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Dana Lynn Santos

4.8
Rating: 9.7

Licensed for 25 years

Family Lawyer Practice Areas: Family, Mediation

About Dana

Biography

Practice Areas

2

Practice Areas

Family 50%

Mediation for all areas of family law, including divorce, separation, custody, paternity, support, and property issues.

50%

Fees and Rates

We have not found any cost information for this lawyer


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Licenses

Licensed in California for 25 years

State: California

Acquired: 2000

Inactive

No misconduct found

Location

No contact information is available for this lawyer

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Dana Lynn Santos's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.8 /5.0

10 Client Reviews

Filter Avvo Reviews (10) Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.

Showing 1 - 3 of 3 reviews | Recommendation

Posted by Jeff | September 03, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Divorce & Separation

Expert knowledge and experience, and above the bar advice

I can highly recommend Dana. She helped guide me through my divorce over about 2 to 3 years. My best advice to you is, listen to her and take her suggestions. She knows her stuff, and I would have been much better off if I had followed her advice and wise counsel front the start. Her rates frankly ...are too low, but good for us, and she is more than fair in her billings. Overall, although divorce is not a good experience, trust Dana to guide you through the legal aspects with intelligence, experience, knowledge and caring.

Posted by Mark | November 04, 2015 | Hired Attorney | Child Custody

100% Strongly Recommend Dana Santos

Few months ago I had received a court summons notifying me that my daughter's mother was filing for sole physical and legal custody. Being a Disabled Veteran living in Texas I didn't understand how to respond or what my options were at the time. Many law offices were too busy and weren't willing to m...ake the commitment of explaining legal procedure to me and guiding me through the process. Until I found Dana L. Santos this woman was a god send and took the time to explain all my options and returned every call personally and promptly. Dana was able to broker an agreement between us and opened up the channels of communication that not only resolved our issues but left us in a better place in our relationship as parents of our daughter. Initially I was very cautious because I know that lawyers can be costly and ring up bills like Congress. This was not an issue between us and I am very satisfied with the cost of representation and the quality of it, in fact I believe that I ended up on the most beneficial side of hiring Dana. She has an extensive knowledge of Family Law and is capable of illuminating any legal complexity. If you want a Lawyer who will fight for you and represent you with the highest integrity, and ethical standards hire Dana.

Posted by Melissa | September 27, 2012 | Divorce & Separation

Yes, I recommend Dana Santos.

I retained Ms. Santos for both my Legal Separation (in 2009) and Divorce (early 2012). She worked with me on a timeline that made me comfortable and she never let anything fall through the cracks, always keeping me informed of what was coming next. I had interviewed several divorce attorneys before... she was recommended to me. I chose her because she did not flinch when I told her my separation and divorce would be amicable and my ex would not fight me on anything. The other attorneys I had talked to basically rolled their eyes and wanted to start from an aggressive position. I did not want that. Dana understood, although she was very clear that if there came a point when I wanted to change tactics we would change tactics. She trusted me to know my ex and how to navigate that situation and I trusted her he ensure that everything was fair and legal. Would I recommend Dana? Not only would I, but I already have, several times. As I type this she is meeting with and being retained by a colleague who has received horrible legal advice previously and tried to handle her divorce on her own. When she asked me what to do, I said..."You need to talk to my divorce attorney, Dana Santos. She is the best." And she is. I recommend Dana as an expert in any area of family law. I am lucky I was referred to her. There was no one better to have my back during that horrible time in my life.

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Dana Lynn Santos's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Dana
David Marc Lederman headshot
David Lederman

Family lawyer | Mar 25

Relationship: Opposing Counsel on matter

"I've known Dana for many years and consider her to be an outstanding attorney. I would recommend her without reservation on any family law matter."

Erin Ann Levine headshot
Erin Levine

Family lawyer | Mar 24

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Dana is well respected among her colleagues and there's good reason for it. She's kind, smart, thoughtful, knowledgeable and an excellent advocate. Whether representing adults or kids, she's an attorney I endorse."

View All Endorsements

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This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  9.7 (Superb)

Honors

2008

Specialist, Family Law Since 2008, State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization

2003

Pro Bono Service, Contra Costa County Bar Association

2001

Certificate of Appreciation, STAND

2000

Cert. of Specialization w/ Distinction Public Interest Law, Golden Gate University School of Law

1999

Am Jur, Trial Advocacy, Golden Gate University School of Law

N/A

Volunteer Appreciation (multiple years), Superior Court of Contra Costa County

Work Experience

2002 - 2004

Associate, Whiting, Fallon & Ross

1999 - 2002

Intern, Associate Attorney, Law Office of Marcia Lassiter

Associations

2014 - Present

Santa Cruz County Bar Association

Member

2012 - 2012

Contra Costa County Bar Association

Editor, Contra Costa Lawyer

2008 - 2012

Contra Costa County Bar Association

Board of Directors, Director

2005 - 2010

Contra Costa County Bar Association

Family Law Section Board of Directors, Director

2000 - 2012

American Inns of Court, Robert G. McGrath

Member

Education

2000

Golden Gate University, School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1994

University of California, Berkeley

BA

Speaking Engagements

2012

2012 MCLE Spectacular

Social Media, A Lawyer’s Guide

Publications

2014

Times Publishing Group Is Divorce Mediation Right for You?

Languages

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