and drawn out battle over spousal support. My ex was determined to terminate support. He had no interest in settling and his attorney had a reputation for bringing everything to trial. Proceedings lasted over 2 years before we finally got the judg...
Posted by Larry | September 05, 2014 | Divorce & Separation
has a way with words
Mr. Patton represented me in a divorce. Mr. Patton is an expert on the Santa Clara court system, its rules and people but what makes Mr. Patton stand out is his skill at taking complex issues and reducing them to something that can be presented clearly in court. Not just reducing the issues...
"I highly recommend David Patton. He is an outstanding attorney with A+ ethics. He understands complex issues and is thoughtful in helping the court find creative solutions to find as much of a win win result as possible. In my opinion, his firm is one of the best in Santa Clara."
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2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2025
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
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2020
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2019
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2018
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2015
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2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Superlawyer, Superlawyers/San Francisco Magazine
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Superlawyer, Superlawyers/San Francisco Magazine
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Superlawyer, Superlawyers/San Francisco Magazine
2012
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2011
Biltmore's Who's Who, Blitmore
2011
Superlawyer, Superlawyers/San Francisco Magazine
2010
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2010
Superlawyer, Superlawyers/San Francisco Magazine
2009
Superlawyers-Star Search, Superlawyers magazine
2008
Board Certified Specialist, Family Law, California Board of Legal Specialization
2006
Silicon Valley's Top Attorneys, San Jose Magizine
2003
Who's Who in American Law, Marquis Who's Who
1987
Law Review, Santa Clara University
1994 - Present
Partner, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri
1900 - Present
Partner, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri PC
1988 - 1994
Attorney, Collins and Zapala
2014 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaCommissioner, State Bar Family Law Advisory Commission
2008 - Present
Association of Certified Family Law SpecialistsMember
2008 - Present
Santa Clara County Bar AssociationFamily Law Executive Committee
2002 - Present
Better Business BureauMember
1993 - Present
Santa Clara County Superior CourtArbitrator/Volunteer Settlement Judge
1993 - Present
US Court of AppealsQualified/Admitted
1988 - Present
Santa Clara County Bar AssociationMember
1988 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
1983 - Present
US Federal CourtsQualified/Admitted
2006 - 2009
Creekside Village Homeowners AssociationPresident
1978 - 1983
Sigma Alpha Epsilon FraternityPresident/member
Primary Custody & Move Away Order
1987
Juris Doctorate
1983
BA - Bachelor of Arts (X2)
2009
Legal Career Placement in Family Law
1995
Legal Career Placement, Civil Litigation
2011
2011
2011
1985
English
French
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