SAN FRANCISCO, Apr. 1, 2009 -- Sideman & Bancroft LLP adds significant family law expertise with Raquel Sefton, who joins the firm as a partner, and Lisa Auer, who joins as an associate. Both were formerly with Folger Levin & Kahn LLP in San Francisco.
“Our family law practice, ably led by Diana Richmond for years, is nationally recognized for negotiating the complex issues that face families today – whether they involve traditional family units, high-profile individuals or same-sex couples. Raquel and Lisa add further depth and expertise, and like our long-time team members, they bring an innovative and constructive approach to solving tough client problems,” said Ellen Kahn, managing partner of the firm.
“Further, these additions boost our women ranks. Today, 52 percent of the firm’s attorneys are women. Sideman & Bancroft is proud to be one of only a handful of women-owned law firms in the country; and indeed, it is among the largest women-owned law firms. We are confident that we offer these two dynamic attorneys an environment in which they will thrive,” added Kahn.
Catering to high-net-worth and high-profile individuals, Sideman & Bancroft offers a full range of family law services, as well as complementary counseling in estate planning, business and real estate. Established in 2001 by Diana Richmond, who focuses on work as a neutral (either as a private judge or mediator), the firm’s bench now includes Sefton’s practice, which encompasses advocacy work. The expanded group also handles premarital and marital agreements and family law appeals.
With more than 15 years’ experience in general litigation and family law, Sefton most recently served as head of Folger Levin’s family law practice. She represents high net-worth individuals, focused intently on complex financial matters and highly contested disputes. Her experience extends to general business, real estate, wealth preservation and tax litigation, affording her a unique perspective on family law counseling. While Sefton has handled substantial litigation in superior courts throughout the greater Bay Area and Los Angeles, she also is adept at negotiation and mediation.
Sefton counsels clients through all aspects of dissolution, whether traditional marriage or domestic partnership. She also handles pre- and post-marital agreements; child custody and support; complex valuation and asset division matters, including privately held businesses, venture capital entities, real estate holdings and other income sources; and domestic violence- and substance abuse-related issues. She is a certified Family Law Specialist and chairs the Family Law Section of the Bar Association of San Francisco. Sefton earned her J.D., with honors, from Harvard Law School (1992) and her B.S., with honors, in applied mathematics from the University of California, Los Angeles (1989).
Auer’s family law-focused practice includes representing spouses and domestic partners in dissolutions involving complex property issues and child and spousal support; parentage and custody actions; second-parent adoptions; and cohabitation, domestic partner, pre- and post-marital agreements. Auer earned her J.D. from University of California, Boalt Hall School of Law (2007) and her B.A. from Yale University (1988).
Founded in San Francisco in 1978, Sideman & Bancroft LLP has significant expertise in real estate, business transactions, business crimes, civil litigation, family law, intellectual property transactions and litigation, and tax. The firm is committed to the highest quality representation, provided by seasoned counselors dedicated to personal attention and responsiveness. On the net: www.sideman.com.