Free Consultation
$0 first 30 minutes
Gina Nicole Policastri
also known as Gina N. Policastri
About Gina
Biography
Gina Policastri is a Family Law Specialist as certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization, and partner at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri, where she has worked since graduating from Santa Clara University School of Law. Gina was one of the firm’s first associates and, during her 19 year tenure, has been instrumental in growing the firm into one of the largest family law firms in California. Most recently, Gina was honored by the distinguished legal publication, The Daily Journal, as a Top Family Law Lawyer in 2022 and 2023, where she was featured in a special supplement.
Gina obtained a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Santa Clara University in 2000 and her Juris Doctorate from Santa Clara University School of Law in 2003, where she earned a place as an editor of the Santa Clara Law Review by writing a legal comment on the Barry Bonds divorce case and the prenuptial agreement legislation it subsequently sparked.
Gina has been certified by The State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization as a Family Law Specialist since 2011. To obtain this certification, an attorney must: 1) be an active member in good standing of the State Bar of California; 2) pass a written examination covering California family law; 3) have substantial experience in the field of family law; 4) complete State Bar of California approved legal education requirements applicable to the family law field; and 5) be favorably evaluated by judges and/or other attorneys concerning his or her knowledge, ability and experience in the practice of family law. A Certified Family Law Specialist maintains and improves his or her knowledge and competence in the family law field regularly.
Gina handles all areas of family law including high conflict custody and domestic violence cases, complex business valuation and asset division issues and complicated child and spousal support matters. Gina also draws from her extensive network of family law professionals including forensic accountants, appraisers, vocational and child custody evaluators, parent coordinators, and mental health professionals to assist her in efficiently moving each case toward resolution.
As Gina’s 10.0 AVVO rating and 5-star AVVO reviews reflect, she handles all of her cases with care, compassion and attention to detail. She uses her persuasive writing skills, familiarity with the Santa Clara County family court system and psychology background to effectively litigate what are often emotionally driven matters, but is also cognizant of the financial burden of litigation and assists clients in making the best cost-effective decisions along the way. Gina finds that her psychology background is particularly useful in understanding the underlying dynamics in a family law case, as well as in effectively analyzing the other side’s litigation tactics.
Gina is a California native and has lived in Silicon Valley for over twenty five years. She enjoys spending her free time in Truckee as well as in her community in Willow Glen with her husband, daughter and son.
Gina is a member of the State Bar of California and the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California. She is also a member of the Santa Clara County Bar Association (including the Family Law Section).
Practice Areas
5
Practice Areas
Divorce and Separation
40%
22 years | 300 cases
Family
15%
22 years | 300 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
$ 550-550 per hour
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Looking for an attorney? Avvo can help.
Search our directory
Quickly connect with top attorneys through our legal directory to get help with your legal issue.
Avvo's live chat agents can help coordinate a consultation with a local attorney.
Chat with a live agent who can match you with the right attorney for your legal needs.
Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 22 years
State: California
Acquired: 2003
No misconduct found
Location
Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri
1871 The Alameda, Suite 400, San Jose, CA, 95126-1755
Gallery
Ad
Transform legal challenges into solutions.
Connect now to review your situation.
Gina Nicole Policastri's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
23 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (23)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
Showing 6 - 10 of 10 reviews | Practice Area Knowledge
Posted by Minh | October 11, 2013 | Family
Indeed a Superlaywer!
Gina is awesome!!!!! I had worked with 3 different family attorneys before but with Gina, I have finally found an attorney who is not only an expert in the family law and child custody field, but also trustworthy, understanding and very kind. Furthermore, she is very hard working, dedicated and...
Posted by anonymous | December 24, 2012 | Family
Excellent Lawyer
Gina Policastri is an excellent attorney and is a certified Family Law Specialist in the firm of Lonich & Patton. I worked with her approximately three years ago when she helped me with my initial divorce proceedings. She is professional and responsive. Along with the firm's founding partner David...
Posted by Jorge | April 15, 2010 | Child Custody
Great Lawyer!
It was a pleasure working with Gina, she was dedicated and hard working attorney. She was very professional, responsive and had a clear and simple way of explaining the law as it pertained to me regarding visitation and child support. I will highly recommend her as a great attorney to anyone seeking...
Posted by anonymous | June 25, 2009 | Divorce & Separation
Gina is an excellent choice!
Gina did an outstanding job representing me during my divorce. Her attention to detail and excellent communication skills were a real asset to my case. I felt she was always there for me, making sure my interests were protected. She is able to think outside the box and bring discrepancies to light qu...
Posted by anonymous | June 25, 2009 | Divorce & Separation
Trustworthy and Responsive - Thanks for the help.
Gina was great help in getting through my divorce process. She was able to answer my many questions about the process and Family code though out the process. Her help was greatly appreciated in a difficulty time and was a person you can trust and I needed to. For my divorce we settle out of cour...
Gina Nicole Policastri's Lawyer Endorsements
"Gina is my "go-to" attorney for referring clients for family law matters in the South Bay. She is one of the smartest and most diligent attorneys I know in an area of law that is complex and emotional. She must hold the record for clients sending her candy, flowers and thank you notes for consistently helping clients in need."
"Gina has handled several business dissolution cases for us. Excellent attorney. I highly recommend her."
