$ 400-400 per hour
About Nakesha
Biography
As the child of divorced parents, empathy has always been at the heart of NaKesha’s legal practice. Making the process as easy and painless as possible for clients and their children is always the primary goal. NaKesha’s firsthand knowledge of how this process can effect parties and their children makes her an invaluable resource for her clients and a respected and effective advocate in Court. A 2018 article profiling NaKesha and her husband called them “one of the dynamic duos of family law”.
Growing up in Riverside as the daughter of prominent family law attorney Mary Swanson and a Riverside County Judicial officer, NaKesha has always been immersed in family law. NaKesha received her BA from Marquette University then earned her Juris Doctor from Chapman Law School in 2008, with highest honors in the areas of Family Law and Trial Practice. NaKesha immediately passed the bar exam and began practicing in February, 2009. Throughout law school and after, NaKesha worked for family law firms in Orange and Riverside counties before starting her own practice in January, 2011. NaKesha has also published articles, most recently on Marital Settlement Agreements and Qualified Domestic Relations Orders.
NaKesha has been trained as both a minor’s counsel, allowing her to advocate for children in the most contentious of cases; as well as a Judge Pro Tem. NaKesha has volunteered as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) for abused and neglected children and worked with PSLC (Public Service Law Corporation) assisting underserved parties in preparing family law documents. As a member of COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates) Nakesha has litigated dozens of cases involving both children and adults with special needs, as well as guardianships and adoptions. For the past 5 years NaKesha has also served as a Judge for mock trial competitions. She participated with select judicial officers and attorneys on the committee designed to implement findings of the Elkins Task Force; as statewide legislative mandate to improve the efficiency and goals of the family court system. NaKesha also spearheaded the effort to form the Inland Empire legislative committee so that the Inland Empire would have a voice in the drafting of the actual laws that make up the California Family Code.
Currently, NaKesha serves as the co-chair of the family law section of the Riverside County Bar Association as well as the nominating committee for the RCBA’s board of directors.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Child Custody
30%
17 years
Divorce and Separation
30%
17 years
Family
30%
17 years
Domestic Violence
10%
17 years
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in California for 17 years
State: California
Acquired: 2009
No misconduct found
Location
No contact information is available for this lawyer
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Nakesha Steffler Dodson Ruegg's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
21 Client Reviews
Nakesha Steffler Dodson Ruegg's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Ruegg is knowledgeable, well respected, honest and a great advocate. She is an asset to our legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Attorney Ruegg is an experienced and knowledgeable family law attorney. Attorney Ruegg has a strong character and is an aggressive yet compassionate advocate for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. Ms. Ruegg is an experienced and knowledgeable attorney who represents her client's best interests. A pleasure to work with and a strong advocate for her clients."
"I endorse this lawyer."
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"Nakesha is a bright legal mind with a sterling reputation. Her dedication to her client's is unmatched. I endorse this attorney."
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"She's trustworthy and extremely professional!"
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Experience
Work Experience
2011 - Present
Owner, Swanson and Ruegg
2009 - 2010
Attorney, Swanson and Myers
2005 - 2008
Paralegal, Kayajanian Law Firm
Associations
2015 - Present
Riverside County Bar AssociationChair
2015 - Present
Riverside County Bar Association, Family Law SectionChair
2009 - Present
Riverside County Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
2009 - Present
State Bar of CaliforniaMember
Education
2008
Chapman Univ Sol
JD - Juris Doctor
2004
Marquette Univ
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2018
Riverside County Bar Association, Family Law Section
Ethics Update: New and Revised Rules of Professional Conduct
Publications
2018
Riverside Lawyer Magazine
Common QDRO Judgment Language Errors And How To Fix Them
Languages
English