$ 375-375 per hour
Riley Viola Pennington
also known as Riley Pennington, Riley V. Pennington
About Riley
Biography
Riley V. Pennington graduated from Sonoma State University with a degree in Political Science. Riley was heavily involved in several leadership organizations and student government, while serving as President of Alpha Xi Delta Fraternity and as a member of the executive board of the Panhellenic Council.
Riley received her Juris Doctor from Thomas Jefferson School of Law. During her time as a law student, Riley was a member of the Public Interest Law Foundation as well as the Family Law Society. In addition to being named to the Dean’s List on numerous occasions, Riley was awarded the Jefferson Medal for excellence in legal writing.
While attending law school, Riley spent two years volunteering for a San Diego based non-profit law firm dedicated to providing legal services to indigent families involved in high conflict custody cases. This experience allowed Riley to gain invaluable skills in managing complicated child custody situations while assisting clients who were experiencing extreme hardship and emotional distress. During her two years with this non-profit firm, Riley developed a passion for family law and a desire to assist individuals during a time in their lives that is often difficult and stressful. As a result of her efforts, Riley was awarded the Wiley W. Manual Award for pro bono legal services, as well as the San Diego Volunteer Service Distinguished Service Award and Standout Volunteer award.
Riley went on to work for a San Diego based family law firm as both a law clerk and a family law associate after passing the California Bar Exam in 2015. By beginning her family law career in a boutique law firm, Riley gained extensive experience by representing clients in divorce, child custody, child and spousal support and domestic violence cases.
Prior to attending law school, Riley worked for a hotel branding company where she undertook failing hotels in Northern California and turned them into fully operational, income producing properties in order to prepare them to sell. This experience provided Riley with a unique business sense and financial management skills that apply directly to many issues that arise in her family law cases.
As a Northern California native, Riley feels at home in the Bay Area and especially anywhere near the ocean. She spends her free time visiting friends and family, exploring new restaurants and new cities, and rooting for the Warriors.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 10 years
State: California
Acquired: 2015
No misconduct found
Location
Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri
1871 The Alameda Ste 400, San Jose, CA, 95126-1755
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Riley Viola Pennington's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
7 Client Reviews
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Character & Conduct
Posted by anonymous | October 21, 2020 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
R. Pennington is a stellar, top-notch Divorce Attorney
R. Pennington is a very meticulous and caring attorney. She navigated me through a very difficult divorce, involving a complex separation of stock assets, and resulting in an amicable sharing plan for our children. She stayed calm despite dealing with an opposing counsel who had a very argumentative ...
Posted by Dan | September 25, 2019 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation
Recent Client
I recently completed the divorce process. Although I am myself a lawyer, it is only with hindsight that I realize how naïve I was in the beginning about the process that lay ahead. Through a time consuming process including much screening and evaluation, attorneys at Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastr...
Posted by Elizabeth | January 24, 2019 | Family
Excellent Attorney
I sought Riley's advice on a very complicated and emotional family matter. She immediately put me at ease with her approach and I felt as if she was truly listening to my concerns. I was extremely impressed with the level of detail Riley provided in her recommendations to me and her overall advice ab...
Riley Viola Pennington's Lawyer Endorsements
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Experience
Honors
N/A
Wiley W. Manual Award for Pro Bono Legal Services, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
N/A
Distinguished Service Award, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
N/A
CALI Award for Excellence in Legal Writing, Thomas Jefferson School of Law
Work Experience
2016 - Present
Associate, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri
1900 - Present
Associate, Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri PC
2015 - 2016
Associate Attorney, Mach Law
2014 - 2015
Law Clerk, Mach Law
2012 - 2014
Law Clerk, San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program
Associations
2015 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
2015 - Present
Santa Clara County Bar AssociationMember
2015 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2011 - Present
Alpha Xi Delta Alumna AssociationPublic Relations Advisor
2007 - Present
Alpha Xi Delta SororityAlumna
Sample of Legal Cases
Stepparent Rights
Stepfather was named a presumed parent and given all the rights and responsibilities of a biological parent. This outcome was confirmed when Mother’s attempt to set aside the order was denied.
Divorce Involving Third Parties
Client was given favorable buyout terms that negated the need to litigate the joinder of the third party.
Child Custody Involving Unsafe Parent
Evaluation was completed, and the judge adopted an order wherein Father’s limited visitation would be suspended if Father teste positive for any controlled substance.
Stepparent Adoption
The Court found that the stepfather was more suited to the role of parent. The court terminated the parental rights of the bio father and the stepfather adopted the child.
Education
2015
Thomas Jefferson SOL
JD - Juris Doctor
2011
California St Univ Sonoma
BA - Bachelor of Arts: Political Science and Government
Publications
2019
Lonich Patton Ehrlich Policastri Blog
Family is More Than DNA: Stepparent Adoptions
2018
Lonich and Patton, LLP Blog
Mental Health and Competency Issues in Family Law
Languages
English
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