"I highly endorse Gina Policastri. Like Gina, I am a family law attorney and understand her role in the legal community. I have known Gina professionally for over 15 years and during such time we have had numerous active family law cases across the table. I am so impressed with Gina's ethics, stellar work product, pragmatic and insightful approach to resolution, formidable representation in court, and courtesy as counsel and as an employer. Gina's education, advocacy and acting in her clients' best interests are bar none, and that is why I gladly often refer divorcing parties to her. I'm proud to call her a colleague and collaborator, not a competitor. Thank you Gina for raising the bar in the family law community. Jim"
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"An excellent lawyer who treats clients with patience, care, understanding, and utmost professionalism - an even better person and I wholeheartedly recommend for future services."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Gina is an excellent attorney with a reputation for her zealous advocacy and results. I endorse this lawyer."
"Hiring an experienced family law attorney is the best way you get peace of mind when dealing with custody , visitation, spousal support, etc. Having a family law attorney's services helps ensure that nothing is left out of your case/claim or matter, which means that costly mistakes won't come back to bite you later. I endorse this lawyer . -Anthony Munoz, Esq."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Clients referred to Gina were very satisfied."
"I endorse this lawyer. Gina is highly capable!"
Shelby Rider
Family lawyer
James Hoover
Family lawyer
Luna Stevenson
Child custody lawyer
Valerie Tarvin
Mediation lawyer
Alistair Shaw
Child custody lawyer
Bethany Brass
Divorce and separation lawyer
Virginia Lively
Divorce and separation lawyer
Jessica Siegel
Family lawyer
Riley Pennington
Unknown lawyer
Alexis Revelo
Unknown lawyer
Ernest Baello
Unknown lawyer
Susan Urrutia
Unknown lawyer
Bobby Khalajestani
Family lawyer
Tiffany Gonzalez
Family lawyer
Susan Dent
Family lawyer
Jillian Green
Family lawyer
Rachel Leff-Kich
Family lawyer
Rebecca Sternbach
Family lawyer
Gretchen Boger
Family lawyer
Eva Martelle
Family lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Top Family Law Lawyers, The Daily Journal
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Top Family Law Lawyers, The Daily Journal
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2014
Client Distinction Award, Martindale-Hubbell
2014
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2013
Northern California Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers Magazine
2013
Top 40 Family Lawyers Under 40, The American Society of Legal Advocates
2013
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2012
Top Women Attorneys in Northern California, Super Lawyers Magazine
2012
Rising Star, Super Lawyers Magazine
2011
Certified Specialist - Family Law, State Bar of California
2003
Academic Excellence in Community Property, Witkin Legal Institute
2003
Academic Achievement in Community Property, CALI
Work Experience
2003 - Present
Partner, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri
1900 - Present
Partner, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri PC
2001 - 2003
Law Clerk, Lonich & Patton, LLP
Associations
2011 - Present
Association of Certified Family Law SpecialistsMember
2003 - Present
Santa Clara County Bar AssociationMember
2003 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2003 - Present
U.S. District Court, Northern District of CaliforniaMember
2003 - Present
Better Business BureauMember
2013 - 2013
National Association of Professional WomenMember
2012 - 2012
World Wide Who's WhoMember
2003 - 2007
American Bar AssociationMember
2003 - 2003
Santa Clara University Law ReviewEditor
Sample of Legal Cases
International Custody Dispute Resulting in Return of Child to China
Prevailed
DCSS v. John Doe
Prevailed Against DCSS in Paternity Action
Education
2003
Santa Clara University
JD - Juris Doctor
2000
Santa Clara University
BS - Bachelor of Science
Speaking Engagements
2002
The Katharine & George Alexander Community Law Center - Small Business Seminar
How to Start a Small Business
Publications
2018
Lonich and Patton, LLP Blog
What Happens if You Disobey a Court Order to Vaccinate Your Child?
2018
Lonich and Patton, LLP Blog
Who Dunnit: Playing the Blame Game in a Divorce
2018
Lonich and Patton, LLP Blog
Who Dunnit: Playing the Blame Game in a Divorce
2014
Lonich & Patton, LLP Blog
Independent Evaluations: Could Denying Your Child Junk Food Affect Child Custody?
2014
Lonich & Patton, LLP Blog
Olympic Skiier Reaches Custody Agreement
2014
Lonich & Patton, LLP Blog
January, AKA "Divorce Month," is Over!
2014
Lonich & Patton, LLP Blog
The "Dirty DUI" Case
2014
Lonich & Patton, LLP Blog
Does "Shacking Up" Mean "Splitting Up?"
2013
Lonich & Patton, LLP Blog
Tax Ruling: Joint Federal Tax Returns For Everyone!
2013
Lonich & Patton, LLP BLog
Contemplating Divorce: What To Consider Before You Cut Ties
2013
Lonich & Patton, LLP Blog
Annulment: Cleaning the Marital Slate
2013
Lonich & Patton, LLP
Fiduciary Duties Between Spouses: Respect Thy Spouse
2011
2011
Lonich & Patton Blog
What is Income for Purposes of Support?
2011
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Can i reschedule my mediation and court dates?
08 Dec 2017
Q&A
Have Children express stuff to other parent
08 Dec 2017
Q&A
How to amend a filed petition for dissolution of marriage?
08 Nov 2009
Legal Guides
Legal Guide
How Long Does the Annulment Process Take?
27 Jan 2026
Legal Guide
Climate Change and Family Law:
27 Jan 2026
Legal Guide
Can Child Custody Be in a Prenuptial Agreement?
27 Jan 2026